On Thursday morning, April 23rd, the Coptic Church in Australia commemorated ANZAC Day. The Sydney Diocese organized a memorial service at the Church of Saint Mary and Saints Anthony the Great and Shenouda the Archimandrite, located in the suburb of Kearns, south of Sydney in New South Wales.

During the ceremony, prayers were offered, and both the Australian and Egyptian national anthems were played in memory of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who died in the Gallipoli campaign during World War I against the Ottoman Empire. The service also honored soldiers who have lost their lives in various wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions, commemorating their sacrifice as well as that of their families and descendants.

The event was attended by several Coptic priests, a representative from the Antiochian Church, church members, students from Coptic schools, and various public and political figures, including Mr. Mark Seibert, a member of the New South Wales Parliament and leader of the opposition Liberal Party. Additionally, representatives from the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Army participated, wearing rosemary sprigs, a symbol of ANZAC Day, and presenting bouquets of flowers in honor of the fallen.

ANZAC Day is a national holiday and an official public holiday observed by all government and private institutions on April 25th each year. Some organizations, such as churches and schools, may hold their celebrations prior to this date if it falls on a weekend.

The ceremony was broadcast live on the church’s channel, which can be accessed at the following link:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh5erz47G8o](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh5erz47G8o)