Exhausted from Tuesday’s ANZAC Day proceedings with the early Dawn Service and long march around the city, the excitement and adrenaline of being in Sydney and seeing Greeks so passionate about their culture and heritage abroad, keeps the Presidential Guard going for their official Day 3 schedule.
Captain John Stavridis from HMAS Hobart, Royal Australian Navy invited the Presidential Guard on his ship for morning tea and a presentation. He then conducted a full tour of the ship before he presented the Presidential Guard with caps and memorabilia.
For the first time ever in Sydney, the Presidential Guard stood on the stairs outside of Parliament House. Organised by the President of the New South Wales Legislative Council John Ajaka, he also held a Parliamentary reception in honour of the Guards presence in Sydney that was attended by the Consul General of Greece in Sydney Christos Karras, Member of the Legislative council The Honourable Courtney Houssos, Member of Parliament for Miranda Eleni Petinos and Member of Parliament for Rockdale Steve Kamper. The Presidential Guard were also given a tour of Parliament House.
Later, the Presidential Guard visited His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia and Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias at The Cathedral of “The Annunciation of Our Lady”. His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos couldn’t take his eyes off the Evzones, who said their presence here in Sydney is something special, as they bring the heart of Greece to those who live so far away.
The Presidential Guard presented HiS Eminence with a small Tsarouchi, a symbol of Greek history, which paved the road to freedom and a book which has the history of St George Tsavellas, the saint of the Proedriki Froura, which will be commemorated on the 17th January, before going inside to The Cathedral’s Chapel of “St John the Theologian” where students from St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College were chanting.
On Friday, Day 4 of the official visit, crowds packed Martin Place, to watch in admiration, the Presidential Guard who formed a guard of honour at Martin Place Cenotaph.
A 94-year-old lady who was an Australian war veteran also attended and was visibly touched by the Evzones presence.
In the afternoon, the Presidential Guard visited St Basil’s in Lakemba, where they were welcomed by a standing ovation and tears from the residents. Captain Nicholas, gave a presentation to the residents about the history of the Proedriki Froura and an explantation of the different costumes.
It was a remarkable experience for a resident of St Basil’s who was an Evzona in 1949 and the other members of the community who were excited for the visit, which included reciting poems in front of the Evzones. Konstantinos said they were honoured to be given the opportunity to visit the residents at St Basil’s and how special this journey to a place far away has been for all the Evzones.
Sydneysiders don’t miss your opportunity to catch the Evzones in action today, Saturday 28/4 at 1pm at Martin Place Cenotaph and on Sunday 29/4 at 2pm when the Greek Presidential Guard will March from North Bondi RSL to Bondi Pavillion.
*All images by Nick Bourdaniotis Photography exclusive for Greek City Times (Copyright)
*The Hellenic Club Sydney are the chief organisers of the Presidential Guards visit.
