The “Evzones Collection” has donated auction funds to the Saints Constantine and Helen Church in Sydney, Australia, to support its community Soup Kitchen which has been feeding poor and homeless souls in the area, under the guidance of much-loved parish priest Father Nektarios.
The Soup Kitchen is open to all walks of life, races and religions – it simply does not discriminate and is open every day, rain, hail, or shine for people looking for a clean, home cooked meal. Made possible by Father Nektarios and now Father Nicholas, together with the volunteers who unselfishly donate their time, food, drinks and other resources to make all of this possible.
The Evzones Collection Committee had pledged at an exhibition held at Beta Events, Sydney earlier this year, that funds from the auction of a print would be donated to the Soup Kitchen in Newtown.
Mr. Sam and Mrs. Christina Tsatsoulis were the highest bidders and is it any wonder, given their longstanding relationship with Father Nektarios dates back to when they were just children. Father Nektarios was also the priest who joined them in holy matrimony.
The generous gesture helps bring the total amount raised so far by The Evzones Collection team to just a little under $50,000, which is a super effort given the disruptions and times of hardship we’ve all had over the past couple of years.
The Evzones Collection by Nick Bourdaniotis had its first public exhibition in 2021 as part of the 200 years celebration of Greece’s emancipation from the Ottoman Empire in 1821, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia. The exhibition was also granted a personal endorsement from the head of Garrison Mr. George Besiris and the Greek Presidential Guard, as well as the Hellenic General Staff of National Defense, The Consulate Generals of Greece in Melbourne / Sydney / Adelaide, The Ambassador of Greece to Australia and the 200 Years of Hellenism Committee.
The subject matter was a fitting tribute to Greece’s celebrations and in particular to Greece’s favourite sons the Evzones, known as the elite forces of the Greek Presidential Guard. The exhibition showcased a collection of photographs that Nick had accumulated across a span of seven years, where he was granted rare, behind the scenes access to all areas of the Garison and to all the ceremonial duties the Evzones carry out daily.
Meticulously curated by Ms. Eirini Alligiannis, the exhibition tells a story that is pertinent to Greece’s past, present and future. Designed, printed and presented by the exhibition’s Creative Director, Mr. George Karantonis of Image Smart, Nick’s photos are displayed on the finest substrates and materials, printed in high definition, where there is no compromise on the quality of each perfectly captured photograph.
The exhibition travelled to Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and across numerous locations in Sydney, with Brisbane and Darwin still on the cards, and most excitingly it is being taken to the Athens War Museum after cordially being invited by Mr. Nikolaos Roussos, History Museum Designer and Conservation Technician, for next year’s 25th of March celebrations, and is set to be displayed for an entire month from 24 March to 30 April 2023.
The Evzones Collection Committee quickly agreed that making the exhibition available to the public was indeed a worthy exercise, but they wanted to do more. They set out to raise as much funds as possible along the way to donate to causes like the Greek School in Canberra, AGAPI Care in Melbourne, The Greek Earthquake Appeal, Gymea Church Fundraiser for the less fortunate, Kytherian Association of Australia, Central Philoptochos of the Archdiocesan District of Adelaide, Greek Welfare Centre in Adelaide, Adelaide Medical Supplies, St Spyridon College, The Australian Maritime Museum’s Greek Migrant Wall, and now to the Soup Kitchen at Saints Constantine and Helen Church in Newtown.
We share some footage from one of The Evzones Collection by Nick Bourdaniotis exhibitions, hosted by the Kalymnian Association of NSW earlier this year.
To stay up to date with the latest developments, or to purchase a print, or a book, please visit www.greece2021.com.au/evzones or follow The Evzones Collection on Facebook and Instagram.
The Evzones Collection Donates to Help Soup Kitchen at Newtown Church.
