From visiting their local Greek Orthodox church to cutting the traditional Vasilopita surrounded by family and friends, here’s how some Greeks around Australia celebrated New Year’s Day in 2025.
New South Wales
On New Year’s Day, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia visited the Greek Orthodox parish of St Nicholas in Marrickville, Sydney, to exchange New Year’s wishes with the faithful in attendance.
Accompanied by the parish priest, Father Michael Tsolakis, and Father Socrates Dokos from the Resurrection of Christ Parish in Kogarah, Archbishop Makarios officiated the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ and the Feast of St. Basil the Great.
After the service, he led a prayer for the New Year and cut the traditional vasilopita for the parish. The congregation also sang the traditional New Year’s carols with great enthusiasm.
In his brief address, Archbishop Makarios wished everyone an abundance of God’s blessings for the New Year and strength to face the challenges ahead. He encouraged the faithful to set spiritual goals alongside their worldly aspirations.
Among those present were the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, and Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a Criminologist from Greece, Athanasios Kehagioglou. The Consul General delivered a short greeting, urging the congregation to “always keep the flag of Greece high, as you already do.”
Other parishes such as the Church of the Resurrection of Christ at Kogarah and St Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church at Burwood also held Divine Liturgy services, followed by the annual cutting of the Vasilopita.
Victoria:
In Melbourne, the New Year and the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ were celebrated with reverence at the St Vasilios Greek Orthodox church in Brunswick. The service was presided by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora.
The celebrations began on the evening of December 31 with the Great Vespers, followed by Matins and the Divine Liturgy on January 1.
After the Liturgy, Bishop Evmenios blessed the vasilopita, wishing the attendees health, prosperity, and spiritual progress for the New Year.
Instead of a sermon, Archbishop Makarios’ New Year message was read aloud, offering words of encouragement, hope and spiritual guidance for the year ahead.
Australia Capital Territory:
In Canberra, Father Petros presided over the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, January 1 to mark the New Year and celebrate the feast of St Basil the Great.
Father Petros also cut the traditional vasilopita and distributed pieces to the congregation.
