The Hellenism of Northern Australia, united and with great brilliance, celebrated the two hundredth anniversary (1821-2021) of the beginning of the Greek Revolution of 1821. The festivities and honorary events lasted three days, from Thursday 25 March to Sunday 28, 2021, under the auspices of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
Specifically, on Thursday, March 25, the Prime Minister of Northern Australia, Michael Gunner, honoring Hellenism and the double feast of the Annunciation and the Greek Revolution, hosted a reception in the Darwin City Hall, where the local authorities Greeks and Philhellenes honored the heroes and heroines of the struggle of Greek Palingenesis. Both the Prime Minister, Michael Gunner, and the President of the Greek Community, Nikolaos Poniris, referred to the symbolism of the day and the miracle of the Greek Revolution.
Bishop Siluan of Sinope, arrived in the city of Darwin on Friday, March 26, and presided over the following services:
- The Second Stasis of Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos at the Holy Temple of Saint Nicholas, with the participation of Fr. Joel, Fr. Christos Tsoraklidis, and many believers.
- At the school celebration that took place on Saturday, March 27, which was prepared and coordinated with great passion and national pride by the Director of the School, Ioannis Karavokyros, the Head of the Community for Educational Affairs, Michalis Koulianos, the teaching staff, and the students.
- The Divine Liturgy on the Second Sunday of Lent on the feast day of Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki.
- The memorial service that was officiated at the Monument of the Heroes of the Greek Community and in the laying of wreaths that followed.
- Finally, at the culmination of the festive events that took place in the hall of the Community, next to the Holy Temple of Saint Nicholas.
Bishop Siluan conveyed at all events the blessings and undivided love of Archbishop Makarios of Australia and addressed the faithful, promoting the role of the Virgin Mary in the Salvation of the world, the Struggle and the contribution of the Saints of the Church to the eternal salvation of the faithful, as well as the daily gift of God to all of us through the Sacrament of Holy Communion that all believers must participate in.
Referring to the struggle of the Greeks for the National Palingenesis and at the same time recalling the persuasions of Archbishop Makarios that “in our veins flows the blood of heroes and martyrs”, urged everyone to have as role models in their lives, the Heroes and Martyrs of the church who fought “for the Holy Faith in Jesus Christ and the Freedom of our Homeland”. Finally, he congratulated everyone for the success of all the events and thanked Fr. Joel, the President, Nikos Poniris, as well as their collaborators for the hospitality and love they showed him during his second pastoral visit to Darwin.
Source: vema.com.au