Prof. Vrasidas Karalis: The traumatic Consequences of the Asia Minor Catastrophe on the Modern Greek Nation

The 98th anniversary of the Asia Minor Catastrophe was commemorated on Sunday afternoon at the Greek Orthodox Parish of St Catherine in Sydney’s Mascot suburb.

Professor Vrasidas Karalis Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia- Mark Petropoulos

The keynote speaker was Professor Vrasidas Karalis, head of Sydney University’s Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies Department. Mr Karalis summed up his lecture stressing that the defeat of the Greek army and the tragedy that followed could have been avoided if unity had revealed, rather than the division, the fanaticism, the favoritism and the inability of political and military leadership.

Archbishop Mr. Makarios listening the lecture by Prof. Vrasidas Karalis Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia- Mark Petropoulos

In presence was Archbishop Mr. Makarios, the Greek Consul General, Christos Karras, the local priest Athanasios Giatsios other members of the priesthood, other dignitaries, and members of the community. The ensemble “Melisma”, under the direction of Dimitris Koumparoulis presented songs from Asia Minor.

The event was organised by the local Parish in conjunction with the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney.