{"id":24119,"date":"2026-10-22T20:32:47","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T20:32:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/22\/evzones-in-sydney-honour-fallen-at-martin-place-cenotaph\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T20:32:47","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T20:32:47","slug":"evzones-in-sydney-honour-fallen-at-martin-place-cenotaph","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/22\/evzones-in-sydney-honour-fallen-at-martin-place-cenotaph\/","title":{"rendered":"Evzones in Sydney Honour Fallen at Martin Place Cenotaph"},"content":{"rendered":"


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SYDNEY, October 2026 \u2014 The Hellenic Presidential Guard (Evzones) arrived on Wednesday. Since then, they have visited NSW Parliament House and stood Guard of Honour at the Martin Place Cenotaph for OXI Day.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The delegation flew in from Greece for OXI Day. It will travel to Canberra on 28 October, Hellenic Club Sydney said. The club hosts the Sydney visit with support and sponsorship from the NSW Government. Meanwhile, the visit is part of a week of Hellenic heritage events.<\/p>\n

\"Evzones<\/source><\/picture>
Evzones at the Martin Place Cenotaph in Sydney, 22 October 2026. Copyright Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hundreds of community members, veterans and well-wishers stood in silence through the hour-long ceremony at the Cenotaph. It honoured the shared wartime sacrifices of Australian and Greek servicemen and women, organisers said.<\/p>\n

\"Crowd<\/source><\/picture>
Evzones in Martin Place, Sydney, 22 October 2026. Copyright Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the Cenotaph, students from St Spyridon College, St Euphemia College and All Saints Grammar performed the Australian and Greek national anthems.<\/p>\n

Read more: Evzones Lead OXI Day Ceremonies in Sydney and Canberra 2026: Bring Your Greek Flags<\/p>\n

\"School<\/source><\/picture>
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia\u00a0Colleges, Sydney, 22 October 2026. Copyright Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Earlier, the Guard attended a Doxology service at St Spyridon College in Kingsford. There, the college and parish community warmly welcomed the Evzones alongside college leaders and the Head of College, Mrs. Amelia Katsogiannis.<\/p>\n

\"Students<\/source><\/picture>
St Spyridon College in Kingsford, Sydney, 22 October 2026. Copyright Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Evzones in Sydney at Parliament<\/h3>\n

At Parliament House, the Hon. Stephen Kamper MP, Minister for Lands and Property, Multiculturalism, Sport, and Jobs and Tourism, hosted a reception for the Guard. The Evzones also received a guided tour of the parliamentary chambers.<\/p>\n

Ministers the Hon. Courtney Houssos MLC and the Hon. Sophie Cotsis MP also attended. So did Nikolas Hatzistergos, president of Hellenic Club Sydney. Also present were Consul General of Greece in Sydney Georgios Skemperis, Defence Attach\u00e9 Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos and the Commander of the Presidential Guard.<\/p>\n

\"Guards<\/source><\/picture>
NSW Parliament House in Sydney, 22 October 2026. Copyright Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On Friday 23 October<\/strong> at 6:30 pm, the Evzones will attend an event for young people in the Greek diaspora at The Gallery Events by Alpha. It will feature a presentation on the Evzones\u2019 history. The Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, the Hellenic Club, and the Council of University Greek Associations (CUGA) co-organise the event.<\/p>\n

The following night, the Evzones in Sydney join the club\u2019s Centenary Celebrations Gala Ball at the Hyatt Regency at 6 pm on Saturday 24 October<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

On Sunday 25 October<\/strong>, the Evzones attend the 9:30 am Divine Liturgy at St Spyridon Church, Kingsford. They then march from Elizabeth Street to the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park at 1:30 pm for the flagship ceremony and flag-raising. The Kalymnian Association of NSW hosts the ceremony. Organisers have asked people to bring Greek flags, and everyone is welcome.<\/p>\n

Evzones in Sydney at a Business Sydney event<\/h3>\n

Paul Nicolaou, director of Business City, welcomed guests and introduced the speakers. The Hon. Courtney Houssos MLC addressed the gathering and welcomed the Hellenic Presidential Guard to Sydney. Nick Hatzistergos, Chairman of the Bank of Sydney and President of the Hellenic Club, also spoke, as did Consul General of Greece in Sydney Georgios Skemperis. Lieutenant Athanasios Loulas of the Hellenic Presidential Guard then delivered an address with slides and video, before Paul Nicolaou introduced Commander Michail Tzinieris. <\/p>\n

\"Hellenic<\/source><\/picture>
Evzones at the Business Sydney event. Copyright Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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OXI Day in Canberra<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

On Wednesday 28 October<\/strong>, the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra will host the Guard on its first official visit to the national capital, with sponsorship from the Hellenic Club of Canberra<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The day starts with the 8:30 am Divine Liturgy<\/strong> at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. At 10:40 am<\/strong>, Speaker of the House Milton Dick will hold a 20-minute reception for the Guard in the foyer of the Australian Parliament House.<\/p>\n

\"Officials<\/source><\/picture>
Evzones in Sydney, 22 October 2026. Copyright Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A wreath-laying at the Australian War Memorial follows at 1:45 pm. Later, at 6:30 pm, the Evzones march from Matilda <\/em><\/strong>Street into the Hellenic Club carpark for a guard of honour. Afterward, an OXI Day dinner follows inside the club.<\/p>\n

Why OXI Day matters<\/h3>\n

OXI Day marks Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas\u2019s refusal on 28 October 1940 of Mussolini\u2019s demand to let Axis forces occupy Greek soil. Greece\u2019s stand on the Albanian front then delivered the first Allied land victory against the Axis in Europe.<\/p>\n

Greek City Times published the full program for the visit on 2 October, and a guide to the public ceremonies on 19 October.<\/p>\n

Finally, the Guard returns to Sydney for an 11 am Doxology on Thursday 29 October<\/strong> at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Redfern. Archbishop Makarios of Australia will officiate before a wreath-laying.<\/p>\n