The inaugural action of the National Committee of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia for the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence in 1821 took place on Saturday, the 19th of September in Picton, New South Wales.
Four events took place on the same day that marked the beginning of the programme of the relevant celebrations, which will cover a period of about 15 months until the end of 2021.
In particular, all the events were dedicated to the emblematic figure Antonis Manolis, who was one of the first two Greeks to look to Australia as their new homeland and was also the first Greek to acquire British citizenship.
The first phase of the action began with the Trisagion Service at the tomb of Antonis Manolis, which was performed by Archbishop Makarios of Australia. The first phase was followed by the unveiling of the street name sign, which was bearing the name “Antonis Manolis”, and was completed at the Picton War Memorial, where wreaths were laid.
The second phase of the action took place in a restaurant in Picton, where about 60 people, observing the precautionary measures against the spread of the coronavirus, attended a meal, where the Greek-Australian historian, Dr Panagiotis Diamantis, gave a speech.