In honour of Panagia Myrtidiotissa, the Greek community flocked to the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Kogarah in Sydney’s south on Sunday, September 29.
Celebrations began with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy presided over by Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
What followed was the annual Kogarah Family Fair outside the church, which featured traditional Greek dances, music and food. There was also poetry readings from Greek school children which were dedicated to the island of Kythera and Panagia Myrtidiotissa.
Greek dancing groups who performed included the Kytherians, Cretans, Kalymnians, Pontians, Cypriots, the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, Paroula’s Greek Dancing Group, and Rallis School of Greek Dance.
The day was attended by Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Federal Deputy Minister for Immigration; David Coleman MP, Federal Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister for Communications; Simon Kennedy MP, Federal Member of Parliament; Mark Coure MP, state Member of Parliament; Sam Stratikopoulos, Councillor of the Georges River Council; Vicky Poulos, Councillor of the Bayside Council; Barbara Zantiotis, President of the Kytherian Association of Australia; Anastasia Karakominakis, President of the Pan-Macedonian Association of New South Wales; among others.
The Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Kogarah took to Facebook to thank the dedicated Parish Committee, the Ladies Philoptochos, the selfless volunteers from the St Elesa Food Initiative, and the spirited members of Kogarah Orthodox Youth (KOY), Omada, Sunday School teachers and students, as well as their Orthodox Scripture teachers.
“Their unwavering efforts made today truly remarkable,” the post read.
