A hundred flags were carried into Melbourne’s KIA Arena by students, 100 doves were released, and His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew‘s name was skywritten above the arena to celebrate 100 years of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA).

Another big surprise was the presence of Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who greeted Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with all the honours of a head of state.

“As a spiritual leader, you have been one of the most revered religious leaders of our time. One of the first global spiritual leaders to raise awareness of climate change and environmental issues,” Albanese said, while also praising the Patriarch’s efforts for “peaceful coexistence” of all people.

He expressed his honour to attend the historic service at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern during the previous week, was glad to welcome him to Kirribilli House, and finally Melbourne where St Paisios the Athonite visited in 1977 and where he also has a Melburnian brother, Nikos Archondonis.

“I am not from Melbourne. I am from Sydney,” Mr Albanese said. “But I am from a very special place in Sydney called Marrickville, and Marrickville is the beating heart of the Greek community in Sydney. Sometimes His Eminence Archbishop Makarios says, ‘you may be of Italian origin, but for me you are Greek’.”

Mr Albanese went on to praise the Greek Orthodox Church’s efforts to not just preserve faith but also help preserve language, culture, and traditions of Australia’s Greek community. Regarding the Archdiocese’s centenary, Mr Albanese said it was “a very special milestone, and a testament to the energy, the strength, and stamina of a community, generation after generation.”

“It is powerful as an expression of faith and an enduring act that honours both the heritage of the old country and the haven of the new. What a powerful bond to have between Greece and Australia,” Mr Albanese said.

Patriarch Bartholomew stressed the honour it was to have the Prime Minister present at the parade.

“The hospitality extended has been extraordinary, filling our hearts with immense gratitude,” he said, adding also that Australia is a place that “welcomes all people, embraces all people regardless of nationality.”

It was just before 3 pm when Archbishop Makarios called out “Kalimera” (Good Morning) and received a half-hearted response. “Did you not eat your breakfast?” he asked, getting a more enthusiastic cheer.

“We thank [Anthony Albanese] for not only being with us today but because he is not afraid to publicly say he loves Greeks, and he loves the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. He is our friend and we are his friends,” Archbishop Makarios said. “The presence of young people here today has particularly impressed us with their energy, their enthusiasm, and commitment.”

Archbishop Makarios went on to stress the contribution of Greek Orthodox Christians to Australia.

“Without Greeks and without Orthodox Christians, all of Australia would be less enriched. Why does this happen? We are here as Greeks and Orthodox Christians to build, to contribute, to unite, to assist, to honour our neighbour, and to respect the identity of every person who lives in this blessed country,” the Archbishop said.

The Prime Minister was accompanied at the parade by Australia’s Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Julian Hill and Special Envoy for Social Inclusion Peter Khalil MP. Other official guests included Greece’s Ambassador to Australia Stavros Venizelos, who gave an address, the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis, the Greek Consul General to Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, and many members of the clergy.

School students came from as far as Adelaide and Perth. A Perth entourage from the Greek Language and Culture Institute Evangelismos consisted of five families, teachers, students, and the administrative council. They told The Greek Herald they came for two reasons: to see the Ecumenical Patriarch, and to visit a community school.

The parade was led by the Melbourne Pipe Band, who were followed by St John’s College and Oakleigh Grammar drummers, along with other students from these schools. Representatives from Aetolian College, St George Greek Orthodox College (Adelaide), Greek School of Evangelismos (Perth), GOAA Sunday Schools, Alphington Grammar and the Greek Community Language Schools, South Oakleigh Secondary College, Mentone Greek Community School, Sts Anargiri, Dandenong Greek Community School, Box Hill Greek Language School, Omiros College, Pegasus Dance School, Imvrian Society of Melbourne, Cretan Brotherhood, Pancretan Association of Melbourne, Pontiaki Estia, Florina Aristotelis, Panmacedonian Associaton, NUGAS, Greek Orthodox Youth of Melbourne and Greek Orthodox Youth of Chora.

There were 25^th March vibes as far as flag-waving, national anthem singing, and patriotism were concerned. It was a full day.

*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Mary Sinanidis.