The first event of the Orthodox Christian Union, which took place on Sunday, February 28, 2021, at 7:00 pm at the Orthodox Christian Union’s building in Kingsgrove, was a success.
Bishop Elpidios of Kyanes attended the event representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia. Also present were the Abbot and his entourage from the Holy Monastery of Panagia Pantanassa as well as several other priests of the Orthodox Church and many people.
The theme of the event was “FROM THE FALL TO THE REVOLUTION”.
It was a historic journey from that dark Tuesday of May 29, 1453, until the creation of the Filiki Eteria (Society of Friends) and the prelude to the uprising with the Thourios of Rigas Feraios.
This journey included, in addition to the properly displayed slides, from beginning to end, special reports:
In the hope of Romiosyni for freedom
The importance of the hundreds of New Martyrs (flowers in the heavy winter)
The contribution of the klephts and their way of life
In the death toll “devshirme”, with a very moving two-act sketch “The Pasha of Dara”, where many of the spectators wept, and in the heroic Souli with selections from the well-known poem of Valaoritis “Samuel”.
The celebration was accompanied by current folk songs, the multi-member choirs of the young men and women of the Orthodox Christian Union accompanied by traditional musical instruments.
It is worth noting that in the last hymn”Thourios of Rigas” the audience responded with unprecedented enthusiasm.
What was remarkable and touching together was the fact that the whole presentation, the sketch, the songs, etc., were made by young people of the third and fourth generation, Australian-Greek children. Their great love for Greece and their devotion to our Orthodox faith were evident on stage.
At the end of the celebration, Bishop Elpidios of Kyanes said that the performance was the best he has ever seen. He thanked the young men and women of the Orthodox Christian Union, as well as all those responsible for this beautiful event, and conveyed the blessings of Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
The next event of the Orthodox Christian Union for the 200 years since the Revolution is scheduled in the same place and time on Sunday, March 28, 2021, and the theme will be “Theodoros Kolokotronis”.
Source: vema.com.au