This Orthodox Easter, tens of thousands of Greek Orthodox faithful gathered at churches across Australia on Sunday, May 5 for the annual Anastasi service to mark the end of Holy Week and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ after his Crucifixion.
When the clock struck midnight on Holy Saturday, Orthodox faithful began chanting loudly the Resurrection hymn of ‘Xristos Anesti’ (‘Christ is Risen’). Later, they broke Lent with family and friends over a traditional magiritsa, lamb on the spit and red-dyed eggs.
New South Wales
Despite the persistent rain, tens of thousands flocked to their local church in Sydney for the annual Anastasi service.
At the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Kogarah, Sydney, the Anastasi service was presided over by Archbishop Makarios of Australia alongside Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis and Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia.
There were also a number of federal and state politicians present, including Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; member of the Hellenic Parliament, Dimitrios Kouvelas; Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos; Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yannis Mallikourtis; Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Linda Burney MP; NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper MP; Federal MP and former Minister, David Coleman; Member for Oatley, Mark Coure MP; and the Mayor of Georges River, Sam Elmir; and many other politicians and Greek community leaders.
At midnight, the Archbishop and dignitaries moved outside to greet the packed crowd who were waiting in the rain to chant ‘Christ is Risen.’
In a message to the crowd, Archbishop Makarios stressed that whoever believes in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ does not consider that with death everything ends and all is lost, but that “the sweet dawn arrives and something beautiful commences.” The Archbishop also thanked the faithful who defied the adverse weather conditions and came en masse to the “feast of feasts” of Orthodoxy.
In his speech, the Prime Minister told crowds it was a “joy” to be with them to mark the occasion.
“To attend a Greek Orthodox Church at this sacred time is to be immersed in history, heritage, culture and of course faith, and to feel the warm embrace of family and community,” Mr Albanese said.
Victoria:
Orthodox Easter was celebrated at Greek Orthodox churches across Victoria on Sunday, May 5.
At the Holy Monastery of Our Lady “Axion Esti” in the Archdiocesan District of Northcote in Victoria, the Anastasi service was presided over by Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta. On the night, he read the Easter message of Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
South Australia:
In South Australia, Anastasi midnight services were attended by thousands of Greeks wanting to partake in the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
At churches such as the Greek Orthodox Community and Parish of The Nativity of Christ in Port Adelaide, there were lines out the door as people waited their turn to receive the Holy Light from the parish priest.
From there, the entire congregation, both elderly and youth, stood outside and chanted together ‘Xristos Anesti.’
This Pascha, the Parish and community of Saint Sophrony Orthodox Church in Hectorville also celebrated their second Holy Pascha.
Saint Sophrony Orthodox Parish is the first dedicated English-speaking Orthodox Parish in Australia. It represents a new chapter for the Orthodox church, with a mission of welcoming new English-speakers to the Church and enabling all peoples to seek and live a Christian life.
Western Australia:
Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea officiated at the Resurrection Service and the Paschal Divine Liturgy at the Church of St Nektarios in Dianella, Western Australia.
At the conclusion of the Resurrection Service, just after midnight, Archbishop Makarios’ Easter Message was read by Bishop Elpidios.
The Consul of Greece in Perth, Georgia Karasiotou, also delivered a brief Easter message and reminded everyone on the forthcoming visit of the Ambassador of Greece in Australia, Stavros Venizelos to Perth during Bright Week.
