Hellenic Presidential Guard Arrives in Sydney to Lead Historic OXI Day Commemorations Across Australia

Key Points

• Arrival of the Evzones: The Hellenic Presidential Guard (Evzones) arrived in Sydney from Greece on Wednesday to lead a series of cultural, parliamentary, and religious events commemorating OXI Day 2026.
• Government and Educational Engagements: The delegation visited St Spyridon College in Kingsford for a Doxology service and was hosted at New South Wales Parliament House by Minister Stephen Kamper, Minister Courtney Houssos, and Minister Sophie Cotsis.
• Cenotaph Ceremony: A formal Guard of Honour was performed at the Martin Place Cenotaph in Sydney, featuring national anthem performances by students from St Spyridon College, St Euphemia College, and All Saints Grammar.
• Comprehensive Sydney Itinerary: Key public events in Sydney from 22 to 25 October and 29 October include a diaspora youth history presentation, the Hellenic Club Sydney Centenary Gala Ball, an ANZAC Memorial Ceremony at Hyde Park, and an Archbishop-led Doxology service at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady.
• Canberra Commemorations: On 28 October, the Guard will travel to Canberra for events at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, a parliamentary reception with Speaker Milton Dick, a wreath-laying at the Australian War Memorial, and a march at the Hellenic Club Canberra.

Sydney (Sydney Now Magazine) October 23, 2026 – The Hellenic Presidential Guard, known internationally as the Evzones, arrived in Sydney on Wednesday following their flight from Greece to initiate a week-long series of high-profile cultural and historical commemorations marking OXI Day 2026. Hosted by the Hellenic Club Sydney with sponsorship and support from the New South Wales Government, the historic visit coincides with the Hellenic Club Sydney’s centenary milestone and celebrates the long-standing military and civil ties between Greece and Australia. The delegation’s itinerary encompasses public ceremonies, educational workshops, parliamentary receptions, and formal wreath-layings across Sydney before moving to Canberra for national capital commemorations on October 28.

How Did New South Wales State Leaders and Schools Welcome the Evzones in Sydney?

Following their arrival in New South Wales, the Hellenic Presidential Guard commenced their official duties with visits to key community educational facilities and state political institutions across Sydney.

The Guard visited St Spyridon College in Kingsford, where they were received by college leaders, parish representatives, and students for a formal Doxology service. During the gathering, officers from the Presidential Guard and educational administrators addressed the school community to highlight the historical importance of the elite unit’s ceremonial presence.

Subsequently, the delegation attended a formal reception hosted at New South Wales Parliament House. As detailed in event records, the official reception was hosted by the Hon. Stephen Kamper MP, Minister for Lands and Property, Multiculturalism, Sport, and Jobs and Tourism. Also hosting the delegation were the Hon. Courtney Houssos MLC, Minister for Finance, Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement, and Natural Resources, and the Hon. Sophie Cotsis MP, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Work Health and Safety.

During the parliamentary visit, the Evzones received a guided tour of the parliamentary chambers. Key dignitaries in attendance alongside state ministers included:

• Nikolas Hatzistergos, President of the Hellenic Club Sydney
• Georgios Skemperis, Consul General of Greece in Sydney
• Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos, Defence Attaché of the Hellenic Republic
• The Commander of the Hellenic Presidential Guard

Following their engagement at Parliament House, the Guard executed an hour-long Guard of Honour at the Cenotaph in Martin Place. Hundreds of community members, military veterans, and well-wishers gathered in silence to observe the ceremony, which paid tribute to the shared wartime sacrifices of Greek and Australian armed forces. Students representing St Spyridon College, St Euphemia College, and All Saints Grammar performed the national anthems of both Australia and Greece during the memorial service.

What Public Events Are Scheduled for the Guard’s Sydney Itinerary?

The public schedule for the Hellenic Presidential Guard in Sydney spans from 22 October through 25 October, concluding with a final religious service on 29 October. Organisers have confirmed the following key public engagements:

• Friday, 23 October (6:30 pm): Co-organised by the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, the Hellenic Club Sydney, and the Council of University Greek Associations (CUGA), a historical presentation regarding the Evzones will be delivered to the Greek diaspora youth at The Gallery Events by Alpha.
• Saturday, 24 October (6:00 pm): The Hellenic Club Sydney will host its “Centenary Celebrations” Gala Ball at the Hyatt Regency to mark 100 years of operation.
• Sunday, 25 October (9:30 am): A public Divine Liturgy service will be conducted at the Greek Orthodox Parish of St Spyridon in Kingsford.
• Sunday, 25 October (1:30 pm): Hosted by the Kalymnian Association of NSW, the flagship public event will feature a ceremonial march along Elizabeth Street leading to the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park for a flag-raising ceremony honouring joint military history.
• Sunday, 25 October (6:30 pm): An OXI Day Taverna Night featuring live traditional Greek music will take place at Mediterranean Magic at Jones Bay Wharf, hosted by the Kalymnian Association of NSW.
• Thursday, 29 October (11:00 am): Officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, a memorial Doxology service and wreath-laying will be held at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern.

In addition to public proceedings, the Guard will undertake closed visits to educational institutions and aged care facilities, including All Saints Grammar, St Euphemia College, St Basils Aged Care in Randwick and Lakemba, the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW Nursing Home, and Greek language institutions across Sydney.

What Ceremonies Will Take Place in Canberra on OXI Day?

On Wednesday, 28 October 2026, the Hellenic Presidential Guard will travel to the national capital under the sponsorship of the Hellenic Club of Canberra and the stewardship of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra (GOCCC).

The schedule for the Canberra commemorations on 28 October includes:

• 8:30 am: Attendance at the Divine Liturgy at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Canberra.
• 10:40 am: A 20-minute official reception inside the Australian Parliament House foyer, hosted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP.
• 1:45 pm: A solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Australian War Memorial.
• 6:30 pm: A public march from Matilda Street into the Hellenic Club Canberra carpark, establishing a Guard of Honour at the club entrance.
• Evening: An official OXI Day commemorative dinner inside the Hellenic Club Canberra.

Addressing the cultural significance of the visit, Nikolas Hatzistergos, President of the Hellenic Club Sydney, stated:

“The visit of the Presidential Guard for the OXI Day commemorations in October is particularly symbolic for us. Firstly, we will be commemorating a day that relates to Greece’s courageous stand against a fascist regime. Like Anzac Day, it does not commemorate a victory, but the resolve, sacrifice, and willingness to stand firm; a day when we took a stand against a much larger foe, and many lives and significant casualties were unavoidable. To be able to host the Guard once again in our Centenary Year is truly special. This visit offers a significant opportunity for both reflection and celebration, bringing the Greek and Australian communities together to honour our shared history.”

Background of the Particular Development

OXI Day (National Anniversary of Greece) is celebrated annually on 28 October to mark the historic rejection by Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum delivered by Italian Ambassador Emanuele Grazzi in the early morning hours of 28 October 1940. The ultimatum demanded that Axis forces be allowed to enter Greek territory and occupy unspecified strategic locations. Prime Minister Metaxas refused the demands, an act echoed by the Greek population taking to the streets shouting “Óhi” (“No”).

Greece’s subsequent entry into World War II resulted in the resistance campaign on the Albanian front, which delivered the first land victory for the Allied forces against Axis troops in Europe. The historic military bond between Australia and Greece was forged shortly thereafter in 1941 during the Battle of Greece and the Battle of Crete, where Australian Imperial Force (AIF) troops fought alongside Greek soldiers against advancing forces.

The Hellenic Presidential Guard (Evzones) is an elite, highly trained ceremonial unit of the Hellenic Army stationed at the Presidential Mansion and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens. Deployments of the Evzones to Australia occur under strict diplomatic protocols, requiring formal permission from the President of the Hellenic Republic. Past visits to New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have traditionally drawn tens of thousands of spectators from across the Australian-Greek community.

How Will This Visit Affect the Greek-Australian Community and Diplomatic Relations?

The 2026 deployment of the Hellenic Presidential Guard to Australia will have immediate and long-term effects across multiple cultural and civic sectors:

For the Greek Diaspora and Youth Engagement

The inclusion of extensive visits to educational facilities such as St Spyridon College, St Euphemia College, and All Saints Grammar, along with dedicated diaspora youth lectures at The Gallery Events by Alpha, strengthens intergenerational cultural continuity. Engaging youth groups directly with the ceremonial representatives of the Hellenic Republic reinforces historical literacy and cultural identity among third- and fourth-generation Greek-Australians.

For Bilateral Civic and Veteran Relations

The joint ceremonies at the Martin Place Cenotaph, the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park, and the Australian War Memorial serve to institutionalise the shared military heritage between Canberra and Athens. By involving high-ranking Australian state and federal officials—including Speaker of the House Milton Dick and NSW Cabinet Ministers Stephen Kamper, Courtney Houssos, and Sophie Cotsis—the visit reinforces ongoing bilateral cooperation, tourism links, and diplomatic ties between Australia and Greece.