Greeks mark Revolution Bicentennial with wreath laying ceremony at Martin Place, Sydney

·

There was plenty of Greek pride on display as Sydney’s Greek community gathered at the cenotaph in Martin Place on Sunday for a traditional wreath laying ceremony.

The ceremony kicked off with the national anthems of Greece and Australia, followed by a poem recital of Χαίρε Ελλάδα, δοξασμένοι from Maria of the Saturday Greek High School at Clemton Park.

A trisagio service was later led by His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Sevastia, representing His Eminence Makarios of Australia, after which the Last Post and Rouse was played, the Ode was read in Greek and English by Andrew Kitsos and Peter Tsigounis, and a minute silence was held.

A number of speeches were then given by His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, and President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, Harry Danalis.

“The Greek Revolution is the most important chapter in the history of modern Hellenism. It has shaped the Greek national identity, but it was also a leading historical event of its era,” the Consul General said in his speech.

After the speeches, prominent members of the Greek community, Greek organisations and politicians, laid wreaths at the Martin Place cenotaph.

These included, but are not limited to, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, Trade Commissioner Katia Gkikiza, Matt Thistlethwaite MP and Tony Burke MP, representing Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, Leader of the NSW Labor Party, Jodi McKay MP, Sophie Cotsis MP, Steve Kamper MP, Mayor of Waverley Council, Paula Masselos, councillors from Randwick and Bayside City Councils, St Spyridon College, All Saints Grammar, St Euphemia College, the Cretan Association of NSW and Sydney, the Greek Returned Servicemen League of NSW, the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, among many others. ALL photos of attendees can be found here.

The wreath laying ceremony was concluded with attendees being thanked by the event organisers, followed by a number of youth standing proudly in Greek costumes for photographs.

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

Greece records longest working week in the EU, Eurostat data shows

Workers in Greece recorded the longest average working week in the European Union in 2025, according to new Eurostat figures.

Cannabis use among Greek teens reaches 25-year high

Cannabis use among teenagers in Greece has climbed to its highest level in 25 years, according to new findings released.

Metallica fans shook Athens harder than Iron Maiden, seismologists find

Fans of Metallica generated stronger seismic activity than supporters of Iron Maiden during recent Athens concerts, according to a study.

Investigation underway after historic bell disappears from Pylos fortress

Authorities in southwestern Greece are investigating the disappearance of a commemorative bell from a chapel inside the historic Niokastro fortress in Pylos.

Standoff grows over reopening of Kalavryta’s historic rack railway

A disagreement has emerged between the Greek government and local authorities in Kalavryta over the reopening of the famous Diakofto–Kalavryta rack railway.

You May Also Like

Why we don’t celebrate Orthodox Easter at the same time as Catholics

The Julian Calendar was established by Julius Caesar in 45 BC, and is based on the time it took for the sun to go around the earth.

Sydney FC and Bank of Sydney announce new major commercial partnership

Sydney Football Club and the Bank of Sydney have today announced a new major commercial partnership over the next two seasons.

More artefacts recovered from Greek shipwreck near Kythera carrying parts of the Parthenon

The latest expedition by divers to the wreck of the Mentor, which sank off the island of Kythera in 1802, has recovered several new artefacts.