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Students graduate from St Andrew’s Theological College and Byzantine Music School

The Greek Herald
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Students graduate from St Andrew’s Theological College and Byzantine Music School

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia celebrated a Doxology Service at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, Sydney on Friday, February 28, to mark the graduation of students from St Andrew’s Theological College.

During the service, His Eminence also awarded certificates to graduates of the Byzantine Music School, who completed a four-year course of study.

Degrees were also conferred by His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Sevasteia, Their Graces Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis and Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, Christophoros Krikelis, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, and Ioannis Mallikourtis, Consul General of Greece in Sydney.

Also present were Assoc. Professor Philip Kariatlis, Sub-Dean of the Theological College, faculty members, teachers from the Byzantine Music School, and the graduates’ families and friends.

In his address, Archbishop Makarios praised the Byzantine Music School, which he founded shortly after his arrival in Australia, for its role in preparing individuals to support the local Church by serving at sacred chanting stands during services.

He then congratulated the graduates of the Theological College, highlighting the importance of the faculty and families’ support in their academic journey. The Archbishop emphasised that theology is not merely an academic discipline, but a divine gift.

“Theology is a gift ‘coming down from the Father of lights’ (James 1:7) that brings us before the mystery of God’s love,” he said.

The Archbishop reminded the graduates that theology is not only informative but also transformative, urging them to present a living testimony of the presence of Christ in their future ministries.

Finally, Archbishop Makarios stressed that for theology to remain authentic, it must offer a glimpse of Christ’s future kingdom.

Sydney’s 47th Patrino Karnavali: A celebration of culture, dance and tradition

Andriana Simos
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Sydney’s 47th Patrino Karnavali: A celebration of culture, dance and tradition

For the past 47 years, Sydney’s Patrino Karnavali has brought the vibrancy of Greece’s largest carnival to Australia, giving the Greek community and friends from all backgrounds an unforgettable night of celebration.

This year, on Friday, February 28, The Grand Roxy at Brighton-Le-Sands transformed into a dazzling carnival hub, filled with music, laughter, and a lively atmosphere that captured the spirit of the iconic Patrino Karnavali from Patras, Greece.

The Panachaian Philanthropical Association (PPA), founded in 1974, has been the driving force behind this event, keeping the tradition alive in Sydney with an exclusive one-night-only celebration.

Everyone enjoyed the night. Photos supplied.

Inspired by Patras’ 180-year-old carnival, Sydney’s version blends Greek and Brazilian Karnavali traditions, encouraging guests to step away from their daily routines for a night of carefree fun, fancy dress, food, drinks, and of course, dancing.

This year’s fancy dress contest brought an extra layer of excitement, making the event even more interactive and engaging. From elaborate costumes to high-energy performances, every element of the night was a tribute to the festival’s rich history and the enduring passion of the Greek Australian community.

Guests were treated to an incredible culinary experience courtesy of Bill Mougios and his exceptional team at The Grand Roxy.

Sydney’s 47th Patrino Karnavali
Sydney’s 47th Patrino Karnavali
Sydney’s 47th Patrino Karnavali
Sydney’s 47th Patrino Karnavali
Sydney’s 47th Patrino Karnavali

The venue’s atmosphere was further enhanced by the electrifying music selections of DJ Vasilis Karantzias, who brought the authentic sounds of Karnavali to Sydney’s dance floor.

Live performances by singer Katherine Theofanopoulou and bouzouki player Antoni added an extra layer of magic.

Sydney’s 47th Patrino Karnavali

The 47th Patrino Karnavali Sydney was yet another incredible testament to the enduring love for Greek culture and tradition within the community.

The event’s fancy dress contest, live music, traditional flavours, and energetic dancing made for an unforgettable evening that will be talked about for years to come.

Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney brings to life powerful women of Byzantium

The Greek Herald
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Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney brings to life powerful women of Byzantium

By Dimitris Kametopoulos

A marvellous and remarkable event was enjoyed by those lucky enough to attend the theatrical performance Women of Byzantium last weekend, on March 1 – 2, at the Hellenic Art Theatre in Marrickville, Sydney.

The event was uniquely organised and presented by the esteemed organisation, the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney.

As the title of the event suggested, the main theme was the presentation of the lives of nine prominent and powerful women who lived during the era of the great Greek-speaking Byzantine Empire – presented by the women themselves.

As stated in the event programme, “The Hellenic Lyceum, as a guardian of Greek tradition, education, and culture, presents a performance about women who stood out for their dynamic personalities and achievements, who remain an inspiration and role model for young women today!”

byzantium

The present moment travelled back 1,000–1,500 years, with a “modern journalist” journeying through time to ask intriguing questions to each of these women. The aim was for them to recount their position and role in Byzantium, share personal aspects of their lives, discuss the challenges they faced, their relationship with Christianity and Orthodoxy, their intrigues, their influence, their achievements, and how they perceived themselves as well as their historical or religious role in the course of history.

Hypatia, the Empresses Eudokia, Pulcheria, Theodora, Irene, Theophano, Zoe, Anna Komnene, and the holy Kassiani took to the stage in full costume. Each of them was interviewed in Greek or English for approximately 10–15 minutes by the “modern journalist” Theodora Zourka.

Before each on-stage interview, the dynamic President of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney and host, Liana Vertzayias, read a brief biography of each powerful Byzantine woman. Meanwhile, Dimitris Koumbaroulis and Harry Mavrolefteros chanted short ecclesiastical hymns, further enhancing the necessary Byzantine atmosphere of the event.

Presenters were Amanda Tziallas in Greek, Christina Mitsopoulos and Tina Contos.

The program was complemented by the Lyceum’s dancers performing rarely seen Asia Minor dances led by Irene Tsenkas.

In a short address, Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis stressed the importance of the production as Byzantium is the link between Ancient Greece and Modern Greece.

byzantium

byzantium

Countless congratulations are due to the following Greek women from our community and members of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, each of whom admirably and enviably portrayed these prominent women of Byzantium: Nia Gitsa, Antonia Nikolopoulos, Anna Micos, Sophia Brunetta-Kongos, Stavroula Gianna, Paraskevi (Vivian) Spanos, Maritsa Micos, Styliani (Stella) Sorotou, and Eleni Dima.

Congratulations are also owed to the other contributors to this production for their work on the characteristic Byzantine costumes, direction, subtitles in English and Greek, and the presentation of traditional Greek dances—especially Linda Legas, Christina Tsakonas, Angeliki Konstantopoulos, Adamantia Tzialla, Irene Tsenkas, Thanasis and Maria Fotiadis, and others.

byzantium

It is worth noting that the concept of presenting the women of Byzantium in this unique way – through a “live interview” – belongs to the prominent expatriate figure Costas Vertzayias.

What can be stated with absolute certainty is that the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney offered the Greek community of Sydney an opportunity to learn more about Byzantium, particularly a lesser-known aspect of it – the strong female presence.

*The production was under the auspices of the Secretariat of Greeks Living Abroad.

Savvas Bieri: Cyprus Community of NSW marks the passing of a pioneer

The Greek Herald
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Savvas Bieri: Cyprus Community of NSW marks the passing of a pioneer

Written by Michael Peters Kyriacou, President, Cyprus Community of NSW

It’s a moment that no person can escape, a moment no sibling can ignore, and no community can amiss, the passing of a community pioneer, a member of a generation that delivered a legacy few today can match.

Every community has pioneers, the people who came to Australia with next to nothing to build more than a home and a family, but then quietly went on to sacrifice their efforts, time and limited resources to selflessly build a Community.

Savvas Bieri was just that pioneer.

Savvas was the father of the current Cyprus Community of NSW Treasurer Terri Bieri. 

Savva’s dedication and quiet devotion to family, his people and Community is typical of the generation who nurtured our Community for over half a century without fanfare, noise, demands and for no other reason than the love of family Community and ethnos.

Savva served as a director of the Cyprus Community of NSW for many years, he was instrumental to raise the funds to purchase the first real estate in Surry Hills near central station, his dedication to the Community is legendary.

Typical of his generation, he was not so concerned with talk, debates or opinions, his generation was concerned with hard work, organising and delivering functions, events and get togethers, keeping our culture, our identity, our language and the cause of Cyprus alive.

Like others of his generation he was quiet, a no-nonsense diligent worker for his Community expecting no glory and nothing in return.

His generation believed in the idea of “rights” “entitlements” must be earned through hard work and dedication perhaps foreign to our contemporary world. 

Savvas came from the village of Akaki, Cyprus. He landed on the shores of Australia seeking a better life from a homeland occupied by foreign troops and historically the pawn of great powers.

Savvas’ story is truly the great Australian anthology, it is how the nation was built and what it is today. It is also how a Community was founded, a legacy handed to us from the sweat of that generation.

It is the classic story of a young man seeking opportunity,  with cultural baggage that was to drive his character and love of family, Cyprus and Community.

Today, the Community has valuable “rezoned” real estate in Stanmore inner west Sydney with a Club house, offers a range of services and activities from the second largest soccer team in the Inner West of Sydney to Dancing and Greek Schools, Veteran Anzac Committee, Heritage Committee, Justice for Cyprus and young professionals, amongst many other activities.

It is the character of Savva’s generation that serves as an example to all, to contribute in a meaningful manner with civility and dedication to family, Community,  Australia and the cause of Cyprus.

Savvas’ generation was not so concerned or blinded by wealth and personalities; they were too “new Australians,” too busy with a mission to succeed to take care of their family and build a Community.

Savvas’ generation was focused on preserving our identity. Whatever we have today is because of that generation.

As that generation passes, their legacy calls us to respect the endeavours of the pioneers, not damage the good name and reputation earned by the deeds of that generation. We must all be motivated to step up and be worthy of this inheritance.

Today, the Cyprus Community is at the table of many policy forums, both government and non-government and continues to preserve the ancient identity and culture of the land of Aphrodite, the place where the Greek alphabet was born, where many sacrificed their life to retain the identity of the ethnos through the ages.

On February 26, 2025, we paid homage to Savvas and his generation. Without their legacy, the Community would be poorer, our identity in peril and Australia a lesser place.

As this generation of pioneers leave us, we must not let down our pioneers, our ancestors. We must never abandon the sacred mission they gave the world. We must not be distracted from the quiet selfless vision of that generation that gave us a legacy to cherish. After all, the passing of this generation reminds us that we are all merely passing by, obliged to respect our pioneers and nurture the legacy and show we are worthy inheritors.

To Savvas’ children Anna, Terri, Peter and Diane, to his grandchildren Dimitri, Samantha, Miriam, Patricia, Nicholas, Savvas, Christian, Elizabeth, Christof, Iren and Savia, to the great grandchildren Nicholas, Stephanie, Joseph, Nicholas, Jacob, Talia, Dante, Andreas and Niko , you have big shoes to fill to continue the tradition of your great ancestor, be worthy trustees of the deeds of our pioneers like Savvas.

Melbourne girl Mia Takos becomes world’s youngest board game creator

The Greek Herald
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Melbourne girl Mia Takos becomes world’s youngest board game creator

Eight-year-old Mia Takos has been named the world’s youngest board game creator after designing a game to help her father manage his ADHD.

The student at Geelong‘s Christian College, invented Outfox at just six years old in the garage of her family’s Highton home.

The game was officially launched on Sunday, March 2, during the Melbourne Toy Fair at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Mia created Outfox to assist her father, Chris, in developing the concentration skills he struggled with due to his ADHD.

“I thought noughts and crosses was really boring,” Mia said.

“So I thought, ‘why don’t I make something more challenging?’”

Mia shared her excitement and nervousness prior to the launch, saying, “Getting the title of world’s youngest board game creator is great, but I think I’m more excited for meeting new people – Hasbro, Disney, and all the kids there.”

Outfox is designed for all ages and requires players to concentrate as they strategise. The game features transparent characters, and players can’t move the same way twice.

Experts have praised the game’s cognitive benefits, including its ability to improve memory, critical thinking, and problem-solving for nursing home residents.

Chris Takos said he has personally benefited from the game.

“My mind races 100 miles an hour, but this makes you have to concentrate,” he explained.

“It’s a simple game but you have to focus or you’ll lose. And she’s already invented the next one.”

Mia’s proud mother, Kristina Bond, recalled how Mia first introduced the game to her parents.

“She sat down with her dad and finally explained it to him,” she said.

“After that, we started playing the game with her, and we really loved playing the game.”

Outfox is a strategic game that challenges players to out-think and out-concentrate their opponents, combining concentration skills, tactical decision-making and fun.

Source: Herald Sun.

Aiva Anagnostiadis named Australia’s first F1 Academy driver

The Greek Herald
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Aiva Anagnostiadis named Australia’s first F1 Academy driver

Aiva Anagnostiadis has been confirmed as Australia’s first driver to ever appear in the F1 Academy series.

With the series taking place across seven Formula 1 race weekends, Anagnostiadis will partner with leading open-wheel squad Hitech – starting from Shanghai’s Chinese Grand Prix in late March.

The Anagnostiadis family are no strangers to motorsport, with Aiva’s mother Barbara previously involved in karting as a driver. Aiva would later join her brother, James, in also taking up karting from the age of six.

“At the time I didn’t have much interest in motorsport, but mum brought us to the track and I thought I want to have a go at this, so we jumped in the kart and that’s when I fell in love with it,” Aiva said.

In 2022, after representing Team Australia in the FIA Motorsport Games’ Senior Karting category, Anagnostiadis joined Alpine’s Rac(H)er Academy as she began her transition from karts to open-wheel racing.

“F1 Academy was a goal straight away. To reach that goal has been a dream come true and now the plan is to work as hard I can and be as competitive as possible,” Anagnostiadis said.

“I want to be a role model for those little girls coming through and be what I didn’t have. We’re trying to break barriers and show girls that there is another pathway and there are opportunities out there.”

While Anagnostiadis’ F1 Academy debut will wait until the Chinese Grand Prix on 21–23 March, Anagnostiadis will be an Ambassador for the Australian Grand Prix in her hometown of Melbourne.

“To be an ambassador of the Australian Grand Prix, my home track, is pretty cool. I was here in 2018 as a grid kid so now to be back taking it all in again as an ambassador is awesome,” Anagnostiadis said.

Source: Motorsport.

Irrepressible 5 star Sydney Olympic performance puts Sutherland to the sword

The Greek Herald
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Irrepressible 5 star Sydney Olympic performance puts Sutherland to the sword

It was one-way traffic in the Match of the Round as Sydney Olympic showed all its class smashing the Sutherland Sharks 5-1 at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday, March 1. 

It didn’t take long before both showed glimpses of their prowess when Olympic were awarded a penalty inside 40 seconds after Cyrus Dehmie went down in the box. Alou Kuol struck, Danijel Nizic saved but the attacker reacted quickest to put the ball away at the second time of asking.

A second header was wiped out for Olympic, for an offside call, with Sutherland under the pump less than ten minutes into the match before Dehmie did double the Olympic lead when stealing the ball and running half the length of the pitch before cutting inside to plant the orb in the back of the net with a sweetly struck left-footed strike.

Peter Grozos returned fire but in beating Jack Gibson between the sticks, the Sharks midfielder blasted wide of the woodwork however Sutherland regrouped and put Olympic under pressure with a succession of corners, which they managed to scramble clear.

The Sharks goal duly arrived through Ikko Arimoto, his first of the campaign, in the 25th minute when lashing home another left-footer to halve the deficit but it proved a false dawn.

The elation didn’t last too long as Dehmie doubled his tally when netting the fourth goal of a topsy-turvy half from a neat low cross by Jack Armson on the right wing and before the dust had settled it was 4-1 when Dylan Ruiz-Diaz was on the end of more good work down the right flank to stun Sutherland.

There was no question the visitors were taking advantage of almost every opportunity more so than a somewhat static, lumbering Sharks’ defense.

Jordan Roberts volleyed wide at the other end, Sutherland left with no option, even at this early stage, but to push on.

The demeanour didn’t exude that of a beaten side but it was a mighty steep hill they needed to climb which in turn encouraged Olympic to look for the counter and exploit the acres of vacant Sharks real estate at the back.

Ziggy Gordon came close to taking the advantage but sent a 25-yard shot over the bar with virtually the last action of an opening stanza that had produced 5 goals, a handsome Sydney Olympic lead and plenty of talking points.

Nizic was forced into a another super save low down to deny Olympic a fifth of the evening right from the whistle as play resumed.

It was proving a tough night at the office for the home side with Olympic in irrepressible mood heightened further when Kotaro Katsuta was shown a straight red card in the 54th minute reducing Sutherland to 10-men.

Ruiz-Diaz was denied a second by the heroics of Nizic with more than a third of the match still to play.

It was rapidly becoming a case of damage limitation for the Sharks who still looked to play football but with a definite height disadvantage up top, most balls into the box were handled easily by Olympic.

The fifth duly arrived when Ruiz-Diaz and Sam McIllhatton exchanged quick passes with the latter’s ball over the top allowing the former to volley home in emphatic fashion.

Olympic had their tactics right, the man advantage and the will to power on and outclass their opponents.

Substitute Bailey Callaghan, on for Seth Clark, struck the upright forcing Olympic to await a sixth of the evening, Nizic bravely denying Ruiz-Diaz a hat-trick with both players requiring treatment after the coming together.

It was one-way traffic, Olympic pressed, Sutherland defended, Nizic strong at the back, despite conceding 5 on the night, the hunger and desire of a rampant away side plus a red card, a penalty, goalkeeper substitution and six goals.

Source: NPL NSW.

Daniel Hasapis found guilty of murder after violent assault on victim

The Greek Herald
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Daniel Hasapis found guilty of murder after violent assault on victim

Daniel Paul Hasapis, an ice addict from Wyong, has been found guilty of murder after fatally assaulting Sean Froggatt at his unit on January 27, 2023.

The NSW Supreme Court heard that Froggatt had visited Hasapis to deliver cannabis and smoke some, but Hasapis, who had been buying ice in Sydney, returned home to find items missing.

He then confronted Froggatt, subjecting him to a violent assault, including whipping him with a chain, punching, and kicking him.

The Wyong unit block on Levitt St that residents have dubbed the “Ice Palace”. Photo: John Grainger.

Justice Natalie Adams stated that Hasapis’ motive was driven by anger over the missing items and a desire for psychological satisfaction.

Froggatt suffered serious injuries, including trauma to his head, and was later found deceased in the unit.

Hasapis, who initially pleaded not guilty, was convicted based on evidence that he intended to cause harm. He also pleaded guilty to a separate assault charge. The sentencing is scheduled for June 27.

Source: Daily Telegraph.

Greek Australians retrace ANZAC retreat in Crete to honour soldiers and raise funds

The Greek Herald
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Greek Australians retrace ANZAC retreat in Crete to honour soldiers and raise funds

Eighty-four years after the Battle of Crete, a group of Greek Australians is set to retrace the retreat of ANZAC forces during the legendary 1941 battle.

The journey will cover 100 kilometres from Maleme to Hora Sfakion, following the same path taken by Australian and New Zealand soldiers as they retreated from German forces.

This trek honours the soldiers who fought and sacrificed far from home, and it is also a mission to support a charitable cause.

The group, members of the “Wish You Were Here” organisation, is raising funds for Pankind, the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, to support research on early detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Among the participants are cancer survivors and relatives of those who have battled the disease. The group previously raised over 200,000 euros during a 2017 trek in Papua New Guinea to honour those lost to cancer.

Con Kanellis, a member of the organisation, has a personal connection to both the history of Crete and cancer.

battle of crete sydney wreath laying (466)
The Battle of Crete is commemorated every year in Australia.

Born in Greece with roots in Crete, he became passionate about honouring the sacrifices of ANZAC soldiers after learning about their military campaigns in both Crete and Papua New Guinea.

“The more I read about these incredible human beings, the more I felt compelled to honour their sacrifice,” he said.

Kanellis also shares that the creation of “Wish You Were Here” was inspired by his own cancer battle.

After surviving stage 4 metastatic laryngeal cancer, Kanellis began organising charity events to raise awareness for cancer, particularly pancreatic cancer.

The death of his best friend, Nick Stamatakis, from pancreatic cancer deepened his commitment to the cause.

“Our goal is to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer, which is often diagnosed too late, leading to low survival rates,” Kanellis explained.

While their fundraising efforts support Pankind in Australia, Kanellis expressed interest in collaborating with Greek cancer charities, hoping that Cretans and Greeks would join them on their trek in solidarity.

Source: To Vima

Djokovic playfully mocks Tsitsipas after the Greek claims first ATP 500 title in Dubai

The Greek Herald
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Djokovic playfully mocks Tsitsipas after the Greek claims first ATP 500 title in Dubai

Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrated his first ATP 500 title this weekend after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championship.

The victory marked the end of an 11-match losing streak in ATP 500 finals for Tsitsipas, who had previously lost in several tournaments, including two finals in Dubai.

Following the win, Novak Djokovic sent a playful message on social media, humorously mocking Tsitsipas’ past struggles.

“No one beats Stefanos Tsitsipas 12x in a row on 500 Tour level,” Djokovic wrote in an Instagram story, alongside a photo of Tsitsipas holding his trophy and a laughing emoji.

The joke highlighted the friendly rapport between the two stars and showed that Djokovic had been closely following Tsitsipas’ journey.

For Tsitsipas, this win was not only his first ATP 500 title but also his first title of 2025, bringing his career total to 12. Additionally, he will rise from 11th to 9th in the ATP World Rankings, marking his return to the top ten.

Tsitsipas expressed relief after breaking his losing streak, saying, “It’s a big relief that I’m able to hold that trophy after the third attempt. It’s something that I had in the back of my mind, and I’m happy to say I accomplished it.”

He also spoke about the significance of returning to the top ten, calling it “one of the greatest feelings a tennis player can experience.”

In true humorous fashion, Tsitsipas later posted a message on Instagram celebrating his win with a witty caption: “They said my game was sinking… so I got myself a boat,” alongside a photo of him holding the Dubai ATP 500 trophy, which is shaped like a boat.

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