The Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of Kogarah has responded to community concern following this year’s Good Friday Epitaphio procession, after the traditional route was not followed.
The annual procession typically proceeds from the front of the church along Belgrave Street, Kensington Street, Montgomery Street and Railway Parade before returning to the church. However, parishioners this year noted a shortened route, prompting questions and criticism online.
Council approvals and funding clarified:
In response, Georges River Council Mayor Elise Borg issued a public statement confirming it had approved all requests submitted by the parish for the 2026 Easter celebrations.
Council minutes from its meeting on March 23, 2026 show that councillors approved temporary road closures for the parish, including the closure of Belgrave Street between Post Office Lane and Kensington Street from 6pm to 11pm on Friday, April 10, and from 9pm on Saturday, April 11 to 1am on Sunday, April 12.
The minutes also show that rolling road closures for the Good Friday procession were approved to commence at 8.30pm on Friday, April 10, following the traditional route from the front of the church along Belgrave Street, Kensington Street, Montgomery Street and Railway Parade before returning to the church at approximately 8.45pm.
Council further confirmed it approved a $20,000 event grant to support the parish’s Orthodox Easter celebrations across Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11, noting that event organisers were responsible for implementing traffic management and coordinating with police and emergency services.
Last-minute changes and logistical pressures:
However, The Greek Herald understands the change to a shorter route was due to last-minute logistical challenges, including the withdrawal of expected external support and the rising complexity of staging the event.
Historically, emergency services – including the State Emergency Service (SES), police and ambulance – played a key role in facilitating the full procession route, often assisting with road closures.
In recent years, however, changes to how these organisations operate, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, have meant increased compliance requirements, more detailed traffic management planning, and significantly higher costs for community-run events.
The organisers had planned for the usual route earlier in the year, but were informed only in the week leading up to Easter that SES support would not be available for 2026, forcing a last-minute reassessment.
As a result, and given the limited timeframe, the decision was made to proceed with a shorter procession that could be safely managed with available resources.
The logistical challenges of the Kogarah location were also a key factor, with the church situated in close proximity to St George Hospital, as well as a police station and fire station, making extended road closures particularly complex.
Parish president responds:
Parish President Nickolas Varvaris told The Greek Herald while council support had been provided, it did not extend to all aspects of the procession route.
“Georges River Council, for the first time ever, did provide funding for our Easter event,” Mr Varvaris said.
“That funding is not specifically for the road closures… it includes audio-visual, security costs and the broader Easter week events.”
He added that the funding covered multiple days of celebrations and not solely the Good Friday procession, and did not include broader street closures along the full traditional route.
Mr Varvaris also indicated that, while he understood the SES decision given its volunteer-led structure and broader demands, its absence this year had a significant impact on the ability to deliver the full procession. He noted the organisation had traditionally played a key role in facilitating wider road closures and ensuring the event could be carried out safely.
While disappointment was acknowledged among parishioners, Mr Varvaris maintained the decision was made to prioritise safety, with expectations the full route will return in future years with more time for planning.
SES responds:
In response, a NSW SES spokesperson told The Greek Herald the agency does not have responsibility for traffic control at community events.
“The NSW SES is the lead agency for floods, storms and tsunamis. We provide assistance to NSW Police and other emergency services, however the role of traffic control for special events is not a responsibility of the NSW SES,” the spokesperson said.
The Greek Herald understands the NSW SES was involved in early discussions for the planning of the event alongside police and council, however it was ultimately determined the organisation did not have the equipment or authority to undertake road closures or traffic management for the procession.
