The tradition of making and selling lambades during Greek Easter is one of the few Greek customs that continues to grow as the next generation of youth celebrate this religious period.
Lambades are candles traditionally bought by the godparents, who visit their godchildren prior to Easter. Decorated with jewellery, colours or iconography, the lambades are lit on the midnight Holy Saturday service.
Usually made by elderly members various Greek communities across NSW, the Cretan Youth Committee this year took it upon themselves to carry out this special tradition as we enter the Easter week.
Terry Saviolakis.
Terry Saviolakis, President of the Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW, said the Youth Committee originally had plans to make and sell the lambades last year, but were interupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re planning to buy new traditional costumes and they were also planning a trip to Crete, which obviously all got postponed,” Saviolakis said to The Greek Herald.
The association sold the lambades outside the Ashbury Senior Citizens Centre, which has long been the location of their ‘clubhouse’ and is where they go dancing every Friday night.
Greek Orthodox Easter will be celebrated on May 2nd this year as people express their happiness in being able to celebrate in person, after being forced to commemorate the religious tradition from home last year.
Saviolakis said the community had great success selling them outside the Centre on Friday and at the Cretan Association dance, which had over 300 attendees. The President added that he has enjoyed the Youth Committee taking up a larger role with the Cretan Association.
Cretan Association selling Lambades. Photo: Supplied.
“They have actually this year taken on our kitchen once a month as well, so they do smaller events and are basically wanting to get the youth involved in a little community,” Saviolakis added.
Alexander Mountakis is the Youth Committee President for the Cretan Association and has been working hard to bring the Easter spirit alive following the restrictions imposed during the COVD-19 pandemic last year.
“We don’t really do much for Easter, and I spoke with Terry as well, everyone likes to buy lambades so why don’t we try it out…. And it’s a good thing for the youth to get together and bond more as well,” Mountakis said to The Greek Herald.
Mountakis revealed that the Youth Committee is also planning to hold a taverna night in June to help bind the community closer.
“We need to preserve our culture and we need to stick together. In my opinion, we’re not together enough and we need to bond and meet new people, all of this helps preserve our culture for the future,” Mountakis added.
Xenophon Castrisos’ life was brought to light many years ago when the State Library of Queensland released an iconic image of him from their archive.
In the image, the Greek Australian, who was an aerial photographer with the Royal Australian Air Force at the time, can be seen shirtless, wearing a soldier’s helmet and intently reading The Greek Herald, then known as The Hellenic Herald, on a battlefield during WWII.
Of course, the photo has struck a cord with us this OXI Day so we just had to share his story.
Xenophon Castrisos in Greek national costume.
According to the State Library of Queensland, Xenophon Castrisos (Castles), who’s full name was Xenophon Haralambous Castrisos, was born in Lourenco Marques (now Maputo), Mozambique on January 1, 1912.
He was the son of Maria Castrissios, nee Freeleagus, nephew of Christy Freeleagus, the Greek Consul for Brisbane, and grandson of Kosma Anthony Freeleagus of Kythera.
Castrisos was naturalised on September 26, 1941. He enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force on December 31, 1941 in Brisbane and served as a leading aircraftman in the 12th squadron. He was discharged on December 21, 1945.
Port Adelaide forward Mitch Georgiades revealed his intention to stay at Port Adelaide for the foreseeable future as the he picked up his second NAB AFL Rising Star nomination last weekend.
Georgiades, who was nominated in round nine last year, received the round five honour after his three-goal performance against Carlton on Saturday night.
In his 11th senior game, the 19-year-old also gathered a career-high 15 disposals and took five marks in his side’s 28-point win over the Blues.
In a media appearance on Tuesday, Georgiades said he has no intention to go back to his home town in Western Australia.
Mitch Georgiades during his media appearance. Photo: Josh Money/Twitter
“It was the best thing for me to get out of Perth and experience life elsewhere. Port Adelaide is home for me,” Georgiades said.
“All the boys and staff, the whole community, have made me feel welcome and I have loved every minute of it.”
The Greek Australian was praised by Melbourne champion Garry Lyon on the weekend for his great score involvements, as well as hits points on the board.
“He takes his opportunities … it’s a really good body of work for a second key forward,” Lyon said on Fox Footy.
“As important for me is he‘s playing on Liam Jones, who’s been in absolutely incredible form as a defender. Liam Jones has had two possessions.
“He‘s been having 15 and 13 intercepts over the last couple of weeks; he’s got his hands full with Georgiades, which speaks to me of a player who’s moving really well, who’s moving his defender around, he’s not static or an easy target.
Georgiades is signed with Port Adelaide until the end of 2023.
The Holy Monastery of St Nectarios in Croydon Park, Adelaide, was filled with photos of Greek Presidential Guards on Friday evening, as ‘The Evzones Collection’ Photo Exhibition was officially launched with a cocktail event in the presence of special guests and dignitaries.
Photo: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
A part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia’s official national program to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution, Nick Bourdaniotis’ photo collection aims to portray the daily lives of Greece’s Elite Soldiers and honour their rich history and tradition.
L to R: Bishop Silouan of Sinope, Nick Bourdaniotis, Consul General of Greece in Adelaide George Psiachas, Photo: TGH/Argyro Vourdoumpa
Following an inspiring intro by Australian of German descent, Fr Jeremy Krieg who embraced Orthodoxy later in life, in his address the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide referred to his childhood memories when his parents used to dress him up as an ‘Evzon’ and commended on Mr Bourdaniotis’ photographic skills.
L to R: Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, Fr Jeremy Krieg, Nick Bourdaniotis. Photo: TGH / Argyro VourdoumpaPhoto: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
Bourdaniotis expressed his excitement for bringing ‘The Evzones Collection’ to Adelaide and among others he thanked the Exhibition Director George Karantonis and curator Eirini Alligiannis for their efforts.
Bishop Silouan of Sinope conveyed Archbishop Makarios’ wishes to the attendees and raised the importance of the event.
L to R: Steve Georganas MP, Tom Koutsantonis MP and Deputy Lord Mayor Mary Couros with Exhibition Curator Eirini Alligiannis
“This is a flagship event and a cornerstone to all of the events that have taken place and that will follow,” said the Bishop.
The list of attendees included but was not limited to Minister for Innovation and Skills, David Pisoni MP representing the Premier; Tom Koutsantonis MP representing the Leader of the Opposition; Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas MP; Acting Lord Mayor, Mary Couros; Acting Assistant Commissioner Lynden Dunstan, representing the Police Commissioner Mr Grant Stevens; Lieutenant Colonel Dave Edmonds; President of the Greek Ex-Servicemen Association of SA Christos Tsoraklidis and Andrew Andrews, member of the Executive Committee of The Foundation for Hellenic Studies, a not for profit entity that facilitated the first ever visit of the Evzones to Adelaide four years ago.
Photo: TGH/Argyro Vourdoumpa
The evening concluded with a first ever joint performance by the Pontian Brotherhood and Cretan Association of SA.
Photo: TGH/ Argyro Vourdoumpa
During the exhibition, which ends on Sunday, April 25, a photo was being silent-auctioned while the funds raised will go to the Central Philoptochos of the Archdiocesan District of Adelaide.
The Evzones Collection’s next stop will be in Sydney.
Palm Sunday (Κυριακή των Βαϊων), also known as the Triumphal Entry, is one of the Orthodox Church’s Great Feasts. It is held on the Sunday before Pascha (Πάσχα). On this day, the Church celebrates Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem in the days before the Jewish Passover.
Biblical Story
The biblical description of Palm Sunday is mentioned in all four Gospels (Mark 11:1-10 Matthew 21:1-11; Luke 19:28-38; and John 12:12-18). Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey after the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead.
The people of Jerusalem welcomed Jesus by waving palm branches and praising him. Hundreds of people yelled, “Hosanna to David’s Son! Blessed is he who comes in the Lord’s name! In the highest heaven, Hosanna!”.
Jesus rode in on a donkey, directly fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy of Zech. 9:9. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zech. 9:9
It was popular in Biblical times for kings or important people to appear in a procession sitting on a donkey as it represented peace, so those who rode them demonstrated that they came with peaceful intentions. This demonstration was a reminder that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
Palm Sunday also commemorates Jesus’ last week on Earth. Palm Sunday is celebrated with Saint John Chrysostom’s Divine Liturgy. The Matins service comes before this. Palm Sunday also calls us to recognize God’s law and kingdom as the ultimate purpose of the Christian life.
Greek Orthodox Traditions of Palm Sunday
Although it is still Sarakosti (40 days of Lent), Greeks around the world eat fish on Palm Sunday. The Greek Orthodox Church nevertheless permits the consumption of fish, oil, and wine, but not dairy products, eggs, chicken, or red meat.
Usually, the classic dish that Greek Orthodox people consume is Bakaliaros with skordalia, a dish that contains fried cod fillet with a creamy garlic mash.
On this Sunday, in addition to the Divine Liturgy, the Church observes the Blessing and Distribution of the Palms. A basket containing the woven palms shaped like crosses is placed on a table in front of the icon of the Lord, which is on the Iconostasion.
The palm tree branches represent Christ’s triumph over the devil and death. People who attended the liturgy can take one and put it in their homes near the icon of Jesus.
The NSW Liberal Party recently announced that they have preselected Peter Poulos for the vacant Legislative Council position.
Born and raised in the St George area, Peter attended Bexley North Public School and Sydney Technical High School, in the area which he still calls home with his wife Vicki and their three young children.
“I grew up in a small business family, which lost almost everything in the Keating recession, this has been a driving force in my advocacy for all small businesses. I will fight to continue cutting red tape, to help small business to grow and prosper creating more local opportunities,” Peter Poulos said.
After graduating from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Commerce, Peter went on to work in the finance sector.
Having served as a Rockdale Councillor for twelve years, and Deputy Mayor for a year, Peter has been dedicated to delivering services and infrastructure needs of the local community – ensuring an improved financial position that allowed the Council to deliver town centre improvements, new and upgraded playgrounds and foreshore improvements.
“The Berejiklian Government has been doing an outstanding job in leading our state through the challenges of pandemic recovery. I look forward to making a contribution to this important work in the Legislative Council and the Parliament’s committee system,” Mr Poulos said.
“The Government’s record of strong economic management and ongoing investment in our health and education systems, as well as our infrastructure, has placed us well to respond to community needs during these unprecedented times.”
Peter said he is “incredibly excited” to be a part of the Government that, “has more than quadrupled infrastructure funding, with record capital spending of $107 billion over the next four years.”
“It has added thousands more police officers, teachers, nurses and midwives, and has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on St George, Sutherland, Liverpool and Shellharbour hospitals to deliver better health outcomes for our community,” Peter adds.
“I will focus on helping to ensure that we continue building roads and rail lines that our community needs, that will mean less time commuting and more time at home with your loved ones.
“I want to thank the Party Members for placing their trust in me, and giving me this opportunity to contribute to the success of the Berejiklian Government and build on the legacy of the Hon John Ajaka.”
At 105 years of age, Alf Carpenter is one of Australia’s oldest surviving Anzacs. He’s lived through two world wars, the Great Depression, 9/11 and now the coronavirus pandemic, but none are as personal to him as the Battle of Crete – which this year marks its 80th anniversary.
Alf’s journey to being an Anzac soldier in the Cretan battle begins at age 18 when he first decided to enlist in Australia’s 56th Battalion Militia Forces in 1934. Although Alf’s parents weren’t happy about him joining the army, he wasn’t letting anyone stop him.
“I enlisted in the army because an uncle of mine enlisted in the army in WWI and I admired him,” Alf, who was born in Wagga Wagga, tells The Greek Herald exclusively.
While the 104-year-old had no idea of the extraordinary challenges that lay ahead of him because of this decision, he never wavered in his resolve to serve for Australia. In fact, he continued to progress up the army ranks and eventually became the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 2/4th Australian Infantry Battalion in 1939.
(L): Alf Carpenter in Egypt during WWII. Source: The Newcastle Herald. (R): Alf in the 2-4th Australian Infantry Battalion.
Only two short years later, on May 20, 1941, Alf and his fellow Anzac men were preparing to fight alongside the Greeks and other Allied forces in the Battle of Crete after the Germans invaded the island.
The Anzacs and Greeks in action on the battlefield:
Alf’s battalion arrived on Crete after first being pushed back by the German army at Vevi Pass near the Greek-Albanian border and later, Brallos Pass. He says the reception Greek people gave the Anzac contingent when they arrived was unbelievable.
“The Greek people were delighted to see us there. They gave us every assistance and gave us food like eggs. I got on really well with the Greek people,” Alf says.
But this delight quickly turned to horror when the German paratroopers invaded Crete. Alf remembers the day as if it was yesterday, describing how he and some of his fellow soldiers were meant to go to the harbour for a wash when they were warned the German airborne attack was heading their way.
Alf with a downed German troop carrier in Crete. Source: The Newcastle Herald.
“Within a couple of hours, the area of and around Souda Bay was under bombardment. At about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, we heard this buzzing coming from the sea and we looked out and saw these transporters coming in and when they got to the shoreline, the paratroopers came down on top of our position,” Alf explains vividly.
“We got used to fighting against the enemy on ground level but that was the first time we had to fight them coming from the sky. But I was never afraid of the enemy, they had equal chances with us and the Greeks couldn’t do enough for us.”
Despite this lack of fear, Alf still wasn’t invincible. In fact, the Anzac was wounded during the defence of Heraklion.
One day, under a white flag, a German medical officer brought two wounded paratroopers to the Battalion headquarters to be treated by an Australian doctor. While Alf says he was suspicious of the medical officer’s motives, he was still allowed to leave the headquarters under the protection of the flag. It was this decision which almost cost Alf his life.
“The next morning, they put the mortar bombs onto us. He let the Germans know where we were and that’s how I was hit by shrapnel on the side of my head,” he says.
Alf (centre) with fellow diggers Bob Tallon and Earnier Evans. Source: The Newcastle Herald.
Injuries such as these were not uncommon on the battleground, especially once the Germans managed to secure a foothold on Crete and gained the upper hand after 12 days. According to the Joint Committee for the Commemoration of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign, the battle resulted in the capture of 3,102 Australian troops, the deaths of more than 6,000 civilians and Allied casualties totalling 15,335.
Alf’s life after the Battle of Crete:
Eventually, the bulk of the Allied force and the Anzacs who had survived the Battle of Crete, including Alf, were evacuated to Egypt. Alf later fought in Syria before boarding ship, ‘SS Rajula,’ at Port Tewfiq in Egypt for passage back home to Australia and his wife Marjorie on February 17, 1942.
When Alf arrived in Darwin, he defended the city against a Japanese attack and successfully completed officer training in South Australia. Later, he was appointed the Australian Army Representative to Greece, where he was stationed at Eleusis Bay and had the chance to march in army parades.
His last military appointment was as Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General of the Northern Territory force because he finally decided to apply for discharge on April 4, 1946. By this stage, Alf had already served Australia for more than 12 years and he was not yet 30 years old.
Alf still frequently attends ANZAC Day marches and commemorations for the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign. Photos on left supplied by Maggie Love.
Of course, it’s no surprise then that the army culture is still embedded proudly in Alf’s everyday life. For over 20 years, the Newcastle resident has travelled to Sydney to march in the ANZAC Day parade and he says he hopes he can do it again this year.
“I usually lead the 6th Division for the Anzac Day march in Sydney. If I’m okay and depending on what’s on, I’ve told them I will be there as the commander,” Alf concludes proudly.
The perfect opportunity to honour the incredible life of this 104-year-old Anzac who’s heroic actions in the Battle of Crete deserve to be recognised.
Anzac Day, 25 April, marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
While the Anzacs were formed during WWI, their spirit lives on in every active and passed serviceman who fights under the Southern Cross flag.
Traits of mateship, honour and bravery is what separates the Anzac forces from other foreign army corps, and is an image that every Australian and New Zealand soldier feels obliged to uphold.
The ‘Anzac Legend’
The Anzac Legend was formed in the bunkers at Gallipoli in 1915. The Anzacs, who represented the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, were sent out as part of an Allied expedition to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula and open the way to the Black Sea for the Allied navies.
The Australian and New Zealand soldiers who landed on Gallipoli’s shores expected a not so simple, but swift victory against the Ottoman Empire. What they faced was anything but.
Commanded by Ottoman leader Mustafa Kemal, the defending army forced a stalemate. The Anzacs, separated by the ‘no man’s land’, were cut off from victory and forced to hold their position for eight months.
At the end of 1915, the Anzacs and Allied forces retreated, suffering over 56,000 casualties, including 8,709 from Australia and 2,721 from New Zealand.
The loss of Gallipoli was seen as severe blow for the Allied forces, but also for the Anzacs, as the united Corps’ first battle saw 8,709 Australian soldiers not make it home.
On the Australian streets, people mourned. On April 25, 1916, the first Anzac Day parade was held, honouring those who died on the Allied front.
Between 1915 and 1916 was the creation of the ‘Anzac Legend’; A concept which suggests that the Australian and New Zealand soldiers possess qualities unique to their homeland, namely those of endurance, courage and, most importantly, mateship. The Anzac Legend is synonymous with Gallipoli campaign being the moment the beautiful nation was born.
The Anzac spirit lives on in all modern soldiers on the front and those protecting their homeland.
ANZAC’s during WWII: The Greek campaign
The term ‘Anzac’ was used sparingly during later campaigns. In April 1941, the Anzac forces were called upon once again to fight beside the British to repel the Axis powers.
Under the command of the British general, Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, the Anzacs and British troops were sent to defend the Greece for a period of a few months, but the battle was lost in just over three weeks.
The campaign was sadly hindered by poor communications between the Greek and British commanders, the primitive road and rail system in Greece, the difficult terrain, and the speed and success of the German advance.
Prime Minister Menzies at the memorial to British, Australian and New Zealand troops at Pedion Areos, Athens, March 1955 . (Special Collections, Baillieu Library, The University of Melbourne.
This battle, now regarded as the Greek campaign of 1941, become known as one of the shortest and disastrous campaigns of the second world war. The failed campaign resulted in thousands of Greek and ANZAC deaths, along with 12,000 Allied troops, including 3,000 Australians, becoming prisoners of war of the Germans.
Thousands of Australians were still isolated in Greece, cut off from the evacuations, yet over one thousand Anzacs managed to escape, largely owing to the bravery of the Greek people who assisted them.
Of the 1,686 Anzacs (Australian and New Zealand ) 646 Australians are buried or memorialised in Greece in Phaleron, Athens, Rhodes and Suda Bay in Crete. Over 50 percent of deceased Australians have never been found or are unidentified and are memorialised at the Athens Memorial.
What doesAnzac Day mean for Veterans?
Anzac Day is a time when the country comes together, spiritually and physically, to commemorate fallen Australian soldiers.
Anzac cookies are made at home while commemorative rugby matches are carried out. Among this, celebrations are carried out across many pubs and taverns in Australia.
While Anzac Day is a time for mourning, it’s also a time of reflection for many war veterans. Ken Tsirigotis is a Greek Australian veteran who served 22 years in the Australian Army Corps, and continues to serve his country as COO of Melbourne Legacy.
Speaking to The Greek Herald, Tsirigotis said that Anzac Day for him is a series of themes.
“So for me personally, it’s about mateship, service, sacrifice, commemoration and celebration,” Tsirigotis said.
Greek and Australian soldiers in Athens. 1941. Colour by Christos Kaplanis
“Mateship is quite different to friendship, and it’s something that in the context of the military is so deeply ingrained and can only really be understood by people that have served.
“Because you’re willing to put your life down for someone that you may not even know their first name, you may not know where they’re from, and you may not really know much about them, but what you do know is that they are on your left and on your right, and you will do everything that you can do to look after them in order to achieve whatever outcome it is that you’re fighting for.”
Tsirigotis adds that service and sacrifice is extended to actions committed off the battlefield, recognising the actions carried out in honour of their country.
“I keep those five things front and foremost, purely as the foundations for my existence and for the role that I have in legacy,” Tsirigotis concludes.
“When I’m going out trying to explain to people that haven’t served, so the penny can drop about why we exist and what we do.”
Greek films are often a great way to teach or encourage children and young people to learn the Greek language.
Many of you will know Aliki Vougiouklaki from the old Greek films. She was the ‘Star Ellas’ celebrity that rose from the ‘Girl next door’ to star status in Greece. Many of her old films are still available to watch for free on Youtube or via the Finos film archives also available online.
Many of her films are musicals and, apart from acting, she also sang many songs both on and off screen.
Children particularly liked her as she often played a young girl with a cheeky personality who rebelled against her parents.
For children and students aged 10 and over her films can be quite entertaining.
The songs in Greek Classical Films are easy to follow and listen to as they are not complex. Some of the tunes such as the “Siko Horepse Sirtaki” many children of Greek background may have heard already at Greek dances or if they learn Greek dancing they would know it.
Familiarity can often lead to proficiency which can then lead to mastery. When children are familiar with Greek films and music through exposure then it is easier to become proficient in the language, at least in certain areas. This can lead to mastery if they become interested enough to want to follow up by studying the language to the HSC or beyond.
Some good films to look up are “My Daughter the Socialist” and “Ktipokardia sta thrania”.
Some of her songs that are suitable for young children are “Niaou Niaou Vre Gatoula” and for older children “Eho ena mistiko -I have a secret”.
You will be surprised how children will respond to these films that are in colour, full of songs, dance and fun with a young and cheeky Aliki Vougiouklaki.
*Eleni Elefterias-Kostakidis is a teacher of Modern Greek, a University lecturer and the author of the bilingual children’s book ‘My Grandma is a Musician – Η γιαγιά μου είναι μουσικός’ which will be launched on May 8, from 2-5pm at Gumbramorra Hall in Marrickville. You can RSVP via SMS on 0400 43 60 79 or email: info@bilingualbookshop.com.au
Greek volunteer Chris Syrios has been announced as the recipient of the 2021 NSW Seniors Local Achievement Award for Burwood.
Syrios received the award during a morning tea yesterday morning at the St Nectarios Church Hall in Burwood. The award was presented by Member for Strathfield and Leader of the Opposition Jodi McKay MP in recognition of his outstanding service to the community.
“Chris Syrios is the welcoming face at the entrance to our Church during services! He has served on our Board since the early 1990s, with roles including President, Vice President and member of the Church sub-Committee,” St Nectarios Church said in a statement on Facebook.
Photo: Saint Nectarios Burwood Facebook
“We sincerely thank Jodi McKay for this honour and sincerely congratulate Chris on receiving this Award.”
The NSW Seniors Local Achievement Awards program are run as part of the 2021 NSW Seniors Festival. The Awards provide an opportunity for MPs and communities to recognise the seniors that help make their community a diverse, active and inspiring place to live.
Acting Minister for Seniors, Geoff Lee said the festival and the awards, highlight the important role seniors play in the community.
Photo: Saint Nectarios Burwood Facebook
“This annual festival is about celebrating the positive impact of older people in our families and society,” Mr Lee said.
“These initiatives are a great opportunity for communities to celebrate their seniors and all the fantastic work they do for the South Coast community.”
