Memorial service and wreath laying service in honour of Theodoros Kolokotronis 2023
Date - 4 February 2024
On Sunday 4 February 2024, Arcadians were joined by members of our Greek community to honour the memory of Theodoros Kolokotronis, who died 181 years ago on 4 February 1843.
Theodoros Kolokotronis is considered the ultimate symbol of the Greek War for Independence and was also a key contributor in shaping the new Greek state.
The memorial service at Greek Orthodox Archiepiscopal Church of our Lady “Axion Esti”, Northcote, was followed by a wreath laying ceremony. Floral tributes were presented by Emmanuel Kakavelakis, Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitris Alexopoulos, President of the Panarcadian Federation of Australia, George Kotsirilos, President of the Panarcadian Association of Melbourne & Victoria and Anthea Sideropoulos, Vice President of the Greek Community of Melbourne & Victoria.
There were representatives from 12 other Greek Community organisations who laid wreaths,including the Hellenic RSL Subbranch, Australian Greek Ex Servicemen Association,
Australian Hellenic Memorial Melbourne, Federation of Greek Elderly citizens clubs of Melbourne and Victoria, Thessalonician Association “The White Tower”, Federation of Messinian Organisations of Melbourne and Victoria, Society of Kalamata 23rd March Melbourne, Pammesinian Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria ‘Papaflessas’, Pan Gortinian Brotherhood, Greek-Australian Cultural League, Hellenic Writers Association of Australia, Oakleigh Grammar.
The wreath laying ceremony was followed with a speech by the Consul General who elaborated on aspects of Theodoros’ childhood and spoke about his faith. Mr Kakavelakis congratulated all for keeping alive the memories and honouring Kolokotronis and our Arcadian history.
Following the commemoration ceremony, attendees were invited to the building of the Panarcadian Association of Melbourne & Victoria ‘O Kolokotronis’, in North Melbourne. A luncheon was served to guests in the Kallisto Room, and speeches followed by Mr Alexopoulos and Mr Nick Piperis.