Orthodox Easter: Vegan protesters crash Thornbury church service

It’s tradition to enjoy a soup full of meat or a nice slice of lamb during Orthodox Easter celebrations. But a group of vegan protesters found that difficult to swallow.

More than 1000 people attended a mass at Thornbury's Greek Orthodox Church of St. George on May 1, 2021. Picture: Greek Orthodox Church of St. George Facebook page.

A group of vegan protesters have interrupted a, Orthodox Easter service in Melbourne’s north.

More than 1000 people are believed to have attended Greek Orthodox Church of St. George for its late night mass on May 1.

The St David St church spokesperson said the crowd included a handful of protesters encouraging parishioners to not eat meat.

As part of Greek Easter traditions, parishioners usually attend a late night service and later have a soup containing meat, or a spit roast involving lamb the next day.

Armadale’s Andrew Tziotzis’ partner shared the incident with 3AW’s rumour file on Monday, May 3.

Mr Tziotzis told Leader said he heard about the situation from friends who attended the mass and were “baffled” by the protesters’ appearance.

Mr Tziotzis said he was told 20-30 protesters attended wearing masks and holding signs saying Meat is Murder.

They were described by Mr Tziotzis’ friends as “a loose group of people who got together and were making a bit of a stand”.

“They weren’t violent or aggressive, they just wanted to make a point to look at vegan alternatives,” Mr Tziotzis said.

“It was a bit funny and bizarre … it doesn’t make sense especially for (Greek) Easter, the whole tradition is about lamb, about new life.”

The Greek Orthodox Church of St. George was hosting its feast day on the morning of Monday, May 3.

A church spokeswoman said three protesters peacefully attended Saturday night’s service before hanging up on Leader.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals spokeswoman Aleesha Naxakis said no representatives attended the mass but it supported anyone who “engages in peaceful protest against the abysmally cruel meat industry”.

“I observe Greek Orthodox Easter myself, and enjoy celebrating with delicious vegan food that reflect Christ’s message of peace and love,” she said.

“We wish everyone would speak out for those who suffer and die for meat, and we are pleased to see more people avoiding such cruelty.”