With the blessing of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the Archdiocesan Parish of the Holy Wisdom in Adelaide hosted a fundraising gala on Sunday evening, August 31, on the eve of the Ecclesiastical New Year. The event, held at the hall of the Cypriot Community of South Australia, was a sold-out success, with tickets gone a week in advance.
The evening opened with prayer by Bishop Silouan of Adelaide and featured a three-course dinner and a rich cultural program. Performers included local Pontian musicians and singers, parishioner-singer Paraskevi with a surprise duet alongside her young son Alessandro, and dance groups from the Cypriot, Cretan, and Pontian communities of South Australia. A notable highlight was the debut of the Cypriot Community’s new children’s dance group, reflecting the continuity of tradition among the younger generation.
In the formal part of the evening, parish priest Fr. Ioannis Saridakis emphasized gratitude to God in all things and presented architectural plans for the new headquarters of the Adelaide Archdiocesan District, recently approved by the local council. Bishop Silouan conveyed the blessings of Archbishop Makarios, thanking the clergy, parish council, philanthropic groups, youth, and wider community for their tireless support.
The night concluded with prayer, music, and fellowship, leaving participants with a sense of joy, unity, and commitment to both faith and heritage.
