Defence Minister Nikos Dendias attended a doxology service at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Sydney on Thursday, marking the first day of his official visit to Australia.<\/h3>\n
The service was led by Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Primate and Exarch of All Oceania, and brought together senior Greek officials and members of the local Greek Orthodox community.<\/p>\n Dendias was accompanied by Greece\u2019s Ambassador to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, Rear Admiral Panagiotis Karavas, Director of the Hellenic Navy General Staff\u2019s Armaments Directorate, and Greece\u2019s Consul General in Sydney, George Skemperis.<\/p>\n Addressing Archbishop Makarios, the Defence Minister praised his leadership in uniting the Greek community across Australia.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a great joy to see, under your leadership, the Greek community of Australia united, walking together with the Holy Church of Christ, which has always been the solid ground and foundation upon which the course of Hellenism has been built,\u201d Dendias said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n He highlighted the enduring role of the Greek Orthodox Church in preserving Hellenic identity abroad, describing it as particularly moving to see the Greek flag flying outside the cathedral in Sydney.<\/p>\n Dendias also thanked Archbishop Makarios for his efforts in strengthening the bond between the Greek diaspora and the homeland.<\/p>\n \u201cYour work serves Hellenism and the great effort you make to maintain the close bond between the Greek diaspora and the motherland,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The minister described Australia\u2019s Greek community as one of the largest and most influential in the world, noting that, by population, it could be considered Greece\u2019s second or third largest \u201ccity\u201d outside the country\u2019s borders.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/greekcitytimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/169893.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n
\n