On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the official opening ceremony and blessing for the National Gathering of Greek Orthodox Colleges 2025 took place at the Church of Saint Nektarios in Dianella, a suburb of Perth, with the blessing of Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Consul of Greece in Perth, Mrs. Georgopoulou, school principals, staff and students from participating Greek Orthodox colleges, as well as the President of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia, Mr. Pavlos Afkos, and other community representatives.
More than 450 students from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth are taking part in the three-day National Gathering, hosted this year by St. Andrew’s Grammar School in Perth. The event includes a variety of athletic competitions and artistic activities, reinforcing bonds among students and celebrating their shared faith and heritage.
Participating schools include:
- St. Spyridon College, All Saints Grammar, and St. Euphemia College from Sydney
- St. John’s College and Oakleigh Grammar from Melbourne
- St. George College from Adelaide
- St. Andrew’s Grammar School from Perth
Archbishop Makarios of Australia and Bishop Elpidios of Perth conveyed their blessings to all the students and staff, expressing their regret for not being able to attend due to the Archbishop’s concurrent honorary doctorate ceremony at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. That ceremony, to be held in the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, honored Archbishop Makarios as Doctor Honoris Causa of the Departments of Theology and Social Theology & Religious Studies.
Source: greek.vema.com.au
