Neither the torrential rain nor the unpredictable Melbourne weather could dampen the spirit of celebration at the annual Saint Demetrios Parish Festival in Moonee Ponds on Sunday, 26 October. The event was held with great joy and emotion in honour of the Great Martyr Saint Demetrios, patron saint of Thessaloniki and protector of the parish.
The day began with a festive thanksgiving service marking the liberation of Thessaloniki, officiated by Bishop Eumenios of Kerasia. Among the distinguished guests was the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitra Giougantzis, who received a bouquet of flowers and the best wishes of Archbishop Makarios of Australia on the occasion of her name day.
Despite the adverse weather conditions, the festival blossomed into a warm and vibrant celebration filled with joy, community spirit, and authentic Hellenic energy. Attending dignitaries included Federal MP for Maribyrnong Jo Briskey and her family, State MP for Essendon Danny Pearson, Mayor of Moonee Valley Cr Ava Adams, Victorian Multicultural Commissioner Viv Nguyen, President of the Intercommunities Council of Victoria Antonios Tsourdalakis, and President of the Federation of Greek Elderly Citizens’ Clubs Betty Exintaris.
All guests extended their congratulations to the parish for fifty years of continuous service, praising its unity, warmth, and dedication to community life. They also commended Father Ioannis Frangos for his leadership and the parish’s ongoing role as a spiritual, cultural, and social centre for Melbourne’s Greek community.
True to its tradition, the Saint Demetrios Parish once again offered a rich artistic and cultural program. Audiences enjoyed musical performances by the Nestor College Orchestra and the Moonee Valley City Band, along with traditional dances performed by groups from the Cretan Brotherhood of Brunswick, Aristotelis Florina, Pontiaki Estia, the Greek Community of Melbourne, and Pericles Dance Group.
In his opening remarks, Konstantinos Kalymnios reflected on the ancient meaning of the word panigyri (festival), once denoting a gathering for divine worship, noting that its spirit of unity and collective joy remains deeply relevant today.
Adding to the cheer, beloved comedian George Kapiniaris entertained the crowd with his trademark humour and lively stage presence, keeping spirits high well into the afternoon — proving that even heavy rain couldn’t wash away the light of celebration and togetherness.
This year’s festival carried special symbolic weight, marking 50 years since the founding of the Saint Demetrios Church — five decades of prayer, faith, and service to the Greek community. For many, the parish stands as a lasting beacon of connection across generations, from the first immigrants to their children and grandchildren who continue to uphold its legacy with devotion and love.
The 2025 festival once again confirmed that Saint Demetrios in Moonee Ponds is far more than a place of worship — it is a living hub of faith, culture, and Hellenism that continues to inspire and unite within multicultural Melbourne.
