CANBERRA, Tuesday 27 October 2026 — Six Evzones of the Hellenic Presidential Guard visited the Greek Embassy in Canberra on Tuesday, the first time the Guard has been to the embassy in its 80 years.

The Evzones’ visit to the Greek Embassy in Canberra is also their first to the city. The Hellenic Club of Canberra said the Guard’s OXI Day program on Wednesday 28 October is its first official visit.

A line of Evzones and guests, including officers and clergy, stand together on a paved area in front of red shrubs and a tall flagpole flying the Greek flag.
Community guests and officials with the Evzones. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

The Hellenic Club of Canberra is the event sponsor of the Guard’s Canberra visit. The Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra hosts the Evzones.

John Loukadellis, president of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, spoke before the visit. “Their presence will be truly historic in Canberra,” he said.

Guests at the Greek Embassy in Canberra

Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, hosted the guests at the Embassy. Guests included Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill, CEO of The Hellenic Initiative Australia (THI), and Steve Kartsonas, president of the Hellenic Club of Canberra.

A large group of guests, including officers, families and children, gathers on the front steps of the Greek Embassy in Canberra with the Evzones.
Guests and the Evzones gather on the embassy steps. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis
A man in a dark suit with a microphone and papers speaks in front of Evzones in white foustanellas and an Australian flag.
Greece’s Ambassador to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, addresses invited guests. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis.

Arthur Spyrou, first assistant secretary for protocol and international visits at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, also attended. Spyrou previously served as Australian Ambassador to Greece.

Arthur Spyrou and two other guests in suits stand in the centre of a line of Evzones in the marble atrium of the Greek Embassy in Canberra.
Organizers of the Hellenic Presidential Guard Visit in Australia, 2026: Nick Bourdaniotis and John Loukadellis. Photo: Father Petros Kipouros

Father Petros Kipouros, parish priest of St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Kingston, took part as well. The Evzones then attend Divine Liturgy at his church on Wednesday.

Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill, chief executive officer of The Hellenic Initiative Australia, was also present. Marinis Pirpiris from Victoria attended too. Pirpiris is a director of South Melbourne Hellas and secretary of the Greek Community of Melbourne.

Video of the Evzones at the Greek Embassy in Canberra, filmed by Nick Bourdaniotis, is below.

Video: Nick Bourdaniotis
A naval officer in white uniform and a man in a dark suit hold a commemorative plaque as a woman in red with a bouquet looks on in front of the Australian and European Union flags.
Lieutenant Commander Michail Tzinieris exchanges a commemorative plaque at the embassy. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis
An army officer in a green uniform shakes hands with a man in a dark suit while handing over a blue item, with an Evzone and flags behind them.
Major Panagiotis Mimikos presents a gift during the ceremony. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

The Evzones’ OXI Day program

Following the Greek Embassy in Canberra visit, the Evzones’ program on Wednesday 28 October runs as follows, the Hellenic Club of Canberra said.

  • 8:30am: Divine Liturgy at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Kingston
  • 10:40am: Reception hosted by Speaker of the House Milton Dick, Parliament House foyer
  • 1:45pm: Wreath laying at the Australian War Memorial
  • 6:30pm: March from Matilda Street into the Hellenic Club carpark, then Guard of Honour at the club entrance
  • 7:45pm: OXI Day dinner in Kivotos, inside the club

Canberra landmarks will also be lit in blue that evening, the club said. Finally, the Guard returns to Sydney for an 11am Doxology on Thursday 29 October. Archbishop Makarios of Australia will officiate at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern.

In Sydney, the Evzones joined Hellenic Club Sydney’s centenary gala on Saturday 24 October, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke. On Sunday 25 October, they then raised the Greek flag at the OXI Day ANZAC Memorial ceremony in Hyde Park. The ceremony also included a wreath laying.

OXI Day ANZAC Memorial ceremony in Hyde Park, Sydney, with guests, students and Evzones on the memorial steps
The OXI Day ceremony at the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Members of the Canberra community can bring their Greek flags to the Hellenic Club of Canberra on Wednesday 28 October. The Evzones march in from Matilda Street at 6:30pm. The club asks people to be in position at its entrance by 6:15pm.

Evzones in traditional uniform stand in a line with Greek army and navy officers and a man in a dark suit in front of the Greek Embassy in Canberra.
The Evzones with Greek officers and a guest in front of the Greek Embassy in Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

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All photos are copyrighted by Nick Bourdaniotis for Greek City Times