“Not an epilogue but a starting point,” Consul General of Greece in Melbourne on Gold Cross bestowment

·

During a church service at St Spyridon’s church in Clayton, Melbourne last Friday, the outgoing Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitrios Michalopoulos, was awarded The Gold Cross of St. Andrew and an honorary diploma for his devotion to the church and Greek ideals.

The Cross, given to Mr Michalopoulos by His Grace Bishop Emilianos, on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, is the highest award of recognition given by the Archdiocese to people who have offered lifelong service.

“The Archdiocese of Australia reserved a great honour for me. The award is in recognition of my three years of service in Melbourne and the efforts I made to promote the needs of the Greek community. However, I do not see this award as an epilogue, but as a starting point for new initiatives and as a responsibility to meet the great honour bestowed on me,” Mr Michalopoulos tells The Greek Herald.

READ MORE: Consul General in Melbourne, Dimitrios Michalopoulos, receives church medal.

“In the life of a Greek diplomat the contact with Hellenism around the globe is not limited by time or locale, it is one of constant challenge to which we are called to respond to. The recognition I received from the Archdiocese strengthens and encourages me in my next steps. My heartfelt thanks to the Archbishop of Australia.”

Asked about the experiences he will take with him, Mr Michalopoulos says that the time he served in Victoria, will remain engraved in his memory due to the dynamic spirit of Hellenism in Melbourne and its impact to the wider Greek Australian community. 

“I met successful people, who excelled, each in their own fields and who never forgot the place where their ancestors were born. I would like the relations between the Greek diaspora and Greece to remain strong, in a spirit of mutual respect and national solidarity.

“On a more personal level, Melbourne is a very beautiful city, with the right infrastructure, a high level of higher education and a thriving economy. In other words, it is Athens as it should be. I hope, then, that these memories will soon become a reality in the homeland,” Mr Michalopoulos concluded as he is getting ready to embark on another journey in his career.

The Greek Herald would like to thank him for his service. 

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Kalymnian Brotherhood of Darwin threatens legal action over octopus dispute

The Kalymnian Brotherhood of Darwin is threatening legal action against the NT Government following a food safety dispute over octopus.

‘Want to honour legacy’: Con Kalamaras on Estudiantina’s soulful tribute to Greek music icons

In the lead-up to the show, The Greek Herald spoke with Estudiantina member and organiser Con Kalamaras about what to expect.

Meet the Greek sisters behind Adora: A 30-year legacy of handmade chocolate and heart

If you’re looking for a new spot in Sydney to satisfy your sweet cravings, Adora Handmade Chocolates is the place to be.

Young artists shine in ‘First Light’ exhibition at opening of That Art Place in Carlton

More than 65 young artists from the St George area in Sydney had their creative moment in the spotlight on Saturday, July 12.

Peter Tsolakides leads Australia’s first cryonics facility amid scientific doubts

Peter Tsolakides, founder of Southern Cryonics, is leading Australia's venture into cryonic preservation with a facility near Holbrook, NSW.

You May Also Like

Kostas Tsimikas to sign four-year contract with Liverpool

Premier League champion Liverpool are close to signing Olympiakos left-back Kostas Tsimikas for an estimated 16 million euros.

Ersin Tatar compares Turkish Cypriots to Palestinians

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has drawn a controversial comparison between Cyprus and the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Greece welcomes new mission to enforce Libya arms embargo

Greece welcomed a decision by European Union foreign ministers on Monday to launch a new maritime effort focused on enforcing the UN arms embargo...