Banquet Lunch - Egyptian Cultural Festival 2026
On Saturday 17 October 2026, St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church – Melbourne was honoured to host its annual Egyptian Cultural Festival Banquet Luncheon, bringing together distinguished dignitaries, government representatives, faith leaders and members of the wider community in a spirit of unity, friendship and cultural celebration.
Held during a particularly significant year as our parish celebrates 35 Years of Faith, Culture & Community, the luncheon provided a wonderful opportunity to strengthen relationships, encourage meaningful dialogue across faith, cultural and political communities, and showcase the rich heritage of the Coptic Orthodox Church and the enduring contributions of the Egyptian community to Australian society.
The occasion commenced with a guided tour of our beloved church, during which guests were introduced to the history, traditions and spiritual significance of the Coptic Orthodox faith. This was accompanied by an informative session explaining the foundations of our faith, its ancient Egyptian origins and the rich spiritual heritage preserved by the Coptic Orthodox Church throughout the centuries.
Following the tour, guests gathered for the formal banquet lunch, which featured addresses from distinguished guests, reflecting on the importance of faith, multiculturalism, community engagement and the enduring bonds that unite our diverse society. A highlight of this occasion was a beautiful presentation of traditional Coptic hymns by the deacons of St Mark’s Church, showcasing the unique liturgical traditions, ancient melodies and spiritual heritage of our faith.
We were especially honoured by the presence of our distinguished guests, including:
His Grace Bishop Rewis, Papal Legate of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne.
His Excellency Mr Haitham Mokhtar, Consul-General of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
His Excellency Mr Ahmad Hammad, Consul of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Dr Judy Tang OAM, Former Commissioner of the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
Councillor Emily Dimitriadis, Mayor of the City of Darebin.
Mrs Bernadette Khoury JP, Liberal Candidate for Northern Metropolitan Region, representing Mr Evan Mulholland MP.
Ms Lynda Awad, Liberal Candidate for Northcote.
Dr Hamza Katranji, Liberal Candidate for Preston.
Reverend Sandy Boyce, Executive Officer of the Victorian Council of Churches.
Leading Firefighter Grant Harvey, Multicultural Liaison Officer, Fire Rescue Victoria.
We were equally blessed by the presence of our beloved Reverend Fathers, the Clergy of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne; visiting Clergy and Ministers representing the Anglican Church, Syriac Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Melkite Catholic Church and Churches of Christ; representatives of government and community organisations; and members of the Committee of the Elsedeaq Islamic Society in Heidelberg.
Their presence was a meaningful reflection of the longstanding relationships our parish has fostered across Melbourne’s diverse religious, cultural and civic communities, united by mutual respect, understanding and a shared commitment to serving others.
A particularly significant highlight of the luncheon was the announcement of a $100,000 election pledge from the Liberal Party of Victoria towards the installation of a lift providing access to our church hall.
This generous commitment was announced by Mrs Bernadette Khoury JP, on behalf of Mr Evan Mulholland MP, and represents an important step towards realising a long-awaited and essential project for our parish.
The installation of a lift will greatly improve accessibility for our elderly parishioners, people living with disabilities and those experiencing mobility challenges, ensuring that our church facilities are more inclusive, welcoming and accessible to all.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Mr Evan Mulholland MP, Mrs Bernadette Khoury JP and the Liberal Party of Victoria for recognising this important need and for their ongoing friendship and support of our parish. This commitment is deeply appreciated and represents a meaningful investment in the wellbeing and future of our community.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to His Grace Bishop Rewis for his presence, blessings and fatherhood, and to each of our distinguished guests for honouring our parish with their attendance and participation in this special occasion.
Our deepest appreciation is also extended to our beloved Reverend Fathers, Parish Board, dedicated volunteers, organisers, deacons and all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of the luncheon and the wider Egyptian Cultural Festival.
As we celebrate 35 years since the consecration of our beloved church in Preston, we remain deeply grateful for the friendships, partnerships and community spirit that continue to strengthen the mission of St Mark’s.
Above all, we give thanks to our Lord for His continued blessings upon our parish. May St Mark’s Church continue to be a beacon of faith, hospitality, unity and love, serving both our congregation and the wider Australian community for generations to come.
