From midnight masses on Holy Saturday to breaking Lent with family and friends over a traditional mageritsa, lamb on the spit and red-dyed eggs, Greek communities gathered around Australia this year to mark Orthodox Easter.
The Greek Herald takes a look at how Orthodox Easter was celebrated in Australia:
New South Wales:
Hundreds of thousands of faithful gathered at Greek Orthodox churches across Sydney on Holy Saturday to attend the midnight mass celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
At the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Kogarah, Archbishop Makarios of Australia presided over the Anastasi service. In attendance on the night were a number of dignitaries and politicians including the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis; the NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper; the Mayor of Georges River Council, Nick Katris; and the President of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Andrew Liveris; among many others.
Across town in churches such as St Nectarios in Burwood and Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene in Liverpool, parishioners could also be heard loudly chanting ‘Xristos Anesti’ at midnight before cars, lit up from people carrying the Holy Light, were seen heading home for a traditional feast of mageritsa.
Victoria:
In Victoria, faithful gathered across the state at their local churches despite the constant rain.
Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis presided over the Resurrection Service at Saint Eustathios Greek Orthodox Church in South Melbourne. On Easter Sunday, the Bishop also celebrated the Vespers of Love service in the same church and in the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis.
Elsewhere, Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Northcote District, Bishop Evmenios of Kersounta, presided over the Resurrection Service at the Transfiguration of the Lord Parish in Thomastown.
At midnight and despite the continuous rain, Bishop Evmenios, joined by the Holy Clergy, went out to the church forecourt from where everyone chanted ‘Xristos Anesti’ (Christ is Risen).
South Australia:
In South Australia, people attended their local church on Good Friday to decorate the Epitafio (the Tomb of Christ).
On Saturday, 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 St Panteleimon Greek Orthodox Church in Adelaide and 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.’
Australian Capital Territory:
Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis presided over the Anastasi service on Saturday night at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Canberra. The Ambassador of Greece in Australia, Georgios Papacostas, was in attendance on the night.
A large crowd gathered outside and inside the church for the Anastasi service, which ended with a fireworks display.
The next day, Greeks gathered at each other’s houses for lunch, while others enjoyed a small meal at restaurants such as the Hellenic Club of Canberra.
Northern Territory:
In the Northern Territory, Greeks gathered at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Darwin on Saturday morning for a Divine Liturgy.
During the service, the local priest emerged from the altar and threw flowers at parishioners as a symbol of the earthquake which is said to have been felt during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Later that night, lambathes lit up the sky in the church’s courtyard as the Anastasi was celebrated. After this, everyone returned to their respective houses to enjoy the traditional feast of mageritsa or chicken soup, tsourekia, eggs and koulourakia.
Tasmania:
In Tasmania, a traditional Anastasi service was held at the church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Launceston by Father Irinaios Kiokas. After the service, Father Irinaios read out the Paschal Message of Archbishop Makarios to the congregation.
Western Australia:
On Holy Saturday, the Resurrection Service was celebrated at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helene in Northbridge, Perth.
The service was presided over by Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea in the presence of the Greek Consul in Perth, Georgia Karasiotou, and the President of the Hellenic Community of WA, Paul Afkos.
On Easter Sunday morning, the celebrations continued with the Vespers of Love service. During the service, Bishop Elpidios welcomed the Greek athletes competing in the World Transplant Games this month. The Bishop then distributed red eggs to all those in attendance.
Queensland:
In Queensland, Anastasi services took place across the state. One which took place at St George Greek Orthodox Church in Brisbane, was attended by thousands of Greek families who made the most of a service which they weren’t able to attend last year.
Another Anastasi service at St Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church in Taigum was presided over by Bishop Emilianos of Meloa.
