A statue honoring former Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos was unveiled in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday, Nov. 8, as the city’s Greek community marked 90 years since his death.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia unveiled the statue at Cretan House in Brunswick, home to the Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria. The ceremony formed part of events honoring Venizelos’ political legacy and his connections with Greek Australians.
Venizelos served several terms as Greece’s prime minister during the early 20th century. He played a central role in modernizing the Greek state, strengthening its international position and securing the union of Crete with Greece in 1913.
Archbishop calls for preservation of Greek heritage
Speaking at the ceremony, Archbishop Makarios praised Venizelos’ leadership during a period of major political change. He also expressed pride in their shared Cretan heritage.
The archbishop urged younger Greek Australians to learn about their history and the contributions of earlier generations. “Our children must know their origins, appreciate the achievements of their ancestors and recognise the contribution of Hellenism to Australian society, both in the past and the present,” he said.
A statue of former Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos has been unveiled in Melbourne, Australia, marking 90 years since his death. The ceremony also highlighted his little-known connection to Australia's Greek Orthodox Church. pic.twitter.com/UoLcrqDkiW
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) November 9, 2026
He warned that cultural traditions could weaken if communities failed to pass them on. The archbishop reaffirmed the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia’s commitment to preserving Greek identity, an issue that has gained attention as Australia’s Greek-born population continues to decline.
Makarios also attended the opening of an exhibition titled “The Leader’s Legacy and His Relationship with Australian Hellenism” at the Cathedral of Panagia Axion Estin in Northcote. The Oceania Branch of the National Research Foundation Eleftherios K. Venizelos organized the exhibition with support from the General State Archives of Greece.
Venizelos’ little-known connection to Australia
During his address, Archbishop Makarios highlighted a historical connection between Venizelos and Australia’s Greek Orthodox Church. In 1919, Venizelos included Metropolitan Christophoros Knitis of Serres in his delegation to Paris for post-World War I peace negotiations. Christophoros, an Oxford University graduate who spoke fluent English, later became Australia’s first Greek Orthodox hierarch in 1924.
The ceremony brought together church leaders, diplomats and representatives of Greek organizations. Attendees included Bishop Evmenios of Chora, Greek Consul General Dimitra Georgantzoglou and representatives of the General State Archives of Greece. Archbishop Makarios thanked organizers Antonis Tsourdalakis and Kyriakos Chairekakis for their contributions.
George Pattakos, president of the Cretan folklore group Kourites, presented the archbishop with an icon of Byzantine Emperor Saint Nikephoros Phokas to mark the occasion.
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