THE GREEK AUSTRALIAN The oldest circulating Greek newspaper outside VEMA Greece MARCH 2014 Tel. (02) 9559 7022 Fax: (02) 9559 7033 E-mail: [email protected]

OUR ARCHBISHOP’S VIEW The celebration of 25th March PAGE 5/23 ANGUISH AND FEAR WINDOWS TO ORTHODOXY The Seven Deadly Sins PAGES 16/34- 17/35 For Ukraine and 150,000 Greeks living there

Anguish, unrest and fear pre- vails in the ranks of the 150,000 Greeks who live in Ukraine and particularly in Crimea since the neo-Nazi Right Sector controls the situation there. Right-wing political groups in Ukraine declared that they plan on evicting all national minori- St Andrew’s Opening ties, a fact that terrifies them since significant Greek commu- Doxology, 2014 nities with full social structure St Andrew’s Theological College commen- and Ukraine consciousness still ced the new academic year with its annual live in the area. Doxology Service in the College Chapel of St PAGE 2 20 John the Evangelist and Theologian. The serv- / ice was officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, together with His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias and His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis. PAGE 10/28

IIggnniittee yyoouurr sseennsseess aanndd vviissiitt tthhee 22001144 RRooyyaall EEaasstteerr SShhooww Western Crete: PAGE 19/37 An authentic welcome The area straddling the border between the Hania and Rethymno districts remains one of $30,000 collected for the Mayoral Bushfire Relief Fund the island’s most unspoilt. PAGE 20/38 PAGE 13/31 FEBRUARY 2014 2/20 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

How Australia benefits from Greek migrants The migration of Greeks in Australia was a great benefit to the rural life and industry of the country. Many people in Canberra and other big Australian cities are talking of embracing Greek and Mediterranean migrants once more, af- ter their success in developing the coun- try’s life and economy when they arrived after World War II. Canberra Times stated that many insti- tutions that were founded after the ar- rival of migrants in the country, such as the Greek Church and the Hellenic Club can assist in the better incorporation of Greek migrants in the Australian commu- nity. The Greeks who first migrated mostly came from rural areas in Greece so they actually preferred to leave the big cities behind them and move to smaller pro- vinces where they could either busy themselves with farming or open cafes. Canberra businessman There was a saying that you could drive Eric Kountouris Sydney to Queensland and never pay for food because the Greeks in provincial the hope of buying a small piece of land ountouris he said that he wasn’t sure dustry in which they should invest, and towns were always glad to see you and to grow tomatoes. He managed to buy that was the right choice to give up on migrants especially from Mediterranean would offer you a plate of hot food. land in Liverpool, New South Wales the rural lifestyle.What Australians are s- countries, such as Italy, Croatia, Spain According to Eric Kountouris, a Canber- where he lived until the city was devel- lowly realizing, is that rural life and activ- and Greece can re-introduce this kind of ra businessman with Greek origins, one oped and then he sold his property for ity is not a thing of the past, it shouldn’t lifestyle to the Australian everyday life. of his migrant friends who came from a 54 million dollars. When he met with be ignored. On the contrary, it is an in- Source: www.ellines.com Greek village, arrived in Australia with Greek-Australian owns largest pear production company in the country

Kalafatis Cold Stores, located in the pany in the Australian market. The pears worths’ supermarket chain while they Vangelis Kalafatis, the company’s foun- Goulburn Valley region of Victoria, is the of the Greek-Australian family company are also sold to central markets in many der, left Kastoria, Greece in the early 50s largest pear production and supply com- are featured on the shelves of Wool- Australian cities. at the age of 19. Over half a million trees grow in When he set foot in Australia, he de- Kalafatis Cold Stores 500 hectare land. cided that farming was something he Apart from fruit-growing, the family knew and had done in the past, so he company also has the largest packing tried to find a way to buy land in Aus- station in the area. tralia. Kalafatis Fresh Farm produces thou- He worked hard to achieve his goal and sands of tons of six different varieties of in the end he was very successful. He al- pears every year. Furthermore, despite so involved his children in the business, the fact that March is the month of har- who are now carrying on his legacy. vest, Kalafatis’ family manages to pro- Consistency combined with quality and duce different varieties of pears through- continuous improvement are the key in- out the year. gredients for the company’s success.

Kalafatis’ family manages to produce different varieties of pears throughout the year MARCH 2014 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 3/21

Consent and growth The crisis has hit the Greek economy and people hard year. In 2010 and 2011 there were 544,800 and 837,300 That money must be distributed amongst those who for the past five years. people in such a state respectively. truly need it. Greek society cannot stand to see re- This harsh reality was greatly confirmed by the report The market and the economic indicators from the sources being plundered, like they had been for the of the Governor of the Bank of Greece, which shows closing months of 2013 suggest that the country has fi- past decades. that at the end of 2012 there were 3,795,100 people ei- nally hit rock bottom. Cars are back on the streets, It is necessary to divert funds to growth investments ther on the poverty line or in a state of social exclusion. building permits are being issued - even if it is coinci- that will generate jobs for the hundreds of thousands of That number is a monstrosity and reveals the true dental, the people are returning to the shops. unemployed. The tourist industry paved the way in conditions dominating Greek society. The Greek economy seems to be stabilizing, but it is 2013. This year seems to be even better. On any given day, anyone strolling through the now at a critical junction. The parties tend to agree on the most important streets of Athens can see fellow people sleeping rough, Everything from now on demands a lot of attention points of their program. As much as they may want to begging for something to eat or sifting through the from all political powers, whether they are in power or highlight their differences, the goal is one - growth. It is garbage for a piece of bread. the opposition. no coincidence that in Europe and the USA the politics According to the study’s data, poverty nearly doubled The growth that everyone admits will return in 2014 are mostly the same. They should therefore support it in Greece over the past two years, as about 1,010,900 must be protected by all means. The surpluses that and set aside the political games that impoverished (or 16.1% of 18-59 year olds) live in households where were achieved with sacrifices must not be squandered 34% of the people. nobody works or works less than three months in a for petty political gains. TO VIMA, Athens Clooney hits back in dispute with London mayor over Parthenon Marbles

American actor George Clooney has defended his re- cent comments advocating the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, despite criticism from London May- Magda Karagiannakis or Boris Johnson. Johnson accused the actor of pursuing a “Hitlerian Top Greek-Australia lawyer, agenda” for what he termed “London’s cultural treas- ures” as the Nazis had also intended to remove the Adviser to the UN marbles from the British Museum if they occupied Britain. Magda Karagiannakis is a Greek-Australian Lec- “I’m a great fan of the Mayor, and I’m sure my right turer at Melbourne’s La Trobe University. She is an honorable friend had no real intention of comparing me adviser to the United Nations on legal matters and to Hitler”, Clooney said in a statement. an interrogator for substantial international cases, “I’d chalk it up to a little too much hyperbole washed occasionally handling major cases such as crimes in down with a few whiskeys. I’ve found myself in the the former Yugoslavia as well as the assassination same spot a time or two so I hold no ill will,” the actor, of the former Prime Minister of Lebanon. who has been promoting his new file “The Monuments’ She has appeared as an advocate and counsel be- Men,” said of Johnson’s op-ed in the Daily Telegraph. fore the International Court of Justice (ICJ) repre- “When it comes to real facts, not imagined history, senting the UN in matters related to crimes com- you need only to look at the UNESCO rulings that have mitted against the former Yugoslavia. Moreover, been agreed to by all parties. she investigated the conditions under which the as- “An occupying nation can’t sell off the national her- “There are many pieces in nearly every country that sassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister itage of the country it occupies,” added Clooney. this conversation should take place. The best place to took place. She also defended the former President “More relevant is the fact that the Parthenon Marbles start would be at the most obvious object. When polled of Liberia who was accused of crimes against hu- were chipped away from the Parthenon by the occupy- the British people are overwhelmingly in favor of their manity. ing Turks and sold. It was a single monument broken in- return. to bits. It would be as if the statue of David’s head were “The rest of the world follows suit. If you want to deal sold to England. His arm to the Vatican. And his torso to in facts. Those are the facts. But maybe it’s just easier Increase in mixed the Met. to compare me to Hitler.” marriages The institution of marriage seems to have shaken Greece thanks New South Wales the ranks of the diaspora since it is moving in the same direction as the overall trends of Australian The Greek Ambassador to Australia, Haris Dafara- society. nos, accompanied by the Consul General of Greece in According to the latest data provided by the Sydney, Dr Stavros Kyrimis, met in Sydney with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, marriages President of New South Wales’ Parliament, Shelley held in Greek Orthodox churches in Melbourne Hancock and the President of the Senate of NSW, Don have dropped by 50 percent within the last decade. Harwin. More specifically, about 935 marriages were held Sophie Cotsis, the Greek-Australian State Represen- in Greek churches of Melbourne in 2002, while the tative, was present during both meetings. same number dropped to 580 for the year 2012. The purpose of the meetings was to show apprecia- More than 60 percent of them were mixed mar- tion for the unanimous joint resolution of both cham- riages, while in 2002 the mixed marriages were less bers of the State in May 2013 for the recognition of than 50 percent. three historic genocides (Armenian, Assyrian and Pon- People of Greek origin who do not get married to tus) and the reconstitution of the Parliamentary other Greek-Australians, mostly chose people of Group of Friendship between Greece and New South Italian descent or Anglo-Saxons. Wales. 4/22 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA MARCH 2014

Catechetical Homily for Holy and Great Lent

Prot. No. 138 times aim and move. Indeed, since God’s perfection is opportunity, in the midst of a widespread and global fi- boundless, our way toward its likeness must also be nancial crisis, to demonstrate our material and spiritual + B A R T H O L O M E W boundless and endless. There is always a level of per- assistance toward other people. When we act charita- fection beyond what we have achieved, and so we must bly and manifest our repentance in practice - moving By God’s Mercy Archbishop of Constantinople- constantly seek spiritual progress and transformation, from an individualistic and pharisaic way of life to a col- New Rome as urged by St. Paul, who ascended to the third heaven lective and altruistic way of life, like the publican - then and Ecumenical Patriarch and beheld the ineffable mysteries: “And we all, with we shall realize the great benefit of repentance and unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being conversion, while also experiencing repentance as a vi- To the Plenitude of the Church: changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to tal transition from the sin of self-centeredness and vain- Grace and Peace from our Lord another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” glory to the virtue of love, “aspiring to the humility and and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3.18) attitude of the publican, who deserved God’s mercy.” And Prayers, Blessings and Forgiveness from us The more our internal world is cleansed, the From the Patriarchal Throne of St. John Chry- “Behold, now is the favorable time, more our spiritual eye is purified, the more clearly we sostom, who both preached and practiced such repen- now is the time of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6.2) see ourselves and everything around us. Moreover, this tance, as we enter this salvific period of purification of change - namely, the improvement in our vision of the heart and soul in order to welcome the Passion, Cross, Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, reality of this world and the spiritual condition of our- Burial and Resurrection of our Lord, not just in rituals selves - is precisely what repentance is all about. Re- and words but also in practice and experience, we too Our Orthodox Church recommends that, during pentance is a renewed and improved state of spirit, of as his unworthy successor urge, entreat and beseech this period of Great Lent, we focus our attention toward the condition where we presently find ourselves. Ac- you: “Acquire repentance by becoming new people, by sincere repentance, “the melting pot of sin,” according cordingly, then, repentance is the fundamental presup- renouncing the old nature of sinfulness and acquiring to St. John Chrysostom. Repentance is the first topic of position of spiritual progress and of acquiring likeness newness of life . . . For that is where the fullness of di- our Lord Jesus Christ’s preaching and the very essence toward God. vine grace lies.” of the Christian teaching. It is the Church’s daily invita- tion to us all. In order, of course, for repentance to be gen- Behold, then, beloved brothers and sisters, a uine, it must also be accompanied by the appropriate favorable time “of mourning” opens up before us, an Despite this, many of us have not truly experi- fruits, especially forgiveness of and charity toward oth- arena of vigilance and discipline, so that “before the enced repentance. We sometimes feel that it does not ers. The basic criterion of sincere repentance is that our theater of this life passes, we may care for our salva- concern us personally because we do have not “come heart is moved toward acceptance of our fellow human tion” with sincere and tangible repentance for all “our to ourselves” in order to comprehend and contemplate beings and response to their needs as much as can. Af- sins, wrongdoings, and injustices... without adhering to how we may have committed any sin. However, as we ter all, the way of repentance is recognition and confes- or doing what we have been commanded” by the Lord, are taught by the wise teacher of the spiritual life, Abba sion of our sins, no longer holding grudges against oth- so that Christ our God, “who is present everywhere and Isaac the Syrian, and as most of the Church Fathers pro- ers, praying with warmth and integrity, as well as mer- fills all things, may care for us” in His great and in- claim through experience, “repentance is necessary cifulness, humility, love toward all people, victory of scrutable mercy. even for the perfect.” This is because repentance does good over evil, avoiding vainglory and arrogance, which not merely signify remorse for our sins and the conse- immediately withers away everything. May His saving grace be with you all. quent decision no longer to repeat them, but it also im- plies a change of our attitudes toward what is better so This struggle within our soul is revealed in “the that we acquire constant improvement before God and difference between the publican and the Pharisee . . .,” the world, as well as continuous increase in love and which is an invitation to “despise the proud voice of the Holy and Great Lent 2014 humility, purification and peace. latter, while envying the contrite prayer of the former,” even as we fervently pray with tears “that God may In this sense, repentance is an unending jour- take pity on us sinners and have mercy on us.” + Bartholomew of Constantinople ney toward divine perfection, to which we must at all The period of Great Lent that is upon us is an Fervent supplicant for all before God Christian Dior, Gucci, Ted Baker Finest students Katerina + Kyriacos Mavrolefteros of Greek Studies honoured in NSW

In the packed auditorium of the State gins from the Jewish community in Rho- Parliament of the New South Wales, dis- des underlined his personal relationship

Ray Ban Ray tinguished students were honoured dur- with the Greek language and people. ing the presentation ceremony of the an- “Scientific research proves that by stu- nual Excellence in Greek Studies. dying a second language a student im- For the 19th year, the Association of proves the creativity of mind and at the Greek-Australian Teachers in New South same time the ability to confer in his/her Wales-Australian Capital Region-Queens- own language. Learning a foreign lan- land honoured students and teachers guage offers new opportunities, promo- who studied the Greek language, history tes ideas and extends anyone’s knowl- and culture in 2013. Primary school stu- edge and perspective,” stated Mr Alhad- 874 Anzac Parade, Maroubra Junction dents, students who excelled at the final eff. (at bus stop, on RTA block) HSC exams in 2013, as well as students of The president of the Association, Dr

(at bus stop, on RTA block) Rodenstock, Greek Language and Culture of the Uni- Panayiotis Diamantis noted that “the stu- Tell: (02) 9314-0393 versity of Sydney received commemora- dents honoured tonight, regardless of Serengeti, Maui Jim, Fendi tive medals and Association certificates. their origin, are in a way Greeks since [email protected] In total, 65 distinctions were offered to s- they have received Greek education. It is tudents and teachers. they who honour us by participating in The president of the Community Rela- Greek learning, either as students or as Nina Ricci, Oakley, La font tions Commission Vic Alhadeff with ori- teachers.” MARCH 2014 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 5/23 Our Primate’s View The celebration of 25th March Dear sisters and brothers, numerical strength or with their very rudimentary level of organization, but through the truth they held. The na- The anniversary of the 25th March always had a spe- tional poet of Greece, Dionysios Solomos, was following cial resonance in the conscience of the Greek people in the exact same footsteps of those exemplary figures, and the Church. when he taught us the highest lesson: that we should consider “national only what is true.” The double Annunciation that announces the redemp- tion of all people through the incarnation of God, but al- This message has a particularly bitter timeliness in re- so the liberation of the enslaved Greek nation through cent years when Greek people both inside and outside the sacred uprising of our heroic ancestors, became the Greece are being tested concerning their most sacred ‘Magna Carta’ of modern Hellenism. All actions or omis- characteristics, namely their Orthodox faith and their sions, all successes or failures of modern Greeks, national phronema. whether as a nation or society or as individual citizens, must be seen in relation to this unique measure. May this message be noted by any leaders of our peo- By ARCHBISHOP ple - whether political or ecclesiastical. For, if on the one STYLIANOS Freedom on the one hand, then, and piety on the oth- hand our national cohesion is thrown to the wind by OF AUSTRALIA er, are the two concrete criteria by which we authenti- selfish factional infighting or unproductive internation- cally weigh up either our progress or regression. alism, and on the other hand by a weakened Orthodox Church through internal persecutions and plundering, For the modern Greek, the free person must also be then the nation will not survive, except as a ghost in a pious. Without this, freedom becomes disorder and haunted house. lawlessness which inevitably leads to enslavement to- wards blind passions, in which case the supposed free- The European Union and any other forms of interna- dom degenerates into the worst kind of bestiality and tional protection will not be able to save us from that slavery. subjugation. Because any financial assistance and any safeguarding of territorial integrity will not only prove By the same token, the pious person cannot be some- to be ineffective supports; rather, these will be the rope one who is not free. Because piety demands the highest with which they will hang us, if ethical values are miss- degree of freedom, so that the human person is at every ing from modern Greeks. moment in a position “to obey God rather than any hu- man authority” (see Acts 5:29). It was for these values that the Greeks always sacri- ficed their lives, and it is only natural that with these However just as freedom is not compatible with disor- values they will once again be able to live. der and anarchy, in the same way piety is not compati- ble with legalism and fundamentalism. These funda- May we recall these simple truths once again, before mental concepts were crystal clear and deeply rooted in it is irreparably too late. Amen. the consciences of the fighters of 1821. That is why they could achieve great things, not through their negligible [translation from the original Greek by DK] Anguish and fear for the 150,000 Greeks living in Ukraine Anguish, unrest and fear prevails in the tact with both the consulates of Greece ranks of the 150,000 Greeks who live in in Mariupol and Odessa as well as with Ukraine and particularly in Crimea since the embassy in Kiev. the neo-Nazi Right Sector controls the situation there. The Greeks of Ukraine According to the Russian agency Inter- fax, armed men seized the regional gov- With the onset of perestroika, began ernment headquarters and the parlia- the effort of the national revival of the ment in Crimea, thus rekindling fears of large Hellenism in Ukraine. separatism in the pro-Russian area. According to the census records of At the same time, right-wing political 2001, the Greeks, now Russian speakers, groups in Ukraine declared that they totaled about 93,000. plan on evicting all national minorities, a They argue that their real number is fact that terrifies them since significant much higher and reaches 150,000 people Greek communities with full social struc- since many did not declare their true na- ture and Ukraine consciousness still exist beatings. However, there is a minor concern for tional identity because of their fear and in the area. Alexandra Protsenko is the president some right-wing extremists who ask for the post-Soviet national insecurity. As it appears, the Greeks are a target of the Federation of Greek Communities people who do not speak Ukrainian, ei- The Greek communities are scattered of the powerful neo-Nazi organization of which numbers 150,000 people with ther to go to jail or leave the country. across the country with the main con- Ukraine’s Right Sector, the right-wing Greek origins. On the other hand, Mrs Protsenko stat- centration being in the Mariupol area group which has the Wolfsangel (reverse In her statement, she noted that they ed that there are eleven MPs of Greek where Greek villages are numbered to be swastika) as a symbol and played a sig- panicked watching the news on the TV origin who faced some problems but the about 40. nificant role in the violent incidents of and the changes that take place in the Federation stays in contact with them as Greek communities exist in Odessa, on the past weeks. country. She also underlined that the they are interested in having a strong Romania’s border, in Kharkiv and Lviv The president of the Federation of Greeks of Ukraine stay united and they Greek presence in the Parliament regard- which is considered to be the birthplace Greek Associations of Ukraine spoke of a do not face any problems as they did not less of who is in charge. Moreover, she of extreme Ukranian nationalism. threatening atmosphere and terrible have any role in the recent incidents. highlighted that she is in constant con- MARCH 2014 6/24 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

to the parched soil. The new year is but a feint mem- manuscript of a Bible was a rare and expensive item. Letter ory and life is in full swing. Even Lent has crept up on His parents granted their son’s wish. me so quickly. Soon the paschal moon will light up Well, young John left secretly for the Monastery. the sky. He was tonsured a monk and lived a life of extreme I hope that you do not mind, but I was reading austerity. I suppose our story could end here, saying from about St John Kalyvitis and thought I might share that he spent his life in that monastic world. some of it with you - if you have a moment. But life is full of twists and turns, steep slopes and The story of St John is both beautiful and dramatic. perilous descents. And there is more to come. Like every life it has much to teach and so much to John’s life in the monastery was austere. He ate so Maroubra say. Some might see in it a great deal of sadness while little that the Abbot became concerned. When John others will rejoice in its heroism - it depends on how asked for a blessing to return to see his parents once one views life. more it was granted willingly. There is no need to tell you the names of his devout To cut a long story short, John returned as a pauper parents, his lineage, his wealthy background or all after six years. He was unrecognisable. The servants those details that routinely precede sermons on the at his parent’s home actually turned him away. His fa- life of a saint. Let me say that he was as human as you ther intervened and allowed this pauper the use of a and I. hut or kalyva in a corner of the property. He remai- Like me, you might also have noticed that there are ned there for three years and it is said that even his a few people who are inherently good. It comes natu- mother failed to recognise him. rally to them. Often they are drawn to religion from When John realised that his time had come, he sent their early days. that original Bible to his parents who came rushing to It is as though they were born to be Christians. They his side. One cannot imagine the emotion of that sit- sense its truth and meaningfulness. They see the uation. In a matter of days John died. He was aged beauty and the overall pattern of God in this world. around 25. John was one such person. Reportedly, he was And the moral of this story - well we can take from more interested in God than anything else. it whatever we want. It is rich with reality, pathos and So it was not astonishing that he kept company humanity. with those who were religious. Amongst these was a I thought I would share this with you because it is a monk travelling to the Holy Land. He captivated John. wonderful event. I came across it through St Porphy- On his return the monk promised that he would rios in his book ‘Wounded by love’. He mentioned St take John to his monastery called Akoimitoi. John Kalyvitis. My curiosity got the better of me and My dear friend… It is probably no surprise to you that this happened. there you are. Before this, however, an event occurred that will Anyway, have a good Lent, my friend and God will- It has been a while since I wrote and I trust that you have some significance later in John’s life. ing, we’ll catch up next month. are all well as we are. John had asked his parents for a Bible. In those days The autumn rains have come, bringing refreshment (around the 5th century) you would recall that the [email protected] St John’s College participates in laboratory program of Melbourne University

On Friday 14 February, in a three hour content of a soft drink. laboratory program at the University of Gas Chromatography - to measure the Melbourne, St John’s College’s four alcohol concentration of wine. VCE12 Chemistry students performed an- UV/Vis Spectroscopy - to measure the Santorini is one of the most alytical exercises in HPLC, Gas Chromato- iron content of a dietary supplement. graphy, UV/Vis Spectroscopy or Atomic Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy - to Absorption Spectroscopy. The workshops determine the concentration of calcium photogenic places on Earth! assisted students with VCE Chemistry in seawater. Unit 3 and were the basis of a written re- On Monday 28 April, the students will The most photogenic places on earth were voted in the poll conducted by port of one practical activity on analytical complete another SAC for Chemistry at VeryFirstTo.com commissioned by Fujifilm. The unique landscapes of Santorini techniques. The report is one of the six Latrobe University. These programs are were voted amongst the 12 most photogenic place in Earth. SACs that the students will complete an initiative that the College has taken to The most photogenic places are: Santorini, the islands Bora Bora of the French throughout the year. provide exposure to modern analytical Polynesia, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Grand Canyon USA, Bali in Indone- Students completed an analysis on one instrumentation and techniques that are sia, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Mount Everest, Petra in Jordan, Torres del Paine in of the following instruments and saw the used today in industrial and research lab- Patagonia, Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, Plain Of Temples in Myanmar and Maldives. operation and examined the workings of oratories across the globe. The programs The site also asked their members what they thought the least photogenic spots selected other instruments, being: also provide hands-on knowledge of the were. Detroit and London were amongst the top of the list. High Performance Liquid Chromatog- instrumentation and techniques that is raphy (HPLC) - to determine the caffeine necessary for the final end-of-year exam. MARCH 2014 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 7/25

The book that inspires tourists Greek-Australian Lawyers establish to travel to Greece Association Greek-Australian lawyers have established their own professional association entitled the Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association. According to official data, more than 700 Greek- Australian lawyers have already joined the associa- tion, the official presentation of which will be held in Melbourne, on Friday, April 11. The event will be attended by eminent Australian judges and lawyers and will include a presentation of the association’s constitution and the future goals of Greek-Australian lawyers. Greek Diaspora controls Melbourne taxis

Taxis in Melbourne are controlled, to a large ex- tent, by the Greek Diaspora. In order to cope with government reforms in their sector, three large Greek-Australian companies, Ambassador Taxis, Cabways and TaxiLink, have decided to cooperate and create a primary network called Cab It, which owns about 500 taxis and employs 1,500 taxi driv- ers in Melbourne. “Afternoons in Ithaka” is the title of Spiri Tsintziras’ So for me being Greek, while it had a lot of beautiful According to the companies’ spokesman, Harry new book which was published by ABC Books. The book things, it also felt very limiting and very strict. I guess my Kattsiabanis, the cars are equipped with the latest is about the journey in the life of a 40 year-old woman father was living in the Greece of the 1960s, so me be- Greek technology which will give all customers the born in Melbourne. ing a fairly independent and feisty young woman was option of phoning the taxi driver directly and then The protagonist attempts this journey in a rather orig- challenging for him. tracking his exact location on a map in order to see inal way. She combines her personal experiences with “The first time I went to Greece as an adult, I discov- where he is and the time it will take him to get to the beauties of Greece and with Greek food. ered the Greece that my dad knew had changed, it was their house and, eventually, to their destination. The book was released by the publishing house of the more liberal and exciting. I had to sort of find that The three companies have acquired the “taxi- Australian broadcasting service ABC Books. The author Greece to be able to reconcile myself back in Mel- plon” application, which differs from other applica- noted that whoever reads her book will become anx- bourne. It took me a lot of time to embrace what it tions because the taxi driver uses a tablet and not a ious to visit Greece. meant to be Greek, I had to find that out for myself. Not smart phone. “When I was a teenager I thought being Greek was re- through my father,” Mrs Tsintziras said. “The app will be deployed in the Victorian market ally uncomplimentary,” stated Mrs Tsintziras. initially and later a national launch will follow,” said “My father was quite strong and strict in many ways. Source: www.greekreporter.com Kattsiabanis.

SBS viewers ‘The Hellenic Initiative’ comes to Australia “The Hellenic Initiative,” the organiza- in Sydney need tion created in the U.S. by Greek-Aus- tralian entrepreneur Andrew Liveris and to retune to keep four other businessmen to support Gree- ce and strengthen its global reputation, is to be expanded to Australia. watching The official introductory ceremony of the initiative to the Australian market their favourite will be held on March 26 in Sydney. Mr Liveris, the Chairman and CEO of Dow Chemical, is expected to make the open- programs ing statements. The initiative is promoted under the As the final step in Australia’s move auspices of former U.S. President Bill to digital-only TV, some TV channels Clinton, and several distinguished Greek- are changing frequencies in order to Americans will also take part. Organizers free-up broadcasting spectrum, to are hoping that the initiative will enjoy make room for new services. the same acceptance in Australia and SBS viewers in Sydney are reminded have invited some of the country’s lead- that they need to retune their digital ing Greek-Australians to the official pres- The Chairman and CEO of TV, set-top box or digital TV recorder entation, which will be hosted by Helen Dow Chemical, Andrew Liveris after 18 March, 2014 to find SBS on its Kapalos. new frequency. “The Hellenic Initiative” is a global, The retune is a relatively simple non-profit, non-governmental organiza- to ensure the long-term prosperity of include Libra CEO George Logothetis, process. Just press “menu” on your tion, whose vision aims, through the gen- Greece. Turkish-American Muhtar Kent, CEO of remote and look for the “auto tune” erosity of the Greek Diaspora and the The organization encourages the pro- The Coca-Cola Company, renowned or “channel search” option. In most Philhellenic community, to provide sub- motion of the necessary structural re- Washington lawyer and investment con- cases, this should only take viewers a stantial encouragement and financial forms and private capital investments, sultant George Stamas and George Da- few minutes. You may also find it use- support to help preserve organizations which will help to upgrade Greece’s com- vid, Chairman of the Board of Directors ful to consult your manual on how to and projects, while also inspiring busi- petitiveness. Apart from Andrew Liveris, at Coca-Cola Hellenic. retune your digital TV equipment. ness growth that will allow Greek people founding members of the initiative also MARCH 2014 8/26 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

Syrian refugee crisis As the war in Syria approaches its third anniversary the death toll has passed 126,000 people. More than 2.3 million Syrians have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, and more than half of them are children. The war in Syria has now been raging for more than 1000 days, and as refugees try to make new lives for themselves - however temporary - in neighbouring countries, they are facing the realities of a harsh winter. Snow, rain and below-freezing temperatures have already hit Lebanon, where more than 840,000 Syrian refugees live. Since fighting started in Syria more than 126,000 people have lost their lives, including at least 11,000 children. Inside Syria, 6.5 million people have been displaced by fighting, and 9.3 million are in need. The conditions in Syria are so bad more than 2.3 million people have fled to neigh- bouring countries. Lebanon and Jordan are carrying the brunt of the refugee burden, and the numbers are straining the already limited resources of both countries. Refugees bring with them horrifying stories of what they witnessed before leaving their home country, including re- Residents wait to receive food aid distributed by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) at the besieged al-Yarmouk ports of violence, rape and chemical weapon attacks. camp, south of Damascus. Photo: Reuters Andrew Demetriou to step down as AFL CEO

Greek-Australian AFL chief executive er way.” And he noted, “I leave the game Andrew Demetriou has announced that with no regrets.” he will quit the role at the end of the Andrew Demetriou is a Greek - Aus- 2014 season, his 11th at the helm. tralian businessman, sports administra- Mike Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the AFL tor, and former Australian rules football Commission, announced Demetriou’s re- player. Demetriou played 103 games for signation at a press conference which the North Melbourne Football Club be- began at 10am at AFL House. tween 1981 and 1987, finishing his play- Fitzpatrick said that Demetriou had ing career with a three-game stint for been a “significant force in our competi- Hawthorn in 1988. tion” and had presided over “a period of Chairing several companies after his extraordinary growth”. retirement from playing, he was appoint- Demetriou he will leave the game after ed CEO of the AFL Players Association in 11 years as the game’s most powerful 1998, and was responsible for negotiat- figure, with his decision to resign coming ing a new collective bargaining agree- after his most challenging 12 months, ment between the league and the play- which was dominated by the Essendon ers. supplements scandal. Demetriou was made CEO of the AFL in Demetriou, who took over from Way- Andrew Demetriou with his wife Symone and family after announcing his decision to retire as 2003, replacing Wayne Jackson. ne Jackson as League CEO in 2003, ser- AFL chief executive. In his role as head of the AFL Commis- ved as chief executive of the AFL Players both at the NFL Super Bowl on February an honour to serve the game. sion, he has been responsible for a num- Association between 1998 and 2000 and 2, having held discussions on a transition “I also believe the time is right. ber of changes, including the expansion was then AFL football operations manag- since 2012. “The growth of the game has been ex- of the league from 16 to 18 teams, the er. “Every organisation needs renewal, traordinary. restructuring of the tribunal system, and Demetriou said he told Fitzpatrick of needs a new set of eyes. “It’s been a wonderful journey full of the brokering of two new television his intention to quit when they were “I’ve always said it was a privilege and challenges but I wouldn’t have it any oth- rights deals.

An article - tribute to the magnificent Meteora, the city in the middle of the sky, was published on the website of the Huffingtonpost. The article concentrates on the breathtaking pictures of the landscape. A few hours outside Athens sits the rock-top monasteries of Meteora. The word “meteora” means ”middle of the sky”, “suspended in the air” or “in the heavens above”, according to Getty, and these people mean it. The town is a really important spiritual site, but it’s also a big draw for the less-religiously-more-naturally inclined. You can climb up steps to the monasteries for a quick rush, and once you’re up there, you can move between them via, essentially, a rope railway. Yeah, not for the faint of heart in the least. But it’s a really pretty spot, and if you’re in the area, you should visit. MARCH 2014 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 9/27

Australian Prime Minister attends Greek festival

For the second time in three months, Aus- tralian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was present at the events of the Greeks in Australia. After attending the Festival “Antipodes” in Greek Australian surfer Melbourne, Mr Abbott officially launched today the Greek Festival of Sydney in Darling Harbor. It wins Pro Junior is estimated that tens of thousands of people at- tended the two-day event which was held in the city centre. Championship The program included a plethora of music events, food stands as well as the famous singer The 16-year-old Jack Robinson (photo) from Aus- Konstantina. Several significant figures of the tralia was recently crowned junior world champion Australian political scene attended the Greek in surfing. The championship was held in Hawaii. He Festival. was born on 27th December 1997 and his mother is The Greek Festival of Sydney which has been of Greek origin. His grandparents were from Myti- going on for 32 years in a row is organized by the lene. When video footage of a 10 year-old Jack Greek Community. Robinson started making the rounds, people began The Festival includes more than thirty events to wonder, who is this little blonde kid! with some expected to last for several months. Jack was already threading barrels on waves that This year’s program includes events for the were two or three times his size and nailing air re- 400 years since the death of Dominikos Theoto- verses better than some of the guys on the world kopoulos (El Greco), the presentation of a book tour. By his 11th birthday, he was surfing Pipeline in on Cavafy, the presentation of research on the Hawaii at the Second-Reef at eight-to-10 foot. Greek communities from Albania to Ukraine and In 2010 he was featured on the cover of The Week- many other events. end Australian Magazine and was described as a po- The President of the Greek Community Mr tential future Kelly Slater, one of the most talanted Haris Danalis stated that one of the organiza- surfers. By age 14, in 2012, Jack landed the coveted tion’s basic objectives is to nourish and promote no. 1 spot on Surfer Magazine’s annual Hot 100 jun- the Greek civilization and language. ior list. MARCH 2014 10/28 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, Dean of St Andrew's (centre), His Grace Bishop Seraphim, Sub-Dean (left), and His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, Chair of the Sub-Committee of St Andrew's (right), along with faculty, seminarians, and guests after the doxology for the beginning of the academic year, 2014 St Andrew’s Opening Doxology, 2014

On February 27, St Andrew’s Theological College com- menced the new academic year with its annual Doxolo- gy Service in the College Chapel of St John the Evangel- ist and Theologian. The service was officiated by His Eminence Archbish- op Stylianos, together with His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias and His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Mile- toupolis. At the conclusion of the service, His Eminence wel- comed the Very Revd Abbot Fr Eusebios of Pantanassa Monastery along with all faculty members and students of the College. His Eminence emphasised that the pur- pose of the service was to give thanks to God for the commencement of the twenty-ninth year of studies in what he affectionately referred to as our ‘little College’. The Archbishop then affirmed that the College serves to remind people of various Christian traditions of that ABOVE: His Eminence during his short speech at the conclusion of the service in the College Chapel of St John the Evangelist which they continue to have in common, namely, the and Theologian. BELOW: His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, together with His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias and His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, with the four new full-time seminarian students. heritage of the first Christian millennium. Indeed, His Eminence highlighted the fact that the ba- sic Christian dogmas were formulated during this first millennium, which he then contrasted to the second millennium, stating that the latter was marked by dis- putes and unreasonable demands. His Eminence went on to assert that the third millennium ought to be the millennium of repentance for all Christians who must attempt to love one another in spite of their differ- ences. He then presented a copy of the Greek New Testa- ment to each of the new full-time seminarian students as a tangible sign of their connection to the College: Nicholas Feros (Brisbane), Jason Israel (Sydney), Chriso- valanti Spyrou (Sydney) and Michael Triantis (Sydney). The doxology was followed by a customary group photograph and the luncheon prepared by the gener- ous volunteers of the Ladies Philoptohos. University of Crete Lecturers visit St John’s College On Thursday 13 February, St John’s College welcomed Linguistic Lecturers Aspa- sia Hatzidaki and Mr John Spantidakis from the University of Crete. The lecturers spent most of their allocated time visiting and conversing with our Greek Language staff. They were accompanied by the Co-ordinator of the Greek Office of Education, Mr Gokas and Dr Ladopoulos. Mr Spantidakis and Ms Hatzidaki were in Melbourne as part of their commitment to broaden and enrich the intercultural understanding and education of the Greek Language taught abroad. Both gave presentations at a recent Melbourne seminar which was organised by The Greek Language Primary and Secondary Intercultural Education in the Diaspora program. Students and staff were thankful for the visit they afforded the College and look forward to working towards the common goals of enriching our Greek Language and heritage. MARCH 2014 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 11/29 MARCH 2014 12/30 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

Australian PM shows interest in Greek business

Sotirios Kyrgiakos in Sydney for two matches Sotirios Kyrgiakos was warmly welcomed by members of the administration and fans of football team Sydney Olympic. Kyrgiakos will play two matches with the Greek- Australian team for the state championship of New South Wales. Upon his arrival at the city’s international airport, Kyr- giakos gave his first statements and said he is happy to collaborate with Sydney Olympic and he invited the fans, especially Greek children, to rush to the field. Peter Yiallouris passes Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott expressed washing, blending and glyceration and infusion of away at age 90 his interest in the family business Frutex Australia of dry vine fruit. the Greek entrepreneur Peter Magiros. Abbott’s visit was associated with the rapid devel- A Greek-Australian who was one of the most active Frutex Australia is a company operating in the opment of the company in the Australian market members of the Greek Diaspora in Australia, passed away food industry, founded in 1968 by Peter Magiros, and the impact of the carbon dioxide tax that has recently at the age of 90. who came to Australia from Kythera, Greece. The significantly increased the operating and electricity Peter Yiallouris was the founder and longtime president company’s headquarters are in Kingsgrove, Sydney. costs of the company over the last two years. The of the Federation of Greek Elderly but also served as Pres- Today it is managed by Magiros and his two sons. Australian Prime Minister met with the company’s ident of the Cyprus Community of Melbourne. Frutex is a major food ingredient company supplying owners Peter Magiros and his sons, James and Spi- For his many years of valuable service to the Greek com- a broad spectrum of ingredients to the major indus- ros and the director Sandy Tsoutsas who reported munity and other immigrant communities he was honored trial manufacturers in Australia. Frutex is equipped to Abbott their concerns over the increase of oper- by the Diaspora, the Australian State and Queen Elizabeth. with latest technology warehousing, distribution ating costs due to the tax. Peter Yiallouris took part in the Second World War with and manufacturing facilities and employs over 135 the allied forces (in the English army) and he was a prison- people. Frutex manufacturing facilities include fruit Source: www.greekreporter.com er of war. Specifically, he fought with the military corps of Cypriot volunteers that was created in April 1940. Greek Australian Minister replaced Under the British administration along with Cypriot offi- cers, he took part in various battles on many fronts in Liberal Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship of Victoria, Nicholas Kotsiras is set to be re- Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Yiallouris remained in placed by Matthew Guy as the Victorian Premier Denis Napthine decided to proceed with a reshuffle of the volunteer corps for six years and 66 days, in the rank his cabinet before the elections of November, 29. The reshuffle was considered “necessary” after the re- of corporal and he was a driver of officials. He retired on tirement of four ministers. As reported in the new Cabinet, Matthew Guy retained his portfolio as Plan- September 10, 1946. ning Minister and added the portfolio of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, which was until now exer- He was honored for his service with medals and certifi- cised by Nick Kotsiras. Kotsiras, has announced his decision not to contest his Bulleen seat at November’s cates of recognition. state election. Five new royal tombs discovered in Vergina

Five new royal tombs have come to lieved to belong to King Perdiccas II (454- light during excavations at the royal 413 BC), who had fought hard during the necropolis of Aegae, in Northern Greece. Peloponnesian war to keep his kingdom The Temenid burial cluster was found independent. in one corner of the Aegae cemetery. Al- Another Macedonian tomb with Doric though looted and partially destroyed, columns was discovered, next to the Ion- the monuments are impressive evidence ic tomb excavated in 1987. Its facade is of funerary architecture and include por- similar to the tomb of Alexander IV, son traits of the royal family. of Alexander the Great and Roxanne. Three of the royal tombs are cists and Archaeologists are linking the tombs two are Macedonian. According to the with the Temenid dynasty, the kings of excavator and director of the 17th Macedonia, because of their size and Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical An- shape and the impressive funerary ob- tiquities, Angeliki Kottaridi, one tomb is jects found in them. Moreover, one of particularly important, as it shows a large the graves may have belonged to Cas- underground room with white walls dec- sander himself or to one of his sons, who orated with painted garlands, fronds, were also members of Temenid dynasty. flowers and ivy leaves. The new findings were presented by Among the finds were impressive ce- Mrs Kottaridi on March 13, during the ramic funerary objects which date back 27th meeting covering Archaeological to 420/410 BC and an iron sword be- Works in Macedonia and Thrace. MARCH 2014 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 13/31

Calling Australia home $30,000 collected was a lucky move for Greek son for the Mayoral Bushfire Relief Fund

His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, has recently forwarded to the Mayor of Blue Mountains, Mark Greenhill, a cheque for $30,000, being the proceeds from the nationwide collec- tion conducted by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Aus- tralia, for the Mayoral Bushfire Relief Fund, to assist those af- fected by the bushfires in the region of Winmalee in the Blue Mountains, several months ago. In his letter (published on page 8), accompanying the cheque, His Eminence stated that “the amount was donated by faithful of our Church, because the area is also home to our Monastery of St George”. In his reply, Mr Greenhill extends on behalf of the Council Spiro and Angelo Notaras look out into one of the newly and the Blue Mountains community, his deepest gratitude to built smaller cinemas - at the Saraton Theatre. His Eminence and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Aus- PHOTO: ADAM HOURIGAN tralia, stating that this significant contribution will assist his community greatly. Businessman, inventor, banana farmer, cinema his brothers and his cousin, Spiro. owner, fundraiser - Angelo Notaras wears many He described the project as "an extraordinary hats and they all seem to fit comfortably. challenge that I believe has given Grafton some- From the Battle of Navarino His lifetime of achievement has been recognised thing to be really proud of". with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), "I was up there at Christmas time and was very to Cavafy, with the notation emphasising his "service to the pleased with how good it looks, and how clean and Greek community, particularly through the Greek tidy it was," he said. Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia". The Notaras family originated on the Greek is- rare manuscripts "It's a great honour," Mr Notaras said, adding he land of Kythera, where many of the population de- had no trouble keeping the award a secret until its cided to migrate to Australia. go under the hammer official announcement. The island's population is just 3000 but in Aus- "And being the son of a recent immigrant to Aus- tralia there are more than 60,000 Kytherians and A previously unpublished manuscript describing the land- tralia in the last 100 or so years it's a double hon- their descendants. mark Battle of Navarino during the Greek War of Independ- our." Mr Notaras has worked and contributed funds to ence is going under the hammer in Athens. The battle, which Born into what is now one of Grafton's most no- establish a comprehensive website, kythera-fami- took place on October 20, 1827, off the southwestern coast table families in 1933, Mr Notaras first ran a small ly.net, and the publication of 13 books about the of the Peloponnese, pitted the Ottoman armada against the cinema in Woolgoolga, then entered the banana in- history of the islanders and the wider Greek popu- allied forces of Britain, France and Russia. Penned by a dustry. lation in Australia. French navy officer, the manuscript is unsigned yet contains That led him and his younger brother John into His contributions to the Greek Orthodox Church vivid details of the naval battle. The bidding will start at be- the import and manufacture of machinery, includ- have included helping to run a fundraising cam- tween 4,000 and 6,000 euros. ing two highly successful products - a minuscule paign that collected $700,000 to help an alcohol The item is part of “Rare Books, Manuscripts, Documents computer ignition for small engines that was na- and drug rehabilitation program. and Engravings,” a sale organized by the Vergos Auctions med New Invention of the Year on ABC-TV's The In- He was awarded the Cross of St Andrew, the and taking place at the Plaza Hotel in Syntagma Square on ventors program in 1975, and the top-selling Atom Greek Orthodox Church's highest award, in 2003. Monday, March 17. The sale presents 472 lots and the bid- Lawn Edger. Mr Notaras said he was a proud Grafton product, ding is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Their business success enabled them to become adding there were many outstanding people who Besides items of major historical importance, the upcom- generous fundraisers and benefactors of many had come form the city, including his twin brother ing auction will showcase rare finds from the worlds of cul- causes. Mitchell, an eminent surgeon, who died in 2011. ture, visual arts, photography and poetry. Highlights include Grafton has seen the benefit of Mr Notaras's "I'm very proud that our family name is up there two manuscripts by celebrated Alexandrine poet C.P. Cavafy work in the painstaking restoration of the Saraton with everyone else in Grafton," he said. (1863-1933) featuring his poems “Desires” and “Finished.” Theatre, that had been built by his father Tony and Starting bids are set at 5,000 to 7,000 euros for each poem. uncle Jack in the 1920s, and which he bought with Source: The Daily Examiner Ancient Greek trireme used for the movie “300: Rise of an Empire” If you decide to watch the movie and Culture in collaboration with the “300: Rise of an Empire” you will see a Greek National Tourism Organization replica of the ancient trireme “Olympi- and the Nautical Museum of Greece. as.” One might wonder how the film- Plans for its construction were provided makers were able to make an exact by the “Trireme Trust” in Britain and replica. the project was funded by the Greek The truth is that they asked the Greek Navy. The trireme was used during the Navy to provide them with construction Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay. plans. Seeing as the movie is based on The engineering drawings for the Greek history and depicts real facts - trireme were used as the basis for the perhaps a little altered to fit an action graphics (CGI) of Greek ships in the film, movie - their wish was eventually grant- in order to achieve the greatest accura- ed. cy possible. The exact copy of the trireme, in its So far so good, although the Navy is original size, was built between 1985- uncomfortable with the fact that the 1987 in Greece, at Tzakakos shipyards ancient trireme is being exploited by a in Keratsini, under a program imple- website which charges for the trireme’s mented by the ministries of Defense photographs according to their quality. MARCH 2014 14/32 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

Elliniko development will have major impact on economy In the long term, the privatization and development of the old international airport plot at Elliniko, southern thens, is seen creating about 50,000 jobs and boosting the country’s gross domestic product by 1.5 percent, ac- cording to a report by the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE). The report drafted upon TAIPED’s request showed that the Elliniko project will create 35,000 jobs during the real- ization of its development plan in the period from 2014 to George Corraface is one of Greece's best-known inter- 2025. In contrast, if the investment does not materialize, national actors with a 30-year career in Europe and some 14,500 jobs will be lost through the fiscal adjust- the United States. ment measures that will be taken in 2014 and 2015 to off- set the fiscal loss resulting from the concession’s failure. The project concerning what is considered to be the A silver lining most important property for development in the Mediter- ranean will lead to a 1.2 percent increase in Greece’s GDP as a result of growing investment demand and private for Greek consumption. The external balance will also benefit via the inflow of funds and incomes from abroad, while the property for development would entail fiscal measures concession of the plot after the completion of the tender that would lead to the shrinking of GDP by 0.3 percent in filmmakers will give prominence to Greece as a reliable and attractive the first couple of years, the report estimated. Therefore, investment destination. IOBE concluded, “the concession not only has the practi- By John Hadoulis - Kathimerini, Athens The impact of the GDP growth will predictably be cal cash objectives, but it will also have beneficial conse- greater in the Attica region, while failing to concede the quences on economic activity and employment.” The difficult times that Greece faced for the past few years, have also spurred the country's filmmakers onto a prize-winning renaissance in a rare success story from the eurozone nation. Venizelos urges diplomatic channels with The same recession that brought misery to tens of thousands of families since 2009 has fu- eled demand for tales out of Greece - prompting Russia to remain open after Crimea vote the nation's filmmakers not only to adapt to the new economic realities but also rack up awards Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Union must ensure its credibility and including senior figures in Russia's in the process. Venizelos has called for a “diplomatic ability to function as a basic factor for military and political establishment, Last year, 36-year-old Alexandros Avranas and political” solution to the dispute stability on the European continent. will be whittled down to perhaps picked up a best director prize at the Venice Film in Crimea after a referendum on Sun- Greece currently holds the rotating «tens or scores» of people before EU Festival with 'Miss Violence', a movie about a day 16 March, indicated that the vast EU presidency and Venizelos insisted foreign ministers take the final deci- girl's hushed-up suicide that also won a best ac- majority of its citizens want the re- that the Union had to balance its de- sion in Brussels, diplomats say. tor award. gion to join Russia. fense of international law with the Ministers are also expected to can- Two years earlier, 'Dogtooth' by 41-year-old With the European Union prepar- need to continue negotiations with cel an EU-Russia Summit scheduled Yorgos Lanthimos - a film about a dysfunctional ing sanctions against Russia and the Moscow. to be held in Sochi in June. Greek family - was nominated for Best Foreign EU’s high representative for foreign “Thus, our message is a message of The recent referendum in Crimea Film at the Oscars, the first such accolade for a Affairs Catherine Ashton due to chair support for international law, but, at has only reinforced European anger Greek film in over 30 years. a meeting of the Foreign Affairs the same time, of the need for the over Russia's military intervention "The crisis has put the spotlight on Greece, Council, Venizelos called for diplo- political and diplomatic channels to there, despite results showing Crime- and this has spurred Greek filmmakers," said matic channels to remain open. be preserved and to function.” ans voted overwhelmingly to break Gregory Karantinakis, general manager of the “The common European stance is EU diplomats worked late into the away from Ukraine and to join Rus- Greek Film Centre, the state-supervised body very clear,” he said. “The European night on Sunday, haggling over a list sia. supporting Greek cinema. policy must be a policy of principles. of people in Crimea and Russia who An EU statement said the referen- A flood of international media coverage of an- Our goal is, at the same time, respect will be hit with travel bans and asset dum was illegal and illegitimate and ti-austerity protests, many of them violent, has for international law and the safe- freezes for actions which «threaten its outcome would not be recog- paradoxically helped pique interest. guarding of stability and peace. The the territorial integrity, sovereignty nized. "People outside Greece have sought to discov- solutions must always be political and independence of Ukraine." er what is happening in the country," he said. and diplomatic, and the European The initial list of 120 to 130 names, Sources: Kathimerini & Reuters ‘Dogtooth’ director Lanthimos also won best screenplay at Venice in 2011 with 'Alps' - a movie about an underground organisation that Demonstration for 15yo Berkin in downtown Athens helps mourners by impersonating the deceased. He is now directing his first English-language Anti-authoritarian movements and groups in feature, 'Lobster', starring Colin Farrell and Athens have recently organised a demonstration Rachel Weisz. The film is a dystopian love drama outside the Propylaea building, in response to set in the future. the death of 15-year-old Berkin Elvan in Turkey. Overall, Greek cinema is riding a wave of suc- The demonstrators then marched to the Turkish cess unseen since the European glory days of di- embassy. rector Theo Angelopoulos in the 1990's. The 15-year-old died after being hospitalized in "The crisis has helped in an unexpected way. It a coma for 9 months, due to serious injuries he has brought together very creative people and it suffered from a police tear gas canister during has compelled them to work together," says anti-government demonstrations in Constantino- George Corraface, one of Greece's best-known ple last summer. international actors with a 30-year career in Eu- A number of demonstrations also took place in rope and the United States. Thessaloniki and Exarchia, the troubled down- "People do amazing work with very little mon- town area of Athens where the 16-year-old Alex- ey, and this has a huge effect. It creates a buzz all is Grigoropoulos was gunned down by police offi- over festivals," he told AFP. cer Epaminondas Korkoneas. MARCH 2014 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 15/33 Health

Influenza Vaccine Committee based on recommenda- respiratory function and people with impaired tions from the World Health Organisation. immunity and children aged 6 months to 10 The World health Organisation has recommended years on long term aspirin therapy. HEALTH two strain changes for the 2014 influenza vaccine. The • Pregnant women 2014 influenza vaccine for Australia is recommended to NEWSNEWS contain the following strains: Annual influenza vaccination is recommended but • A(H1N1) A/California/7/2009 – like strain; not provided free for, people who can transmit influen- • A(H3N2 A/Texas/50/2012– like strain; za to persons at an increased risk such as staff at nurs- WITH DR. THEO PENKLIS * • B/Massachusetts/2/2012– like strain; ing homes, nurses, teachers and volunteer workers and persons who provide essential community services.It is These are the three strains expected to circulate this also recommended for all household contacts and oth- year. To provide continuing protection annual vaccina- er close contacts of children and adults with a medical tion with the vaccine containing the most recent strains condition that puts them at increased risk of influenza FLU VACCINE is necessary. complications. Influenza is generally spread by ‘droplet infection’. The vaccine should not be given to anyone who suf- TWO STRAIN CHANGES FOR 2014 That means it is spread by the coughs and sneezes of an fers from severe egg or chicken feather allergies. The infected person which create little droplets which hang vaccine is a safe vaccine. It can cause redness or sore- FLU VACCINE in the air. These droplets are then inhaled by other peo- ness at the injection site, but severe side effects are ex- NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOUR FLU ple. The infection starts in the nose and throat of the tremely rare. Inactivated influenza vaccine has been recipient person and may spread further down into the available for over fifty years. Since that time, the for- SHOT lungs which can result in bronchitis or pneumonia. mulation has been continually improved resulting in far The patient with influenza will typically complain of less adverse reactions. feeling cold shivers or a high temperature which may In 2010 there were adverse events in children under Each year at this time I like to remind people that the come on suddenly, aching muscles or (myalgia) and 5 years of age with the Fluvax brand. As in the years influenza vaccine, more commonly called the flu vac- joint pains, a sore throat and a bad cough. The person since 2010 again in 2014 the Fluvax brand is not regis- cine is now available. feels very unwell and may be tired and lethargic for sev- tered for use in children less than five years of age and The influenza virus is constantly changing so it is im- eral days. not recommended for children from five to nine years portant to receive vaccination against the flu every year Almost anyone can get influenza, but there are a of age. in order to be protected against the most common number of ‘high risk’ groups who are likely to be affect- The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immuni- strains. ed. sation has advised that Fluarix or Vaxigrip brands of in- Getting an annual flu vaccination is a very important The single most important preventative measure one fluenza vaccine are suitable for children between six and effective measure in preventing the illness. And the can take is to be vaccinated against the ‘flu. The vaccine months and five years of age under the National Immu- best time to be vaccinated is in March or April to ensure is a single injection which can be given by your family nisation Program. maximum protection. The protection develops two doctor. Now’s the time! Talk to your family doctor about the weeks after getting the injection and lasts up to a year. The aim of the immunisation is to expose an individ- flu vaccine. Therefore every year people need to be re-vaccinated. ual to either a dead or inactive virus so that the body Most people are aware of the benefits of having a Influenza is a highly contagious infection of the nose, can mount an antibody response. The response is re- vaccination each year to protect themselves against in- throat and lungs. Its effects are rapidly felt throughout membered by the immune system so that if it is ex- fluenza. the whole body. Every year during the winter months, posed to a real influenza attack, the body can mount a The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immuni- most parts of the world experience an outbreak of in- much quicker and larger response to it. sation also recommends that all people over 65 years of fluenza known as ‘flu. The best time to be vaccinated is before influenza oc- age should have an additional vaccine known as the Most young and fit people will recover fairly quickly curs in the community. This is usually in Autumn, but Pneumococcal Vaccine. This vaccine is now provided from influenza, but for others, it can be a serious life- vaccination can still take place in the first few months free to all Australians over 65 years of age. This winter threatening illness. of Winter. be fully covered: add pneumococcal vaccination to your In an average year it’s estimated that 1500 Aus- For the 2014 influenza season the following groups ‘flu vaccine. Talk to your doctor about the pneumococ- tralians die and 20,000 to 40,000 are hospitalised as a are eligible for a free influenza vaccine: cal vaccine. result of the flu. • All people aged 65 years and over • Influenza is caused by a virus. There are two main All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Immunisation is there to protect you against dis- viruses which cause the disease, influenza A and in- aged 15 years and over • ease. fluenza B. Each year, the virus changes slightly so that All people aged 6 months and over who are at Now is the time to talk to your doctor about both different forms of one of these viruses appear every severe risk of outcomes from seasonal influen- the pneumococcal vaccination and the seasonal in- year. The health authorities in this country go to great za, such as those with chronic conditions, in- fluenza vaccination. lengths to try to anticipate the change so that a vaccine cluding cardiac disease; respiratory diseases in- can be developed. cluding: COPD, asthma and cystic fibrosis; dia- * The information given in this article is of a general nature The formulation of the influenza vaccines for use in betes and renal failure and people with neuro- and readers should seek advice from their own medical practi- Australia is determined each year by the Australian logical impairment who have compromised tioner before embarking on any treatment. Disneyland going to Cyprus The Cypriot Government has paved the way for the creation of Disneyland in the countryside, to be built in an area of up to 500,000 sq.m. The owner has been granted the privilege to build a touristic village and a hotel of up to five stars. The government in the “Policy Statement” published last Monday, approves the creation of a “Multithematic Leisure Park.” The park will be a large and complex consolidated development and will include a wide range of entertainment oppor- tunities (like Disneyland). The park will operate under a single management and will have uniform structure and organization. The under development property will be located in an area which is served by premium public roads and which will ade- quately cover the needs arising from the size of the park. As for the extra incentives granted by the State, it is mentioned that such a park could be combined with high-class tourist accommodations (hotels of three, four or five stars and first class touristic villages) which require consultation with the Cyprus Tourism Organization. It is expected to also include a variety of commercial and recreational or entertainment facilities related to the theme of the Park. The Park will include the following basic facilities: * Public Service facilities (reception, information center, restrooms etc.) * Management facilities (management offices, security offices etc.) * Support facilities (warehouses, maintenance shops etc.) Disneyland will cover an area of 200,000-250,000 sq.m. MARCH 2014 16/34 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA Windows to Orthodoxy The Seven Deadly Sins

By Guy Freeland*

“Well, the great Christmas-Epiphany season finally ended, Con, and now we are in Lent heading for Holy Week and Pascha. Perhaps the time is ripe to talk about sin.” “I suppose so, but it doesn’t sound a very cheerful subject. How do you suggest we proceed?” “How about we start with the famous Seven Deadly Sins?” “Good idea - but I started on them a long time ago.” “I’m sure you did, but can you actually list them?” “Of course - pride, lust, drunkenness … ” “Drunkenness is actually not one of the seven.” “Really? Well, there is the one about not honouring your Mum and Dad, and that curious one about not coveting your neighbour’s ox and ass.” “You’re getting confused with the Ten Command- ments.” “Oh? Then what about … ” “Let me put you out of your agony: pride, envy, sloth, avarice, anger, lust, gluttony.” “Of course. I really knew them, but you can’t expect me to reel them straight off if you spring the question out of the blue.” “Sorry.” “That’s all right. But why are there just seven? There seem to be an awful lot missing. What about murder, rape, embezzlement, massaging your tax return, eating 12th C. Byzantine mosaic of the Judgement (detail), Torcello Cathedral, Italy. Hell, with the Antichrist seated on the lap meat in Lent? And one or two of those that are includ- of Satan, and the torments of the proud. ed appear to be a bit dodgy. I seem to recall that pride is supposed to be the most fundamental and deadly of (51:4 MT) puts it: “Against you [God] only have I sinned, the Egyptian desert. His writings deeply influenced the deadly sins, yet I remember Yaya telling me when I and done evil before you”. And because sin can lie deep many Fathers of the Church, including St John Cassian, was a teenager that I should take more pride in my ap- in the hidden depths of the heart Orthodoxy does not St Maximus the Confessor and St Gregory the Great. va- pearance. And that simply because I hadn’t changed my follow the West in holding that it must, by definition, be grius in fact listed “Eight Thoughts”, as he calls them: shirt for a week. And my Dad was always angry at the purposeful. We ask God’s forgiveness for involuntary gluttony, fornication, avarice, anger, sadness, acedia, latest iniquities of the Government - why is that sinful? sins as well as voluntary, unknown as well as known.” vainglory, pride. Subsequent development of the con- Surely, it is complacency that is sinful?” “Does God punish us for our sins?” cept saw sadness (dejection) subsumed under acedia or “Perhaps that is enough about your family for a bit. I “Our sinful acts tend to bring about their own punish- sloth and vainglory under pride, while envy was added think that it is time that I started to unravel the ball of ment. It is not God who intervenes from above to pun- to the list.” confusion in which you seem to be entangled. However, ish us. Our sins automatically create a whole raft of ills; “But to return to pride. Wasn’t I right in saying that I really must thank you for pin-pointing the distinctions and the penalty for sin is more sin. Sinful acts can be- pride is seen as the root of the vices? Why is that?” that need to be drawn. Perhaps I can start with that be- come addictive and addictions can be extremely diffi- “Yes, you are right. Pride, which has nothing to do tween the state of sin and sinful acts.” cult to cure.” with Yaya’s complaints about your unhygienic practices, “Fine.” “Thank you. However, what of my question as to has usually been seen as the root of the deadly “Unlike “morality” or “ethics”, “sin” is a spiritual or whether certain of the Seven Deadly Sins, pride and sins/vices. We need to go back to Adam and Eve to see theological concept. Sin is, in fact, a state of being (of anger in particular, are always sinful?” why. The Fall occurred because Adam and Eve thought the soul, if you like) in which communion or fellowship “Right. Take anger. St Paul distinguishes between that they were autonomous, entirely self-sufficient, and with God is impaired or, in the extreme, severed. To anger, or rage, as a destructive emotion, in which we didn’t need God. By disobeying God’s one command- break communion with God is to suffer a sort of spiritu- lose control of ourselves and which can lead to acts of ment, eating the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of al death; even if spiritual life can always be restored spite or violence, from righteous indignation against in- Good and Evil, they aspired to be like God. The story is through repentance and God’s infinite love and mercy. justice, oppression and other evil acts. The former in- of course a spiritual allegory of the human condition. All The Seven Deadly Sins are so-called, then, because they hibits any constructive response, while the latter leads the ills of humanity flow from unbelief or the rejection have the potentiality to lead to spiritual death.” to a search for constructive remedies for the situation of humanity’s dependence on God. As St Paul recog- “But why are there seven of them?” that has caused the indignation.” nised, to replace God by humanity itself is a form of ido- “That is a matter of convention. Seven has been re- “Could you perhaps now say something about the latry and a product of the sinful state of pride. garded as a sacred number [see Article 33 in Windows history of the concept of the Seven Deadly Sins?” A metaphor that has often been invoked and depict- to Orthodoxy*] since remote Antiquity, so one meets “Certainly. The expression was coined in the West ed in iconography is that of a tree. Pride is depicted as sevens everywhere. The listed terms are pretty general and actually dates from the thirteenth century. Earlier the root of the tree while its seven principal branches so other sins can usually be slotted in under one or an- on the Seven Deadly Sins were most commonly known represent the Seven Capital Vices, with smaller branch- other. “Sloth”, for example, covers what is called acci- as the “Capital Vices”, which is a much better term. es and poisonous fruits the sinful acts which spring from die/acedia, spiritual apathy, but also conditions which “Vice” denotes dispositional disorder, not acts of sin. them. Incidentally, this metaphor separates pride out flow from it, such as idleness, boredom, dejection, de- “Capital” derives from the Latin word for the head, ca- from the capital vices, portraying it instead as their pression (though that can be a clinical disorder) and put. The head was understood as the source (or origi- source. Count pride out and you get seven capital vices, even despair. nating principle) of that to which it referred; as in the add it to the list and you get eight. Eventually, pride was The Seven Deadly Sins do not denote specific acts, “head” of a river, which simply means its source. Caput added in but the number brought down to seven by like taking a sickie when you feel like a day off lying on does not carry the modern connotation of hierarchical combining two of the vices.” the beach, but rather sinful dispositions, dispositions superiority. The Seven Capital (sometimes called “Prin- “I can see that there is a strong case for taking pride which can undermine prayer and impair one’s relation- cipal”) Vices were so called because they were taken to as the root cause of the vices, but doesn’t the Bible say ship with God; and of course lead us to do those things be the source of a multitude of acts of sin.” somewhere that it is the love of money which is the which we know that we should not do (sins of commis- “Right, vices they are. But have there always been root of all evil?” sion) or not do the things which we know we should just seven of them, and has it always been the case that “Yes it does, in 1 Timothy 6:10. But this particular (sins of omission). exactly the same seven have been listed?” text, which is no longer attributed to St Paul, is not fo- The evil dispositions are sins against ourselves, they “The origin of the conception can be traced back to cussed on the source of the spiritual vices but on the eat into us and destroy us from within, but above all Evagrius of Pontus (346-99), who was ordained deacon acts of sin which spread evil throughout the world. And they are sins against God since they constitute a turning by St Gregory Nazianzus and became a prominent it is indeed the love of money or wealth, avarice, which away from the presence of God within us. As Psalm 50 preacher in Constantinople before retiring as a monk to MARCH 2014 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 17/35 Windows to Orthodoxy

Cont. from previous page leads to excess of every kind, to discrimination, oppres- sion and injustice, and even wars, rapine and enslave- ment. But yes, it is this text which has sometimes led Fathers to toy with the notion of taking avarice as the root vice rather than pride.” “You said earlier that “The Seven Deadly Sins” was a spiritual or theological concept. But where does that leave “morality” and “ethics”?” “Sin or vice concerns our relationship with God, and for Christians that means the Holy Trinity. Morality, however, applies to all human beings in their relation- ship with one another and with the natural world, irre- spective of the form of religious belief or, indeed, of whether one has any religious belief at all. Morality ap- plies at different levels, from interaction between indi- viduals to relations between nations or relations be- tween human beings and the environment. Of course Christians are bound to live moral lives and to conform, as far as their Christian conscience permits, to the moral principles and laws of the communities and States in which they live: “Render therefore to Cae- sar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s (Matthew 22:21b).” It is on the level of the universal sense of right and wrong and on human reason, not Christian spirituality, that we have to en- gage with those outside the Faith, though what we say Cathedral, mosaic of the Judgement (detail). Hell with, L to R top, the torments of the lustful, the gluttonous, and the angry; and do should always be informed by the spiritual.” bottom, the envious, the avaricious and the slothful. “And ethics?” “Ethics is the discipline which guides morals. Its prop- stroying it but by fulfilling it and submerging it into the powers, unaided by the grace of God, to take remedial er function is, I believe, to examine what the conse- one and only “law” of the Gospel, the love of God and action and close the offence. But once we recognise quences are likely to be of adopting one course of ac- of our neighbour (Luke 10:27). Actually this is not really that sinful acts flow from sinful dispositions which im- tion rather than another. Ethics should be under- a law at all but a spiritual directive (in philosopher- pair communion with God, then the remedy necessarily stoodas an empirical discipline and subject to changing speak, a meta-ethical principle) that, as Christians, must lies at the spiritual level; that is, through repentance background scientific, medical, and other knowledge. It guide us in reaching moral decisions. All our thoughts, and the acceptance of God’s forgiveness. Sin is a sick- can properly inform moral decision but cannot itself words and deeds must be guided by Christ dwelling in ness of our inner being. This is why in Orthodoxy Con- jump the gap from “is” to “ought”, from empirical as- our hearts. fession is regarded as a form of spiritual psychotherapy sessment to moral rule. We not only sin against God - as did Adam and Eve by and the role of confessor is not seen as analogous to Unfortunately, ethics and morality are often conflat- pushing God aside in the God-denying belief that hu- that of a judge but of a physician.” ed, and worse still ethics and morality are often conflat- man beings are self-sufficient - but also we sin against “Well, you have given me much food for thought.” ed with spirituality. In the extreme, and this has been ourselves, against others, and against the Creation. “There is a great deal more to be said, but, as I see particularly true of bioethics, ethical deliberation has Human beings are all created in the image of God, your eyes are fixed on the coffee percolator, I think we been directly translated into moral laws, the violation sins of omission as well as commission against others had best leave further discussion till next Lent.” of which has then been declared sinful.” are a failure to recognise Christ in them. As Christ says: ““Amen” to that!” “Thank you for that. But how much longer is this go- “as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me (Matthew 25:40b).” We can also sin ing on? After so much sin-talk I desperately need a mug * Thirty-three of Guy Freeland’s Vema articles have been of strong coffee.” against the non-human creation, failing to recognise published under the title Windows to Orthodoxy. The book “Well, I think we can restrict ourselves to one last top- that God dwells in all things. Through all of these di- can be purchased for $28 plus postage from the publisher, St ic. It is most important not to regard sin legalistically, as mensions of sin we damage our relationship with God. Andrew’s Orthodox Press, or from the Greek Orthodox Arch- the breaking of an ethical, moral or canonical code. If the committing of a sinful act were simply the trans- diocese of Australia Book Shop. An e-book version is also Christ came to free us from the Jewish Law, not by de- gression of a moral law, then it would lay within our available for just $5. Greece sends “Rise Up” to Eurovision song contest 2014

Greece has made a decision on who will represent the country in Eu- rovision 2014. The winning song of the televised Greek show is “Rise Up”. The young act who is well on their way to Copenhagen to represent Greece will spend the next two months preparing for the second semi fi- nal of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest. The Greek live show included performances with dancers in kilts and Greek Eurovision legends like Kalomira while the winner was deter- mined by a 50/50 vote mix of Jury and Televoting. The Greek Eurosong 2014 members were; Dimitris Kontopoulos, Elpida, Themis Georgantas, Areti Kalesaki and Reggina Kouri. The four acts that performed on March 11th at the Acro Music Hall in Athens and their songs are listed below: * Petalouda Stin Athina by Crystallia (Music by Nikos Antypas. Lyrics by Aris Davarakis) * (Winner) Rise Up by Freaky Fortune featuring Risky Kidd (Music by Freaky Fortune. Lyrics: Freaky Fortune and Risky Kidd) * Kanenas De Me Stamata by Kostas Martakis (Music and lyrics: Ilias Kozas) * Dancing Night by Mark Angelo featuring Josephine (Music and lyrics by Mark Angelo, Josephine Wendel, Fast Lane, Melina Makris and Thomas Karlsson) Semi-Finals of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest are set to take place on Tuesday 6th and Thursday 8th of May, the Final is scheduled for Sat- urday, May 10th 2014. Some 170 million people from over 40 countries are expected to tune in for the upcoming contest. MARCH 2014 18/36 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA Arts, Food & Wine Editor: Imogen Coward Byzantine chant: when East meets West, Part I. By Dr Ann Coward as Egon Wellesz who, with Tillyard, are considered fa- thers of Byzantine music scholarship in the West, pre- During the period of Lent, I thought it opportune to sumed that all Byzantine music, like Early Christian mu- take a look at Byzantine chant. Let me, firstly, state that sic, before the introduction of the two choir antiphonal my knowledge is very limited, but that I hope this arti- style, was based on psalmody of the synagogues (solo cle, and those following in future issues, may serve as chant with occasional affirmations sung in response by an introduction to this wonderful sacred artform, espe- the congregation). The synagogue style differed from cially for musicians. The articles are taken from an essay that of the temples “in which all manner of noisy in- I wrote in 2005. The place, St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox struments were used,” whereas antiphonal singing was Theological College; the lecturer, Dr Guy Freeland; the introduced to Constantinople by St. John Chrysostom subject, The Sacred Arts through the Liturgical Year; the (Archbishop of Constantinople c. 350 - 407) at the end impression, absolutely worth studying! The essay topic of the 4th century, after he had heard this form of dealt with the eight tones employed in Byzantine chant, singing in Antioch. their distinctive qualities, and how they give expression There appears to be no argument that recitation (of and meaning to the festivals of the Church year. the Psalms, using one note, with no definite rhythms) Two problems, in particular, became obvious to me as and ekphonesis (of the scriptural readings, with a devi- I struggled to make sense of the theory, being, as I am, ation from the basic note, and with melismas perhaps more at home with Western music theory: that of rec- at the beginning and always at the end of the reading), onciling the language of Byzantine music theory with are derived from the synagogues. In so far as there is no Western theory, and of finding reliable English-lan- Church music without words, the traditions of ecclesias- guage sources. This article, then, is from the perspec- tical music may be said to have always been influenced tive of a Western trained musician (and teacher) who by the earliest psalmody. However, it appears to be claims no previous theoretical knowledge of Byzantine commonly accepted amongst today’s scholars that the chant, but who has an abiding love of chant. eight modes used in the Eastern Orthodox Church are To begin with in this first article, let’s look at lan- (to quote Lung et al), arranged according to specific guage, and how the waters get muddied when no dif- rules by St John of Damascus in the 8th century. But the ferentiations are made between Western and Eastern melodic origin of these tones dates much early [sic] ecclesiastical chant. Several problems face a Western having its roots in the ancient popular music of Greece student of Byzantine music seeking information on the highly regarded collection of recordings of music from and Asia Minor, the part of the world that was the cra- eight Church/ecclesiastical tones. Firstly, the word the Middle Ages, ‘Les tres riches heures du Moyen Age: dle of Christianity. ‘tone’ (ichos) is misleading. In English, tone may refer to a Medieval journey’, there is an explanation of the eight a quality of sound, or a musical interval. For the purpos- Church tones given in the chapter dealing with Gregori- References es of this article, therefore, it may be helpful to replace an chant. It lists Mode I as authentic, Mode II as the pla- the word ‘tone’ by the word ‘mode’. gal of Mode I, Mode III as authentic, Mode IV as the pla- Chryssavgis, Miltiades. ‘The Musical element in the There are other words used in Byzantine music, al- gal of Mode III, and so on. Appearing in the chapter on Greek Orthodox liturgy.’ Phronema 9, 1994 though familiar to a Western scholar, which have differ- Gregorian chant, this information is quite correct. How- Girardin, Christian. Les trés riches heures du Moyen ent meanings. For example, authentic modes and plagal ever, it follows directly after a discussion on Byzantine, Age: a Medieval journey. Translated by Derek Yeld. modes are familiar terms to a Western musical scholar early Roman chant and Mozarabic chant (of the Iberian Booklet accompanying the recording HMX 290649.54 of the Renaissance period, but don’t form part of the peninsula), in which the notion of eight Church modes Arles: harmonia mundi, 1995 vocabulary of contemporary Western music theorists. is introduced and, as such, is quite misleading. For Johnson, Daniel. Introduction Byzantine Chant. Modes, well-known to folk musicians, tend not to be Byzantine music, the eight tones are numbered Modes http://chant.theologian.otg/byzbeg.html studied in the West, and fell out of favour during the I, II, III and IV (authentic), and Modes V, VI, VII and VIII Lungu, N., Costea, G. and Croitoru, I. A Guide to the Baroque period, when only two (or at the most three (plagal). music of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Translated and modes, i.e. the Ionian, Aeolian and Mixolydian, being Had scholars stayed with the Greek method of nam- edited by Nicholas K. Apostola. Brookline, M.A.: Holy respectively the Major, minor and, later, the ‘blues’ ing the modes, this confusion possibly would never Cross Orthodox Press, 1984 scales) took precedence. The use of modes has been re- have arisen. It is difficult at times to unravel the extent Palmer, Willard et al. Fun with modes. Alfred’s Basic vived, however, during the 20th century, giving com- to which Western scholars differ on how the first four Piano Library. VanNuys, CA: Alfred Publishing, 1987 posers a wider palate of ‘musical colours/flavours’ to modes equate to ancient Greek modes (Dorian, Phry- St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery. Appendix work with. gian, Lydian and Mixolydian, which were known III: The Intonations of the Eight Modes. If you’re unfamiliar with modes, let me say, at the throughout the West), because it’s often unclear as to www.stanthonysmonastery.org/music/Inton-new.pdf outset, that the theory surrounding them is anything which method of numbering the modes is being used in Strunk, Oliver. Essays on music in the Byzantine world. but straightforward, but this has not stopped publishers their writings. New York: W.W.Norton, 1977 from producing books for young music students pur- Be that as it may, to what extent Byzantine, or Van der Hoek, John. Neo-Byzantine Music. Adelaide: porting to ‘tell all there is to know’ about modes. The Church/ecclesiastical, modes relate to ancient Greek self-published, 2005 most simple explanation - and possibly the only one music is disputed, and direct links between Byzantine Wellesz, Egon. A History of Byzantine music and that’s required to give a student a feel for the concept music and ancient Greek music was not necessarily hymnography. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, of differences in music quality derived from the use of even considered by early Western scholars. Those, such 1961 modes, is to find a piano, begin on Middle C, and play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Repeat this, beginning on D, then, E, and so on, using only white keys. These modes (using different patterns of intervals) have Greek FFoooodd && WWiinnee names: the one you played initially, beginning on Mid- dle C, equates to a Major scale in Western music, and is called the Ionian mode. The full list of names are, in or- Wellington Apiary Tasmania der, Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeo- lian, and (a newie), Locrian. (Students tend to remem- Prickly Box, Hobart Wildflower and Leatherwood honeys ber the order by the following sentence: I Don’t Play Produced by Robin and Antonia O’Brien, these hon- Like Mozart And Liszt.) eys are the ‘real deal’. Intensely sweet, thick and Another problem that has arisen for Western music opaque with a fine silky texture, each of these hon- students wanting to become more familiar with Byzan- eys displays distinctive flavours which, once tasted, tine chant derives from what one might only describe as won’t be quickly forgotten. For a flavoursome all- a determination by some Western music scholars to rounder, the Hobart Wildflower delivers a floral and equate Byzantine music, and in particular studies on the slightly citrus aroma. The Prickly Box is reminiscent modal system, with that of Gregorian chant. Oliver of the confectionary ‘honeycomb’ with intense cara- Strunk, in particular, has a tendency to describe fea- mel overtones. The Leatherwood has a distinctive even just eaten off the spoon. These honeys are tures of Byzantine chant in terms of being “roughly spicey and heady taste reminiscent of an exotic spice stocked by select Tasmanian providores and food comparable to ... Gregorian chant”. This leads to much shop, without being overpowering as so many companies. confusion. For example, in a booklet accompanying a Leatherwood honeys are. Perfect with fresh bread, or http://www.wellingtonapiary.com MARCH 2014 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 19/37

Ignite your senses and visit the 2014 Royal Easter Show

What’s On vation. Each year, close to 30,000 entries are received Hot Topic Debate - Tuesday 15 April Let your senses run wild at the 2014 Sydney Royal across 40 competitions and over 5,000 competition Seniors Days - Tues 15 & Wed 16 April Easter Show - Australia’s largest annual event. There is classes. Many exhibitors travel from across the country Youth in Agriculture Day - Saturday 19 April so much to see and do at the Show including animal ex- to compete in classes as diverse as livestock, horticul- Kids Day - Wednesday 23 April periences, food and wine, entertainment, carnival fun, ture, art and woodchop - all vying for the chance to win shopping and much more. a prestigious Sydney Royal ribbon. Food & Drink Touch cute and cuddly farmyard animals in the Farm- The competitions are judged by experts in the field to There’s always a festival of flavours and tongue-teas- yard Nursery or the fleece of a sheep during sheep ensure only the ‘best of the best’ are rewarded. The ing medley of taste sensations at the Sydney Royal East- shearing. See the finest animals on display in the animal Show offers the largest agricultural prize pool in Aus- er Show. pavilions and the creative produce tapestries of the Dis- tralia with more than $750,000 awarded in prize money From gourmet food and wine experiences through to trict Exhibits climb up the walls of the Woolworths and over 15,000 trophies, certificates and medals country style morning tea, alfresco dining, a quick snack Fresh Food Dome. awarded. on the go or a cool refreshment, there is something for Taste award-winning food and wine in the Sydney every taste and budget each year at the Show. Royal Beer and Wine Garden, or treat yourself to the District Exhibits For the freshest Australian produce, head to the pop- latest carnival snack, the Waffle Dog. Smell the distinct Climbing up the walls of the Woolworths Fresh Food ular Woolworths Fresh Food Dome for delicious prod- country air as you wander around the grounds or the Dome, the District Exhibits are one of the Show’s iconic ucts to sample and buy. Improve your culinary skills aroma of freshly baked scones in the CWA Tearoom. displays, featuring creative and artistic installations as- with a visit to the Australian Women’s Weekly Theatre Hear the sounds of chips flying in the iconic Wood- sembled from outstanding quality grain, wool, fruit and Kitchen for daily cooking demonstrations and celebrity chop Competition and the screams of delight from the vegetables. Each display consists of more than 10,000 chef appearances. Coca Cola Carnival. pieces of the best quality fresh produce from five agri- The Sydney Royal Beer and Wine Garden will return in cultural districts throughout NSW and South East 2014 to a new location in The Park, offering award-win- Entertainment Queensland. ning beer and wine and gourmet food plates to share, When it comes to unique entertainment, the Sydney Each display is a labour of love from the five agricul- in a relaxed setting. Royal Easter Show has it all. From traditional favourites, tural districts and is the work of months planning, to new events and attractions, the entertainment line- sourcing produce from local farmers, designing and Showbags up at the 2014 Show will excite both young and old. piecing together the incredible artworks. No day at the Sydney Royal Easter Show is complete Be sure to catch the range of new shows including Di- The five districts undergo five days of judging to com- without a trip to the Showbag Pavilion. With 336 show- nosaur Adventures and Goin’ Ape - Gorillas In Your pete for a prize that reflects the skills of professional bags on offer bursting with treats and fun, there’s al- Midst, plus some old crowd favourites such as Psycho designers, farmers and volunteers. Judging of the com- ways a showbag to suit any age, taste and budget. Sideshow, featuring new zany acts. There’s also new petition takes place over six days before the Show com- Showgoers are spoilt for choice this year with a range character shows and ‘meet and greets’ to entertain the mences with close to 50 judges awarding points based of new, exciting showbags on offer as well as the return young ones. on produce and display. of classics and family favourites. Don’t miss the spectacular new evening entertain- ment production, Australiana In All Its Glory, which cel- Special Days & Events Top 10 Showbags ebrates all that we love about our great southern land Not sure which day to head to the Show? There are a 1. Dorothy the Dinosaur and features a dazzling 12-minute fireworks finale. range of special events and discounted prices offered 2. Monopoly across the 14 days that may help you decide. 3. Nestle Show Stopper Competitions Official Opening - Saturday 12 April 4. Peppa Pig The Sydney Royal Easter Show competitions are the Heritage Day - Sunday 13 April 5. Tiny Teddy events run by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW to The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Presentation - 6. Elmo measure and maintain excellence in agriculture. Held Sunday 13 April 7. PlayDoh almost continuously since 1823, these competitions set Rural Achiever Public Speaking Showcase - 8. Hubba Bubba the quality benchmark for a wide range of animals, pro- Sunday 13 April 9. Coca-Cola Backpack duce and skills, and encourage development and inno- Excellence in Agriculture Day - Tuesday 15 April 10. Darrell Lea Pig Out Bag MARCH 2014 20/38 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA Travel Western Crete

An authentic welcome oilt Western Crete The area straddling the border between the Hania and Rethymno districts remains one of the island’s most unspoilt BY H. ARGYROPOULOS

The rough strip of land be- tween western Crete’s Lefka Ori (White Mountains) and Mount Psiloritis, where the land mass narrows to a neck of some 15 kilometers in width between the northern and southern coasts, remains one of the island’s most authentic: fine beaches, gorges, pictur- esque villages, plenty of her- itage, good food and amiable people. It has only been slight- ly affected by tourism develop- ment - with the exception, per- haps, of the Plakias resort on the southern coast. The hilly area between the the beach is Kournas, Crete’s century by Arab pirates, it be- ment - which has received Preveli beach, 37 km from Mouselas and Petres rivers, only natural lake, with a maxi- came an administrative center wide praise. The old girls’ Rethymno on the southern some 10 km west of the city of mum depth of 22 m. in the 19th century and ac- school is now a hotel, while the coast, below the historic Rethymno and 40 km east of A few kilometers west and quired sumptuous villas with enterprise also features a monastery of the same name, Hania, is dotted with pretty vil- 25 km from Hania is Vamos, a Venetian and neoclassical ele- workshop of traditional prod- with palm trees at the mouth lages, such as Episkopi and lush beautiful village atop a hill with ments. ucts that are sold at a local out- of Kourtaliotis gorge, is one of Argyroupoli - the latter built fine views of the sea and the After decline set in during let. Crete’s most photographed lo- where ancient Lappa used to Lefka Ori. Inhabited in the 9th the 1990s, Vamos was fortu- Twenty-five kms southeast cations. be, an important town in Ro- nate enough to be revived by a of Rethymno, in the foothills of A few kilometers east, ar- man-era Crete. It is worth visit- local initiative that targeted Mt Psiloritis, is the Arkadi chaeologists who for the past ing the source of the Mouselas the restoration of the village’s Monastery, perhaps Crete’s two years have been excavat- River and exploring the Petres, old houses and their conver- most venerated symbol of ing an area near Plakias found Kato Poros, Vilandredo and sion into guesthouses with full freedom, where a few hundred stone tools at least 130,000 Asi-Gonia gorges. respect for tradition but also defenders in a revolt against years old. The find has prompt- Another option is venturing quipped with modern com- the Ottoman Turks in 1866 set ed a revision of the estimated along a superb stretch of Euro- forts. The result has been a fire to their gunpowder stock, dates of the earliest travel in pean Walking Trail E4, which welcome picture of Crete - in taking with them to their the Mediterranean. crosses the enchanting forest sharp contrast with the usual deaths a large number of at- of Koumaria at Alones. Geor- excesses of tourist develop- tackers. Source: ATHENSPLUS gioupoli is a small resort at the western end of a beach over 8 km long and with plenty of trees to provide shade and qui- et for everyone - even in sum- mer. Even though tourist de- velopment is often anarchic, the ample space mitigates its impact. In fact, it can be de- scribed as blessed by nature, just below the imposing Lefka Ori and lying above one of the 1 2 3 4 island’s most ample water ta- bles. The rivers and streams flow- Basic info Where to stay Where to eat What to see ing down from the mountain Rethymno has no ferry connec- All rates for double rooms include Marouvas (in Vamos), plenty of In Rethymno (tel 28310), the an- create natural habitats that tions with Piraeus in the winter sea- breakfast. Grand Hotel Dentro (29- delicious traditional Cretan dishes cient fortress, the Archaeological host some 174 bird species, son, so the only other options for 365), new, from 60 euros; Hotel and a long list of wines from all over Museum (tel 29975), the Historical both endemic and migratory, reaching the area are through Ha- Kougias (23830), in the center, from Greece; Pyrgos, a very comfortable & Folk Art Museum (tel 23398), the including herons, cormorants, nia. There are up to 10 flights a day 50 euros; Stomio (23777), apart- restaurant in a lush setting by the Rimondi Fountain, the Contempo- swans and birds of prey. Some with Olympic Air (tel 801.801.01.01) ments with excellent views, 60 eu- river source, with fine grilled fare rary Art Center (tel 52530) and the of these are rare and threat- or Aegean Airlines (tel 80111.200- ros; Konitsa Mountain Resort (29- and many traditional local dishes; Il- Kara Musa Pasha Mosque; the Arka- ened, while other creatures in- 00). Olympic also flies from Thessa- 390), new hotel, from 75 euros; iomanolis, excellent Cretan cuisine di Monastery (tel 83116) and Preveli loniki three times a week. Ferries: Gefyri (23780), next to the bridge, in the village before you enter Kotsi- Monastery (tel 28230.31246) eccle- clude the loggerhead sea turtle ANEK Lines: tel 210.411.5015; Hel- from 55 euros; Bourazani (61283), fou gorge; Korisia (Lake Kournas), tel siastical museums; the Minoan (Caretta caretta) and the Medi- lenic Seaways: tel 210.419.9000. Lo- fine views of the wildlife park; Arte- 28250.616.530, simple taverna, tombs near the village of Armeni, 9 terranean monk seal (Mona- cal buses run throughout the area mis (24774), rented apartments; Ar- good value for money; Avli (next to km from Rethymno; a variety of chus monachus). The rich flora but tend to be slow. Police: tel chontiko tou Serifi (240-90), in Mo- Rethymno’s holiday apartments of walks are organized March- Novem- includes around 400 species. A 28310.22289; Hania Tourist Infor- lista, guesthouse, from 55 euros. the same name), pleasant decor, ber by the Happy Walker (tel 52920, couple of kilometers south of mation Office: tel 28210.36155. generic Mediterranean cuisine. www.happywalker.com).