Culture

July is a month dedicated to the beautiful island of Cyprus! Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria organises a number of events dedicated to the history and the culture of Cyprus. Oakleigh Grammar students had the opportunity to participate in all these events and show their respect to the Cypriot community.

On Sunday 9 July, 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 clergy, 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 was conducted by His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopoleos in the presence of Government Representatives, Community Leaders and other Dignitaries.

On Sunday 16 July the Justice for Cyprus Coordinating Committee, ΣΕΚΑ-SEKA, organised a special event for those lost in the conflict in Cyprus in 1974.  The event included a memorial service at St. Eustathios Orthodox Church in South Melbourne and wreath laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial.  Students of Oakleigh Grammar had the opportunity to meet with Mrs Doxa Komodromou, the Cypriot Government Deputy Spokesperson and the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia Mr. Antonis Sammoutis.

Natasha Spanos

Hellenic Culture Coordinator