By Andriana Simos and Evelyn Karatzas.
It’s that time of the year again as Greek communities around Australia prepare to commemorate OXI Day.
With many events planned, The Greek Herald has the lowdown on what you can attend over the next few days to mark the national day.
New South Wales:
In New South Wales, Inner West Council in collaboration with the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens, will be holding a wreath laying ceremony at Marrickville Town Hall on Saturday, October 28 from 2pm.
Later that same day, the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) will be holding a cocktail party to mark OXI Day at the Greek Community Club in Lakemba from 6pm.
The Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW will also be holding a dinner dance on Saturday, October 28, to celebrate OXI Day, as well as the 40th anniversary of the Dimitria Festival. The dinner dance will take place at the Hermes Lounge in Kogarah, Sydney, from 7pm, and all funds raised on the day will be donated to Saint George Hospital.
On Sunday, October 29, a Divine Liturgy service to mark OXI Day will be held in the morning at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady Theotokos in Redfern. This will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony in the Cathedral’s courtyard at 10.15am.
AHEPA NSW has also organised a commemoration event on Sunday, October 29 from 6pm at the AHEPA NSW Hall in Rockdale. The formal program will include speeches, poems and a traditional dance performance, accompanied by a photographic exhibition tribute to the ANZACs of Greece.
Victoria:
In Victoria, the Hellenic RSL Sub Branch in Melbourne will mark OXI Day on Saturday, October 28.
Commemorations will begin at St Eustathios Greek Orthodox Church in South Melbourne at 9.30am, followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial from 12pm. At 1pm, another wreath laying ceremony will take place at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.
South Australia:
The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) will be celebrating OXI Day on Sunday, October 29. The Community will be holding a 10am doxology at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and poems by afternoon Greek school students.z
Australian Capital Territory:
This year, to commemorate OXI Day, the Australian Capital Territory will light up some of its most well-known buildings in blue on Saturday, October 28. These include The National Museum, Old Parliament House and The National Carillion Bell Tower.
On Saturday evening, the Canberra Hellenic Dancers will also perform at the Hellenic Club of Canberra in Woden at 6:30 pm.
In the morning on Sunday, October 29, a special doxology church service will be held at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church where Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis will attend. Students of the Greek Orthodox School of Canberra will then perform poems and songs after the service.
At midday, the Canberra community will be invited to head to the Hellenic War Memorial to watch the annual wreath laying ceremony for the heroes of 1940.
Western Australia:
In Western Australia, local Greeks will be able to celebrate OXI Day on Sunday, October 29. There will be a doxology at the Greek Orthodox Church of St Nektarios in Dianella from 10.30am, followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the State War Memorial in Kings Park from 12.30pm.
