S o C V ΓΡΑΦΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ Bringing the news W ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ to generations of E ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 1915 The National Herald Greek- Americans N c v A wEEkly GrEEk-AmEriCAN PuBliCAtioN www.thenationalherald.com VOL. 17, ISSUE 843 December 7-13, 2013 $1.50 Thessaloniki’s Anatolia Samaras is College, Rich in History Hopeful, but And Focused on Future Tsipras Says
By Constantine S. Sirigos semester abroad programs are SYRIZA Rise TNH Staff Writer enrolled at ACT from more than 10 countries. THESSALONIKI – Anatolia Col - Vlachos began with an Is Imminent lege is an “integrated academic overview of the devastating im - community” that includes an El - pact of the Greek economic cri - ementary School, Anatolia High sis on higher education. School, and the American Col - While public universities are Leftist Leader lege of Thessaloniki (ACT). The facing severe cuts in their bud - Proclaims His 125 year-old institution has gets, “the ministry of education deep roots in modern Greece, does not allow them to reduce Party Will Win and its president, Panos Vlachos, the number of students they ac - spoke to TNH about its future cept, and that created problems 2014 Elections and the current state of higher because they were forced to dis - education in his country. miss many faculty,” he noted. By Andy Dabilis In 1886 the Anatolia College Private colleges, long cham - TNH Staff Writer of Mersovan was founded in the pioned by the EU and the Pontus region of Asia Minor as United States, can now be part ATHENS – As Greek Prime Min - a theological seminary by Amer - of the solution. ister Antonis Samaras said the ican missionaries and was at - Until 2008, the Greek consti - key to Greece’s recovery is tended by Greek and Armenian tution only permitted public growth and restoring competi - Christians. After the exchange universities to operate. New tiveness, major opposition of population caused by the Asia laws in 2008 and 2012 provide SYRIZA Party leader Alexis Minor disaster, it reopened in some recognition to the degrees Tsipras said the government will Thessaloniki in 1924 with help granted by private colleges, fall next year and that his Leftists from Eleftherios Venizelos. which Vlachos said constituted AP Photo/kostAs tsiroNis will rule. Currently, 350 students on progress. Golden Dawn Members Support Their Party Leaders Samaras’ New Democracy He cannot forecast when full Conservatives find themselves recognition of private universi - A supporter of the extreme right party Golden Dawn shouts slogans during a protest in front of locked in a deepening battle ties will be given, but he expects the Parliament, in Athens on Nov. 30. About 2000 people gathered at the Greek parliament to with SYRIZA, which opposes the WITH THIS ISSUE over the next 4-5 year to see protest the imprisonment of the party's leader and two other lawmakers. Two smaller, rival terms of two bailouts of $325 more American colleges will be gatherings of leftist activists in Athens, meanwhile, dispersed peacefully. billion that is keeping the econ - operating in Greece – there are omy propped up and as the gov - currently three: American Col - ernment is locked in tough ne - lege of Greece (Deree), the gotiations with international The National Herald c v December 2013 • Issue 5 American Farm School in Thes - lenders to keep the money com - saloniki, and Anatolia College. Mom: Priest “Ruined” Son’s Wedding ing. There are also a number of Speaking to the same audi - colleges with European affilia - ence at a meeting sponsored by tion. By Theodore Kalmoukos Demetrios, Stavropoulos began wedding, which took place on the American-Hellenic Chamber ACT, which was just reac - TNH Staff Writer by writing that “I am sending you September 15 at the Annuncia - of Commerce, Samaras said he credited for another 10 years by a hard copy of this letter (previ - tion Church on Oak Street in wants to wean Greece off the the New England Association of BOSTON, MA – Christine ously sent to Father Ted [Barbas] Brockton, MA. Father Antonios rescue packages and back on Schools & Colleges (NEASC), Stavropoulos, a graduate of Hel - as an email), as I have not re - Evangelatos performed the cere - track to return to the markets. has gradually grown to have the lenic College, sent a strong com - ceived a response from prior at - mony. My husband, my children “Competitiveness means a largest foreign students pro - plaint to the Archdiocese of tempts to contact your office re - and I have been parishioners at decrease in taxation. Exports gram in Greece. America in New York and the Me - garding this matter. My family Greek Orthodox churches in means to realize the potential The majority are not of Greek tropolis of Boston alleging that and I are disturbed that our Massachusetts all of our lives, that we have as a country,” descent, but “they see Greece as Rev. Anthony Evangelatos of the emails and calls have gone unan - and we have never witnessed Samaras said, upbeat that a destination that is of interest Annunciation parish of Brockton, swered, and so we have decided such a rushed, cold, and imper - Greece will come back. to them,” Vlachos said, and MA ruined her son’s wedding to try and contact you by writing. sonal wedding. I do not say this “The worst is over and the added, “We follow very closely with his unholy and unbecoming We believe we deserve a re - lightly, but I truly believe that my next year will be a year of re - the liberal arts philosophy of behavior. sponse and a resolution to this son's wedding was ruined, and covery for the Greek economy. Margo (nee) Vondersaar Catsimatidis American colleges – they will re - In a letter dated October 11, matter. we are seriously considering re - For the first time this year we Dedicated to Community and Family Philanthropic Muse and Workaholic to Metropolitan Methodios of “Originally, this letter was covered our needs and we will Supporter of the Arts and Scholarships Dreamed of Gracie Mansion for Fundraising Continued on page 6 Boston with copy to Archbishop written the day after my son's Continued on page 5 be left with a small amount, we will not borrow – this is the pri - mary surplus. We have so far fended off bankruptcy, having been very close to it. However, AGAPW’s Fond Farewell to we disproved those who ex - pected bankruptcy. Now we are all talking of competitiveness, Consul General Sophianou productivity and extroversion.” He has been going from New York to Beijing in search of busi - By Constantine S. Sirigos vaded and occupied northern nesses and trying to persuade TNH Staff Writer Cyprus, including her home - them to take a chance on Greece town of Famagusta-Varosha. as it tries to get out from under NEW YORK – Koula Sophianou, “Like other people, we lost a crushing economic crisis that the Consul General of the Re - everything – property, our has a deep recession set to enter public of Cyprus in New York, home, our father.” a seventh year in 2014. was the featured speaker of the Now refugees, her mother Greece is surviving on loans inaugural Conversation with found a job and made sure she from Troika of the European Women Leaders Series of the gave Sophianou and her sister Union-International Monetary Association of Greek American the best possible life – it was Fund-European Central Bank Professional Women (AGAPW) simply her duty. (EU-IMF-ECB) but is battling on December 4. Her maternal grandparents with the lenders over whether The event which filled the were also her teachers in the art there is a hole in the 2014 bud - Olympic Tower’s Atrium Café of sacrifice, hard work and ded - get that could require filling with well-wishers, was a beau - ication – the characteristics of with more austerity measures tiful occasion for bidding life in the diplomatic service that Samaras vowed to never farewell to the devoted public that is masked by its glamorous ever again impose on belea - servant who not only repre - exterior. guered Greeks buried by big pay sented her island nation with in - Sophianou said she was cuts, tax hikes and slashed pen - telligence, warmth, and grace drawn to the Foreign Ministry sions. but who never missed an oppor - by her desire to solve the Cyprus With Tsipras saying he wants tunity to promote the cause of problem – an admission that res - the Troika’s money but not their justice for Cyprus, to thank the onated with the idealistic youth terms and as the SYRIZA leader community for its support of many talented people in the has offered no economic recov - through the years, and to ex - ery plan, Samaras said his rival press her pride in its achieve - Continued on page 5 tNh/CostAs BEJ ments, most of all, the advance - Continued on page 9 Astoria Panel on Obamacare Issues ment of Hellenism in America and the preservation of the The Greek American Homeowners Association hosted a timely discussion on Nov. 4 at its head - Greek language. quarters titled “Affordable Care Act/Obamacare.” On the panel (L-R): Minna Elias, Fay Kozas, Sophianou did not know that Karen Schwab, Exec. Director, Mt. Sinai Hospital of Queens, and George Alexiou. the Association would bestow upon her an award - but she might have guessed from its acronym - which perfectly ex - pressed the feelings of everyone Story of Costa Concordia Survivors in the room: a crystal form that simultaneously evokes a living flame and a teardrop. By Constantine S. Sirigos January 13, 2012 the sea be - Their main reason for writing Dr. Olga Alexakos, the THN Staff Writer came a sword that suddenly the book was to prod “cruise founder and president of slashed in two the world of lines…we want this book to be AGAPW, welcomed and thanked NEW YORK – S.O.S. Spirit of 3,229 passengers and 1,023 a catalyst for change,” Georgia the evening’s guests, dignitaries Survival – One Family’s Chilling crew members: Here was life, said. and benefactors, which included Account of the Costa Concordia here was death – and no one The book is the start, and the Onassis Foundation (USA) Disaster is the title of the book was sore of his fate. they will continue meeting with Center which donated the written by the Ananias Family For 32 passengers life came officials to promote policy space, represented by Penny about their near-death experi - to an end, but for the more than changes worldwide. They al - Tsillas, the wife of its Executive ence almost two years ago. 4000 survivors life would never ready met with the coast guard, Director, Ambassador Lucas Tsil - Look at the book jacket. Car - be the same. The book tells the who interviewed them for 4½ las. nival Cruise Line’s Costa Con - story of four of those passengers hours. Dr. Aphrodite Navab, cordia is a pretty ship, isn’t it? who returned to familiar homes “We were given the gift of AGAPW’s Vice-President was the Tall, stately, sleek. Modern. but not to their old lives. life and we cannot sit back and Emcee and moderator of the Q Look again. The angle of the Dean and Georgia Ananias do nothing,” Dean told TNH, & A that followed. sea. The Mediterranean’s eter - were lifelong devotees of cruis - and Georgia added, “You can’t Sophianou turned the invita - nal blue is not the serene body ing – they have been on more have that kind of a trauma hap - tion to speak on the topic of of water beloved of tourists. On than 60 cruises – and their pen without having a different public service into an opportu - daughters, Debbie, Cindy, and ‘normal.’” nity to honor the people in her Valerie also grew to love the They never imagined that life who conveyed to her the For subscription: pastime. would be the case when they essence of public service. 718.784.5255 “It was always our safe boarded the Costa Concordia, Although there were no gov - AP Photo/NikolAs GiAkoumidis [email protected] haven, our happy place, where the state-of-the- art craft that ernment officials in her family, It is Called a Crisis, But it is a Tragedy we enjoyed life the most, ”Geor - was launched on September 2, through their lives they taught gia told TNH, but now “we can 2005. her the meaning of duty. Candles are lit in the entrance of the building where a 13- never set foot on another ship Four of them were enjoying First and foremost, there is year-old girl died after inhaling fumes from a wood-burning until we know that the safety of her mother. Sophianou was 1 ½ stove, in the northern city of Thessaloniki on Monday. See re - passengers is put first.” Continued on page 4 years old when the Turks in - lated story on page 9. THE NATIONAL HERALD, DECEMBER 7-13, 2013 COMMUNITY 5
PHOTOS: TNH/COSTAS BEJ (L-R) Ismini Michaels, George Kitsios, Elpida Hatzivasiliou, Sam Matthews, Stanley Matthews, Nikos Gavalas, President of the Amorgos Society, and George Kitsios, President of the GCF, ad - and Peter Nanos. The child is Bob Manoliades, who was provided assistance by the GCF. dress the guests about the organization's ambitious plans to build housing for the children. Greek Children’s Fund Gala a Success, Dreams of Facility for Children
By Demetris Tsakas The GCF announced plans for a check for $5000 in behalf of Matthews and Elpida Hatzivasil - lion to help with the treatment lauded for sacrificing his time TNH Staff Writer the establishment of its own the organization, and a personal iou, who was one of the first chil - of seven thousand children and and for his leadership , and housing for the children and their check from Gavalas in the dren to benefit from the generos - he accepted the award on behalf praised the dream of acquiring TENAFLY, NJ – For three families. $15,000 has been raised amount of $5000. ity of the Fund. of all who work for this purpose. their own facility decades the Greek Children’s so far, most of which has been The President of the Fund, Kitsios welcomed and Kitsios told TNH "tonight's Elpida Hatzivasiliou was hos - Fund (GCF) has provided help donated by the Amorgos Society George Kitsios, who was the thanked the guests. He offered event was more successful than pitalized during Christmas 1986. and financial support to children in New York, and a separate in - keynote speaker, expressed grat - tribute to the work of GCF expected,” and Gavalas said "all She shared her experience with and their families from Greece, dividual contribution by the So - itude for the donations, noting founder Stanley Matthews of us who are here tonight came the guests and, "I'm back here af - Cyprus, and the United States ciety’s president, Nikos Gavalas. that they were a catalyst for the through the decades, and he also to support the common, holy pur - ter so many years to say a big seeking medical treatment in At the Gala, which was held fundraising effort to date. praised new members and offi - pose,” and Stanley Matthews de - thank you for helping me during America. At its 30th anniversary in the community center of the The Gala was held in the same cers who are determined to build clared "God is with us, and what my difficult time, and for three Gala on November 30 the orga - Church of St. John the Theolo - room where 30 years ago the on the solid foundations laid we do is God's work, a work of decades helping children, sup - nization announced steps that gian in Tenafly, NJ Gavalas and GCF held its first event, and it down by Matthews. love and prayer.” porting them, and providing will take their philanthropic en - the Society’s secretary, Nikitas served as the occasion for hon - Sam Matthews noted that to Dino Rallis congratulated the them the opportunity to dream deavors to the next level. Theologitis, presented GCF with oring GCF past president Sam date GCF has distributed $7 mil - honorees and Kitsios, whom he and hope.” AGAPW’s Fond Adieu to Departing Cyprus Consul General Koula Sophianou
Continued from page 1 Over time she learned that an impact. During the Q & A she urged of the community for Cyprus, Sophianou urged them to the qualities she was born with Among her most important the women and men in the which she knew from childhood continue and declared “Each room. “At 24 you think you can and which she developed nev - lessons was the importance and room to communicate with pub - both from news reports of one of you is a leader…be in - change the world,” she said. ertheless enabled her to make power of teamwork, which she lic officials, the media and their protest marches at the UN and formed, reach out, establish re - illustrated through the cooper - friends, emphasizing both the in Washington, and on a more lationships…Support Greek and ation she experienced between need for and the ease with personal basis from the assis - Cypriot artists and musicians her Greek and Cypriot col - which people can gain knowl - tance she and her sister received and produce cultural events… leagues that led her country’s edge in the internet age. from the Poll family in New York Lets support each other, and EU membership and its defense One of the more touching which furthered their education. modern Greek studies pro - in the face of vicious attacks moments came when she noted Duty figured in both cases. grams, and give more scholar - when its citizens voted against that she arrived in New York on She learned that people like to ships to students.” the deeply flawed Annan Plan November 30, 2009 – the day Polls offered material, and vital The audience was aglow. in 2004. of the feast day of St. Andrew, moral support, from a sense of One guest during Q &A said Sadly, not everyone cares for the patron saint of Cyprus. duty, and she learned up close “They lit the Rockefeller tree the injustice and pain on Sophianou said she felt he was as Consul General that members tonight, and you lit up New York Cyprus. Sophianou’s poignant always at her side. of the community “fight for too.” yet forceful presentations During her tenure her appre - Cyprus because you think it’s That’s how people have felt caused people – Greeks and ciation deepened for the efforts the right thing to do.” since November 30, 2009. non-Greeks – to care. And to want to fight for justice and freedom on Cyprus.
Koula Sophianou, Cyprus’ Consul General was AGAPW’s featured speaker, but she was surprised with a touching award. Mother Says Priest Ruined Son’s Wedding
Continued from page 1 clapping in the church, and Fa - for his ‘services’…the best man ther Antonios descended the after the ceremony approached peating the ceremony at a church steps and proceeded to yell at us. the priest and paid him an addi - in Greece.” I understand that clapping is not tional $100 for the ceremony, Stavropoulos acknowledged generally acceptable in a church plus $50 each for the chanter and that “my son and his wife were (and I don't believe it's appropri - the sexton. The priest took the late (30-40 minutes) to the cere - ate myself), but that is no way to money saying: ‘They already paid mony. I have never in my life address it. To end a wedding on me, but I'll take that.’” been to a wedding that started that note is despicable. Instead Initially, Stavropoulos had on time, and I have never seen a of some warm remarks from their sent a letter to Fr. Theodore Bar - priest react in such a way to a priest, my son and his wife basi - bas, Chancellor of the Boston Me - bride's tardiness. First, he humil - cally got shoved out with no part - tropolis, who ignored her com - iated the bride's father in front ing words of wisdom or God's pletely. A month later she sent of the whole congregation. The blessing, but with words of hate.” the letter to Methodios with a father approached the priest to Stavropoulos wrote to Metho - copy to Demetrios. Bishop Ando - apologize for his delay which was dios that “when the couple and nios of Phasiane, Chancellor of due to traffic, and Father Anto - the parents formed a receiving the Archdiocese in a letter Octo - nios sarcastically berated him in line after the ceremony, Father ber 22 wrote that “since this in - front of everyone, from the altar, Antonios interrupted it in the volves a clergyman in the Me - saying: ‘I suppose traffic was only middle to get the couple to sign tropolis of Boston, Church a problem for you and not for their certificates, because he was protocol dictates that this matter everyone else who is already in a hurry to leave. Apparently be investigated and handled by here.’ How embarrassing! Father he had planned some kind of the local Metropolis, which will Antonios proceeded to lecture the family event after the church cer - respond accordingly and take ap - congregation about traffic and emony, and we were getting in propriate action if warranted. In being on time as we waited for the way of his plans. He did not any case, I am sorry that your ex - the bride.” even come to the reception after perience on what should have Evangelatos was in a hurry to the church to do the blessing, been a joyful event has caused finish the wedding because he even though he was invited. you so much concern.” had to attend his own family Again, this has never happened Metropolitan Methodios told obligation. Stavropoulos wrote to me, and it left a bitter taste in TNH that “I took all the necessary that “a Greek Orthodox wedding my mouth that my son was action. We are trying to commu - usually takes about 45 minutes. treated this way.” nicate with the family and I am Father Antonios rushed through When Stavropoulos ap - willing to personally go to their the ceremony so quickly, that we proached Evangelatos after the home to talk to them.” Evange - ended in 25 minutes. He cut ceremony to ask him about all of latos declined TNH’s request for prayers, interrupted the chanter, that, he was sarcastic to her. She comment. and even went so far as to phys - wrote that “I, of course, ap - After Methodios’ directive, ically pull my son around the proached the priest in private af - Evangelatos attempted to com - table during the Dance of Isaiah, ter the ceremony to ask him why municate by phone with the new - to the point where his crown re - all of this happened, and I con - lyweds and Stavropoulos but peatedly fell from his head. This fronted him with what I think are they were so disappointed that made the best man very nervous, very valid complaints. I cannot they had nothing to tell him. and the bride nearly tripped over begin to describe his rudeness Evangelatos sent a letter to her dress. Father Antonios' curt and the sarcasm that was drip - Stavropoulos on November 12 demeanor and indescribable ping from every word that came stating among other things that coldness towards the newlyweds from his mouth. Meanwhile, he “I extend my apologies to you made for a very awkward cere - kept walking and telling me he and your family if the wedding mony. My son even complained was busy and had to leave, and was not as you had expected.” to me afterwards: ‘Mom, the if I didn't like it I should have He also returned the extra money priest didn't look us in the eye gone to my own parish. I under - that the best man had given him. even once the whole time.’ What stand that we were late, and this TNH was told from sources mother's heart wouldn't break can be frustrating. But a priest is within the Brockton parish that upon hearing that? supposed to be a patient charac - this was not the first time that “After the ceremony was over, ter, a role model, and someone Evangelatos had behaved in un - the priest did not bless the cou - to whom a young couple looks becoming way. The membership ple, did not wish them happiness for advice when starting their of the parish, sources said, has and prosperity, and just didn't say new lives. Father Antonios, declined to low numbers while a a single thing to them or to the through his unacceptable behav - few years ago a massive exodus congregation as closing remarks. ior, shattered this perception.” of six members of the parish As my son and his wife turned to She wrote that “Father Anto - council took place because of leave the altar, there was some nios accepted double payment Evangelatos.