The Australian Hellenic community gathered in Sydney on Sunday, May 24, to commemorate the Greek Genocide, particularly those from the Pontos region, through a day of memorial services, wreath-laying ceremonies and cultural remembrance.
The commemoration was jointly organised by the Greek Pontian Society of Wollongong “Diogenes,” Panagia Soumela Sydney, and the Pontian Association of NSW Pontoxeniteas.
Proceedings began with a Divine Liturgy at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, led by His Grace Bishop Christophoros of Kerasounta, followed later by a wreath-laying ceremony and commemorative event at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park.
A strong presence of young Greek Australians formed one of the defining images of the day. Dressed in traditional costumes representing regions across the Hellenic world — including Pontos, Thrace, Central Greece and the Aegean Islands — students stood throughout the liturgy holding the flags of Australia, Greece, Cyprus and Pontos, alongside the banners of the three organising associations.
Students from the Kogarah School of Greek Dance joined folkloric dancers from the co-hosting associations in what organisers described as a powerful demonstration of the pan-Hellenic nature of the commemoration.
In his sermon following the memorial service, Bishop Christophoros spoke about the human need for connection, memory and identity, while prayers were offered for all those who lost their lives during the Genocide and for the generations who carried the trauma that followed.
After the service, attendees gathered for a traditional Pontian morning tea featuring sourva and piroski before proceeding to Hyde Park.
At the Anzac Memorial, political representatives, community leaders and organisations laid wreaths in honour of the victims of the Genocide, as well as the ANZAC prisoners-of-war held in Pontos, Anatolia and Thrace between 1914 and 1924.
Among those who laid wreaths were NSW Minister and Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis, Bayside Councillor Vicki Poulos, representatives from the Assyrian National Council of Australia, the Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW, AHEPA Sydney & NSW, the Cyprus Community of NSW, SEKA, the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, the Hellenic Club Sydney and numerous Greek youth and cultural organisations.
Inside the Memorial’s auditorium, students from Pontoxeniteas shared emotional accounts of their family histories and ancestral connections to Pontos.
Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia co-presidents Maria Anthony and Peter Papoulidis praised the younger generations for embracing their heritage.
“We are in awe of the 3rd and 4th generation that have embraced their culture, their roots and we will be the voice of the silence, we will share their stories, our stories, we will never forget,” Ms Anthony said.
“We do exist, We do matter, Pontos lives through our veins, our hearts – we are proud!”
Papoulidis added: “The final phase of genocide is to forget and denial of the atrocities. As long as commemorations and book launches like these continue, the final phase of genocide will never be completed.”
The keynote address was delivered by Melbourne-based academic Dr Themistocles Kritikakos, who presented his new book, Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian Genocide Recognition in Twenty-First Century Australia.
Drawing on interviews with more than 70 individuals, Dr Kritikakos traced the evolution of remembrance movements and political advocacy surrounding the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian Genocides in Australia since the 1990s, focusing on intergenerational trauma, memory and identity.
Co-emcee Ismini Stavropoulos praised the significance of the research and its contribution to preserving historical memory.
“We thank Dr Kritikakos for his research that challenges complicity, combats ignorance, and illuminates the experiences of victims who remain underrepresented in the narratives that cloud the political sphere, reminding us that they are more than just statistics,” Ismini said.
The event also included a special presentation by Dr Panayiotis Diamadis, co-author of Genocide to Regeneration: The photographs of George Devine Treloar, who donated a copy of the publication to the Anzac Memorial Resource Library.
Speaking during the commemorations, organisers highlighted the importance of continuing to hold such events at Australia’s major war memorials as part of the ongoing work of the Joint Justice Initiative — a coordinated advocacy effort involving the Armenian National Committee, the Assyrian National Committee and the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia.
Nick Chrissostomidis from the Greek Pontian Society of Wollongong “Diogenes” said the strong support shown by community organisations carried particular significance.
“It was truly heartwarming to see so many organisations from across our community stand beside us and lay wreaths in commemoration of the Greek Genocide,” he said.
“Your presence was a powerful reminder that remembrance, dignity, and justice transcend individual communities.
“While some dignitaries were notably absent, the solidarity shown by ordinary people and community organisations spoke louder than politics ever could.”
The commemorations concluded with organisers thanking attendees, volunteers, youth participants, keynote speakers and the bilingual MCs, Kiki Moysiadis and Ismini, for helping deliver the extensive program.
“Stand in solidarity and be the voice of the silence,” organisers said in a closing statement. “Share the stories, never forget. We do exist. We matter. Pontos lives through our veins and our hearts.”
