AHEPA Australia marked Greek Independence Day on Friday, March 29 with a lunch at the Greek Community Club in Lakemba, Sydney.
The event was well-attended by a number of official guests including Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis; Mayor of Waverley City Council, Paula Masselos; the National President of AHEPA Australasia, George Lianos; and the President of AHEPA Australia in NSW, Theo Schinas. There were also numerous Presidents of local Greek and Cypriot organisations.
George Chiotis emceed the event and began official proceedings with speeches by Mr Schinas and Mr Lianos.
Keynote speaker Olympia Nelson, PhD Candidate at the University of Sydney, presented on the “Enduring Legacy of Byzantium and why it is relevant today.”
Ms Nelson showed how the Byzantine period was very important in maintaining the ancient teachings of Hellenism and was fundamental in establishing and growing the Greek Orthodox religion. The Byzantine legacy was one of the main reasons that drove the Greek Heroes of 1821 to revolt against the Ottomans and start the process of freeing the Greeks.
The night ended with music by Michalis on the bouzouki and Thanasis on the harmonica.
