Culture

Term 3 started with two special events organised by the Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria.  The Cypriot community has a long history in Australia.  Every year Greek-Cypriots organise different events dedicated to the history and the culture of the beautiful island of Cyprus.

On Sunday, July 10, Oakleigh Grammar students attended a special memorial service at the parish of “The Presentation of our Lady to the Temple” in North Balwyn.  The memorial service honoured the memory of; Archbishop Kyprianos of Cyprus, Bishops Chrysanthos of Paphos, Meletios of Kiti, Lavrentions of Kerinia, and other clergies, as well as the civilians, who were executed by the Ottoman Rulers on the 9th of July 1821 in Cyprus.  The Divine Liturgy and the Memorial were conducted by His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopoleos in the presence of Government Representatives, Community Leaders, and other Dignitaries.

On Sunday, July 17, Oakleigh Grammar was invited to attend a memorial service for those lost in the conflict in Cyprus in 1974 at St. Eustathios Orthodox Church in South Melbourne and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial.  Middle School Captain, Michaela Millar, together with Junior School Rose House Captain, Eva Bakalis, laid a wreath on behalf of the school community.

Another special event took place on Sunday, July 24.  The name day of Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis and the completion of 60 years of his Church ministry were celebrated in an emotionally-laden ceremony in the reception hall of the Cretan village in South Wantirna. The event was the inspiration and planning of Archbishop Makarios of Australia and the organisation and implementation were undertaken by the bishops of the Archdiocesan districts of Melbourne and Northcote in collaboration with the Victorian Inter-Communities Council.

Selected Oakleigh Grammar students had the honour to attend the event.  On behalf of the whole school community, students congratulated Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis for his milestone anniversary and his name day by offering him a bouquet of flowers.

Congratulation to students who had the privilege to represent our school with pride at this significant event.

Natasha Spanos

Hellenic Culture Coordinator