The Greek Orthodox Community of North Australia (GOCNA) has issued a statement condemning the behaviour of members of Darwin’s Greek community at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on October 31.
About 30 people used OXI Day celebrations at the church to push anti-vaccine mandate rhetoric, calling out ‘shame, shame, shame.’
NT Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro, who was at the event, was also addressed in a “very confronting and intimidating manner.”
In response, GOCNA said that although they “acknowledge the importance for individuals to be free to express their views,” the OXI Day celebrations “should not have been used as a platform to express those views.”
“This indifference shown on the 31st of October disrespects the ethos of this most solemn of Greek National days and the people who feel strongly enough to commemorate it,” the GOCNA statement reads.
“We must be mindful in the future to remain civil and respectful to each other to accord the proper due respect to days such as OXI Day.”
This statement came the same afternoon St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was told by Bishop Silouan of Sinopen not to provide its regular Sunday service due to the current NT lockdown, the NT News reports.
READ MORE: Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis condemns anti-vaccine mandate behaviour at Greek church.
