The history of immigrants of Kytherian origin in Australia constitutes a special chapter of the collective history of Greeks in the Antipodes. Important aspects of this historic chapter are highlighted throughout the book, entitled: “EKATO: Kytherian Association of Australia 1922-2022 – The First Fifty Years”. This is the first volume of the Anniversary History Book of the Kytherian Association of Australia, who in 2022 celebrated 100 years since its foundation.
With great joy, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia welcomed at the headquarters of the Holy Archdiocese, in Sydney, Mrs. Barbara Zantiotis, President of the Kytherian Association of Australia, and the historian Mr. Vasilios Vasilas, author of the Anniversary History Book, who then both offered His Eminence a copy of the recently published first Volume.
His Eminence warmly thanked Mrs. Zantiotis and Mr. Vasilas for their visit, while he congratulated the President for the initiative to record the history of the Kytherian Association of Australia, and the author for his careful study, which he continues with the aim of publishing the second volume.
A warm discussion followed, focusing on the historical journey of many Kytherian immigrants to the fifth continent, their timeless devotion to Greek Orthodox traditions and their contribution to the progress of Hellenism and the Orthodox Church in Australia.
The Archbishop also referred to this year’s 100 Year anniversary of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia and invited the Kytherian community to actively participate in the celebrations, which will culminate this October with the reception of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Australia.
At the end of the meeting, His Eminence wished great success for the Anniversary History Book of the Kytherian Association of Australia, so that as many readers as possible, especially the younger generations of Greek-Australians of Kytherian origin, are able to learn about the history of their ancestors, learn valuable lessons and be inspired for their future.
