Cancellation of the of the parades for the 25th of March in Sydney and Melbourne

The organisers of the parades there were to take place in Melbourne and Sydney later this month to mark the anniversary of Greece’s Independence are cancelled as a result of the coronavirus consequences, the organisers said.

A $200,000 ‘Greek Bicentennial celebration fund’ has been set up in Victoria for the 1821-2021 anniversary Source: SBS Greek

The announcement by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese is as follows:

Following the Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s announcements for limiting gatherings over 500 people and given the developments of the increasing cases of Covid -19 (corona-virus) in Australia, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios in cooperation with the Organizing Committees, announces the cancellation of the Parades, that were scheduled to take place in Melbourne on the 22^nd and in Sydney on the 29^th of March 2020.

Furthermore, His Eminence communicated with the Archiepiscopal Vicars in Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane, giving them guidelines for the proceedings which will occur there for the 25^th of March, in order not to jeopardize anyone from the participants.

His Eminence asks for the understanding of our fellow Greeks and the wider Australian society for this change in program, which is solely due to the responsibility of our Church not to risk the well being of the participants.

Nevertheless, next year which is a unique and historical anniversary, of the passing of 200 years from the Greek revolution, all the parades and the official events will be organized in the most exceptional way, to highlight the rich historical presence of our Orthodox tradition.

An announcement (in Greek) was also sent by the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW.