Melbourne’s Greek Orthodox community once again gathered in their thousands on Saturday night, as churches across the city were filled with the light of the Resurrection in one of the most powerful expressions of faith and tradition in the diaspora.
From Oakleigh to the city centre, and across Melbourne’s suburban parishes, the faithful assembled in church forecourts and surrounding streets, waiting in anticipation for the moment of the Resurrection. At midnight, the proclamation of “Christ is Risen” echoed through the crowds, met with the unified response, “Truly He is Risen,” as candles were lit and the Holy Light passed from hand to hand.
Among those attending in Melbourne were Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll and Greek Community of Melbourne President Bill Papastergiadis, reflecting the enduring presence of the Greek community within Victoria’s multicultural fabric.
Families of all generations took part in the sacred ritual, with children standing alongside parents and grandparents — many carrying memories of Easter in Greece, while younger generations embraced traditions that continue to shape their identity in Australia.
A national moment of faith
Across Australia, tens of thousands of Greek Australians marked Orthodox Easter in a similar spirit, from Sydney and Adelaide to Brisbane, Perth and Darwin. In Sydney, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia led the Resurrection service at Kogarah, delivering a message that resonated across the nation.
In his Paschal address, read in churches throughout Australia, Archbishop Makarios emphasised that the significance of the Holy Light transcends geography.
“For us here in distant Australia, Pascha is celebrated with splendour, even though we do not receive the Holy Light from Jerusalem,” he said, adding that the light of Christ extends beyond time and place, reaching every believer.
He called on the faithful to live the message of the Resurrection in their daily lives, describing it as a source of peace, humility and inner strength.
Tradition, identity and continuity
The passing of the Holy Light became a powerful symbol of unity — a chain of faith linking generations and connecting the diaspora to its heritage. Smiles, embraces and moments of reflection captured the emotional depth of the night.
Carefully protecting their candles from the wind, families carried the flame home to light vigil lamps and bless their households — a tradition passed down through generations, extending the spirit of Easter beyond the church.
On Easter Sunday, celebrations continued across Melbourne and Australia, with families gathering around tables filled with traditional dishes, red eggs and lamb on the spit. Music, laughter and shared meals marked the joyful culmination of Holy Week.
For the Greek diaspora, Orthodox Easter remains far more than a religious observance. It is a reaffirmation of identity, culture and continuity — a living tradition that keeps Hellenism strong, from Melbourne to every corner of Australia.
