On Saturday evening, 9 May 2026, Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane attended the Dinner Dance, culminating the celebrations commemorating the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
The event, organised by the Cretan Association of Queensland, was held at the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane and was attended by more than 250 guests.
Special guests from Greece who attended and provided the evening’s musical entertainment included Manolis Kontaros, Stelios Papadakis, Michalis Georvasakis and Kyriakos Kontekas.
During his address, Bishop Bartholomew conveyed the love and blessings of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, himself a proud Cretan. Bishop Bartholomew also noted the significance of the day, marking the anniversary of the election of His Eminence as Archbishop of Australia and All Oceania.
Bishop Bartholomew stated that all Greeks in Australia should feel proud of the many achievements and accomplishments of His Eminence and especially the Cretan community, as His Eminence was born, raised and ordained on the blessed island of Crete.
Moreover, Bishop Bartholomew praised the leadership, dedication and commitment of Mr Antonios Katsanevas and for promoting Hellenism and Greek values throughout the State of Queensland.
In reply, Mr Katsanevas thanked Bishop Bartholomew for his presence, as well as for his love, care and dedication to the Holy Diocese of Brisbane.
