Greek community celebrates Easter

May 2022 Following the 40-day Easter Lent of the Orthodox Calendar, thousands of Hellenes across Adelaide celebrated the Resur- rection of Jesus Christ in what constitutes the most important religious celebration in all of Christendom. The Greek Orthodox Community’s churches commenced the Easter services on Palm Sunday as Holy Week marked the beginning of the Passion of Christ. According to an announce-ment from the GOCSA, all the Community’s churches reached beyond full capacity in the days leading to Easter Saturday as its members made their way to pray for peace, prosperity and good health. "Following the tradition, women of all ages gathered at each of our churches on Thursday to help decorate the Tomb of Christ ‘Epitaphio’ as well as prepare the church for Good Friday. "Black and purple ribbons ran across the churches’ interior reflecting the mourning atmosphere for the Passion of Christ, while the morning services on Thursday and Saturday drew thousands of parishioners who came to receive the Holy Communion. "Continuing on Good Friday, the Tomb of Christ dominated in every church with thousands attending the Royal Hours service and the litany of the Tomb of Christ reminding church goers the sacrifice He made for humanity". Byzantine hymns were chanted around the Tomb and at around 9.00pm the church procession of the ‘Epitaphio’ made its way out and around the block, with thousands of people following its course. The list of official guests who attended the ‘Epitafio’ procession on Good Friday and Holy Saturday at the Community’s churches included Minister for Multicultural Affairs Zoe Bettison, Lord Mayor Sandy Verchoor, Maria Maglieri on behalf of SAMEAC Chair Andriana Christopoulos, Mayor for Charles Sturt Angela Evans Mayor for West Torrens Michael Coxon, Jayne Stinson MP and many more. The celebrations peaked on Easter Saturday with the traditional midnight mass as thousands of the Community’s members flocked to church to attend the Resurrection Ceremony and to receive the Eternal Light. At midnight, priests sang out “Christ has Risen’, marking the end of the Passion and making the joyful announcement of Christ’s resurrection. It’s worth mentioning that the Cathedral of Archangels & Gabriel hosted as per every other year the special Service of Love, conducted later in the evening.

Greek Tribune Adelaide, South Australia