On Wednesday the 10th of May Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea welcomed the Chief of Staff of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS), Lieutenant General Georgios Kyriakou at the Archdiocesan District of Perth offices in Dianella.
The Chief of Staff was accompanied by two others from the Greek Armed Forces as well as the Greek Consul in Perth, Georgia Karasiotou.
The delegation of the Greek Armed Forces are visiting Australia for the 82nd Anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
Bishop Elpidios addressed the entire delegation of the Greek Armed Forces with the following words: “On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia we welcome you all today to the Archdiocesan District of Perth offices. Your visit today has truly brought us great honor and joy. Our Holy Archdiocese is also your home and the doors will always be open for you.”
The Chief of Staff responded by thanking the Archdiocese for its hospitality and directing his attention towards the Bishop stated, “We also in return bring you greetings from General Konstantinos Floros, Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDS).”
The following day, Thursday the 11th of May, an official Memorial and Wreath Laying Service was held at the State War Memorial Cenotaph at Kings Park for those Fallen during the Battle of Crete as well as those who lost their lives during the Pontian Genocide. The service was presided over by Bishop Elpidios.
In attendance were the delegation of the Greek Armed Forces, the Governor of WA, Chris Dawson, the Greek Consul in Perth, the City of Perth Lord Mayor, Basil (Vasilios) Zempilas, students from St Andrew’s Gramnar Day School, and other distinguished guests.
The delegation of the Greek Armed Forces will also be visiting Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and New Zealand as part of this year’s Anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
