THE GREEK AUSTRALIAN The oldest circulating Greek newspaper outside Greece email: VEMA [email protected] JUNE 2003 Tel. (02) 9559 7022 Fax: (02) 9559 7033 In this issue... HELLENIC BUSINESS Greek-Australian business FEATURE in the national news PAGE 6/22 HISTORIC The language of Uluru PAGE 9/25 TRAVEL DECISION St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College develops studies for the general public At one of its most important and women across Australia, meetings since the opening of both university graduates and the College in 1986, the Faculty non graduates. of St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox The course will comprise Theological College has, with four subjects, each to be taught the encouragement and blessing by means of one five/six day of its Dean, His Eminence vacation school. Crete: Archbishop Stylianos, passed a All classes will be conducted series of resolutions which will in English. For university grad- The island where see a major expansion of the uates only, the option will exist College’s educational outreach of extending their studies Zeus grew up to the general public. beyond the four basic subjects The College’s plans include to obtain either a Graduate PAGE 16/32 the creation of a course in the Diploma or a Master of Arts basics of Orthodox theology degree. which will be open to all men Details page 11/27 WINDOWS TO ORTHODOXY TOWARDS 2004 What Orthodox Greek battle to kick smoking habit Christians believe before Olympics PAGE 8/24 PAGE 18/34 INTERVIEW FEATURE D. Papaioannou: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “Thoughts on culture Postmodern Theologian Extraordinaire and Europe” or Pop-Cultural Parenthesis? PAGE 12/28 PAGE 4/20 JUNE 2003 2/18 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA DID YOU KNOW? The Sargasso Sea is in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, covering some 3 million Views square kilometres (2 million square miles). Your say... Why do so many arrive after the Church Service has started and not at the beginning? Dear Sir, I read The Vema with great Is this just a “Greek tradition” or is there ED- You raise some very important points. enjoyment and look forward to each month’s some reason why people seem to come On the one hand, Orthodox Christians feel edition. Thank you. when they please, because people obviously ‘at home’ in the house of God as children of I was reading your article on Orthodox do not think it is rude or disrespectful or dis- God. Their attendance at a Church Service Traditions and Church etiquette and I wish turbing to other parishioners who are deep in is never encouraged to be ‘regimental’ and to ask the following question of you. prayer. unnaturally ‘formal’. For example, the faith- Could you please explain the reason why so Some people even walk in while our ful sometimes stand or sit independently of many of Greek Orthodox Christians arrive Priest is giving his sermon, and wander up one another, depending on their degree of after the Church Service has started and not onto the Solea as if they are oblivious to involvement in the Service, or even their at the beginning? what is going on and light their candle. Or is physical capability. I am a convert to the faith, my father is it just complacency, and a lack of passion for On the other hand, however, this should not Greek, and my mother Australian. I was Christ and their Faith? be taken as an excuse for laxity or just plain brought up in the Catholic Faith, coming There would be some people who are laziness. Some people believe it is alright to back to my Greek roots and converting to sick, and also the very old who are not able arrive just before Holy Communion. Orthodoxy 7 years ago. to get there on time, and those with very However, as you correctly point out, it is I am constantly amazed at the casual way young children, but this would not make up much more respectful towards God, and most Orthodox attend Church Services, and 2/3 of the congregation. more beneficial for ourselves, if we attend seem to come whenever they please. How can we expect the younger genera- from the beginning. If a friend of ours had The Services that I have attended every tion to come to Church when this generation invited us to a 3 course dinner, wouldn’t it be On June 19, 1885 the Statue of Sunday in the last 8 years start at 8 am, yet doesn’t even come when it starts? What sort rude to arrive at his or her home when Liberty, a gift of friendship from the Church has only a core group of about 15 of example is this ? everyone else had just started on the the people of France to the people people who are there before the service com- How could you be late for the celebration dessert? of the United States, arrived in New mences. The Church takes three hours to fill of Christ’s life? Lastly, there may be some confusion about York City's harbor. up some Sundays. It is so sad to see this most beautiful reli- the timing of the Service on Sunday morn- Yet the Catholic Church is full when the gion, this precious jewel “Orthodoxy” taken ings. In Orthodox practice, we actually have JUNE 19 service starts, and anyone coming late is so for granted and treated so poorly. Even when two Services back-to-back: one called embarrassed that they stand at the rear of the His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomeus Orthros (or Matins) at approximately 8am 1885 - Statue of Liberty arrives Church. I realise the service is not as long as was here on a visit, the “Patriarchal Liturgy and one that follows called the Divine ours, but only 1/3 of the Orthodox congre- Services” were exactly the same. Liturgy. This is the main worhip Service for The Statue of Liberty, a gift of friendship gation is even in attendance at the start of the the congregation, normally commencing at from the people of France to the people of the Liturgy which takes about the same time as Patrikia Lewis 9.30am. You will find that many people United States, arrives in New York City's har- the Catholic Mass. Adelaide, S. Australia arrive around the beginning of the Liturgy. bor. Originally known as "Liberty Enlightening the World," the statue was pro- posed by French historian Edouard Laboulaye to commemorate the Franco- Get environment-friendly American alliance during the American Revolution. Designed by French sculptor Become part of the solution: Join the World Wildlife Fund Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the 151-foot statue was the form of a woman with an for Nature this summer and lend a helping hand uplifted arm holding a torch. BY KATHY TZILIVAKIS of Greece will be to restore an old stone ety of reptile species and endangered birds. footpath in the picturesque mountainous The Dadia reserve has been declared a JUNE 25 Calling all nature-lovers. The area of Zagori. Special Protection Area by the European World Wildlife Fund for Nature Union. A total of 23 species of birds of prey, 1942 - Eisenhower takes command Axios River Delta (July 22-August 5): out of the 38 found throughout Europe, nest (WWF) in Greece is organising vol- Volunteers will help to replant a stretch of at Dadia. The last black vulture is one of Following his arrival in London, Major untary work camps for grown-ups land close to the river, near Thessaloniki, them. General Dwight D. Eisenhower takes com- this summer. that was scorched in wildfires. They will Lefkimi Evros (July 15-29 and July 31- mand of U.S. forces in Europe. also assist in caring for injured birds. The August 14): Volunteers will mark an old Although Eisenhower had never seen The Greek branch of WWF draws hun- Axios Delta is home to the endangered footpath in the forest, which is home to combat during his 27 years as an army dreds of people aged 18-35 from around the Silver Pelican (Pelecanus Crispus). The area many rare and endangered bird species. officer, his knowledge of military country each year to participate in these is very fertile and offers protection to innu- strategy and talent for organization were unique holiday alternatives. Organisers say merable plant and animal species. Interested in volunteering? For more infor- such that Army Chief of Staff it is an excellent way for people to visit Kerkini Lake (July 28-August 8): mation about how to participate ring WWF General George C. Marshall chose him over nature reserves and to do their share to pro- Located some 47km from the Greek- on 210-331-4893 or e-mail c.christopou- nearly 400 senior officers to lead U.S. forces tect wildlife. It is also a good way to meet Bulgarian border, it is a large, artificial fresh- [email protected] Each camping excursion costs in the war against Germany. new people, rediscover nature and have fun. water lake (a former swamp) and is a main 100 euros per person. This includes accom- Beginning in July, people can choose to pass for migratory birds and a breeding area modation, meals and organised tours in the JULY 13 volunteer at seven different sites. Each for a large and diverse bird population. area. camping expedition lasts two weeks. And Volunteers here will help to build special ATHENS NEWS , 30/05/2003 1985 - Live aid concert even though volunteers work hard, they do wooden landings around the lake for nesting have free time to go on excursions and tour birds.