The Greek Orthodox District of Northcote in Victoria held its first event on Sunday to commemorate the 200-year anniversary of Greek Independence.
Held at The Transfiguration of the Lord Greek Orthodox Church in Thomastown, the commemoration event began with a Divine Liturgy by The Archipiscopical Vicar for the District of Northcote, The Very
Reverend Archimandrite, Fr. Evmenios Vasilopoulos.
This was followed by a special doxology service and an official march, led by a drum band, from the church grounds to the nearby church hall.
Participating in the march were local Greek school students, people from the church’s youth groups, and representatives from local Greek and Cypriot organisations, including the Hellenic Community of Whittlesea, the Cyprus Community of the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne, and the Choir of the Hellenic Community of Whittlesea.
“The pinnacle of the march was a reenactment of the oaths sworn by members of the Filiki Eteria,” Reverend Father George Frangos tells The Greek Herald.
Following the reenactment, about 130 attendees were treated to lunch in the church hall, as well as a keynote speech by Father Frangos on the influence of Mount Athos and the Athonias Ecclesiastical Academy on Greek Independence.
“It was a fantastic event enjoyed by all. Especially under the current circumstances, it was quite good to see people out and celebrating such a historic event,” Father Frangos says.
