The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) has celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Church of Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Adelaide, honouring generations of Greek migrants whose dedication helped establish and sustain one of the state’s most significant community institutions.

The milestone was marked on Sunday, November 8, with a Divine Liturgy followed by celebrations featuring traditional Greek food, music and dancing.

Addressing attendees at the Olympic Hall, GOCSA President Peter Ppiros reflected on the generosity, determination and contributions of the pioneers who laid the foundations of South Australia’s Greek community.

Drawing on historian Dr Michael Tsounis’ book The Story of a Community, Mr Ppiros recalled the establishment of the original church, which became the first Greek Orthodox church in South Australia.

Its foundations were laid in 1936 during the presidency of Michael Kambouris, before the church officially opened in 1938 under Metropolitan Timotheos.

More than $2,000 was raised towards its construction, with significant contributions from the Kastellorizian Brotherhood, the Apollon Society and the Greek Women’s Society O Taxiarhis, established in 1937.

Among the society’s founding members were Katholiki Anastasa, Despina Kratsi and Despina Tsakalos.

The organisation later made substantial financial contributions towards the construction of the Olympic Hall, completed in 1957, which became an important centre for Greek language education, community meetings and cultural celebrations.

Mr Ppiros also reflected on the Greek Australian community’s mobilisation to support Greece following the historic OXI of 1940, highlighting the strong connections maintained between migrants and their homeland.

He acknowledged GOCSA’s role in welcoming post-war Greek migrants and its contribution to the establishment of West Adelaide Hellas, the football club associated with prominent community figures including Judge Nick Manos and Emmanuel Koutelas.

The present-day Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel was designed by architects Hercules Tsakalidis and Stan Psaltis and completed in 1967.

During this period, GOCSA and other independent Greek communities across Australia were under the spiritual leadership of the newly established Autocephalous Church.

Its leadership included the exiled Byelorussian Archbishop Sergios, followed by Metropolitan Fotios of Cyprus and, shortly after the Cathedral’s completion, Archbishop Spyridon.

The anniversary celebrations brought together community leaders, representatives of Greek associations and distinguished guests.

Among those attending were City of West Torrens Mayor Michael Coxon, West Torrens Councillor George Demetriou, City of Unley Councillor Stephen Finos and Chloe Kourakis of the South Australian Multicultural Commission.

Members of the Greek Women’s Association Taxiarhis and representatives of local Greek community organisations also joined the commemorations.

Concluding his address, Mr Ppiros emphasised that the legacy of South Australia’s Greek pioneers extended far beyond the churches, halls and institutions they established.

Their contributions helped shape the state’s multicultural identity while ensuring that Greek language, faith, traditions and cultural heritage continued to flourish across generations.

The 90th anniversary served as both a celebration of the Cathedral’s history and a tribute to the generations of Greek Australians who have helped preserve and strengthen community life in South Australia.

Source: Greekherald.com.au