A recent service held at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, Sydney included a doxology for the National Anniversary of the Greek Revolution and a memorial service for the heroes of the EOKA liberation struggle.
The service took place on Sunday, March 29, the fifth Sunday of Holy and Great Lent, a day also dedicated to Saint Mary of Egypt.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia officiated the Matins service and subsequently the Divine Liturgy, concelebrating with His Grace Bishop Christophoros of Kerasounta, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
A Doxology was then held for the National Anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821, and a memorial service for the EOKA Liberation Struggle (1955–59), on the occasion of the anniversary of 1 April 1955.
Archbishop Makarios highlighted the national anniversaries of Greece and Cyprus saying, “We honour our Cypriot brethren, who struggled for the liberation of their island, and we glorify God for the fact that there is a free Cyprus today.
“At the same time, we express our supplication and prayer that God may bless and help, so that the entire island may be liberated and united. May God grant us this great blessing, through the grace and intercessions of the Panagia, the ever-protectress of our Nation, to see our Cyprus free and united.”
Those present included the Ambassador of Greece to Australia Stavros Venizelos; the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia, Antonis Sammoutis; the Secretary General of the Archdiocesan Council and Archon of the Great Church of Christ, Theo Penklis; and presidents and representatives of organisations of the Greek and Cypriot Diaspora.
The cross-party parliamentary delegation currently visiting Sydney for March 25 celebrations also attended. The visiting Hellenic parliament members included Maximos Charakopoulos (New Democracy), Filippos Fortomas (New Democracy), Stavros Michailidis (PASOK), and Konstantinos Barkas (SYRIZA).
