Fourth generation Pontian Maria Tsentidou is proud of her cultural roots and has a passion for all things Pontian, including sewing traditional Pontian garments.
So, when her partner Efthimios Avgetidis asked for her hand in marriage on their overseas trip, Maria decided to sew a traditional Pontian wedding gown to wear.
But first, let’s unravel this love story that began nine years ago in Sydney when 19-year-old Maria and 29-year-old Efthimios first met. The Pontian Federation of Australia had issued an invitation for all Pontian dance groups to attend for a joint performance at the annual dance, and Maria was there with the dance group she was part of.
The first meeting
Efthimios
“Well, this is a story all about how my life got flipped right upside down, so I’d like to take a minute to sit right there and tell you how I met a girl from the city of Adelaide.
“As I had so much on, at first, I only noticed Maria as the new face in the crowd.
“It was only after the event when she came to my pizza shop with her friend that we had a proper conversation, and with this, I met a young lady who had her head screwed on and knew what she wanted.
“I was highly impressed, and we got along like a house on fire. I knew that we’d have a great friendship.”
Maria
“Glory to God, culture and dance has always brought us together.
“In August 2016, the dance group I was with at the time – Pyrric Cultural Associations – was to perform in Sydney. It was there that I met him, as he was coordinating the event as the dance teacher.
“I never believed in love at first sight before I met Efthimi.
“My first real impression of him was later in the evening when he got on stage to sing and play lyra.
“I wasn’t even watching the stage at the time, but I heard someone singing and was mesmerised with how they sounded. Lo and behold it was him!
The first date
Efthimios
Efthimios recalled their first date in Adelaide was on December 26, 2016, and Maria picked him up for the date.
“She had her hair in a bun, wearing a blue summer dress. It was a hot summer’s night, and we decided to go the beach,” he said.
“I remember getting into her little Suzuki swift and the first thing on her radio I heard was a Pontian Epitrapezio (slow table song) which was impressive as most of the younger generation these days listen to more upbeat Pontian.
“I knew she was special and someone whom I could relate to a lot. We decided to do a stop off at McDonalds, and we made our way to Henley Beach, and spoke for hours.”
Maria
“Our first real date was about six months later back in Adelaide. Efthimi and I became good friends over those six months.
“The Pontian Brotherhood of South Australia was hosting their annual Christmas dance which Efthimi and his family were coming to Adelaide for.
“While he was in Adelaide we went to Henley Beach, got our staple Maccas chips and a sundae and sat at the beach. That was our little wholesome night out.
“We didn’t need anything fancy, we just enjoyed each other’s company.”
The proposal location
Individually both Maria and Efthimios had a dream to visit their ancestral lands in Pontos. His father’s family comes from the Pontian region of Kars, while Maria’s family is from Imera and Nea Kessaria, Pontos.
It was a dream that happened early last year, and it was where their commitment went to the next level. Efthimios had wanted to propose but couldn’t think of the ‘perfect proposal’ so when the trip became reality, he seized the moment.
The deep royal blue engagement ring had been purchased, but the location for the proposal was yet to be decided.
Efthimios wanted the ‘perfect’ proposal spot.
Finally, he had a ‘light bulb moment’ when they decided to visit the Holy Monastery of Panagia Soumela in Mt Mela Matsouka dressed in traditional Pontian clothing.
Against the backdrop of their ancestral lands located in the mountainous region of modern-day Turkey, Efthimios asked Maria to marry him.
“It was beautiful and couldn’t have asked for a more special and sacred place to start our union, in the birthplace of our ancestors and on the holy lands of our spiritual forefathers,” Maria said.
“I’m grateful to him that he thought it out so much to make the moment so special for the both of us.”
The wedding
The wedding of Maria and Efthimios took place in Sydney on October 19, 2024 at the St Demetrios Church, St Mary’s. Father John Choraitis from Adelaide officiated the wedding with Father Leslie Kostoglou.
The couple incorporated the following traditions:
- Το Στόλισμαν – Dressing of Bride & Groom by family and friends in the morning of the wedding.
- Το αχπαστον – Musicians sang traditional Pontian wedding songs as a last farewell as single people about to start a new life.
- Το νυφέπαρμα – The Koumbaro (best man) and groomsmen collected the bride while singing and playing instruments.
- Χορός Θύμισμαν – The couple performed a traditional dance with candles called ‘thymisman’.
