Kalavryton Society in NSW commemorates victims of the Holocaust

·

The Kalavryton Society in NSW ‘Aghia Lavra’ held its annual memorial service at St Euphemia Greek Orthodox Church in Bankstown last weekend, to honour the victims of the 1943 Kalavryta Holocaust, one of the most harrowing atrocities of WWII.

The event featured a religious service, historical reflections, and a wreath-laying ceremony to remember the massacre in which Nazi forces executed nearly all of the town’s male inhabitants aged 12 and older, while women, children and the elderly escaped a burning school.

kalavryton society

The event was emceed by John Kikilias, Secretary of the Kalavryton Society. Key speeches were delivered by Jim Papadopoulos, President of the Kalavryton Society; John Papadopoulos, Member of the Kalavryton Society’s Auditing Committee; and Chris Spiropoulos, President of the Greek Orthodox Parish of Saint Euphemia. Each of them emphasised the importance of preserving the memory of the tragedy.

The ceremony included wreaths laid by Mr Papadopoulos; Mr Spiropoulos; Vern Faulkner, representing the Bankstown Sports Club; Kostas Skouteris, representing the Achaian Federation; and Katerina Saul, representing the mothers of all Kalavrytini.

The memorial served as a reminder of the resilience of the Kalavrytan people and a call for peace, justice, and vigilance against future atrocities.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

The Greek Herald finalists lead the way in 2025 Greek International Women Awards

The Greek Herald’s own Dimitra Skalkos and Andriana Simos are finalists in the 2025 Greek International Women Awards.

Football Victoria honours South Melbourne FC legend Michalis Mandalis

The new Football Victoria Chair Angela Williams paid tribute to former footballer and long-time South Melbourne FC legend Michalis Mandalis.

Greek Orthodox community in Liverpool raises $20,000 for McGrath Foundation

The spirit of faith, community and compassion was on full display at the “Splash of Pink” charity afternoon tea.

WWII-era rifle used in Croydon Park shooting sparks firearm law debate

A WWII-era M1 Carbine rifle has become the focus of investigations into the Croydon Park shooting. Read more here.

PASOK intensifies pressure for reopening of GNTO Office in Melbourne

Pressure on Greece's Ministry of Tourism to reopen the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) Office in Melbourne is intensifying.

You May Also Like

Sydney students George and John Dedousis get ‘perfect’ International Baccalaureate score

Greek Australian twin brothers, John and George Dedousis, both scored a perfect 45 out of 45 in the International Baccalaureate.

Police seeking Travis Murdoch for questioning over alleged killing of Kevin Kourtis

The police are seeking 20-year-old Travis Murdoch for questioning in relation to the alleged murder of Greek national Kevin Kourtis last month.

Greece tightens restrictions on unvaccinated as COVID-19 cases reach record high

Unvaccinated people will have to show a negative test to enter most venues, as Greece records its highest single-day COVID case figure ever.