Premier Gladys Berejiklian joined a huge throng in celebrating Easter at Midnight Mass at St Stylianos Greek Orthodox Church, Gymea.
Organisers estimated 8000 parishioners attended the candlelight Holy Easter Resurrection service and sang Christos Anesti (Christ has Risen!) at midnight on April 7.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison, state MPs Eleni Petinos and Mark Speakman and Sutherland Shire mayor Carmelo Pesce.
In a statement, Ms Berejiklian expressed her gratitude for the invitation to attend the service, and thanked the parish community for the warm welcome she received.
“It is a deep honour to share with you the most significant time in the Christian calendar,” she said.
”Today is not just a day of religious significance and observance, but also a day for us to celebrate what Easter means for us; new beginning, new life, new hope.”
Ms Berejiklian expressed her “best wishes for peace, love and good health to the wider Greek Orthodox community for the next 12 months”, and thanked members of the Greek community for their ongoing outstanding contribution to NSW.
Ms Petinos said, “It was wonderful to have the Premier join our local Greek community at midnight for this important Christian celebration”.