THE GREEK AUSTRALIAN The oldest circulating Greek newspaper outside VEMA Greece JULY 2012 Tel. (02) 9559 7022 Fax: (02) 9559 7033 E-mail: [email protected] $320,000 collected for the “Greece Appeal” by all Parish - Communities of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia PAGE 14/32

GREEK ORTHODOX IN THE 2011 CENSUS PAGE 4/22 SYDNEY ONE OF What Greece makes, the world might take The problems are overwhelming, but it’s somewhat satisfying to know that the solu- THE WORLD’S tions might be based on things the Greeks have long known how to do themselves, like processing olives and brining cheese. PAGE 3/21 BEST CITIES

Sydney is continuing its reign as one of the World’s “Sydney has now been selected by Travel+Leisure Best City according to the well-travelled readers of Trav- readers as the top Australasian city for 17 years. Again el+Leisure magazine. The Harbour City has another top this traveller survey demonstrates Sydney’s international ranking on the list of top 10 Cities Overall in the presti- reputation as one of the world’s premier destinations,” gious World’s Best Awards survey. Mr Souris said. Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, “It is yet another tribute to our local tourism and events has announced that Sydney has been voted the number industries, which continue to develop new and exciting one city in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific experiences to keep this city at the forefront with inter- and is ranked number five on the list of Top 10 Cities national visitors. Overall in Travel+Leisure 2012 World’s Best Awards “This latest accolade will help reinforce Sydney’s rep- readers’ survey. Last year, Sydney ranked number eight utation as a top international destination, especially for Global colloquy among cities worldwide in the survey. American travellers.” on reunification of the Parthenon Marbles Three campaigning organisations for the Parthenon Marbles, from the UK, USA and Australia, convened in London to launch the international colloquy on “The Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles”. PAGE 2/20

Serbian Bishops visit Archbishop Stylianos

Mainalo Bishop Porphyry of Jegar, of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and Father Teodosije, a brother of the monastery of The heart of the Peloponnese retains its rustic Kovilj, with their host Bishop Irinej and deacon Nemanja Mrdjenovic, secretary of the Metropolitanate of Australia-New feel amid traditional settlements and fir forests. Zealand, visited earlier this month the offices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College. On this occasion they were welcomed by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Aus- PAGE 20/38 tralia and His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis. JULY 2012 2/20 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

Group Shot at the British Museum. Left to Right: Margaret Gilbert, Eddie O’Hara (Chairman BCRPM) Krister Kumlin (Chairman Swedish Committee), Michael Reppas (ACRPS), Kimon Bizos, George Bizos, Emanuel J. Comino AM ( Chairman Australian Committee), Stu O’Hara, BCRPM Committee Chairman Eddie O’Hara (right) with Mr Comino (left) and Mr Reppas Marlen Godwin and Mrs Kumlin. GLOBAL COLLOQUY ON REUNIFICATION OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES marks historic annual campaign effort Three campaigning organizations for the Bizos SC, a Member of BCRPM and lawyer many ways, and on as broad a front as cept not to be confused with the political Parthenon Marbles, from the UK, USA and to Nelson Mandela, who spoke on issues possible; concept of nationalism Australia, convened in London (19-20 June) relating to litigation. 6. The focus of this education should be At this time, the three campaigning or- to launch the international colloquy on “The Amongst the key speakers were Prof. on the cultural and ethical justifications for ganizations, BCRPM, ACRPS, and IOC- Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles”, Dimitrios Pandermalis, President of the reunification; A-RPM, agree that their campaign policy which was attended by leading represen- Acropolis Museum; Andrew Dismore, Lon- 7. Ethical justifications should take ac- for the reunification of the Parthenon Mar- tatives from four continents. don Assembly Member, Former MP for count of the perception by the Greek peo- bles should emphasize cultural and ethical Among the topics presented included the Hendon, Chair, Parliamentary Joint Com- ple of the Parthenon sculptures as sym- arguments. Certainly for now, the policy concept of the “Universal Museum”, issues mittee on Human Rights; Dr. Elena Korka, bols of their ethnicity. This is a cultural con- does not encompass litigation. of litigation, the Acropolis Museum, archae- Archaeologist; Kostas Tsarouchas, Journal- ological perspectives, and special tributes ist - Publisher; Dr. Tom Flynn, Art Historian, to Eleni Cubitt, founder of the British Com- Prof. Dr. Judith Herrin, Professor of Late mittee for the Reunification of the Parthe- Antique and Byzantine Studies, and Christi- non Marbles, and the late journalist, Chri- na Borg, Literary Journalist. Plans are un- stopher Hitchens, a friend and supporter derway for the next annual International of the Committee. Colloquy to be held in Sydney during late The all-day colloquy was held 19 June at October/early November 2013. Official the Hellenic Centre in London followed the dates to be announced. next day, 20 June, by the launch of the The UK host committee, represented by MISSING global awareness campaign at BCRPM Committee Chairman Eddie O’Hara, the forecourt of the British Museum. has outlined some of the key points af- The launch was described as a “peace- firmed from the 2012 London Colloquy. ful show of support with a heartfelt mes- These include: sage.” 1. The focus of the campaign should be The historic event was timed to coincide solely on the reunification of all the Parthe- with the third year anniversary of the non sculptures. The campaign should not opening of the new Acropolis Museum and be weakened by association with wider the occasion of the 2012 London Olympics claims for restitution of cultural objects. one month later. Emphasis should always be placed on the The MISSING campaign is an initiative uniqueness of the Parthenon as a UNESCO created by ACRPS. The creative will run on- World Heritage monument parts of which line at MissingSince1801.com, with a have been forcibly removed and transport- developing extendable multi-format plat- ed for display in another country and to form to unite and mobilize support for the which the “floodgates” argument thus need cause. not apply; Co-presented by The British Committee 2. Unity of purpose and effort is essen- for the Reunification of the Parthenon Mar- tial if the world-wide support for the cam- bles (BCRPM), The American Committee for paign is to be harnessed and deployed to the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculp- maximum and optimum effect; tures (ACRPS), and The International Organ- 3. Litigation over the legal title to the Elgin izing Committee - Australia - for the Resti- Marbles cannot be ruled out. However, it is tution of the Parthenon Marbles (IOC- a risk strategy and requires much further A-RPM), the 2012 international colloquy research; echoed the efforts around the globe to ed- 4. Legislation, specifically amendment of ucate and connect people and resources. the British Museum Act 1963, is possible, By forging an open dialogue and coalitions but needs to be carefully framed and is not among supporters, the organizing commit- likely to receive British Government sup- tees hope to further increase the level of port in the foreseeable future; awareness and support around the world. 5. Public education about the issues is Keynote speaker was the world-renowned known to result in increasing support for human rights advocate and author, George reunification and should be pursued in as JULY 2012 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 3/21 Editorial

What Greece makes, the world might take By ADAM DAVIDSON * says, came when Greece joined the European agricul- tural-subsidy system in 1981. Money from richer Euro- It has been years since anyone said anything positive pean taxpayers flowed to Greek farmers to upgrade about the Greek economy. But as one Greek economist their farms, “but the Europeans and the Greek govern- recently told me, there’s a local saying that when a ment had no control mechanism,” he says. Instead of in- spring is pressed down hardest, it can spring back the vesting in new tractors, “the farmers were taking the fastest. Let’s consider the country’s natural resources, or money and buying things like Mercedeses.” at least two of them. Feta cheese, which is increasingly Entrepreneurs who avoided the easy riches of gov- popular throughout the world, is mandated by an E.U. ernment contracts or E.U. subsidies were often punished ruling to come from Greece. The country also harvests by Greece’s nonsensical regulatory system. Megan arguably the best olives for making olive oil. Yet some- Greene, of the research firm Roubini Global Economics, how Greece has only 28 percent of the global feta mar- once famously recounted visiting a bookstore and cafe ket and a mere 4 percent share of the international in Athens only to learn that it was not allowed to sell olive-oil industry. books after 6 p.m. or coffee - ever. At the same time, How is this possible? In the last decade or so, com- those breakthroughs in olive-oil and feta technology panies in the United States, France, Denmark and else- were taking place everywhere but Greece. where flouted the feta ruling and invested in their own Ventouris, whose boss was recently named Greece’s food-science research and manufacturing equipment. new finance minister, also happened to advise McKin- They subsequently turned the salty, crumbly cheese into could create decent jobs and more tax revenue. Greece sey on its report. So I asked him if he thought the coun- spreadable, grillable, fat-free and shelf-stable forms. In could start to grow again. try might adopt any of its recommendations. He sighed Italy and Spain, small olive-oil producers merged into The biggest challenge to this plan involves confronting and said that Greece was locked in a vicious cycle. Af- globally competitive conglomerates and replaced press- a more distressing aspect of the Greek economy. It’s ter all, growth requires investing in the future, and in- es with more efficient centrifugal technology. The two hard to believe now, but Greece outpaced the average vestment requires faith in the political system. And right countries now provide nearly all the world’s supply. And European growth rate for much of the last 60 years. Its now, nobody has faith in anybody. Sales of olive oil and the Greeks, despite their numerous inherent advan- farmers turned bombed-out fields into modestly produc- feta cheese and tourism packages might provide a tages, remain in the least profitable part of the supply tive farms. The government rapidly shifted parts of the short-term spark, but the McKinsey report is notably chain, exporting raw materials at slim margins. country from an agrarian economy into an industrial one vague about who might be willing to provide the capital. The country’s disorganized agricultural business all that developed specialties in construction materials - “It would be very useful if we had an inspiring leader,” but disqualified itself from partaking in the fancy-food concrete, aluminum, rebar - and generic drugs. Greece Ventouris says. craze of the past few decades. Greek growers never also benefited greatly from the rapid growth in global It’s easy to mock the Greeks with their inefficient busi- banded together to establish uniform quality standards trade. Greece is now responsible for the largest ship- nesses, lifetime government jobs and absurd public- and trade rules. Frequent strikes at large ports damaged ping fleet in the world. No other nation besides Japan sector projects. But average citizens have been belea- food and reputations. even comes close. guered for too long by forces beyond their control. They In a recent report on Greece’s economy, the consult- Yet Greece still joined the euro zone as the second- were occupied by three different countries in World War ing firm McKinsey recasts these challenges, among oth- poorest country in Western Europe. That’s because the II. Afterward, Europe’s richest countries subsidized ers, as opportunities. With just a bit of investment, new Greek economic miracle came during some disastrous Greek farmers. management and quality control, it says, the olive and governance from both left-leaning leaders and an anti- When Greece later joined the European Union, it was feta industries can increase their profitability significant- communist dictatorship. As often happens with unstable lent huge amounts of money. (As many Americans ly. The same is true for Greece’s tourism industry, governments, a winner-take-all system developed in learned, debt-fueled spending can feel like hard-earned which, according to the report, remains stubbornly fo- which new officials and private-sector cronies tried to success, at least for a while.) Now Greece is again wait- cused on budget travelers even though a yacht full of capture as much money as they could during their time ing for other Europeans - especially the Germans - to millionaires can bring a lot more revenue than a cruise in office. decide precisely how miserable their next decade will ship of middle-class people. Nikos Ventouris, an economist at Greece’s independ- be. The problems are overwhelming, but it’s somewhat Consulting firms are constantly issuing utopian nation- ent Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research, satisfying to know that the solutions might be based on al-economic strategies. What makes the McKinsey plan told me that during these postwar decades, the incen- things the Greeks have long known how to do them- stand out is that it feels plausible. The greatest returns tive structure went upside down. Business leaders selves, like processing olives and brining cheese. may come from investing in things the Greeks already learned that they could make a whole lot more money a know how to do - no matter how distressed or unloved lot more quickly through contracts with a “friend” in the they have become. This could have a significant impact. government (who wasn’t particular about things like * Adam Davidson is co-founder of NPR's “Planet Money,” Greece is a small country with 11 million people and 5 skewed labels) than by trying to compete globally. a podcast, blog and radio series heard on “Morning Edition,” million workers. Reasonable success in a few sectors One of the most destructive developments, Ventouris “All Things Considered” and “This American Life.” An Aegean island in Thailand! By Lina Giannarou brands in apparel, footwear, accessories, artwork and more, as well as plenty of family entertainment and food Small courtyards brightened up with pots of flowers, options. cobblestone alleys with whitened borders and the deep Besides dozens of restaurants, cafes and sweet shops, blue of the Aegean on domed roofs and wooden window Santorini Park has a 40-meter windmill, a bell tower and sills, are no longer the privilege of visitors to the Greek is- an Italian-style carousel, and is surrounded by greenery. lands alone but also of those to Thailand’s popular coastal The company behind Santorini Park is Pena Group, a resort of Cha-am, where the Thai’s love of Greece is not southeast Asian leader in retail centres. The cost of the just expressed in post cards and posters, but in a replica two-year project ran to 12.2 million euros. of neighborhoods of one southern Aegean island in par- Local authorities on Santorini were not, however, con- ticular. tacted or consulted on the construction of the park, neither Santorini Park, a giant theme park modelled on the pop- by Thai authorities nor by Pena Group. ular island destination, opened on May 5 on an expanse The residents and municipal authorities of the island of 6 hectares, complete with models of traditional Cycladic found out about Santorini Park through the press, while houses, alleys and climbing bougain-villaea. there are differing opinions in regards to the impact the side of the world, but the whole aesthetic aspect is very The designers of Santorini Park, however, have not al- development may have on the island. serious,” Zoros stated. lowed reality to restrict them and have also their own Some argue that although Santorini Park is half a world “I am always somewhat guarded about things that are brushstrokes to the phantasmagoria, including ancient- away, it will generate tourism interest in the island through not originals, but copies, and so in this case also I would style statuary and pop-art features, as well as artificial indirect advertising. Others believe that Santorini has more prefer to see what it looks like before stating an opinion. waterfalls and fountains. to lose than to gain from the development. “What is certain is that the choice of Santorini as a mod- More than a series of sets for the perfect photo-ops of The mayor of Santorini, Nikolaos Zoros, is of the latter el shows a preference and a love for our island and our a “Grecian holiday,” Santorini Park promises to be a shop- opinion. country that is very welcome at this difficult period”, he per’s paradise, bringing together 140 stores carrying top “Sure, the name of Santorini will be heard on the other added. 4/22 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA JULY 2012

GREEK ORTHODOX IN THE 2011 CENSUS

It is no secret that the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia has undergone considerable demographic change. This includes coping with waves of migration at different times. For instance, Greece ranked highly in mass migration to Australia in the post-war era. Now China, India, Vietnam, Philippines and Malaysia are amongst the top ten countries of birth for the overseas born population. With little resources at its disposal, the Greek Orthodox Church has faced complex issues at each stage and none more so than now when its numbers are no longer being replenished by large migrant intakes. A preliminary sketch of the changes that are occurring in the population is available from the 2011 census. Some initial data has been released. Further analyses will fol- Moreover, Orthodox are living in a country that is increasingly non-Christian and low as more information becomes available. non-religious. Only 61% of Australians report that they are Christian. For the record, Naturally the findings are relevant to future directions in education and ecclesiasti- Eastern Orthodoxy is about the same size as Buddhism or Islam in Australia. cal services. This report focuses on ancestry, religion and language. A relevant piece of data is the migrant component of our Orthodox faithful. It is still substantial but it is now a minority and decreasing. The proportion of Orthodox born ANCESTRY overseas is less than half (43.6%). LANGUAGE SPOKEN Those of Greek ancestry make up around 378,300 in the population or some 1.9%. This is much less than some of the figures that are wildly brandished about. While Greek ancestry is important it is no longer a significant proportion of the total Aus- There were 243,300 who spoke Greek at home but the potential comparisons with tralian population. This means that any arguments to politicians based on numbers other languages are more important. Here are four observations: alone may not prevail in the future. (a) Greek is fifth in the top 10 languages spoken at home and this will affect its It is well-known that the population of Greek ancestry includes many second, third standing in multicultural programs, ethnic services and community language provision; and later generations (see below for an official definition of generation). Probably the (b) Almost two-thirds (65%) of those who spoke Greek at home said that they spoke size of the second and third generation (around 70%) has not been documented as English very well; well previously. It is large and is shown in the accompanying chart. (c) Just over half of those who spoke Greek at home (54.1%) were Australian born (Note that this is comparable with the proportion of those who speak Greek at home divided by the number of Eastern Orthodox); (d) The proportion of Australian born who speak Greek at home is higher than all other community languages for the various nationalities and this may say something about our ability to retain Greek ethnic identity.

COMMENT

Even at the best of times, large volumes of tables, percentages and charts can be too much to absorb. These figures are no exception. They speak in generalities but each person lives and strives firstly at their own level. Nevertheless, the figures are relevant for families in making everyday decisions. They have obvious implications for parishes and communities. They point to the po- tential for additional ecclesiastical and educational services in the Orthodox commu- nity. Some of these implications are well-known to the Church hierarchy, parish priests and parish councils. To my mind the five major findings so far are: 1. Greek ancestry is no longer a significant proportion of the total Australian popu- lation; 2. The population of Greek ancestry is predominately second and third generation; 3. The proportion of Orthodox born overseas is less than half; RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION 4. Orthodox Christians are living in a country that is increasingly non-Christian and non-religious; Religious affiliation is an individual response that has nationwide consequences. 5. Just over half of those who spoke Greek at home were Australian born The Census reports data for Eastern Orthodox and remember that this includes Greek Orthodox, so it overstates the numbers. There are also some other anomalies in col- If I may comment further on these major findings then I would say that the chal- lecting this data but it is the general picture that is important. lenge for the Orthodox Church has never been demographic or quantitative. Rather, it Even with multiple Orthodox groups, the Eastern Orthodox made up only 563,100 or is to increase the religiousness of each person. some 2.6% of the population. Claims that there are 200,000 Orthodox in Sydney or The way we have done this historically is to build upon our past. We have an in- 300,000 in Melbourne are clearly unsustainable. valuable Orthodox Tradition. At the same time we have a powerful cultural heritage Eastern Orthodoxy is the fifth largest Christian faith group in Australia. It is nowhere that acts as a catalyst for our faith. When making decisions, we need to be careful not near the size of the Catholic, Anglican or even Uniting Churches. to throw the baby out with the bathwater! For those providing educational, welfare and ecclesiastical services then multiple approaches and multiple responses are recommended for the future because the sit- uation is not just: Greek or English, young or old, migrant or Australian born. The situ- ation is Orthodox or non-Orthodox. Some will take these findings and argue for an approach that is based on common- sense or the majority but they fail to realise that in science everything that is true is contrary to common-sense. I am sure that the same applies in religion.

Note: First generation - people living in Australia who were born overseas; Second generation Australian-born with at least one overseas-born parent; Third-plus gener- ation - Australian-born people whose parents were both born in Australia.

Reference Australian Bureau of Statistics, Reflecting a Nation: Stories from the 2011 Census, Catalogue No. 2071.0.

The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the VEMA or St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College.

Dr Jim Athanasou St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College JULY 2012 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 5/23 Our Primate’s View

The Church’s book on the lives of saints (the Hagiologion) courage which supported them throughout life was a con- is full of heroic figures - both men and women - who spent fidence in God and not worldly impudence. their whole life on earth in obedience to the will of God, and in the ministry of their fellow human beings. We have Indeed great power is needed, and great internal courage, a characteristic summary of these pre-eminent people of to place yourself “beneath all people” - as our Saints char- God in the Letter to the Hebrews (11:32ff). But that refers to acteristically say - so as to serve the will of God, no mat- the “pioneers’’ and indeed only to men. This was the norm ter what the cost, for the salvation of the “whole world”. in the “patriarchal” milieu of the Old Testament from which women, however, were never absent. From the later Hagi- Even our Military Saints (to whom the KATHIMERINI news- ologion of the Church even children are not absent! paper of Athens dedicated a special lift-out section on 27- 10-2002), did not exercise their “bravery” as a “blind The “Martyrs“ have a special place in this boundless cat- power“ of bodily strength or force. Another deeper pow- alogue of ‘’divine intervention”. As known, the word “mar- er, from God inspired them. Only in this way were they tyr“ has a double meaning. Firstly it means the one who often able to put forward an entirely powerless body as a “gives witness” to a truth unknown or in question, so that model of resistance and opposition to the “arrows of the ambivalent ones may be persuaded. And secondly, it evil”, whether visible or spiritual! means that the one bearing witness to the truth uncom- promisingly confronts, without fear, even death if need Their schooling in Christ was simple and for this reason be! entirety effective: ‘’to overlook the flesh, for it passes away, but to attend to the soul since it is immortal”. This For this reason in the Church, the confession of blood “inwardness” of the brave person in God acquires a par- was considered equal if not higher than the confession ticular timeliness with the recent uneasy period of “terror- of faith which precedes Baptism. Therefore there were ism“, especially after 11th September, 2001. Christians who were baptised not only “by water and spir- it” but in their very own blood! THOSE BRAVE By ARCHBISHOP St Paul calls upon this distinguished and astounding cate- STYLIANOS gory of God’s “martyrs” in his letter to the Hebrews so as to prick our conscience. OF AUSTRALIA IN GOD “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us It is clear that all cases of terrorism, as horrible and incon- run with perseverance the race that is set before ceivable as they may appear at first sight, in fact eloquent- us” (Hebr. 12:1). ly refer to some dangerous “gaps” generally, in the way goods are managed. Whether in material comforts gen- Immediately however Paul hastens to declare the primary erally, health and education, or the peace and social power, which inspires the Martyrs, so that we may not justice of persons and of peoples. think that they draw power from themselves as they con- front the difficulties of the race. In this way, after the Incidents of increased terrorism are declarations of open phrase “let us run with perseverance the race be- wounds - even chasms - in the balance of power on the fore us” he necessarily adds “looking to Jesus the pi- global scene. They declare real - or at least assumed - in- oneer and perfecter of our faith“. equalities, which develop into destabilising imbalances in economy, politics, media and communications of the Here in particular we have to note that the encouragement modern world. of the Martyrs for “endurance“ in the race does not come from their “nature“, that is from the fallen world, but from However from this detached “reading” comes a clearer im- their “calling” which is from above! age of the “terror“ which is occurring in our days. The fragments of “buildings“ and “bodies“ which television And the words of Paul are entirely definitive in that the shows us after every terrorism attack, as horrible as they source towards which the struggling person fixes his or are, are not the whole picture of terror! The authentic her eyes to draw power (this is what the verb απο-βλέπω image which hangs continuously upon our heads as the means) is none other than the Theanthropos. He begins “sword of Damocles” is given more fully by the “EMPTI- (as Pioneer), He completes and He perfects (as perfecter) NESS“. The emptiness in the soul of every wounded and our faith. underprivileged human being or an entire people. For this reason Psychology spoke in good time about the “hor- The “courage” therefore of the faithful servant of God, has ror of emptiness” (horror vacui). essentially nothing in common with the courage of the world. The courageous person usually has an inflated “self- And all these do not concern only the “third” world, which assurance”. That is to say he bases himself primarily, if not we sometimes shamelessly have characterised as “unde- entirely on his own abilities - whether these be his bodily, veloped”. They also concern the ‘second” world, where the intellectual or professional attributes. For this reason this “middle class” of Europeans or others who are well-off and type of person is usually impudent. And the poor person lacking nothing. Equally they also concern the USA which does not remember that even these powers, which he likes to call itself a “superpower”. Because not only do sen- considers to be his own, are not in fact his own. They were sitive American citizens - both intellectuals and artists - de- given to him “as a form of credit” from above! nounce the many weaknesses of that superpower, but so do the poor neighbourhoods, even in Washington, along However the brave in God, knowing in advance that with the scattered “homeless” in all areas and the “mar- “every good act of giving and every perfect gift is ginalized” of every age, who wear those lamentable little from above, coming down from the Father of signs on their chests. lights“, does not feel anything but limitless gratitude to- wards God for whatever attributes he may acquire. This is The conclusion is simple: Bomb attacks do not occur every the reason why, only in humility, will he be capable of con- day, even though this is propagandised as a constant fronting any obstacle or temptation with patience and threat. However this silent emptiness, wherever it might be endurance. Only these things ultimately show him to be a found, brings forth unforeseen dangers at every moment. hero of the Faith, and if the circumstances in life demand And the only type of bravery for one to overcome these it, even a Great Martyr! dangers is “humility“ and “repentance“, clearly charac- teristic of “the brave in God” who cannot be anything but In the Hagiologion of the Church, only few are remem- “just”. Regarding the ‘arsenal’ which they possess, the bered as Great Martyrs, even though the multitude of un- Scriptures also state that: “the just will live by faith” known or unnamed martyrs are limitless. The fact that they (Gal.3.11) are both men and women is a sufficient indication that the JULY 2012 6/24 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

July Letter from Maroubra

Which Bible figure is most closely associated with leading the exodus from Egypt?

My guess is that people on the eastern side of Anzac Parade would not know much about religion or the Orthodox faith. There is one way to find out. You could start by asking them four questions. Ready! • Which Bible figure is most closely associated with leading the exodus from Egypt? • What is the main theme of the Book of Genesis? • What do the Orthodox believe about the bread and wine used for Communion? • Which Bible figure is most closely associated with remaining obedient to God despite suffering?

Religious knowledge Religious education in our schools Last month I asked 95 Greek Orthodox students in Years 6, 8, 10 and 12 these ques- These results made me think that there are some good reasons for including gener- tions and some others about different religions. They completed a Religious Knowl- al religious knowledge in our schools. There is a place in the curriculum for exploring edge Quiz adapted from The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life US survey of gen- other faiths. Religious knowledge is essential for tolerance and the development of a eral religious knowledge. The results are summarised below. civil society. Religion is important for understanding the history of the world.

Religion is fundamental to whatever stance one wishes to adopt in life. Whether the truth of this message is accepted or not is ultimately a personal issue. Probably, reli- gion is the only school subject that addresses the key questions in life.

Confessional teaching

Even though a general religious education may address some aspects of Christianity, there is still an additional need for Orthodox students in schools to receive specialised instruction. This is because our faith is different.

Some parents have the view that instruction from other Christian denominations (e.g., Catholics, Protestants) is enough. But this omits as much as it includes.

For instance, Orthodoxy has a different perception of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It treats the Theotokos (Mother of God) entirely differently than in the Protestant and Catholic faiths. Orthodoxy is biblical but does not rely exclusively on the Bible. Even the version of the Old Testament (e.g., Septuagint) that is used is different. Its liturgy and services bear little relationship to those of other denominations. The monastic tradition, iconography, fasting and Sacraments (Marriage, Ordination, Holy Communion, Confession, Unction, Baptism, Chrismation) - to identify but a few fea- tures - differentiate it. The history of Orthodoxy is unique in that it never experienced a Reformation because it is built on unbroken continuity with the original Church.

An Orthodox confessional education is not designed for the purpose of proselytising. An Orthodox special religious education offers a voluntary, spiritual process of in- quiry.

There is no comparable course in the school curriculum that addresses this need of students. At present it occurs in our Sunday Schools and a few of our State schools but every child should have this opportunity.

It showed that Greek Orthodox high school pupils did not have accurate knowledge There is so much to know about religions and our faith but when I ask people, they of other faiths. To be fair, this lack of religious knowledge is probably widespread only have a vague idea. There are too many misconceptions. This clouds their judge- amongst adolescents and adults. ments. It is not a good start. A decent and unbiased religious instruction should be part of every Orthodox child’s education and upbringing. It is encouraging that a key tenet of the Orthodox faith that the bread and wine in Holy Communion are the body and blood of Jesus was known by about four-fifths of stu- Answers: dents. This is probably an underestimate as some were partly correct, describing it in Which Bible figure is most closely associated with leading the exodus from Egypt? ways like “the body and soul of God”. Biblical knowledge, however, was poor. Maybe Moses this is because it is not stressed in our catechetical instruction. In any event, the Or- What is the main theme of the Book of Genesis? Creation thodox students knew the most essential detail. No claim is made that these results What do the Orthodox believe about the bread and wine used for Communion? Body are perfect. and blood of Jesus Naturally I tested whether this result reflects their level of general information. There Which Bible figure is most closely associated with remaining obedient to God despite was a small overlap between general knowledge and religious knowledge but it was suffering? Job not great.

So how does this measure up against others? I was able to compare three questions The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the VEMA or St An- with those of the Pew Forum Survey. Our Year 12 students had lower biblical knowl- drew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College. This article was prepared prior to and independently edge and less information about other faiths. They were much better informed about of any petition to expand the Botany Cemetery. the Eucharist. Of course the comparison is not strictly valid. [email protected] JULY 2012 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 7/25

Growing up fast and furious Media’s impact on our children What ‘brand’ is your child? Part 1 ByJ Fr George Liangas ment or mediated by a child’s parental figure. Rather, it Branding Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist is driven by a profit-seeking conglomeration with few School Chaplain, All Saints Grammar, Sydney regulations”. Branding refers to the intensity of marketing directed at children, so that certain brands become part of their “Childhood is endangered, pitted against the ubiquitous Constructing the ‘Tween’ persona and identity. Babies can identify brands at 6 presence of media images and sound bites all of which months of age, their first words are sometimes a brand persuade children to conform to a modality that is not nec- The social phenomenon of the ‘tween’ is one example name, and by the time they start school they have de- essarily in their best interests. At the heart of the struggle of how marketing has shaped culture. Tweens are chil- veloped their brand preferences. As another writer has between childhood and consumerism, child identity forma- dren in the approximate age bracket of 8 to 13. This age written, “the colonisation of children’s lives by the enter- tion is at stake”. bracket has seen tremendous ‘age compression’ (chil- tainment product cycle has woven Disney, Hasbro, Mat- dren getting ‘older’ at younger ages); all for marketing tel and McDonald’s into the fabric of everyday life for Sociologist Jennifer Hill1 purposes. Marketers “are hiring child psychologists and urban children across the globe”4. other experts to maximise their understanding of the Branding is not just about having preferences for cer- segments and nuances of the youth market”. tain brands. It is about having their identity merge with You are walking past a bus stop and you see a bus The adage ‘sex sells’ is well-known for advertising to that of the particular brand. The child “not only wears stop advertisement of a major supermarket chain ad- adults, but it appears to work for children too. Jennifer branded clothing, but strives to adopt the mask of the vertising their “massive toy sale”. Taking up the full Hill writes: brand’s aura in its entirety... the brand and consumer height of the advertisement is a photo of a Barbie doll, identity merge with the result that children themselves in her unrealistic body proportions, dressed in a bikini. The sex and violence inundating children on are shaped into commodities imprinted with the brand”. Initially you do not make anything of it, but on reflection, various screens exists not because parents, Children learn to influence their parents’ spending, they you muse, “Must they sexualise even a toy sale?” teachers or caregivers think such content is channel their own money into these brands, and contin- Childhood is not just about being of a certain age. It is good for children, but because sex and vio- ue to be tied with these brands well into their adult not even just about development in its physical, cogni- lence have proven to be profitable attention- lives. tive, social and other domains. Childhood is also about grabbers. The monetary potential that children The relationship between brands and children is very innocence. We deliberately shield children from “adult” represent can be worth a lifetime of brand tight. For example, corporations are hiring teens to be types of material, partly because they may not mature loyalty and marketers will use ruthless tactics ‘trend-spotters’, “insiders who advise on the current enough to handle it themselves. If they were to be ex- to ensure this comes to fruition. teen market”. By this, “corporations seek to ensure that posed to it prematurely, it may be damaging for them. identity is found in the brand and guaranteeing that Unfortunately, via electronic media marketers are very Sex and violence is now part of the ‘cool’ image that those brand-associated products will be hard sought af- good at dumping all the ills of the ‘grown-up’ world into primary-school children now aspire to. Children are tar- ter”. Branding goes even beyond tangible products, and the minds and hearts of our children. As sociologist Jen- geted with messages about how to be attractive, about into the ‘branding of the flesh’; e.g. by body piercings, nifer Hill writes, “Indeed there is no aspect of adult life, what is ‘important’ in being a man or a woman, and tattoos and cosmetic surgery. whether it be perversity, promiscuity, dishonour or con- how males and females ought to relate to each other. For the sake of company profits, children’s innocence fusion, that seems outside the realm of today’s chil- is being destroyed, and with it, childhood itself. What is dren”. Often this is driven by marketers attempting to Consumerism and Identity the effect of this on children’s wellbeing? What do re- persuade children to consume their products. search studies say about the effects of consumerism? Rebellion amongst youth has given way to conformi- And how is it to be managed? An attempt to answer Consumer Culture and Children ty to the “consumer culture ideology”, where children these will be made in the next article. are trapped in “an endless quest of acquisition tied to i- Children, especially in the 4-12 year age bracket are dentity”. In other words, children feel the need to belong, seen as a very lucrative market, and the media continu- and in today’s world, to belong means to consume cer- ously bombards them with messages to buy and con- tain (advertised) products. Therefore, a child’s sense of 1 Hill JA. Endangered childhoods: How consumerism is impact- sume. “Childhood has essentially been co-opted by identity is very closely tied to consumption. ing child and youth identity. Media, Culture and Society 2011; 33: marketing conglomerates and now represents an enor- Social psychologist Dittmar writes: “while people be- 347-362. 2 Kline S. Out of the garden: Toys and children’s culture in the mously lucrative sector of consumer society to the tune lieve they are expressing their selves and attaining hap- age of TV marketing. London: Verso; 1993: 74. of $130bn dollars annually”. Media forces are now tak- piness, they are, in fact, developing, monitoring, and 3 Dittmar H. The cost of consumer culture and the “cage with- ing over from parents in capturing children’s attention moulding their identities with respect to unrealistic in”: the impact of the material “good life” and “body perfect” and guiding them in their lives. Television is “the undis- ideals promoted by consumer culture through advertis- ideals on individuals’ identity and well-being. Psychological In- 2 3 quiry 2007; 18:23-31. puted leader in the production of children’s culture” . ing” . This phenomenon has engrossed children so much 4 Langer B. The business of branded enchantment: ambiva- What is shown on television and other media “is for the that it is hard for them, or even for parents, to see what lence and disjuncture in the global children’s culture industry. most part not governed by theories on child develop- is happening. Journal of Consumer Culture 2004; 4:251-277. In: Hill 2007: 356. Flame of knowledge burns bright in Olympia Every summer since 2001, Ancient Olympia - that cradle education and networking opportunities provided by the of symbolism for ancient Greek ideals - has been hosting summer school, it is also a powerful cultural networking a summer school on political science and international re- tool that attracts funding from overseas and propagates lations, drawing students and academics from around the Greek history and culture in other parts of the world. The world. This year, the summer school ran from July 5 to 16 academy has also forged ties with numerous institutions at the International Olympic Academy at the foot of Cronus abroad, such as the universities of Yale and St Andrews, Hill, and hosted 100 students and 15 professors at its offering scholarships to students wanting to study at the premises, which includes accommodation, a conference International Olympic Academy. centre, a library and state-of-the-art sports facilities. Much of the success of the International Olympic Acad- Now entering its second decade, the Olympia Summer emy is due to the vision and cooperation of Greek aca- School has earned international plaudits and prestige, with demics with an international background. applications coming in every year from all corners of the In today’s Greece, where the crisis is apparent in every earth from postgraduate and PhD students from the facet of life and very profoundly in education, initiatives world’s finest universities. So far, the school has wel- such as the Olympia Summer School are a shining light on comed 500 students from 38 countries. Almost 95 percent the path to quality, innovation, excellence and extroverted- of the students are from abroad, with half coming from ness, qualities that help institutions and countries stand out the United States and Europe. Along with the research, on an international level. JULY 2012 8/26 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA JULY 2012 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 9/27

Paul Dracakis awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM)

young age of 17, looking for a better life. their own distinctive skills and flair to the were a founding member of the Diamond After many challenges and a lot of hard business, while continuing the family tradi- Guild Australia. Their many awards are a work, Paul opened his first Dracakis jew- tion of design excellence and quality. Dra- testimony to their passion for quality. ellery store in 1980. cakis have always been at the forefront of Dracakis are traditional family jewellers, Over the years, Paul and his wife Helen the jewellery industry. with two generations working together in have passed on their wealth of knowledge They were the first jeweller to represent their boutiques - Mosman and Warringah to their children. Today the brothers bring Hearts on Fire diamonds in Australia and Mall.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Parish and Community of Belmore and Districts

Paul Dracakis (above with wife Helen) has been honoured on the Queen’s Birth- day Honours list with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM), this medal has been award- ed for Paul’s commitment to the communi- ty in the Manly-Warringah area and to Business. The ceremony will take place at Parlia- ment House in Macquarie Street, Sydney in Student Theatrical Performance August 2012 by the Governor of NSW Her Students of our Senior School will present Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO. The Order of Australia is an order of the Theatrical Drama by chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Queen Elizabeth II, to recognize citizens Iakovos and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service. Kambanellis Paul, always a community orientated person, initially started as a member of the local Chamber of Commerce or as a Com- mittee member of the Australian Retailers Association.. Whether it was with the Manly Council as an Alderman or the Manly Chamber of Commerce or as member of the Manly Warringah Leagues Club or the Manly Rug- The by Union Club or as a member of the Hel- lenic Club, Paul was also a strong contrib- utor to decision making within the commu- nity. Paul has over a period of many years sponsored, in some way, each of these or- ganisations, whether by cash donation or Courtyardof by a contribution of a piece of jewellery. Paul never forgets his cultural birth place and has involved himself with his local Greek community. Paul has been a mem- ber of the Local Manly Warringah Greek Community and President of the Kytherian Brotherhood. Miracles Whilst a very proud Greek Paul is also a very proud Australian who has very suc- cessfully mixed both cultures and is very happy in the company of persons of all cultures. Paul has been nominated for a knighthood in the Order of St John of Jerusalem through the local Italian commu- For tickets please call: nity, for instance. Paul has also chosen to become a Jus- (02) 9718 7715 FridayFridaayy 2020 JulyJully 6:30pm6:300pm tice of the Peace and has for many years enjoyed this selfless role in the community. SundaySununddaayy 2222 JulyJully 4:30pm4:30pm There have been many Australian-born Kytherians that have also been awarded Adults: $15.00 with an OAM, but Paul is the first Greek- born Kytherian to be awarded with this Students : $7.00 AtAt AllAAlll SaintsSaiinnts ChurchChurrcch HallHall prestigious award. “I thought someone was playing a joke on me, when I received my nomination, but after the realisation IsabelIsabel aandnd CCeciliaeciillia SStreets,treets, BelmoreBellmmore sunk in I felt like shouting out loud and Illustration by Katerina Kalogerakis Year 3 dancing Zorba the Greek with excitement.” Like many people did in the 50’s, Paul Dracakis left Greece for Australia, at the 10/28 TO BHMA - JULY 2012 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA - JULY 2012 11/29 12/30 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA JULY 2012 JULY 2012 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 13/31

Nothing safe, nothing sacred: Syrian rebels desecrate Christian churches?

Shocking images have surfaced, revealing the alleged Qusayr, which neighbors the city of Homs. Some re- desecration of Christian churches in Syria by Western- ports have even suggested that a number of mosques backed rebels. in the city have announced that “Christians must leave The pictures, taken by local Christians outraged at the Qusayr within six days.” violence, were published by PrisonPlanet.com. Two Catholic priests who fled the city confirmed to In one of the photos a man who is said to be a mem- the news agency that they heard the ultimatum repeat- ber of the Free Syrian Army poses in a stolen priest’s ed from the minarets “with their own ears.” robe while brandishing a looted cross in one hand and Attempts to evacuate Christians from the city of Homs a machine gun in the other. over the past two weeks have also been unsuccessful, The photos were taken by a Christian woman in and a priest in the city said the rebels appeared to Homs, one of the cities most devastated by continued want to keep the civilians inside to use them as bar- violent clashes between rebels and government forces. gaining chips. “Everyone knows simply removing these garments Thousands of Christians have fled certain areas of from the church is a sin. The priest is the only one who Homs that fell into rebel hands in February. wears them. They even pray before putting them on,” Meanwhile, US intelligence operatives and diplomats the woman told PrisonPlanet.com. continue to step up their contacts with Syrian rebels to She added that after the rebels tore the church apart, help organize their growing military operations against they went inside to document their violence. President Bashar al-Assad’s forces. Images show church pews broken apart, with pieces According to senior US officials, the CIA and the State strewn all over the nave. The floor is covered with rub- Department are helping the Free Syrian Army develop l- ble, and even the altar looks like it has been desecrat- ogistical routes for moving supplies into Syria and pro- ed. viding training in communications. Christian minorities are facing a growing threat and t- Reportedly, Saudi Arabia and Qatar to the Syrian housands are being forced to flee their homes as they rebels for several months now. Meanwhile, Turkey, face harassment and discrimination from opposition which hosts some units of the Free Syrian Army, en- radical Islamist factions. At least 9,000 Christians from sures material and technical support, according to the western Syrian city of Qusayr were forced to seek sources. And many believe that as long as the US and refuge after an ultimatum from a local military chief its allies continue to blindly support the radical rebels, from the armed opposition, the Vatican’s Fides news stability in Syria will remain unattainable. agency said. Earlier, a Christian man was shot dead by a sniper in Source: www.prisonplanet.com

Neville Roach, in front, presents a testimonial statement supporting Australia’s clean energy John Connor confirms that there will be a modest impact on the cost of living as a result of the future on behalf of CALD ambassadors, including (from left) Fadi Nemme, Daphne Lowe carbon price. Kelley, Ross Tzannes, Yoon Hyeon-Jung and David Giang. Clean energy advocates deliver message to ethnic media On Tuesday, 26 June 2012, a distinguished group of live our lives and contribute to the wealth and well-being Mr Fabian congratulated the Australian Government on clean energy advocates joined forces in Sydney to talk to of our country. its Clean Energy Future policy. media representatives from Australia’s culturally and lin- “We encourage you to be part of the Clean Energy Fu- “The carbon price will redirect more of our investment guistically diverse (CALD) communities about Australia’s ture revolution by taking up the challenge to become a into low carbon and renewable energy assets,” he said. clean energy future. Clean Energy Future supporter and act locally,” he contin- “We can see that profitable businesses of the future are The group, who gathered at 161 Castlereagh Street in ued. “We are!” the ones that are able to minimise their emissions and are Sydney - the new 6 Green star building constructed by Mr Connor presented the media with a ‘reality check’ able to quickly adapt to change.” Grocon - included six CALD community ambassadors led about the impacts of the carbon price on the cost of living, With the implementation of the carbon price on 1 July by Neville Roach, Chair of the TATA Group, John Connor, based on results from an independent study by CSIRO and 2012, Australia will take an important step toward reduc- Chief Executive Officer of The Climate Institute and Nathan AECOM commissioned by The Climate Institute. ing its carbon pollution by putting a price on carbon. It will Fabian, Chief Executive of Investor Group on Climate “The reality is that the carbon price’s cost of living im- see Australia’s biggest polluters pay for every tonne of Change. pacts will be modest,” he said. “It’s important to remember carbon pollution they produce, creating a powerful incen- Mr Roach presented the media with a testimonial state- that the carbon price signals are actually aimed at board tive for business to invest in clean technology, and to find ment signed by each of the CALD community ambassa- room tables, not household kitchen tables. more efficient ways of operating. dors. “A clean energy future is essential to securing a sus- “Our research shows that the price impact on house- “I will feel proud to be an Australian as this reform kicks tainable and prosperous Australia,” he read, “which has a holds will, on average, be $9.10 per week, which is 80 in,” Mr Connor said. clean and safe environment in which to raise our children, cents less than estimated by Treasury,” he said. JULY 2012 14/32 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

$320,000 collected for the “Greece Appeal” By all Parish - Communities of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia The total amount of $320,000 was collected by all Parish - Communities of the Greek Synod, to be used for their philanthropic work, which can include the soup kitchens for Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, for the “Greece Appeal”, in support of the people of the poor. The remainder of $90,000 were forwarded to the Holy Archdiocese of Crete, Greece afflicted by the financial crisis. From this amount, $230,000 were sent directly to which is administratively separate from the Church of Greece. Below is the list of the to- His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and all Greece together with the Holy tal amounts collected by each Parish - Community in every State. Parish - Communities of N.S.W. ST RAPHAEL PARISH - BENTLEIGH $5,220.00 ST ANDREWS PARISH - NUNAWADING $4,500.00 CATHEDRAL OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF OUR LADY - REDFERN $3,080.00 ST HARALAMBOS PARISH - TEMPLESTOWE $5,000.00 STS CONSTANTINE & HELEN PARISH - NEWTOWN $2,015.00 PANAGIA SOUMELA PARISH - KEILOR $4,630.00 ST SOPHIA PARISH - TAYLOR SQ. $460.00 ST ANDREWS PARISH & COMM. - SUNSHINE $500.00 ST GEORGE PARISH & COMMUNITY- ROSE BAY $2,500.00 THE DORMITION OF OUR LADY PARISH & COMM. - GIPPSLAND $1,200.00 ST IOANNIS PARISH & COMMUNITY - PARRAMATTA $4,605.00 ST JOHN PARISH - CARLTON $1,500.00 ST SPYRIDON PARISH & COMMUNITY- KINGSFORD $6,284.15 ST ATHANASIOS PARISH - SPRINGVALE $4,000.00 ST NICHOLAS PARISH - MARRICKVILLE $7,200.00 HOLY TRINITY PARISH - HOBART TASMANIA $660.00 ST GERASIMOS PARISH & COMMUNITY- LEICHHARDT $3,100.00 ST GEORGE – HOBART TASMANIA $520.00 ST EUPHEMIA PARISH & COMMUNITY- BANKSTOWN $8,000.00 Genova & Yvonne Goulas $1,000.00 ST MICHAEL PARISH & COMMUNITY- NTH SYDNEY $3,000.00 Central Philoptohos Melbourne $10,000.00 ALL SAINTS PARISH & COMMUNITY- BELMORE $13,859.00 TOTAL $139,091.25 TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD PARISH - KOGARAH $14,105.00 ST NEKTARIOS PARISH & COMMUNITY - BURWOOD $2,657.00 Parish - Communities of S. Australia ST ANDREWS PARISH - GLADESVILLE $3,442.80 ST CATHERINE PARISH - MASCOT $2,926.50 ST STEPHANOS PARISH - HURLSTONE PARK $4,100.00 ST NEKTARIOS - CROYDON PARK $1,000.00 ST RAPHAEL PARISH & COMMUNITY- LIVERPOOL $3,420.00 ST PANTELEIMON - GLENELG $1,120.00 TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD PARISH - EARLWOOD $2,611.00 PROPHET ELIAS - NORWOOD $2,000.00 ST PARASKEVI PARISH & COMMUNITY - BLACKTOWN $2,500.00 ST SPYRIDON - UNLEY $3,000.00 ST DIMITRIOS PARISH & COMMUNITY - ST MARYS $1,000.00 ST GEORGE - THEBARTON $6,144.00 ST STYLIANOS PARISH - SUTHERLAND $5,600.00 PARISH OF PT ADELAIDE $3,300.00 ST ATHANASIOS CHURCH - ROOKWOOD CEMETERY $4,280.00 ST ANTHONY - PROSPECT $1,050.00 HOLY CROSS PARISH & COMMUNITY - WOLLONGONG $8,185.00 ST DIMITRIOS - SALISBURY $1,300.00 HOLY APOSTLES PARISH & COMMUNITY - NEWCASTLE $2,000.00 ST ANDREW - NOARLUNGA $1,040.00 ARCHANGELS PARISH & COMMUNITY - ALBURY $732.00 ST RAPHAEL - ATHELSTONE $2,000.00 ST DIONYSIOS PARISH - GOSFORD $2,000.00 ST GEORGE - PORT PIRIE $120.00 ST NICHOLAS PARISH & COMMUNITY - CANBERRA $3,000.00 PARISH OF BERRI $195.00 ST DIMITRIOS PARISH - QUEANBEYAN $1,713.00 ST CONSTANTINE & HELEN - RENMARK $384.00 ST THERAPON PARISH - THORNLEIGH $1,200.00 ST NICHOLAS - DARWIN $3,260.00 HOLY TRINITY - SURRY HILLS $1,281.80 G & C VLACHULIS FAMILY TRUST $200.00 HOLY CROSS MONASTERY - MANGROVE $5,000.00 TOTAL $26,113.00 Helen Vanges $1,000.00 Mary Topakis $200.00 Parish - Communities of Queensland Stephen Costa Strathfield $50.00 Deacon D. Papaikonomou $70.00 Irene Willma $100.00 ST GEORGE - BRISBANE $7,690.00 Hellenic Cultural Association AKROPOLIS $500.00 PARISH OF MT GRAVATT $1,500.00 Anonymous $1,656.50 ST PARASKEVI - BRISBANE $790.00 Haralambous Family $50.00 ST ANNA - GOLD COAST $270.00 ST JOHN - CAIRNS $700.00 TOTAL $129,483.75 ST THEODORE - TOWNSVILLE $280.00 TOTAL $11,230.00 Parish - Communities of Victoria Parish - Communities of W. Australia HOLY MONASTERY OF “PANAGIA KAMARIANI” MONASTERY - RED HILL $1,500.00 HOLY MONASTERY OF “AXION ESTIN” - NORTHCOTE $7,100.00 ST NEKTARIOS - DIANELLA $1,709.00 ST EFSTATHIOS PARISH - SOUTH MELBOURNE $5,970.00 STS CONSTANTINE & HELEN - PERTH $3,833.00 THE ANNUNCIATION OF OUR LADY - EAST MELBOURNE $505.00 EVANGELISMOS - PERTH $2,060.00 SAINT DIMITRIOS - PRAHRAN $1,425.00 ST NICHOLAS - BUNBURY $230.00 HOLY TRINITY - FOOTSCRAY $500.00 CASTELLORIZIAN LADIES ASSOC. $250.00 SAINT ELEFTHERIOS - BRUNSWICK $754.00 HELLENIC BOWLING CLUB $250.00 SAINT GEORGE - THORNBURY $400.00 HELLENIC COMMUNITY AGED CARE $250.00 STS CONSTANTINE & HELEN PARISH - SOUTH YARRA $3,880.00 CASTELLORIZIAN ASSOCIATION $1,000.00 SAINT VASILIOS PARISH - BRUNSWICK $5,010.00 GREEK MACEDONIAN ASSOC. ALEXANDER GREAT $500.00 HOLY TRINITY PARISH - RICHMOND $2,695.00 GREEK BROTHERHOOD FLORINA $500.00 ST DIMITRIOS PARISH - ASCOT VALE $4,800.00 CYPRIOT COMMUNITY OF W.A. $300.00 ST ANTHONY PARISH - SUNSHINE $910.00 PONTIAN BROTHERHOOD OF ST. GEORGE $200.00 ST CATHERINE PARISH - EAST MALVERN $3,500.00 HELLENIC WOMENS ASSOC. W.A. $500.00 ST NICHOLAS PARISH - YARRAVILLE $3,022.00 ATHENA MENEELY $1,000.00 STS ANARGYRI PARISH AND COMM. - OAKLEIGH $11,660.25 PHILOPTOHOS OF ST TABITHA $500.00 ST CYRIL & METHODIOS PARISH - PRESTON $1,380.00 ARTHUR ATHERNS $1,000.00 ST NEKTARIOS PARISH - FAWKNER $9,405.00 TOTAL $14,082.00 ARCHANGELS PARISH & COMM. - MENTONE $2,985.00 THE DORMITION OF OUR LADY - N. ALTONA $2,700.00 HOLY CROSS PARISH & COMM. - BOX HILL $4,100.00 Amounts Collected in all States ST PANTELEIMON PARISH - DANDENONG $1,850.00 N.S.W. $ 129,483.75 THEOFANIA PARISH & COMM. - FRANKSTON $800.00 VICTORIA $ 139,091.25 ST PARASKEVI PARISH - ST ALBANS $5,300.00 S. AUSTRALIA $ 26,113.00 THREE HIERARCHS PARISH - CLAYTON $4,200.00 QUEENSLAND $ 11,230.00 THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD PARISH - THOMASTOWN $4,000.00 W. AUSTRALIA $ 14,082.00 THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD PARISH - COBURG $6,000.00 THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LADY TO THE TEMPLE – N. BALWYN $4,010.00 TOTAL $ 320,000.00 JULY 2012 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 15/33 Health

treated with injections of the hormone insulin. IMPAIRED GLUCOSE Type 2 is the most common type and usually occurs TOLERANCE over the age of 40 Type 2 represents 85 - 90% of cas- HEALTH es, and occurs when the insulin is not produced in the Impaired glucose tolerance or ‘pre-diabetes’ is a condi- amount the body needs or when the insulin is not working tion when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but properly. not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. It is a NEWS risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes and if left un- WHO IS AT RISK treated, may develop into type 2 diabetes within five to OF DEVELOPING DIABETES? ten years. In addition, people with pre-diabetes are more WITH DR. THEO PENKLIS * There may be a number of reasons why insulin may not likely to have a heart attack or stroke. work properly. The first is that the Type 2 diabetes can be A number of trials have shown that people who were hereditary. That is there may be other people in one’s im- already at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes could mediate family who have or have had diabetes. Hence a reduce their risk by as much as 60% by being more active family history of diabetes is a good reason to have a and losing a moderate amount of weight. DIABETES check for diabetes! As one gets older, the risk of developing Type 2 dia- HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK The fastest growing chronic disease in Australia is dia- betes increases, so too does the risk increase if one is OF COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES betes. Close to two million Australians have diabetes. overweight or lacks regular exercise. AND HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK Every hour in Australia approximately eleven adults are di- Diabetes can be associated with heart disease and high OF DEVELOPING PRE-DIABETES blood pressure. agnosed with diabetes. That is 275 people a day or 1925 The steps to reduce the complications of diabetes and Diabetes can occur more frequently in women with people a week on average are diagnosed with diabetes. the steps to prevent diabetes are the same. polycystic ovarian syndrome and can occur in some There is no cure for diabetes but diabetes can be con- It is important to be physically active and aim for at women during pregnancy. trolled. Diabetes can lead to potentially serious complica- least thirty minutes of moderate intensity physical activity tions including heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, blind- most days of the week. Overweight people should lose ness and lower limb amputations. SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES weight. Smokers should stop smoking. Diabetes Awareness Week is a national week across Diabetes may cause any of the following symptoms: It is important to adapt a healthy eating plan which in- Australia from 8-14 July aimed at raising awareness of di- • Feeling tired cludes whole grains, fruit and vegetables and to select abetes. This is a time to focus on diabetes and this year • Feeling excessive thirst high fibre, lower GI (glycaemic index) carbohydrate foods. there is a particular focus on the cardiovascular complica- • Loss of weight The diet should be low in fats, especially saturated fats, tions of diabetes. • Passing urine more frequently and low in salt. It is important to drink plenty of water. • Recurrent skin infections WHAT IS DIABETES? • Blurred vision SCREENING FOR DIABETES Diabetes, or correctly known as Diabetes Mellitus is a As we have said already the cardiovascular complica- disorder caused by the decreased production of a hor- HOW IS DIABETES TREATED? tions of diabetes can be significant if diabetes is not diag- mone called insulin, or by the decreased ability of the Diabetes is diagnosed with a blood test: a fasting blood nosed and not treated well or poorly controlled. body to use insulin. In short, diabetes is a condition that glucose. The aim of treatment of diabetes is to get the in- A staggering rise in the number of cases of diabetes develops due to the body’s inability to convert food into sulin in the body working to control the blood glucose lev- across Australia in recent years is putting more Aus- useable energy. els. This is done through healthy eating, regular exercise tralians at risk of complications of diabetes but particular- The food digested in the body, releases glucose, a form and where required, with medication which may be in the ly cardiovascular disease. of sugar, into the blood. The presence of sugar in the form of tablets or insulin injections. The most common forms of cardiovascular disease in- blood causes certain cells in the pancreas to release in- clude ischaemic heart disease affecting the blood vessels sulin into the bloodstream. COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES in the heart and leading to heart attacks and cerebrovas- The pancreas is a gland in the abdomen. The insulin re- Diabetes is a life-long disease. At present, there is no cular disease; affecting the blood vessels in the brain and leased from the pancreas aids in transporting glucose cure. The disease must be controlled to avoid serious leading to strokes. from the blood into the liver and muscle cells, where it is complications. Please talk to your doctor today, if you have diabetes stored until it is required to be re-released into the blood The risk of developing complications from diabetes is and have a check with your doctor to be certain your dia- to be used in metabolism. significantly reduced with good blood glucose control. betes is well controlled. In diabetes, the cells cannot take up glucose, resulting in Regular check-ups will ensure early detection of compli- If you do not have diabetes are over 40 years of age, high glucose levels in the blood. cations and with prompt treatment, much can be done to overweight, or have a family history of diabetes and do prevent complications from getting worse. not participate in regular exercise or have symptoms of TWO TYPES OF DIABETES Complications occur if the level of blood glucose re- tiredness, excessive thirst or excessive urine production, There are two main types of diabetes: mains high for a long period of time. Excess glucose weight loss or blurred vision, you are at risk of diabetes. • Type 1, also known as insulin dependent diabetes builds up in the tissues, and has a particularly bad effect It’s time to see your doctor for a fasting blood glucose or juvenile onset diabetes; and on blood vessels which may become narrowed. Diabetes check to screen for diabetes. • Type 2, also known as non-insulin dependent dia- is a major cause of blindness and kidney failure. It con- betes or maturity onset diabetes tributes to heart disease, stroke and poor circulation to the Type 1 is the least common form. It affects 10 - 15 % of legs, which may lead to gangrene. It may damage nerves * The information given in this article is of a general nature and all cases. Type 1 can occur at any age , but it is usually di- causing diabetic neuropathy which may lead to numbness, readers should seek advice from their own medical practitioner agnosed in childhood or early adulthood and must be especially of the feet. before embarking on any treatment. Chris Kourakis named Chief Justice of South Australia

By Marianna Tsatsou Whitington, and current Solicitor-General Martin Hinton. Greek-Australian Chris Kourakis was appointed Following the announcement of Mr Kourakis’s Chief Justice of the South Australian Supreme selection, Jay Weatherill, Australia’s premier, stated Court. that “Kourakis has had an outstanding career, serv- Mr Kourakis’s election ended weeks of uncer- ing the court and the community with distinction.” tainty that followed the unexpected resignation of Justice Kourakis, in an interview with Neos Kos- former Chief Justice John Doyle. mos, commented that he is very proud of his Greek Kourakis, aged 54, became the state’s ninth Chief heritage and believes that his Greek roots are part- Justice in 175 years. He joined the Supreme Court ly responsible for his professional success. almost four years ago in 2008. He has been solici- “Coming from a different culture, having a differ- tor-general with the Legal Services Commission ent background from which you currently live, helps and Edmund Barton Chambers. you understand humans much better,” he continues. The distinguished judge had many other quite Another Greek-Australian, Nick Alexandrides, successful ‘competitors’, all aspiring to become was appointed magistrate in South Australia few Chief Justice. days ago. Among them there were Richard White, Dick Source: www.greekreporter.com JULY 2012 16/34 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA Windows to Orthodoxy Is History Bunk?

By Guy Freeland* the methodologically far more powerful forming party, the Tories the conservative.) History in Ancient Greece and Rome was natural sciences, historical disputes never essentially contemporary history and was What is History? reach true closure. Applied to science, Whiggery meant the much influenced by rhetoric (the tricks of writing of its history from the point of view public speaking). Historians seldom pene- “History is bunk”, proclaimed Model T Ford Primary written or oral sources and sec- of today’s “correct” science. Whatever trated back in time further than necessary entrepreneur and philanthropist Henry ondary historical writings alike are com- could be connected to the glorious march to trace the more direct causes of recent Ford in 1919 during a libel action. But was posed from some point of view and this of contemporary science received brown- events (Herodotus was a partial excep- Ford close to the mark; is history non- means that they need to be approached ie points, whatever didn’t was dismissed tion). The Renaissance scholars were sense? with great caution. Who writes the history with ridicule. History of science, we deeply influenced by their Classical fore- of a war? Those who won it. Who writes agreed, must be contextual, not judged by bears and so did little to break out of this The question is one deserving of attention the history of a genocide? Obviously, it latter-day outcomes. historical mode of Antiquity. A fully-fledged for Christianity is an historical religion and cannot be those who were exterminated. sense of history belongs to the subsequent Church History is one of the fields ex- But, that agreed, there were (and are) still Enlightenment. plored at St Andrew’s and other theological But today archaeological recovery of mate- methodological choices to be made. Over colleges. rial culture is increasingly being used to the last fifty years or so, sociological ap- If the Enlightenment marked a break with test, and frequently challenge, history con- proaches to history have been particular- the Ancient model of history writing, the A hopelessly naive understanding of histo- structed from written (or written and oral) ly fashionable, for a while Marxist history concept of world history, of a continuous ry is that it seeks to recount exactly what sources. Archaeology, however, has its became trendy. Personally, I find social history from Creation to the present, had in happened as if it had been recorded by a own problems. Archaeologists make er- history to be rather shallow; it seems to fact made its appearance in Late Antiquity surveillance camera. But a moment’s re- rors in the recording and interpretation of skim over the surface of the human story in Christian scholarship. The reason lies in flection should tell one that there can be no evidence. without really penetrating it. the dogma that the Bible is a whole; the such history. Old Testament is a foreshadowing of the Archaeology can confirm historical findings As what above all interests me is the caus- New, the New Testament the fulfilment of Memories are notoriously unreliable and but where the archaeological evidence is es and dynamics of changes in the way the Old. In Christ all things are recapitulat- records can be destroyed, forged or tam- in conflict with historical records one has human beings perceive, think and behave, ed. pered with. Even eye-witnesses can dis- to decide which to favour. All I can say is an historiographical approach known as agree with one another. And for that mat- that I tend to favour evidence from materi- History of Mentalities appeals to me more The Bible, of course, commences with the ter, surveillance camera recordings are of- al culture as this has a solidity often lack- than social history. History of Mentalities story of Creation in Genesis and extends ten open to more than one interpretation. ing in written records and oral tradition. can encompass another alternative ap- to the early history of the Apostolic Church. When it comes to the writing of history as proach to history writing, the History of It is highly significant that the Gospels of such, the problems multiply. Historiography Ideas, but it is concerned with more than Matthew and Luke include genealogies of just ideas, focussing also on behaviour and Christ. While Matthew traces his genealogy What can be taken as evidence of events? “Historiography” used to denote the writing the deeper cognitive structures and from Abraham, Luke takes his right back to How does one resolve conflicts between of official history, but today it is commonly processes (which is why I would actually Adam. So, Eusebius, the great early fourth- sources? Even, what counts as a source? used to denote the discipline which consid- prefer to call it Cognitive History). century Church historian, commences his How does one select details from a confu- ers theory of the writing of history. The fact Ecclesiastical History with a summary of sion of conflicting material? Added to all of is that there are a number of different ap- Well, enough of all this. The point I wish to the Old Testament history of the foreshad- these problems is the fact that the ideolog- proaches to history writing. make is that there can be no such thing as owing of the Incarnation of Christ before The ical (national, political or religious) convic- history of anything, only alternative progressing to the Gospel and Early tions of the historian undoubtedly influence For the final third of the twentieth century I histories working from different view- Church. the history written. taught history and philosophy of science. points and employing different historio- During my time, the most serious accusa- graphical methodologies. History is con- Although falling short of modern standards, Can the disputes which frequently erupt tion that could be made against an histori- stantly being rewritten. Eusebius was striving to produce an accu- between historians be resolved? Negotia- an of science was that of “Whiggery”. The rate evidence-based record of the history tion might bring warring parties closer to- expression derives from a critique of ma- A Potted History of History of the Church. But the paradox is that, be- gether. To some extent it might be possible jor nineteenth-century works of Whig his- cause their world history encompassed the to test the reliability of sources. Historians torians who saw English political history as There are different opinions as to when Old Testament, the Church chroniclers and can struggle to set aside bias once they a triumphal march of the Whig, as opposed modern history writing reached maturity. historians deferred to biblical historical recognise its existence. But unlike those of to the Tory, cause. (The Whigs were the re- Some scholars place it as late as the nine- sources which were of a very different na- teenth century. I am inclined, with many ture from the records of the early Church. others, to backdate it to the eighteenth Christian Dior, Fendi, Gucci century with such pivotal works as Edward The Historical Books Gibbon’s great seven-volumed, The Histo- of the Old Testament KaterinaKaterina ++ KyriacosKyriacos MavrolefterosMavrolefteros ry of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Em- pire, 1776-88. Superbly written with im- There has for long been a virtual consen- pressive scholarship, Decline and Fall sus amongst mainstream biblical scholars takes us from c.100 AD to the fall of Con- that what is known as the Primeval Histo- stantinople and so covers the whole of ry, Genesis 1-11, containing the stories of Byzantine history. It is delightful to read, the Creation, Fall, Cain and Abel, the Flood even if Gibbon did have a strong bias and Tower of Babel, was worked up from against institutional Christianity, which he myth and legend in order to convey spiritu- blames for the decline of the Roman Em- al and theological messages. pire. Recognising that the Primeval History is not Historians of history have identified a num- historical record but history of a different ber of ingredients, which only seriously kind in no way undermines the text as di- begin to surface during the Renaissance, vinely-inspired Scripture. Indeed, it is a lit- that go to make up our modern “sense of eralistic reading which de-Scripturises the history”. These include a critical analysis of text by misconstruing it as something evidence; a sensitivity to the existence of which it so obviously is not and precluding historical change and the discernment of the discernment of the spiritual meaning causal factors leading to such change; a which is encoded within the storyline. Al- 874 Anzac Parade, Maroubra Junction realisation that events need to be viewed though hampered by the lack of the schol- (at bus stop, on RTA block) from different perspectives. arly and scientific background knowledge which we enjoy today, the Fathers of the TTeell:: ((0022)) 99331144--00339933 font La Jaguar, ic!-berlin, Underlying these factors, the modern Church recognised both that the text con- Ray ban, Rodenstock, Bolle ban, Rodenstock, Ray sense of history is grounded in a linear- tained much that could only be construed [email protected] historical conception of time, which devel- as allegorical and that the spiritual/theo- oped from the Renaissance but took a cou- logical meaning in large measure lay be- ple of centuries to really impact history neath its surface. Maui Jim, Nina Ricci, Oakley writing. JULY 2012 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 17/35 Windows to Orthodoxy

Cont. from previous page So, if the Primeval History and much of the historical books of the Old Testament is There might well be some basis in actual history of some sort but not historical historical events here and there. In particu- record, what sort of history is it? The lar, there is a good case for thinking that answer is that it is poetic history. the story of the Flood might be grounded in Sequences of stories, partly grounded in a lingering memory of an actual local, but oral tradition and legend, some of which catastrophic, flood, most likely the flooding might have a factual basis, partly made up, of the Black Sea basin around 5600 BC which seek to anchor a people, in this (see article on the Flood reprinted in the case the Jews, in the cosmos and their forthcoming anthology of my Vema articles, land by painting word-pictures of the Windows to Orthodoxy, St Andrew’s remote past. Orthodox Press/ATF). But even if there was ancestral remembrance of an actual flood, I remember the first history book I was the story as it stands in Genesis is beyond given at school in England when I was doubt mythopoeic in character. eight. Each short chapter comprised a “rip- ping yarn” from the “history” of Britain; sto- So much for the Primeval History. Do we ries such as King Alfred burning the cakes, enter into the realm of historical record King Canute ordering the tide to retreat, from Genesis 12 onwards? It would be and Robert the Bruce and his spider. Very strange indeed if this were the case. There little of the tales could realistically be called are obviously mythopoeic narratives, such historical record; they owed more to leg- as those of Samson and Jonah, but even end. Early nineteenth century print the great story of the Exodus is devoid of solid archaeological support. Extensive But it was these stories, “the matter of archaeology of city states supposedly con- Britain”, which moulded our young minds al other key figures, is romantic fiction. The needs to be addressed: Is the study of his- quered by Joshua either reveal no signs of into young British minds. And to this very book is a medieval literary masterpiece tory healthy or unhealthy? destruction or were destroyed at various day, they have far, far more to do with my partly based on earlier histories and chron- times over approximately 1000 years. sense of ethnic identity than all the learned icles and on legend and oral tradition, but There is a great deal of wisdom in the say- tomes researched from historical records I much is simply made up. ing that those who neglect to learn from Current archaeology suggests that the have run my eye over since. Even if there the mistakes recorded by history are des- Israelites were Canaanites already living in is historical record there, it is as myth that It would be good if, before studying the tined to repeat them. But, on the other the area, although the possibility is con- these yarns serve their purpose. historical books of the Old Testament, stu- hand, history can all too easily generate ceded that a group of runaway Canaanite dents were introduced to poetic history as resentment over past wrongs. Greek slaves might have escaped from Egypt. The I do not recall whether the story of King a literary genre by reading some such Orthodox are still capable of getting suggestion is that the Exodus was largely a Arthur and his knights was in my first his- work as Geoffrey’s Historia. And it is worth worked up over the sack of Constantinople fable constructed to define the Israelites as tory book, but it is undoubtedly the most noting that the Latin word historia (which by the Fourth Crusade in 1204 (over 800 a distinctive people within Canaan (which powerful of all such British mythopoeic derives from the Greek, meaning years ago) or its conquest by the Turks in included Palestine). tales - and, indeed, it pervaded the whole “enquiry”), while it covered historical 1453 (over five and a half centuries ago). of Western European culture. The bones of record, in fact denoted “story” in general. To build up an emotional head of steam However, as one progresses through the the story derive from Geoffrey of fuelled on resentment where there is no Old Testament, historical record slowly Monmouth’s, Historia Regum Britanniae So, is History Bunk? track for Puffing Billy to run along is a becomes more evident. The earliest indi- (History of the Kings of Britain), c.1136. recipe for unceremonious derailment. vidual mentioned in the Bible for whom Well, “Yes”. And, well, “No”. It depends on *Guy Freeland is an Honorary College Lecturer at St there is currently any archaeological evi- King Arthur did exist, but nearly everything what you understand by the word “history”. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College, dence is King David. Geoffrey has to say about him, and sever- But there is a closely related question that Sydney. A portrait of Greece from a Berliner who knows his stuff

As Greece’s international image undergoes an un- of the country, its passions and its beauties, its retsina precedented assault and the Germans no longer think of and cafes, its corruption and hospitality. It explores the Zorba or Melina Mercouri when they think of Greeks, causes behind the economic crisis and the factors that the 74-year-old Berlin-based writer Eberhard Rondholz led it to the present bonds of austerity. has written a book, aimed exclusively at his compatriots, It also digs into the past and seeks out the influence titled “The Portrait of a Country: Greece.” of the Ottoman occupation on the Greek language and A keen observer of events in Greece since 1956, and cuisine. educated in modern Greek literature and Byzantology, “Who in Germany hasn’t eaten dishes at a Greek Rondholz immerses himself in Greek history and culture, restaurant that have a Turkish past, such as dolmades, not, he says, in order to respond to the scathing criticism moussaka, briam and the very Turkish imam baildi, of media such as Bildt and Focus, which influence some whose delicious flavor made the imam swoon with 5 million Germans, but to cast a true portrait of the pleasure, and which can be found at any Turkish restau- Greeks as he has come to known them as a student, as rant as imam bayildi, the exact same thing with the tiny a tourist and as a correspondent for West German Ra- difference of a ‘y’?” writes Rondholz. dio, over the course of more than half a century. The German writer first came to Greece as a student His book, which is part of a series that includes por- in 1956, backpacking at a time when mass tourism was traits of other countries as well, has been published in nonexistent and no one was yet speaking in his country Germany by Christoph Links. Though it has not been of the horrors of the war that had passed. translated into Greek, it was the topic of discussion in a “Until then I thought Scandinavia was beautiful. When I round-table meeting at the 9th Thessaloniki Book Festi- saw Greece, I said, ‘This is more beautiful.’ And I stayed. val last month and the author is currently touring various I write about it the way I experienced it and I allow the cities in Germany to promote it. reader to form his or her own image of Greeks. “Greek-German associations are doing all they can to “I refer to German-Greek relations, political mistakes, reverse the image, but at the same time they know the corruption in the political system and the public ad- there are no friendships between nations, just inter- ministration, kickbacks and palm-greasing, the participa- ests,” Rondholz told Kathimerini in flawless Greek. tion of Germany in the Siemens scandal and former De- “The average German has a sympathetic image of fense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, whose case I Greeks after reading ‘Zorba the Greek’ - 1 million ture are those who look behind the scenes, who love compare - despite the fact that I wrote the book in 2010 copies of the book have been sold in Germany - but this Greece and who will always be its friends. believing that the political establishment would not be image can be reversed from one moment to the next by “There will always be philhellenes, but they have al- able to touch him - to that of Al Capone, who was ar- an anti-Greek publication calling them lazy or other bad ways been just a few.” rested for tax evasion rather than murder.” things. “The Portrait of a Country: Greece” is not a travel “Those who have a deeper knowledge of Greek cul- guide, Rondholz stresses. It presents different aspects KATHIMERINI - Athens JULY 2012 18/36 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA Arts, Food & Wine Editor: Imogen Coward The Culinary Bookworm: Cruising the Mediterranean

By Imogen Coward observes though, in her forward to the 2002 edition, that our taste and be confident about our judgement even if when this book was first published in 1950 it was a trail- we’ve never eaten the dish before. Experience, knowl- In this unusually cold winter, sometimes a little bit of culi- blazer helping to open the wider population’s eyes to the edge and sensitivity to respond to the qualities of our nary escapism to a warmer climate is called for. From marvelous cuisine of the Mediterranean, at a time when ingredients and the ability to bring them together into a country to country and region to region, the Mediterranean many of the ingredients were difficult if not impossible to wonderful tasting dish every time, with our own personal has a fascinating food history and has so many different acquire in the UK (and in Australia for that matter). The touch, is the art of good cooking. This book is available cuisines that we’re spoilt for choice. With their common recipes are concise and succinct, but are written with a from some online second-hand booksellers (such as focus on fresh ingredients and the all essential olive oil, competent cook in mind, and so sometimes background Amazon). they’re a perfect match for today’s Australian produce. knowledge or technique is required. That said, even the most complex dish is set out in a brief, simple and acces- A Mediterranean Feast Clifford A. Wright (William Mor The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook by Tess sible way, encouraging you to ‘give it a try’. Alongside row Cookbooks 1999) Mallos & Rowan Fotheringham (Tuttle Publishing, 2008) interesting and useful classic recipes, including a simple Spanning some 1000 years of history, Wright explores the It’s hard to go past this weighty tome packed with recipes Avgolemono (egg & lemon) soup and Skordalia (“the Greek development of the regional cuisines that make up from across the Mediterranean. Divided up according to version of aioli”), David’s anecdotes and quotes make for Mediterranean cooking. Presented through a combination the type of food (e.g. grains and pulses, vegetables) rather an entertaining and enjoyable read. of recipes with historical notes as well as small essays, than region by region, it is a handy reference book that are many interesting observations on what shapes the also provides the avid foodie with a feel for how one sim- Mediteranean Cookery by Claudia Roden (Penguin, regional cuisines, including aspects such as cultivation ple idea, such as vegetable casserole has been interpret- 1998) techniques, plant varieties and local climates. As well, he ed in the different areas bordering the Mediterranean, Written with the aim of transmitting the gems of tradition- traces the interaction between different peoples and cul- according to local produce and taste. The easy to follow al home cooking, Roden achieved something of a begin- tures via the use of specific ingredients. A serious refer- instructions, colour pictures, comprehensive index and ners guide to Mediterranean cooking. The full colour pho- ence text intended for the scholar, avid foodie or cook- notes on sourcing/substituting ingredients make this an tographs of the more exotic ingredients are helpful, as are cum-historian, this book includes endnotes, an extensive immensely useful cookbook for both the novice and the Roden’s tips and tricks for preparing the various recipes. bibliography, as well as pronunciation guides, and infor- experienced cook. Divided according to type of food (e.g. seafood, meat, mation on exotic ingredients. The only aspect that detracts sweets) the selection of dishes ranges across many coun- from this otherwise fascinating book, for the Australian A Book of Mediterranean Food by Elizabeth David tries and regions and covers several basics such as reader, is that the choice of measurement units and also (New York Review Books, 2002) yoghurt, and bread, as well as more complex dishes such description of cooking utensils follows American conven- The first of what are now Elizabeth David’s classic cook- as a Catalan seafood stew. Perhaps the most refreshing tions (Fahrenheit, pounds etc), so you have some conver- ery books, this is as much a collector’s item as it is a cook- aspect though is the emphasis on the need to be a good sions to work out if you want to use the recipes. This book book. Today we are so used to Mediterranean food as cook, since, as any cook knows, the variability of natural is available from some online second-hand booksellers being ‘normal’ in Australia that it is hard for my generation produce and our cooking environment means that no (such as Amazon). (born in the 1980s) and younger people to imagine a time amount of careful measuring can ensure a foolproof when this was not the case. Clarissa Dickson Wright recipe. Rather, as Roden says, the secret is to learn to trust Écoutez! FFoooodd && WWiinnee Arts Review Pieter Van Gent: Cornelius Vintage Port 2009 Quadrivium Edited by John Martineau Produced by the Pieter Van Gent winery in Mudgee, NSW, this port makes many others pale in- (Wooden Books, 2010) to insignificance. An unmistakable Cabernet Sauvignon, berry filled nose, leads to concentrated fruity and full flavours reminiscent of blackberries. Gentle sweetness, without being cloying, this In our postmodern era it is easy to feel that port is a perfect winter warmer and is well matched with Amadei Toscano Black 66% dark choco- nothing is stable, and ideas that were once late. To find your local stockist, or to buy direct from the winery, visit http://www.pvgwinery.com understood as ‘fact’, are nothing more than opinions open to debate and the dreaded I.C. “well that’s a matter of semantics” riposte. Regardless of whether ancient ideas explored by the great philosophers such as Socrates and Pythagoras are considered valid today, their significance is undeniable, Many rice varieties low-to-medium GI shaping how we understand and explore all that is around us. As Einstein noted, it is the- ory which decides what can be observed. It's been shunned by those on low- chance of conditions like diabetes. Tony Bird, a CSIRO Food Futures Flag- This volume brings together six books by carbohydrate diets but rice could expe- Low GI foods are absorbed at a slow- ship researcher, said the results would modern scholars connected with the Prince’s rience a healthy resurgence after a er rate, causing a gradual release of allow people to make more informed School for Traditional Arts in the UK, explor- study found that most varieties have a sugar into the blood. choices about what type of rice to eat. ing the ancient Quadrivium of the Liberal Arts: low to medium GI rating. An analysis of more than 200 rice People aiming for a low-GI diet could Arithmetic, Geometry - number in space, Researchers from the CSIRO and the types from around the world by the C- swap high GI rice for lower GI rice, Dr Music - number in time, and Cosmology - International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) SIRO and the IRRI found that rice GI Bird said. number in space and time. Clear, accessible also identified the gene responsible for ranges from 48 to 92, with an average It would also enable growers to de- and informative for both the knowledgeable rice GI which would allow growers to of 64. velop low-GI rice varieties and could as- and novices in these fields, it is, as the edi- develop varieties with lower levels to Low GI foods are those 55 and less, sist people with conditions like diabetes, tor says, a “rare treasure chest of old, once meet consumer demand. medium GI are measured between 56 he said. secret and always useful things [that]...will GI, or glycaemic index, measures the and 69 and high GI is 70 and above. "This is good news for diabetics and never go out of date” helping to illuminate the ability of carbohydrates to raise blood Melissa Fitzgerald from the IRRI said people at risk of diabetes who are try- nature of reality and of us as an inseparable sugar levels after eating. Foods with a the widely grown Indian rice variety ing to control their condition through di- part of it. high GI are more easily absorbed by the Swarna had a low GI while Australian et, as it means they can select the right body which can result in blood sugar varieties like Doongara and Basmati had rice to help maintain a healthy, low-GI T.C. fluctuations leading to an increased a medium GI. diet," Dr Bird said. JULY 2012 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 19/37

Seven-pronged plan to bolster tourism

The Ministry of Tourism has drafted a The ministry will also move ahead with other tourism associations in a bid to avert seven-point plan to be implemented within the acceleration and simplification of visa extraordinary situations and repeated un- 10 weeks with the aim of reversing the issuing and attempt to iron out some is- controlled strike action that undermines negative climate in Greece’s biggest indus- sues related to travel within the Schengen tourism during the peak summer months. try. zone. A structural reorganization of the Kefaloyianni has announced that in the According to Minister Olga Kefaloyianni, ministry and the Greek National Tourism coming months her ministry will table an the plan provides for the promotion of Organisation will follow, while various pro- omnibus bill in Parliament aimed at solving Greece as a destination in top-priority tra- grams which to date had been handled by perennial problems in the sector. She also ditional markets such as Germany, Britain other ministries, such as the state-subsi- intends to secure resources from the Euro- and Scandinavia, as well as in Russia and dized ”social tourism” programs that have pean Union-funded National Strategic Ref- China, where there is a fast-growing inter- already begun operating, will now be erence Framework to establish training est in foreign travel, and North America. brought together under the umbrella of the programs for unemployed hotel staff dur- It includes the establishment of a crisis Tourism Ministry. ing the off-season. Besides the abovemen- management committee which will start Achieving an industrial peace agreement tioned seven points, the ministry’s long- working without delay to improve the is among the ministry’s top priorities. The term planning provides for initiatives such country’s image in international markets. A minister has expressed her intention to es- as the revision of the zoning plan for new marketing company, already planned tablish a good-faith moratorium regarding tourism, the drafting of a new investment US official: to be jointly formed through a public-pri- industrial action and reach a deal for coop- incentives law for the sector, the creation vate partnership, will be created immedi- eration among political parties, employer of a strategy for air transport and the up- ately. associations and worker unions as well as grading of tourism education. Gas find could help Cyprus State of Israel awards three Greeks peace deal who helped Jews during WWII A senior US official said late on Friday that the discovery of natural gas off In a ceremony marked by great humani- father Joseph, a grain merchant, mother The Danieli family survived, but when Cyprus underscores the need for an ty, gratitude, pride and emotion, the state Buena, and nine siblings - fled Veria to es- they returned to Veria, the neighborhood accord that would reunify the ethnical- of Israel posthumously bestowed the cape the increasingly frequent atrocities where they had lived, the Jewish quarter ly-divided island and allow all of its Righteous Among the Nations Award upon committed by Nazi forces against the city’s known today as Barbouta, had been al- people to share in the island’s potential three Orthodox Christian Greeks who Jews. They ended up in a small nearby vil- most completely destroyed, and some 450 wealth. risked their lives to help Jews during the lage in Sykies, where the family was taken of their neighbors were gone, sent off for U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Philip Holocaust. in by Giorgos and Panayiota Lanara, who extermination. Gordon warned of risks if an ongoing Hosted by the Municipality of Veria in offered them shelter, food and a hiding The family later moved to Israel. Life, re- dispute over who will benefit from the northern Greece, the ceremony was at- place in the woods, helped also by a members Simon Danieli, was not easy find isn’t settled through a Cyprus tended by Israeli Ambassador Aryeh priest, Nestoras Karamitsopoulos. there either. peace deal. Mekel, the president of the Israeli Commu- The Nazis, however, soon stormed “It was a new state. There was a lot of Cyprus was split into an internation- nity of Thessaloniki, David Saltiel, and Mau- Sykies, where around 50 more Jews from unemployment and I took work wherever I ally recognized Greek Cypriot south rice Magrizos, the president of the Israeli Veria had also taken refuge. They ques- could find it,” Danieli said. and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north Community of Larissa. tioned the priest about the whereabouts of Eventually he was able to start his own in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a Those attending heard the chilling and the Jews, but when Karamitsopoulos re- business, but he never forgot Veria and of- coup by supporters of union with touching testimony of 82-year-old Simon fused to answer, they began raiding peo- ten traveled to the northern Greek city to Greece. Danieli, who traveled from Israel to his ple’s homes. visit his old friends and his old neighbor- Long-running peace talks are now birthplace in Veria to thank the descen- They found Jews hidden in eight homes, hood. deadlocked. Turkey, which does not dants of the people who helped him and and promptly torched the houses. They al- The medals awarded to Giorgos and recognize Cyprus as a sovereign coun- his family escape Nazi persecution during so turned their wrath on the priest, tortur- Panayiota Lanara, as well as to Nestoras try, says the Greek Cypriot gas search World War II. ing him and pulling out his beard, accord- Karamitsopoulos, were received by their flouts the rights of Turkish Cypriots and Danieli was 13 in 1942 when his family - ing to Danieli. granddaughters. has warned of retaliatory actions. NSW PREMIER OPENS MERRYLAND’S BRANCH OF BEIRUT HELLENIC BANK

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell says Syd- by restoring economic growth and estab- ney has further cemented its place as a lishing NSW as the first place in Australia financial services hub of the Asia Pacific to do business. A thriving banking sector with the Beirut Hellenic Bank officially will be a key part of our success. opening a new branch in the city. “Our culturally diverse communities are Mr O’Farrell was joined at the opening one of our State’s greatest assets and it’s of the Merryland’s branch by the Member one of the reasons I led a trade mission for Granville Tony Issa. to Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates “I am delighted to see that the Beirut in May this year to further develop exist- Hellenic Bank has expanded its presence ing business links with NSW. in NSW with the opening of a 10th branch “This is a vote of confidence in the local in Sydney,” Mr O’Farrell said. economy and I congratulate the Beirut “Its branches are strategically located Hellenic Bank on this expansion of its near our largest Lebanese, Cypriot and business in NSW,” Mr O’Farrell said. Greek communities - including Marrickvil- Finance and insurance is the largest in- le, Kingsford and now in Merrylands. dustry in NSW, contributing $60 billion to “NSW is a great place to do business the State’s economy in 2010-11. and this investment by the Beirut Hellenic It is the third fastest growing industry in Bank also creates more jobs in Western NSW and one of the highest performing, Sydney. achieving an average annual growth rate “One of the key priorities for my Gov- of 4.9 per cent each year between 1998 Premier Barry O’Farrell with Managing Director and CEO of Beirut Hellenic Bank, ernment is to rebuild the NSW economy and 2011. Mr James Wakim (left), and Chairman Mr Nicholas Pappas JULY 2012 20/38 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA Travel Mainalo Pan’s playground The heart of the Peloponnese retains its rustic feel amid traditional settlements and fir forests BY H. ARGYROPOULOS a church with a beautiful iconos- tasis. Mount Mainalo occupies a Dimitsana: Built at the top of a large part of the central Pelo- gorge of the Lousios River, it has ponnesian district of Arcadia, a a superb view of the plain of verdant area of about 1,500 Megalopoli and Mt Taygetos to square kilometers with a richly the south. Its medieval layout, varied landscape, from the Tri- cobbled alleyways and stone- poli plateau to the Lousios River built houses and mansions are and the artificial Lake La-donas. worth exploring. Four kilometers It is a blessed mountain, not so away is Zatouna (a name with much in terms of height (Ostrak- Slavic roots, meaning “the village ina, its highest summit, is just beyond the river”), which boasts under 2,000 meters) but in terms the best views in the area, from of vegetation and water. Its fir the Church of Profitis Ilias. forest, one of the country’s Stemnitsa: One of the Pelo- densest and largest, covers 65 ponnese’s most attractive tradi- percent of the alpine zone, while tional settlements. From Ottoman its water table is the most boun- times until the early 20th centu- tiful in the region. ry, it flourished as a silver and Mt Mainalo is on the European goldsmithing centre and trading Natura 2000 list of protected ar- post, while its bell makers were eas. According to mythology, it have names of Slavic origin, Stemnitsa and Tripoli - a total of two clocks on the bell tower of among the best in Greece. It al- was the home of the god Pan - such as Stemnitsa and Zygovisti. 110 kilometers (altitude and dis- the Church of Taxiarchis, on the so features excellent examples protector of shepherds and their Thanks to its relatively short dis- tance from the city of Tripoli are hilltop, shows the time when the of traditional architecture with flocks - which reflected its an- tance from Athens (about two listed in parentheses). Kapsia: At Germans blew it up during wood and stone and its high- cient animal farming tradition. hours and 30 minutes) and its the foot of the mountain, with World War II to prevent the lo- lights include a folk history mu- Beside inspiration for folk ta- picturesque villages, it is an ide- about 500 people. cals from alerting the guerrillas seum and the small historic les, Mainalo also prompted Vir- al place for short escapes, with The nearby cave is well worth with the bells. Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi. gil to assert that Arcadia was tourist infrastructure that has visiting. Levidi: A village with a Vytina: Known for its excellent Eight kilometers from Stemnit- the home of pastoral simplicity grown significantly in recent population of 700. One of the climate and a cool summer re- sa is Elliniko, near the the Lou- and happiness, and inspired the years. sort. Proximity to the Mainalo sios River gorge and a base for 17th-century French painter Ni- A circular, counterclockwise skiing center (15 km) is an addi- exploring the area. A further six colas Poussin for his two paint- tour of Mt Mainalo can start tional plus. Magouliana, 12 km kilometers away is ancient Gor- ings titled “Et in Arcadia ego.” Ar- from the Nestani junction, a few from Vytina, is the village with tyna, the starting point of re- cadia was invaded by Slavs kilometers after exiting the the highest altitude in the Pelo- stored trails in the gorge. around the 7th century, which Artemisio Tunnel, and take in ponnese (1,367 m), with only 80 explains why so many places Kapsia, Levidi, Vytina, Dimitsana, inhabitants, medieval ruins and ATHENSPLUS

1 2 3 4 5 Where to stay Transport Where to eat What to see Activities

In Levidi: Mainalia (tel 27960.29029), A car is a must for a tour of the You are unlikely to find substandard The excellent Hydromotion Museum Besides offering skiing, snow- Artemis (tel 27960.22422); in Vytina: area, otherwise one has to rely on ta- cuisine in this part of the Peloponnese and the old gun powder mills near boarding and snowmobile, Mainalon Archontiko Nikolopoulou (tel 27950- xis and local buses, which can be in- - it ranges from the decent to the su- Dimitsana; the Ladonas River dam and Ski Centre (tel 6979.911.506, 210- 22274), Vytina House (tel 27950.290- frequent. From the Corinth -Tripoli perb. In Vytina, try Klimataria and the artificial lake good for amateur 578.1880), 30 kilometers from Tripoli, 14); in Alonistaina: Platanitis (tel 2710- highway, take a right toward Levidi Arhontiko tis Athinas for classic Greek angling; the pretty settlements of La- has a skiing school (6979.911.501) for 431.100), excellent choice, Theoxenia and Vytina at the Nestani junction. and grilled dishes; in Dimitsana, Tho- gadia, Chrysovitsi and Karytaina (its all ages. The daily pass costs 8 euros (tel 2710.431363); in Stemnitsa: Mpel- Vytina is 202 kilometers from Athens los; in Magouliana, non-vegetarians medieval fort used to be known as on weekdays and 15 euros on week- leiko (tel 27950.81286), great service and the road is very good for the go to Iosif’s, who, as a stock breeder/ the Greek Toledo); the historic Filoso- ends and holidays. There are four lifts and location, Filoxeno Spiti (tel 27950- most part. Tripoli can be reached butcher/restaurateur, will make you a fou Monastery, 8 km from Dimitsana, and eight trails, ranging from 100-800 29505); in Dimitsana: Xenon Kazakou from Athens by bus (tel 210.513.2834, meat enthusiast; buy chestnuts and an old religious education center; the meters. Trekking Hellas (6974.459- (tel 27850.31660); in Lagadia: Ken- on average one per hour) and train walnuts; in Vytina you will find good 12thcentury Aghios Ioannis Prodro- 753, 27910.25978) offers river sports trikon (tel 27950.43221); in Elliniko: (tel 1110, journeys take much longer). honey, feta, trahana, hylopittes; in mos Monastery between Dimitsana in the Lousios River as well as archery Elaion (tel 27910.31400). Local bus station: tel 2710.222.560; Stemnitsa, don’t miss the diples (fried and Stemnitsa, built on the side of a and trekking programs in the area in tourist info: tel 2710.222.243; police: pastries). vertical bluff. a number of combinations. tel 2710.222.519.