SYDNEY, October 2026 — The Hellenic Presidential Guard (Evzones) arrived on Wednesday. Since then, they have visited NSW Parliament House and stood Guard of Honour at the Martin Place Cenotaph for OXI Day.
The delegation flew in from Greece for OXI Day. It will travel to Canberra on 28 October, Hellenic Club Sydney said. The club hosts the Sydney visit with support and sponsorship from the NSW Government. Meanwhile, the visit is part of a week of Hellenic heritage events.
Hundreds of community members, veterans and well-wishers stood in silence through the hour-long ceremony at the Cenotaph. It honoured the shared wartime sacrifices of Australian and Greek servicemen and women, organisers said.
At the Cenotaph, students from St Spyridon College, St Euphemia College and All Saints Grammar performed the Australian and Greek national anthems.
Earlier, the Guard attended a Doxology service at St Spyridon College in Kingsford. There, the college and parish community warmly welcomed the Evzones alongside college leaders and Head of College, Mrs. Amelia Katsogiannis.
Evzones in Sydney at Parliament
At Parliament House, the Hon. Stephen Kamper MP, Minister for Lands and Property, Multiculturalism, Sport, and Jobs and Tourism, hosted a reception for the Guard. The Evzones also received a guided tour of the parliamentary chambers.
Ministers the Hon. Courtney Houssos MLC and the Hon. Sophie Cotsis MP also attended. So did Nikolas Hatzistergos, president of Hellenic Club Sydney. Also present were Consul General of Greece in Sydney Georgios Skemperis, Defence Attaché Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos and the Commander of the Presidential Guard.
On Friday 23 October at 6:30 pm, the Evzones will attend an event for young people in the Greek diaspora at The Gallery Events by Alpha. It will feature a presentation on the Evzones’ history. The Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, the Hellenic Club, and the Council of University Greek Associations (CUGA) co-organise the event.
The following night, the Evzones in Sydney join the club’s Centenary Celebrations Gala Ball at the Hyatt Regency at 6 pm on Saturday 24 October.
On Sunday 25 October, the Evzones attend the 9:30 am Divine Liturgy at St Spyridon Church, Kingsford. They then march from Elizabeth Street to the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park at 1:30 pm for the flagship ceremony and flag-raising. The Kalymnian Association of NSW hosts the ceremony. Organisers have asked people to bring Greek flags, and everyone is welcome.
Evzones in Sydney at a Business Sydney event
Paul Nicolaou, director of Business City, welcomed guests and introduced the speakers. The Hon. Courtney Houssos MLC addressed the gathering and welcomed the Hellenic Presidential Guard to Sydney. Nick Hatzistergos, Chairman of the Bank of Sydney and President of the Hellenic Club, also spoke, as did Consul General of Greece in Sydney Georgios Skemperis. Lieutenant Athanasios Loulas of the Hellenic Presidential Guard then delivered an address with slides and video, before Paul Nicolaou introduced Commander Michail Tzinieris.
OXI Day in Canberra
On Wednesday 28 October, the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra will host the Guard on its first official visit to the national capital, with sponsorship from the Hellenic Club of Canberra.
The day starts with the 8:30 am Divine Liturgy at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. At 10:40 am, Speaker of the House Milton Dick will hold a 20-minute reception for the Guard in the foyer of the Australian Parliament House.
A wreath-laying at the Australian War Memorial follows at 1:45 pm. Later, at 6:30 pm, the Evzones march from Matilda Street into the Hellenic Club carpark for a guard of honour. Afterwards, an OXI Day dinner follows inside the club.
Why OXI Day matters
OXI Day marks Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas’s refusal on 28 October 1940 of Mussolini’s demand to let Axis forces occupy Greek soil. Greece’s stand on the Albanian front then delivered the first Allied land victory against the Axis in Europe.
Greek City Times published the full program for the visit on 2 October, and a guide to the public ceremonies on 19 October.
Finally, the Guard returns to Sydney for an 11 am Doxology on Thursday 29 October at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Redfern. Archbishop Makarios of Australia will officiate before a wreath-laying.
Photo gallery of the event
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All photos are copyrighted by Nick Bourdaniotis for Greek City Times