The Parish of the Transfiguration of Our Lord in Thomastown, Victoria, witnessed a momentous event on Sunday, May 26, 2024, with the unveiling of the Greek-Australian Memorial of the Northern Suburbs, dedicated to the Battle of Crete and the ANZACs.
His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, Archiepiscopal Vicar of Northcote, led the commemorative service at the Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, honouring those who fell during the Battle of Crete.
Following the solemn service, the memorial’s unveiling ceremony took place in the church’s forecourt. The memorial, a marble plaque paying tribute to the ANZACs, was mounted on a bluestone. His Grace Bishop Evmenios, representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, led the unveiling ceremony alongside Vice-Admiral Mr Christos Sasiakos, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the National Defence of Greece. Also present were Captain Pavlos Angelopoulos, Lieutenant Commander Stylianos Mitsiotis, and Colonel Ioannis Fasianos, among others.
During the ceremony, wreaths were laid by Bishop Evmenios on behalf of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis, Vice-Admiral Mr. Christos Sasiakos on behalf of the Armed Forces of Greece, and representatives of Cretan associations and the Cretan Youth. Notable attendees included Mr. Nikolaos Markogiannakis, President of the World Council of Cretans, and Mr. Emmanuel Mountakis, President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand.
