On Sunday, 4 January 2026, Cretan members and youth from all around Australia and New Zealand attended a church service forming part of the 44th Cretan Federation Convention.
The church service was presided by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, Sydney.
A large number of Cretan youth from all around Australia attended the service in their traditional Cretan costumes.
In his homily, His Eminence thanked all representatives for their presence and congratulated the youth for continuing to keep Cretan traditions alive.
His Eminence also reflected on the deep historical and spiritual ties between Australia and Crete, noting the shared legacy forged during the 1941 Battle of Crete and the longstanding ecclesiastical connection, with Archbishops of Cretan origin having led the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia for around half of its 100-year history.
After the service, a morning tea was held at the Cathedral for all visiting delegates where combined youth from all around Australia performed Cretan dances in honour of His Eminence.
The Archbishop presented all Cretan youth present with commemorative coins minted for the 100th anniversary of the Archdiocese. In return, Emmanuel Mountakis, President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, presented His Eminence with a commemorative plaque on behalf of all member organisations of the Federation.
Later in the day, the Archbishop held a meeting with visiting Cretan musicians Michalis Harkiolakis, Georgios Koudoumougiannakis and Vaggelis Bagourakis at the Central Offices of the Archdiocese along with the National Cretan Federation Youth President Ari Paraskakis. He thanked them for making the journey to Australia and wished them the best of luck as the events continue.
*All photos by Location Shots Media.
