A heartwarming event filled with joyful yet devout melodies, brimming with love, hope, and spiritual joy, took place in the courtyard of the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Redfern, Sydney, on the afternoon of Saturday, December 21.
This was the annual “Christmas Carols” event organized by the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, a cherished tradition for the Greek Orthodox community of Sydney, serving as a joyful prelude to the great and salvific celebration of the Nativity of the God-Man.
The event’s large audience was delighted by a rich musical program featuring traditional Christmas and New Year carols, ecclesiastical hymns, and various other chants deeply connected to the festive spirit of the Holy Twelve Days.
The event was graced by the presence of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who, visibly moved and delighted by the outstanding outcome, extended heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all those who contributed.
The Archbishop also spoke about the upcoming great feast of Christmas, emphasizing that it serves as a reminder that “man does not live solely for this life but is destined for an eschatological journey.”
“Christmas” signifies birth, life, joy, and hope, but it also conveys perspective,” he emphasized, adding: “The birth of Christ was not without purpose; it was meant to give meaning to human existence. This purpose begins in the present life but leads us toward the ultimate destination—the Kingdom of God.”
Concluding his address and after expressing gratitude to the expatriates who once again warmly supported the “Christmas Carols” event, he encouraged everyone to stay close to Christ and the Church.
“Because there is no life more beautiful than one lived close to Christ and the Church,” he emphasized. Notably, the audience included Archons of the Great Church of Christ and Athanasios Lambrou, Communication Consultant at the Office of Public Diplomacy of the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, representing Consul General Ioannis Mallikourtis.
The event, a cherished tradition of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, was organized by the Central Youth Go Youth NSW and the Brotherhood of Ladies GO Family & Friends. The initiative was carried out under the guidance of Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese, and Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Christoforos Krikelis, Protosyncellus and Hierarchical Head of the Cathedral.
The event was presented and coordinated by members of the Youth Association, Vassilios Manis and Nikoleta Spyropoulou. Participants included the Australian Byzantine Choir, the “Melisma” Choir under the direction of Dimitrios Koumaroulis, the Youth Choirs of the Christian Association, the Pontoxenitea Pontian Association featuring lyra performer Konstantinos Papoulidis, and children’s choirs from the Sunday School of the Parish-Community of the Resurrection of Christ in Kogarah and the Parish-Community of All Saints in Belmore.
