By Dimitrios Kametopoulos
With full formality, the Macedonian celebrations “Dimitria” began on Sunday, October 5, 2025. This year marks the 42nd consecutive year of their presence in the Hellenism of Sydney.
These events play a significant role in informing the Greek community and the broader Australian society about the Greek identity of Macedonia and its journey throughout Greek and global history.
The President of the Board of the Pan-Macedonian Association of Sydney and New South Wales, Anastasia Karakominakis, along with members and friends of the Macedonian community, gathered on Sunday morning at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Resurrection of Christ in the suburb of Kogarah.
There, His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia officiated the Doxology, the Blessing of the Five Loaves, and the Memorial Service, assisted by the parish priest Fr. Athanasios Giatsios. Second and third-generation Greek Australian children, dressed in traditional Macedonian costumes, further enhanced the opening of the Macedonian celebrations both inside and outside the church.
Later in the afternoon, an official cocktail party was held at the luxurious reception venue The Grand Roxy in the suburb of Brighton-Le-Sands.
In addition to President Mrs Karakominakis and members of the Board of the Pan-Macedonian Association of Sydney and New South Wales, distinguished guests included His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis; Peter Stefanidis, President of the Pan-Macedonian Association of Melbourne and Victoria; and representatives from other local Hellenic organisations.
Following the bilingual welcome in English and Greek by event coordinators Nena Lembousi and Panagiota (Patricia) Georgiou, historian Dr. Panayiotis Diamadis was invited to the microphone to speak on the historical importance of Macedonia from antiquity to the present.
In his 20-minute presentation, aided by slides, Dr. Diamadis gave a concise but informative account touching on:
- Alexander the Great, the most famous Macedonian Greek in world history.
- The great philosopher Aristotle from Stagira of Halkidiki peninsula of Macedonia.
- The Manaki brothers (Yannis and Milto), early 20th-century pioneering filmmakers and photographers from Avdella, Grevena in Western Macedonia.
- The Australian soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Vevi in 1941 fighting the German invaders.
- Australian General George Treloar, one of the lesser-known figures who helped rescue Greek and other Christian populations in Macedonia and Thrace after the Asia Minor Catastrophe.
- The historical and modern Via Egnatia and its significance as a major trade route.
Next, Bishop Iakovos congratulated the tireless Macedonians for keeping the “Dimitria” tradition alive for so many decades. He emphasised the importance of preserving Macedonian traditions, customs, and especially the Greek language among younger generations so that Greek identity does not fade away.
A rich offering of refreshments followed for all attendees, both Macedonian and non-Macedonian, in the same reception hall.
