‘Christ is Risen’ echoes across Australia as Greeks celebrate Orthodox Easter

·

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.

St Raphael at Bentleigh. Photo copyright The Greek Herald / Bill Roumeliotis.
St Raphael at Bentleigh. Photo copyright The Greek Herald / Bill Roumeliotis.
Agioi Anargiroi in Oakleigh.
Agios Eustathios in South Melbourne. Photo: Con Deves.
Agios Eustathios in South Melbourne. Photo: Con Deves.

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.’

orthodox easter south australia
Orthodox Easter at Saint Sophrony Orthodox Church in Hectorville. Photo supplied by Peter Tantalos.
orthodox easter south australia
Orthodox Easter at Saint Sophrony Orthodox Church in Hectorville. Photo supplied by Peter Tantalos.

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.

anastasi perth
anastasi perth

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.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Capturing legacies: The proika exhibition’s emotional tribute to Greek migrants

On Wednesday, November 20, the proika exhibition opened to a crowd of eager guests at the Thematikos x MBO Tailors creative space.

Golden Era Gala: A reunion with a cause to combat brain and rare cancers

White Pearl Foundation and Cquence Foundation have announced the Golden Era Gala to be held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on November 30.

Melbourne scientist Steven Petratos offers hope to thousands with multiple sclerosis

The image of Steven Petratos’ grandfather, confined to a chair with trembling hands, left an indelible mark on his childhood.

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett to launch book on Nick Thyssen’s legacy

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, supporter of Greece and its diaspora, will launch the biography of Nick Thyssen (Nikos Theodosiadis).

Ithacans in Melbourne enjoy sell-out film screening to support archaeological preservation

On Sunday, at Palace Como in Melbourne, a sell-out crowd of 135 Ithacans and friends gathered to see the historical epic, The Return.

You May Also Like

Scott Morrison thanks Sydney’s multicultural leaders for supporting COVID campaign

Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has thanked Sydney's multicultural leaders for supporting the government's COVID campaign.

Chrysoula Kourobylia: ‘I feel great pride in the Greeks of Australia’

Chrysoula Kourobylia, one of the top assistants of the Greek refereeing for more than a decade, played her last game in the Super League.

Erdogan slams Greece for suspending asylum applications

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized Greece’s decision to suspend the reception of asylum applications, urging the country to comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations.