In a memorable and deeply moving celebration attended by more than 350 guests, the St Kosmas the Aetolian Hellenic College of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (Aetolian College of Hellenic Language and Culture) marked its fifth anniversary on Saturday, 4 July, at the packed Stars International Reception Centre in Preston, Melbourne, within the Holy Diocese of Chora.
The milestone commemorated five years since the establishment of the College, which brought together the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese’s afternoon and Saturday Greek language schools across Victoria into one unified educational institution. The anniversary served as a celebration of Greek education, the Orthodox faith, and Hellenic cultural heritage, while highlighting the College’s significant contribution to Greek language education within the Australian Greek community over the past five years.
The evening was hosted by the College’s Principal, Ms Natasha Spanou, who welcomed the distinguished guests and the large audience.
Representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia were His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora and His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne. Also in attendance were the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Ms Dimitra Georgantzoglou, Dr Stavroula Nikoloudi, Coordinator of the Greek Studies Program at La Trobe University, Mr Tony Tsourdalakis, President of the Association of Greek Orthodox Communities and Parishes of the Archdiocese in Victoria and Chairman of the College’s Governing Board, clergy from the Dioceses of Chora and Melbourne, representatives of Greek community organisations, educators, parents, students, and many friends and supporters of the College.
The evening commenced with Bishops Evmenios and Kyriakos offering the blessing before dinner, after which they delivered Archbishop Makarios’ anniversary message in Greek and English.
In his address, the Archbishop reflected on the reasons behind the establishment of St Kosmas the Aetolian Hellenic College.
“The decision to unite our schools was not simply an organisational or administrative choice,” he stated. “It was a conscious ecclesiastical decision, born from the deep conviction that education is an inseparable part of the Church’s pastoral mission.”
He noted that throughout Greek history, particularly during periods of hardship, occupation, migration and diaspora, the Church had safeguarded not only the Orthodox faith but also Greek education, language and historical memory. He emphasised that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has long regarded education as an essential expression of its responsibility towards Hellenism by supporting schools, teachers and scholarship while preserving the spiritual continuity of the Greek people.
Archbishop Makarios also paid special tribute to Saint Kosmas the Aetolian, describing him as the great missionary and teacher of the Greek nation.
“His name should not merely be the title of our College, but a constant reminder of its mission—to enlighten, cultivate, inspire and transform.”
He further highlighted the enduring significance of the Greek language, explaining that through it, young members of the Greek Australian community learn not only to communicate, but also to think, create, express themselves, seek truth, appreciate beauty and deepen their understanding of their Orthodox faith.
“Greek education is not simply the accumulation of knowledge,” he said. “It is a way of thinking, a way of relating to others and, ultimately, a way of life.”
The Archbishop concluded by expressing his heartfelt gratitude to everyone contributing to the growth and success of the College while encouraging the institution never to be satisfied with simply being a successful educational organisation.
“The true success of the College will not be measured only by how well its students speak Greek, but by the kind of people they become.”
He also reminded those present that each generation has a responsibility to pass on its spiritual and cultural inheritance, not merely preserve it.
“We have no right to leave our children a poorer spiritual and cultural heritage than the one we inherited. We must hand down to them a living Church, a vibrant Greek education, and a Greek community with identity, unity and vision.”
The Consul General of Greece, Ms Dimitra Georgantzoglou, then addressed the audience, speaking about the important role of the Greek language in Australia. She concluded with a powerful message:
“Language and culture are inseparable, and it is our responsibility to preserve them so that future generations may discover their identity.”
The final speaker of the evening was Mr Tony Tsourdalakis, Chairman of the College’s Governing Committee, who described the establishment of the College as one of the most significant educational reforms undertaken by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
He explained that Archbishop Makarios’ decision to unite the schools had created a modern, unified and well-organised educational institution with a shared vision and high academic standards.
Mr Tsourdalakis also reflected on the origins of the Archdiocese’s Greek schools, dating back to the 1960s, when the first Greek migrants established parish schools to preserve the Greek language, culture and Orthodox faith for future generations.
He highlighted the College’s major achievements during its first five years, including the development of a comprehensive curriculum fully aligned with the Victorian Curriculum, active student participation in cultural and community events, membership of the Pharos Alliance and the Association of Teachers of Greek Language, the introduction of adult education classes, and the establishment of partnerships and sister-school relationships with schools overseas.
One of the most emotional moments of the evening was the presentation of special recognition awards to eleven teachers who have devoted between four and six decades to Greek language education through the schools of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
The College honoured Andreas Tsitsanis, Georgia Lianou, Eleftheria Laouta, Patroklos Georgiou, Koula Theocharou, Socrates Tsourdalakis, Efstathia Asimakopoulou, Amalia Vasileiadou, George Seferle, Kostas Dimaras and Stamatis Sklavounos, expressing its sincere gratitude for their lifelong dedication to preserving the Greek language and Australia’s Hellenic cultural heritage.
The formal proceedings were followed by a vibrant cultural program.
Students from the Keilor and Reservoir campuses, under the direction of dance instructor Mr Giannis Pilalidis, performed three traditional Greek dances. The musical program featured College teacher Ms Georgia Rapou, who delighted the audience with a beautiful performance of Greek songs accompanied by violin.
A particularly memorable highlight was the symbolic Zorba dance, performed by students from all of the College’s campuses, which received enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Following the official program, the anniversary celebration transformed into a joyous community gathering. Students, parents, teachers, alumni and friends of the College filled the dance floor and celebrated well into the evening.
With music provided by popular DJ Con Ourliaris, the festivities continued in an atmosphere of joy, unity and optimism.
The outstanding attendance reaffirmed that St Kosmas the Aetolian Hellenic College is far more than an educational institution—it is a vibrant community and an extended family dedicated to preserving and promoting the values of Hellenism and the Orthodox faith.
Its first five years mark only the beginning. Guided by unity, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to Greek education, St Kosmas the Aetolian Hellenic College is poised to continue its remarkable journey, aspiring to become an even stronger beacon of the Greek language, culture and Orthodox tradition for future generations of Greek Australians.
