Community members gathered at Evangelismos Church in East Melbourne on 25 March to mark Greek National Day and the Feast of the Annunciation, in a moving celebration of faith, history and cultural identity.
As the first Greek Orthodox church in Victoria, and the second in Australia, Evangelismos holds a special place in the story of the community.
The service brought together a full church of attendees, including clergy led by His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne Dimitra Georgantzoglou, Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) President Bill Papastergiadis, GCM Board Members Helene Hiotis, Sophia Siachos, Stella Moschos, Nick Koukouvitakis and Anthea Sidiropoulos, and Andreas Andrianopoulos AM and his family.
A special moment of the day saw a commemorative plaque unveiled, recognising the significant contribution by Mr Andrianopoulos AM which allowed for restoration works at the historic church.
These works included the installation of a new European marble floor, the purchase and installation of furnishings such as chandeliers and icon stands, and the full adornment of the church interior with new iconography by an iconographer.
GCM President Mr Papastergiadis OAM acknowledged the significance of both the occasion and the restoration.
He thanked Bishop Kyriakos and Fr. Antonios Vanikiotis for their ongoing service and spiritual guidance, noting Evangelismos as one of the most historic churches in Victoria.
“It’s important to recognise Andreas Andrianopoulos AM and his family, because without their support many of these restoration works would not have been possible,” he said.
He thanked Mr Andrianopoulos for his generous and invaluable support to the community.
“It must be noted he was married in this church, his children were christened here, and he feels the need to support it,” he said.
Reflecting on the day, Mr Papastergiadis also highlighted the broader significance of 25 March: “Today we honour the heroes who fought for freedom in Greece. We should also recognise the heroes here in our own community who continue to support and strengthen it.”
Mr Andrianopoulos said his support was guided by a strong sense of responsibility to the church and its history.
“I feel a deep obligation to support a church of this stature and significance, just as those before us did when they first established it,” he said.
Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Ms Georgantzoglou, also acknowledged the contribution.
“I am deeply moved by Andreas Andrianopoulos AM’s generosity and his ongoing support for the community,” she said.
She also thanked Mr Papastergiadis and the GCM Board for their continued work in supporting the Greek community in Melbourne.
GCM Vice-President Ms Sidiropoulos said the day was a meaningful moment for the community, reflecting the strong connection between faith, history and identity.
“It’s always special to see people come together like this and honour what this day represents,” she said.
Her fellow Board Member Mr Koukouvitakis said the service also highlighted the ongoing importance of Evangelismos to the community.
“Evangelismos is a historic church, the first Orthodox church in Victoria, and it has played a significant role in bringing our community together since the early years,” he said.
“For many, it was more than a place of worship, it was where people gathered, connected and built a sense of belonging in a new country.
“We are also grateful to the Andrianopoulos family for their generous support and philanthropy following the devastating fire, helping restore this important place for future generations.”
The dual celebration of national pride and religious significance was reflected throughout the service, with attendees marking both the anniversary of the Greek War of Independence and one of the most important days in the Orthodox calendar.
