National Day of Greece

27 March 2022 Hundreds of Greek community members from across Adelaide joined the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia in a number of celebrations for Greek National Day on Sunday 27th of March 2022 from 11am. Official guests, parishioners (from the Community’s four churches) and students alike gathered at the Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Franklin Street to attend the Great Doxology and the memorial service. On a day of remembrance filled with national pride, the Greek flag dominated the interior and tthe exterior of the Cathedral as a reminder of the heroic efforts of those who fought against the Ottoman oppression. Young students from various Greek Language Schools dressed in traditional costumes added to the celebrative atmosphere, reflecting the younger generations of Greeks who carry the same eternal values and aspirations of the heroes of the 1821 epos. The Great Doxology was followed by a memorial service and ceremony in memory of the fallen heroes, conducted at the war memorial of the Cathedral. During the ceremony, official guests and representatives from local Greek clubs and associations laid wreaths at the memorial, paying tribute to the heroes of 1821. A written message from the President Mr Gonis for the occasion, said that Hellenism across the globe ought to remember the heroes of the 1821 Epos and the titanic efforts they made to restore freedom and independence in our home land. Among the official guests who attended the celebrations were the Hon Olivia Savas Representing the Minister for Multiculturaal Affairs the Hon Zoe Bettison, David Pisoni MP, representing the Opposition in South Australia, the Hon Frank Pangallo, Member of the Legislative Council and SA Best party, the Lord Mayor of Adelaide Ms Sandy Verschoor, Ms Anna Cheung from the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission representing the Chair Ms Andriana Christopoulos, and Prof. Andreas Evdokiou President of the Cyprus Community of SA. The formal wreath laying ceremony was followed by celebrations through cultural performance and poem recitals by students of the Greek Language Schools and students from the Community’s Dance Academy. The ceremony included the singing of the Greek and Australian national anthems. Sunday's events concluded late on Sunday afternoon with a lecture on Rigas Fereos Velestinlis, given by Sydney Professor Dr Alfred Vincent at the Colossus Hall in Torrensville.

Greek Tribune Adelaide, South Australia