The Archdiocese honoured Antonios Manolis, the pioneer Greek in Australia

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia commenced its celebrations for the 200 years of Greece’s Independence Revolution, with an event to honour Antonios (or Andonis) Manolis who is regarded as one of the two first Greek settlers in Australia in the 19th century.

Archbishop Makarios during the memorial service at the grave o Antonis Manolis Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia- Mark Petropoulos

The event took place on Saturday 19^th September at Picton’s cemetery with a “trisagio” (memorial) at Manolis’ grave. The “trisagio” was conducted by Archbishop Mr Makarios. Later in the day, historian Dr Panayiots Diamantis gave a talk about the  life and contribution by Antonis Manolis.

According to historical reports, Antonios Manolis (or Adonis Manolis or Andoni tu Manolis) had been transported as convicts to Australia in the late 1820’s (it is reported 27 August 1829) with six other men, all originating form the island of Hydra.

It is said that while on a small boat south of Crete in the Mediterranean, they had taken control of the British ship Alceste on its way to Alexandria, Egypt.

After spending eight years in the colony of NSW, Manolis and his shipmates were granted absolute pardons.

They were free to return home, but Manolis chose to stay in the colony and was naturalised in 1854.