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The Kalavryton Society of NSW, Australia, held its annual memorial service at St Euphemia Greek Orthodox Church in Bankstown last weekend to honor the victims of the 1943 Kalavryta massacre in the Peloponnese, one of the most brutal crimes of World War II, as reported by The New Herald.
The event featured a religious service, historical reflections, and a wreath-laying ceremony. The proceedings were emceed by John Kikilias, secretary of the Kalavryton Society. Key speeches were delivered by Jim Papadopoulos, president of the Kalavryton Society; John Papadopoulos, a member of the society’s auditing committee; and Chris Spiropoulos, president of the Greek Orthodox Parish of St Euphemia. Each speaker emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of this tragic event.
On December 13, 1943, Nazi forces massacred the entire male population of Kalavryta over the age of 12 in retaliation for the killing of German soldiers. Almost the entire town was destroyed by fire, except for the school, where women and children were confined.
Founded in 1964, the Kalavryton Society draws its members from individuals born in the Kalavryta region of Greece and their descendants, primarily residing in Greater Sydney and New South Wales. The society’s mission is to promote the culture of their region of origin, preserve ties to their heritage, and contribute to their local communities.