VEMA Greece APRIL 2017 Tel

THE GREEK AUSTRALIAN The oldest circulating Greek newspaper outside VEMA Greece APRIL 2017 Tel. (02) 9559 7022 Fax: (02) 9559 7033 E-mail: [email protected] DISCIPLINEOUR ARCHBISHOP’S IN THE HOME EASTER MESSAGE 2017 PAGE 5/29

A Journey to Pascha

A daily guide through Holy Week

PAGES 8/32 - 9/33

ST ANDREW’S THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE Doxology to mark the commencement of the new Academic Year

On 15 March, St Andrew’s Theological Col- lege commenced its thirty-second academic year with its annual Doxology Service in the College Chapel of St John the Evangelist and Theologian. PAGE 2/26

We extend our sincere good wishes

Methana: to our readers A sleeping beauty This peninsula on the Saronic Gulf hosts a for a very Happy Easter long-dormant volcano, hot springs and plenty of trekking opportunities. in good health and family unity PAGE 20/44 APRIL 2017 2/26 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

ST ANDREW’S THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE Doxology to mark the commencement of the new Academic Year

On 15 March, St Andrew’s Theological College commenced its thirty-second academic year with its annual Doxology Service in the College Chapel of St John the Evangelist and Theologian. The service was officiated by the Dean, His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia. At the conclusion of the service, His Eminence welcomed the Sub-Dean, His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias, the faculty members, students and all guests in attendance especially those who have held a longstanding association with the College since its earli- est years: The Very Rev. Archimandrite Miltiades Chryssavgis, Dr John Lee, Dr Guy Freeland, and Rev. Alan Galt. His Eminence affirmed that the purpose of the gathering was to give thanks to God for making the College capa- ble of spreading the message of the gospel and salvation during these turbulent times. Indeed, His Eminence asserted that the primary function of the College is to declare that God is alive despite the various problems throughout the world, and to bear witness to the common Christian heritage of the first millennium. generous volunteers of the Ladies Philoptohos. Lawrence Aleria (Goulburn), Georgia Anassis (Melb), Moreover, the operation of the College throughout In 2017, the Colleges serves 51 students mostly from Christopher Condoleon (Syd), Pantelis Fridakis (Adel), its existence has always been a collaboration of Ortho- across Australia but also a few living abroad, studying Sinisha Gavranov (Syd), Angela Kolistasis (Syd), and dox and non-Orthodox people of faith and goodwill, courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate lev- Nicholas Tsesmetzis (Melb). New postgraduate stu- and His Eminence noted this fact with particular sensi- els, via either weekly on-campus lectures or by means dents include Nikodemos Beahan (Bris), Marie-Michelle tivity and gratitude. of online distance education. Chalhoub (Syd), Samuel Kaldas (Syd), Sr Hannah Massy- The Doxology Service was followed by the customary New commencing students welcomed to the College Greene (Jamberoo), Alan Kendal (Peterborough), Nicko- group photograph and the luncheon prepared by the this year include undergraduate students Father las Krikelis (Melb), and Ioanna Alkanani (Melb). Medical tourism has great potential Greece needs to tap the huge market of medical medical tourism, while Turkey has 657,000 health visi- tourism that neighboring countries are already greatly tors per annum, Kokorotsikos said. benefiting from, the secretary-general of the Greek Greece’s advantages include the high level of private Medical Tourism Council, Paris Kokorotsikos (pictu- health services, internationally acclaimed doctors and red), told the 2nd Tourism Conference, titled “High scientists, use of ultramodern technological equip- Added Value Tourism” and co-organised by five bilat- ment in healthcare and competitive prices. eral chambers, which took place in Thessaloniki re- On the other hand its weak points are low state sup- cently. Medical tourism in Europe, with 2.6 million port, poor networking with international medical tourists a year, accounts for a quarter of the global tourism brokers and facilitators, the lack of organized medical tourism market, with Turkey and Croatia be- promotion of the country as a medical tourism desti- ing the main two emerging destinations, while Ger- nation, and the absence of cooperation between many and the UK are the top preferences for serious tourism and transport businesses and healthcare cor- health issues. Greece remains a laggard in promoting porations, Kokorotsikos noted. APRIL 2017 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 3/27 Opinion Erdogan's high-risk games By Tom Ellis - Kathimerini, Athens

During a visit to Istanbul a few years ago, I met with a Western diplomat who at the time held a post in Turkey. After talking about Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem, our conversation turned to political and economic developments in Turkey. The country’s economy was growing, so I was surprised at the certainty with which the foreign official was warn- ing about the looming financial uncertainty brought about the dangerous antics of an unstable leader. That was in the days before Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Europeans “Nazis” and “fascists,” before his threats to flood the European Union with thousands of refugees, and before his warnings that the Euro- peans “will not walk safely in the streets.” Sure, Erdogan had already walked off the stage after an angry exchange with Israeli President Shimon Peres during a panel on Gaza at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Also, he had voiced his support for the Mus- lim Brotherhood and Hamas, and appeared to cooper- ate behind the scenes with ISIS. not insult everyone around you and simply expect to welcome here!” Turkey’s authoritarian president believes that he is get away with it. In the wake of recent political developments in the in charge of a superpower and that he is, or should be, On March 15 German Finance Minister Wolfgang Netherlands, more European politicians – not neces- the leader of the Islamic world – at least of Sunni Is- Schaeuble said that the situation in Turkey at the mo- sarily on the far-right – are expected to imitate Dutch lam. ment is enough to “make you cry.” At the same time, Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s hardline stance on Erdo- Erdogan deems that the Turkish economy will con- Berlin decided to freeze recently agreed measures of gan, which, analysts say, boosted his election per- tinue to grow forever. He fails to realize that serious economic cooperation between Germany and Turkey. formance. investors are looking for an environment with the rule “Has Erdogan lost his mind?” Julia Kloeckner, vice Most Turkey experts tend to focus on the geopoliti- of law that he is now damaging. At the same time, he president of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s CDU party, cal developments, which are of course important, does not understand, or denounces, the rules of the asked a few days later, while on March 20 German while underestimating the economic dimension. global financial system. He believes, for example, that Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said, “We are tolerant Its zero-problems-with-neighbors policy, launched credit rating agencies are playing a dirty game against but we’re not stupid,” adding that Erdogan had gone by former foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu, has Turkey and him personally. too far with the Nazi comments. turned into zero-friends. However, no economy can Turkey’s economy is in decline but Erdogan remains On March 15 Bild, the tabloid-style newspaper, survive such an unhealthy environment for very long. blinded by the arrogant belief that he needs no one. summed up German sentiment on its front page fea- Unless the Turkish president changes his behavior, He has chosen to play a high-risk game, and to ignore turing a picture of Erdogan and the title “You are not and there is no sign that he intends to do so, the fu- the consequences – and he will pay the price. You can- a democrat! You are hurting your country! You are not ture of the Turkish economy looks pretty grim. Geopolitical responsibilities By Alexis Papachelas - Kathimerini, Athens

Turkey’s strategic importance is being openly chal- lenged. Leaders and analysts from both sides of the At- lantic believe that Turkey has embarked on a path which is impossible to interpret even at the best of times. Turkey continues, of course, to be a very big country in a crucial geostrategic location, with important business operations. What has been lost is trust. The deep state, with whom the US Pentagon has been in touch for decades, has been rendered toothless and Erdogan’s uncontrolled authoritarianism is annoying everyone. Israel, once a staunch ally, has now distanced itself and treats Turkey with suspicion. It is clear that there have been developments in the background that have caused a deep rift. Greece could potentially fill this apparent gap, but it depends on how willing it is to play ball. Greek politicians have become accustomed to over-stating the country’s geostrategic assets, forgetting that what you have is not as important as what you do with it. The government, with Israel’s backing, has entered a strategic dialogue with the US that could lead to a practical outcome. Achieving a long-term agreement over the base in Souda would allow the Americans to upgrade the facility using funds for infrastructure. This is only nario is improbable but not impossible. However, great will take strong political will and consensus for this one of several ideas and scenarios being discussed. caution needs to be exercised in the meantime, as game to be played. Such roles and missions are no joke Washington is already making plans for the event that Washington and some Europeans will work hard to when for decades you’ve been too scared to send a sin- Turkey leaves NATO or closes the Incirlik Air Base. If this keep Turkey as an ally. gle military police officer to Afghanistan. If Greece happens, it will be the first time since World War II that One look at the map shows us that Greece is the last chooses to assume this role, it will make enemies and Greece will have to deal with a Turkey that is outside frontier against terrorism, the uncontrolled wave of mi- open itself up to new risks such as, for instance, becom- the western alliance or possibly even in a competing grants and refugees, and a region that is turning into a ing a target of Islamic fundamentalism. one. An old and experienced diplomat once said it black hole. Greece is a country on the West’s front line Developments are rapid and time to make a decision would be good for us to be in different camps. The sce- and may be called upon to actively assume that role. It is running out. 4/28 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA APRIL 2017

Bank of Sydney celebrates 6 years being part of Bank of Beirut worldwide Bank of Sydney hosted a dinner on Thursday March thodox Church of Australia and New Zealand, Sheikh guests also celebrated the timeless service and dedica- 16 at Le Montage in presence of Dr Salim Sfeir, Chair- Malek Zeidan, Representative of Dar-Al Fatwa in Aus- tion of 12 of its employees who have been serving the man and CEO of Bank of Beirut, Dr Nicholas Pappas, tralia, The Hon. John Ajaka, President of NSW Legisla- Bank and its customers for more than 15 years. Chairman of Bank of Sydney, The Hon. John Ajaka MLC, tive council, Dr Nicholas Pappas AM, Chairman of Bank Earlier during the day, Dr Salim Sfeir, was proud to re- President of NSW Legislative Council, Mr Miltos of Sydney, His Excellency George Bitar Ghanem, Consul ceive a certificate of Recognition and Merit granted by Michaelas, CEO along with the Bank’s Board Members General of Lebanon in Sydney and Mr Anwar Harb AM, the NSW Legislative Council in recognition of his leader- from Sydney and Lebanon, religious leaders, politicians, Publisher and Editor-in- chief of Annahar Newspaper ship and support to the Australian and Lebanese friend- community leaders and 400 guests from the Greek, Australia. ship. Lebanese and Australian communities. A special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented The honouring ceremony was held at NSW Parliament The dinner was a celebration of the communities’ to His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, Primate of the house in presence of Bank of Sydney’s Board Members successes as Special Lifetime Achievement Awards were Greek Orthodox Church in Australia, at a warm private and community Leaders. presented by Dr Salim Sfeir to: gathering on Friday morning as he was unable to attend In addition, The World Lebanese Cultural Union of His Excellency Bishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay, Ma- on the night. Australia and New Zealand presented to Dr Sfeir an ronite Bishop of Australia, His Eminence Metropolitan As well as celebrating 6 years working together with award in appreciation for his achievements especially Archbishop Paul Saliba, Primate of the Antiochian Or- Bank of Beirut, the Bank of Sydney management and to the Lebanese diaspora. Enlightening speech on the Anthikythera Mechanism by Professor Xenophon Moussas

The Greek Festival of Sydney and The The lecture was followed by a lively University of New South Wales present- and engaging question and answer ses- ed a lecture by Professor Xenophon sion which the audience showing great Moussas (University of Athens) at the interest in learning more about this in- John Niland Scientia Building UNSW on credible device, from one of the leading Christian Dior, Gucci, Ted Baker the evening of Monday March 13. protagonists of its study. Professor Moussas was an absolutely Professor Moussas’ research provided Katerina + Kyriacos Mavrolefteros captivating speaker who commanded robust evidence that the Greeks were the full attention of the more than 150 developing high-level science and tech- people in attendance, the room was at nology based on knowledge of the laws capacity with eager listeners keen to of physics, much higher than estimated hear Professor Moussas discuss his 12 or usually accepted so far by the global years of research of the Anthikythera scientific community. Professor Moussas Mechanism, a unique, ahead-of-its-time is a space physicist, with research inter- mechanical device, often described as ests including space and solar physics,

the first computer. planetology and the Ulysses mission. Ray Ban Ray to A Ωmega Renovations HOUSE RENOVATIONS

874 Anzac Parade, Maroubra Junction Roofs Gardening Driveways Tiles (at bus stop, on RTA block) (at bus stop, on RTA block) Rodenstock, Brickwork Pruning Painting Cleaning TTeell:: ((0022)) 99331144--00339933 Asbestos Cleaning Serengeti, Maui Jim, Fendi [email protected] Nikolaos Tsiotsias Office: 02 9594 5379 Nina Ricci, Oakley, La font 0404 67 63 66 Mobile: 0414 381 996 APRIL 2017 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 5/29 Our Primate’s View EASTER MESSAGE 2017 + S T Y L I A N O S blood of the One who alone is sinless, it w ould not have been able to grant remission of sins, “shed for By the grace of God us and for many”. How ever, w e must especially Archbishop of Australia note, that, in order to receiv e “remission of sins and To all the Clergy and devout faithful eternal life”, there is no talk about “eating”, but of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese ratherabout “drinking”.

Brother concelebrants and children in Christ, Namely, that which is characteristically em‑ phasised is the new “drink”, and not the “food”. “Come let us drink a new drink, One might ask, what is the deeper symbolic signifi‑ not one marvellously brought forth cance of this characteristic detail? Whilst w e know from a barren rock….” that the nourishment of people generally includes both “food and drink”, y et w e all know that it is This exhortation of the Paschal canon is not merely a “drink” which constitutes the basic food of the in‑ By ARCHBISHOP rhetorical figure of speech. It is a prescription of life fant. STYLIANOS and a concrete possibility of salv ation. It is also a Therefore, the symbolism here is that, if w e OF AUSTRALIA confession of gratitude to Christ, who came forth are to taste the new drink, w e must “become infants form the T omb and abolished the pains of Hades with respect to evil”. We must become like the child. and of Death. We must believe like children, who consider nothing impossible, when they know that they have a father. “Come, let us drink a new drink.” We, people, thirst In other w ords, we are called to be born a‑ for justice and joy . W e thirst for forgiv eness, light gain, rendering v oid all our past sinful life through and love. We thirst for life, immortality and eternity. repentance, precisely as Christ epigrammatically Perhaps, there is no other creature of God that is so asked the same thing from Nicodemus. demanding and so unsatisfied, as is the human per ‑ son. Moreover, there is also no other creature of God May God also show His mercy on us, so that that feels so intensely its needs and depriv ations, as we may overcome whatever obstacles in this painful does the human person. It is for this reason that God journey against the current. In this w ay, tasting the has made people the centre of His interest and prov‑ new drink, we shall be able to chant in the presence idence. of all deaths and above all graves, “Christ is Risen”! After His Incarnation, Christ is crucified and is risen, so that He might secure for humanity deliv‑ To Him be glory and power unto the ages of ages. erance and blessedness. Amen.

The whole mystery of the Divine Economy With fervent prayers in the Risen Christ points to the Cup of Life. The condescension of the Incarnation culminates in the glory of the Divine Eu‑ charist. Therefore, w e, the faithful, are called to drink from the blood “of the slain lamb” of the Book of Revelation. If the blood was not of the New Testament, it would still be the blood of “calv es and goats”, and the drink would not be “new”. And if it was not the EASTER 2017 St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College News Graduation Event (QLD), Jason Israel (NSW), Michel Nahas (NSW), Chrisovalanti Spyrou (NSW), Mi- On 1 April, students of St Andrew’s chael Triantis (NSW) Greek Orthodox Theological College took Master of Arts: Chris Baghos (NSW, in part in the Sydney College of Divinity absentia), Diana Wood Conroy (NSW), (SCD) Graduation Ceremony which Fr Nemanja Mrdjenovic (NSW), Arthur brought together approximately 600 at- Tzortzis (NSW) tendees and distinguished guests. In the Graduate Certificate in Arts: Dn George Great Hall of the University of Sydney, Elhlou (NSW), Christian Farinaccio (VIC, along with approximately 100 other in absentia), Ellana Kariatlis (NSW, in ab- graduates from the fellow member insti- sentia), Collin Nunis (VIC, in absentia), tutions of the SCD, they were conferred Colin Penfold (NSW), Michael Saad their respective degrees and awards by (NSW, in absentia), Antony Scott Taub- the President of the SCD, Mr Peter King. man (Switzerland, in absentia) The Occasional Address was delivered by Diploma of Christian Studies: Theodore the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Costa (SA, in absentia), Nectareos Vasi- University of Sydney, Dr Michael Spence leiou (VIC) AC, who based his eloquent and moving address on Romans 12:1-18. The latest group of graduates brought the total number of graduates to 169 – Undergraduate and postgraduate receiving 199 SCD degrees and awards at awards were conferred, as noted below: various levels, but primarily the Bachelor of Theology – since St Andrew’s opened Bachelor of Theology: Nicholas Feros in 1986. His Grace Bishop Seraphim, College Sub Dean (centre), together with faculty members (first row) and graduates. APRIL 2017 6/30 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

to be far more important than income. China, for instance, has increased its wealth fivefold but overall happiness fell for 15 years and only now is back to Letter where it was a quarter of a century ago. In western nations like Australia, the extent of mental illness is more important than income or even from physical health as a key factor in happiness. Mental illness referred mainly to anxiety and depression. With children, it was not academic achievement that led to happiness. It was the emotional health of Maroubra the child. To quote, “the key factors for the future adult are the mental health of the mother and the social ambience of the primary and secondary school” Our practice at Maroubra specialises in people who (p. 5). had an accident or injury. One regular feature in Of course, work and jobs are important but the ev- many of these cases is a general unhappiness. Of idence also points to other factors if we are to en- course, there are exceptions. Some people that I see hance happiness in Australia. remain happy whatever life has thrown at them. If we increase the amount of social support that we Even amongst my students at the university, bright provide to others, if we protect our personal freedom young people with their whole lives ahead of them – in this society, if we increase our donations and gen- there is often something lacking. Sometimes their erosity to others, and finally if we reduce the corrup- happiness seems a little fragile or superficial. Fre- tion in government or business then our nation will quently, there is no real purpose in life. improve as a whole. This is also a recipe for your life Even when one looks at the general public, then the and my life. extent of depression and anxiety in Australia is evi- It is not the complete answer. This is a worldlytype dence of widespread unhappiness. of happiness. There is also a spiritual or religious hap- Nice people, decent people are being overcome by piness that is not the subject of the World Happiness the demands of life. They are being worn down by Report and about which we can speak on another oc- one problem after another. They are looking for casion. This is what we might call a truer happiness someone to rescue them. that is long-lasting and sadly missing from many lives, While the time seems ripe to steer them away from but I do not want to let my views influence you. their melancholy, it is easier said than done. Meanwhile,if I were to ask you the Cantril ladder At times, it seems to me that people need to start question from the survey of world happiness, how by injecting a little joy into their lives. This joy can ex- would you answer? tend from something as simple as a little free time for happiness on a ladder where 0 represents the worst Here it is: “Imagine a ladder with steps numbered themselves. It could include being able to confide in possible life and 10 is the best possible. from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top. The top of the someone. It might be some time with family. It might Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland were at ladder represents the best possible life for you and be some enjoyment such as a concert or a movie or a the top. Australia was in the top ten. Greece was 87th the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possi- picnic, even if its effect is fleeting. It could be some- out of 155. ble life for you. On which step of the ladder would thing deeper and spiritual. They found that most of the differences between you say you personally feel you stand at this time?” Humans were created to be happy but at times we countries was due to six factors. It was the average Ask yourself. Ask those around you – then do some- have made a real mess of things. wealth, the life expectancy in a country, social sup- thing about it! What led me to these thoughts? Well, it was the port (i.e., having some to rely upon), trust (e.g., hon- esty in government and business), freedom to make World Happiness Report 2017. The views expressed are those of the author and not neces- This report says that social progress needs to be decisions about one’s life and generosity (e.g., recent sarily those of the VEMA or St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theo- measured through happiness. donations to others). logical College. So they surveyed around 3000 people in each of Money and wealth are by no means as important as 150 countries. They asked people to evaluate their many think. Having someone to rely upon was found [email protected] American who gave hope to refugees receives award By Ioanna Fotiadi, Kathimerini, Athens A child plays at the Elaionas refugee “The refugees we’ve housed at our facilities once camp in Athens, in a January photo. again feel human. From the moment they arrive, they get their own room with a door and a key.” This is the secret to the success of Elpida Home, according to Amed Khan, the founder of the operation. “We award you for your philanthropy and especially for the humanity and active solidarity you’ve shown,” said the president of Solidarity Now’s board of direc- tors, Stelios Zavvos, as he presented the 45-year-old American with the Civil Society Award in Athens recently. In early 2016, Khan collaborated with Frank Giustra of the Radcliffe Foundation on a project to provide refugees with a better quality of life. They did this by re- constructing an abandoned factory outside Thessaloni- ki, which was already hosting refugees, and turning it into a guesthouse, giving priority to children and vul- heard saying in their mother tongue in a video about Khan was born and raised in the United States to Ira- nerable groups. Every day, they are rewarded for their the guesthouse. nian parents and is on the advisory committee for the efforts with smiles. As Khan was getting ready to travel He is planning to work on more such projects. “The International Crisis Group. to Athens to accept the award, the young guests of Elp- housing problem has started to subside. Now priority While working with Elpida Home, which registered as ida Home were putting on swimwear for their first must be placed on getting these people to work, since an NGO last October, he has also been getting involved swimming lessons. The lessons are part of a program everyone needs to have a job. I aim to discuss this with in another project. “In Mosul, which is just now being provided by the Education Ministry. At the same time, investment leaders in Greece, for them to open up jobs liberated from ISIS, we’re thinking of building an educa- the mothers were attending dance, music and yoga for them,” said Khan, as he leverages his expertise in tional program aimed at fighting Islamic State propa- classes, provided by NGOs that collaborate with Elpida the business world to approach the reality of the ganda. We’re also targeting Libya for future projects,” Home. “Elpida Home gave us hope,” many women are refugee crisis. he explains. APRIL 2017 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 7/31

The Icarian schoolboy who watched the night skies for NASA

By Lina Giannarou – “I liked it because I felt I was part of Kathimerini, Athens something, even though I didn’t know what that something was exactly,” he re- It was a fine morning in the early 1960s counts. when a parcel arrived at the high school He remembers panicking once when in Aghios Kirykos on the eastern Aegean he watched a satellite disappear into Ori- island of Icaria. It was addressed in a on’s Belt. broad hand “To Mr Chrysostomos Foun- He hastened to inform NASA of his toulis, Meteorologist.” NASA was mar- fears, but desisted from conveying his ked as the sender. suspicion that the satellite had been shot Chrysostomos Fountoulis, the math down by the Soviets. teacher, was stunned as he examined Some weeks later he received assur- the parcel. ances from NASA that the satellite was Not knowing any English, he went to just fine. It had probably drifted into the see his brother, a physics tea-cher at the shadow of a star. same school. Makis’s service with NASA ended when “What is this? Any ideas?” They open- he finished school and left the island for ed the parcel together and found a Athens, where he studied veterinary me- bunch of papers covered in incompre- di-cine before moving to the UK, where hensible algorithms. he specialized in animal husbandry. Yet “What can I say? I have no idea. But years later, he still finds himself looking Makis has some books with stuff like this up at the sky every once in a while. at home,” responded his brother, refer- On January 30, at precisely 6.40 p.m., ring to his son, a student at the local mid- like thousands of Greeks, Fountoulis was dle school, in the same building. on the rooftop of his apartment building The boy was immediately summoned looking out for the International Space to the teachers’ room and asked to ex- this from his first year of middle school the schoolboy enjoyed the task and did it Station as it passed over Athens. plain the strange delivery. until his second of high school and used with enthusiasm. “Is this yours?” his father and uncle the money he saved to buy his first radio, asked. “Yes,” said the boy. “And what is a Philips transistor, in December 1959, it exactly?” paying for it in 10 installments of 250 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia - Parish of St Stylianos Gymea “Instructions from NASA so I can moni- drachmas each. tor the American satellites when they In addition to his love for all things me- pass over Icaria,” Makis responded, put- teorological, his father had also instilled St Stylianos Annual Dance ting on the air of a space scientist. the boys with a love of astronomy. “Take it and get out of here before I “I remember him reading to us on our Saturday, 17th June 2017 wallop you and you really start seeing summer holidays from a book called ‘The stars,” his disgruntled uncle Chrysosto- Universe,’ about the mythology of the mos retorted, somewhat playfully – the constellations,” says Makis. Icarians, a rather independent-spirited His father was concerned that the boys lot, have never been distinguished for would never learn English without a Celebrating Family their love of Americans after all. teacher on the island and so found an- Makis Fountoulis is now 71 and laughs other solution to formal tuition. “He when he recounts the incident, his twin- asked this gangster, an Icarian who had Doltone House kling eyes giving us a glimpse of the mis- been deported from America and re- chievous schoolboy who convinced NASA turned to the island, to teach me English. 223 Belgrave Esplanade, he was an expert meteorologist, their He taught me Chicago slang, but I did Sylvania Waters man on the ground, sending his observa- learn something along the way,” Makis tions by post all the way to Cape says, outlining the roots of his later evo- Canaveral for years. lution. 6.30pm -11.30pm The story began with Makis’s father, “Corresponding was very fashionable who, as a physics teacher, had been as- at the time. I responded to advertise- signed the task of overseeing the Hel- ments offering stuff for free all the time. Adults - $100 lenic National Meteorological Service’s I wrote away for one-month free sub- Children - $40(12 yrs & under) weather station on the island, which was scriptions to Time and Life magazines. It one of around 3,000 across the country. was in one of those that I read NASA was Dad passed the task on to his sons as looking for people to monitor their satel- ;QTMV\I]K\QWV:IІMLZI_ they got older, because as well as being a lites all over the world,” remembers good hobby, the job also paid a small al- Makis. lowance. “I wrote to them in English saying that Come & enjoy a family night out “My older brother got 250 drachmas, I was a meteorologist. Indeed, they sent the middle one then took over and got me a bunch of books in cardboard boxes with music and dancing. 350 drachmas, and by the time it was my for condensed milk, thick as phone turn, I was getting 500 drachmas a books, with instructions on how to spot All tickets pre-paid. Tickets available at Church from Sunday 14.5.17 month,” remembers Makis. the satellites, how to tell them apart or book online by visiting our website at www.saintstylianos.org.au “We monitored the station at 8 in the from the others, special forms that I had contact: Fr Con 0418 511 212 or email: [email protected] morning, 2 in the afternoon and 8 at to fill in for the service etc. They even night. provided stamps so I wouldn’t have to Proceeds to go to the proposed St Stylianos Childcare Centre ”We would observe the clouds, record pay the postage myself. My observations their quality and type, how high they were sent by post because they weren’t We extend our best wishes to our Parishioners were, the speed of the wind, the waves, in a rush. and to the Greek community of Australia visibility etc.” ”They just wanted confirmation of The observations were then sent to their own observations.” in general, for a Blessed Easter Athens in coded telegrams. Makis did There was no money to be made, but in good health and family unity APRIL 2017 8/32 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

A JOURNEY TO PASCHA A DAILY GUIDE THROUGH HOLY WEEK APRIL 2017 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 9/33

THE ROXY 75th ANNIVERSARY

There is nothing remarkable about a sto- the important cultural associations between ry regarding the demise of a Greek café in people and place. It will pay tribute to the rural Australia. There is, however, some- remarkable legacy of the Greek café and thing quite extraordinary about such a café cinema operators to ensure the impact they being brought back to life. made on the daily lives of hundreds of Forty-five years since serving its last thousands of people is not forgotten.” mixed grill, The Roxy Café in Bingara, north- Greek cafés changed the course of Aus- ern New South Wales, has beenfaithfully re- tralia’s cultural history and left a significant stored to its original splendour. legacy on our culinary and cultural land- On Saturday 9th April and Sunday 10th scape. Very few Greek cafes operate as April, The Roxy celebrated its 75th Anniver- they did 50 years ago. Even fewer com- saryHomegrown with the launch of the refurbished caf é appplexes that incorporateprovides a functioning cine- and preview of the site of The Roxy Muse- ma and café remain. um that will be integrated into the venue. “Once complete, The Roxy may be the on- The highlight of the weekend was the ly original purpose built cinema with adjoin- 75th Anniversary Galalone Ball. Bringing workersthe ing café operating in New South Wales, glamour of the 1930’s back to Bingara, the possibly in Australia” states Sandy. Gala Ball was an unforgettable evening of The shared narrative of The Roxy’s histo- Greek feastingwith and festivity sense under the stars. ofry exemplifies security the Greek migration experi- Guests were invited to dance the night ence: one that made an outstanding contri- awayA Greek to the software live band company Ha Va Le, based one inof thethe butionyears. toIn the2014 development it launched of the Australia. QR-Patrol The bestnorthwestern Greek party town bands of Ioannina performing is havingin the restorationapplication, of a thesystem café isfor an managing extremely secu- pos- country.a global impactNo Greek thanks celebration to a new would app pro- be itiverity patrolsand visionary and which project is intoday a region used thatby completetecting lone without workers. the smashing of plates, has700 sufferedcompanies years in 50 of countries.drought and It econom-has now and“Lone the Gala workers” Ball was is the no termexception. used to de- icexpanded downturns. its scope with MyLoneWork- scribeWhy theemployees Greek connection? who work The in Roxyisolationwas ers,It isan inspiring innovative to systemsee what that a focusessmall rural on builtfrom by others, three withoutpartners closefrom theor directGreek su-is- communitymanaging andthat monitoringbelieves in loneits future workers can landpervision of Kythera. of any sort, human or electron- achieve.via internet of things technology (push- ic.Roxy Manager, Sandy McNaughton ex- to-talkThe 75th notifications, Anniversary beacons Celebrations etc), allow-on the plainsThey thatinclude the officeMuseum cleaners, “will becometruck driv- a 9thing andreal-time 10th April supervision were a stepfrom back a distance. in time placeers, machineof national operators, and international maintenance signifi- into“It’s Australia’s basically future an online by celebrating system for an mon- icon cancepersonnel, that collects, postal delivery conserves officers and protects and se- toitoring be enjoyed lone workersby generations that isto come.based on curity guards, among many others, and cloud technology and is supported by all their numbers are rising worldwide. It is new-generation devices (android, iPho- estimated, for example, that in the UK ne/iPad, Blackberry OS 10 and above) and alone,Researcher lone workers represent cites 22ancient percent usesMinoan-era NFC tags, QR codes 'computer' and beacons,” of the total workforce, due mainly to new explains Alexios Foukis, account manager technologyThe Minoan that civilisation allows ondistance pre-Classical work, Creteat Terracom discovered Informatics. the first rudimentary “The worker ana- us- coupledlog computer with thein mankind's rising costs history, of renting accordinges to a researcher smartphone Minas to Tsikritsis,scan the an various aca- anddemic running who specialisesan office. in ancient Aegean writingcheckpoints systems. (NFC and/or QR codes TheTsikritsis, phenomenon who also is hails shaking from upCrete the - la-whereand/or the Bronze beacons) Age Minoan placed civilization on buildings flour- in borished market from approximatelybut also creating 2700 new BC toneeds 1500 centurythe vicinity BC - maintains and the thatcontrol the Minoan room Ageis in- inobject the area discovered of worker in 1898 safety. in Paleokastro Lone work- site,stantly in the Sitiainformed district ofof westernany new Crete, incident pre- in ersceded often the perform heralded tasks "Antikythera that can Mechanism" become theby 1,400work area.years, Every and was incident the first report analog indi- routine,and "portable exposing computer" them into history. more risks cates the worker’s location through Wi-Fi than"While people searching who work in thein an Archaeological environment Museumand GSM of Iraklion networks.” for Minoan Age findings wherewith astronomical there is close images oversight on them and we other came acrossFoukis a stone-madesays that the matrix app unearthed allows lone in workersthe region who of Paleokastro,will notice Sitia. if somethingIn the past, archaeologistsworkers to contact had expressed the control the centerview that fast goesthe carvedwrong. symbolsThe biggest on itschallenge surface isare that relatedif somethingwith the Sun goes and wrong the Moon," and also Tsikritsis allows theysaid. have no one to turn to for help in companies to have better oversight of the Theevent Cretan of an researcher accident andor, say,university an at- professorthe work told being ANA-MPA done thatfor themafter fromthe relief a dis- tack.image In ofsome a spoked cases, disc such on as the train right or side truck of thetance. matrix was analysed it was established drivers,that it served such incidents as a cast putto build other a mechanismlives at that“A functionedhotel cleaner as anassigned analog 10computer rooms, to for riskcalculate too. solar and lunar eclipses. The mechanismexample, was canalso checkused asin sundialwhen he and or as she an is instrumentFounded incalculating 1999, Terracom the geographical has been latitude.done, or receive new instructions from exploring solutions to this problem for the supervisor,” says Foukis. (ANA-MPA) APRIL 2017 10/34 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA ST SPYRIDON COLLEGE

Developing the whole person mind, body and soul

ǾȈȤȠȜȚțȒȝĮȢțȠȚȞȩĲȘĲĮİȪȤİĲĮȚıĲȘȞǾȈȤȠȜȚțȒ ȝĮȢ țȠȚȞȩĲȘĲĮ İȪȤİĲĮȚ ıĲȘȞ ȅȝȠȖȑȞİȚĮʌȞİȣȝĮĲȠĳȩȡĮȂİȖȐȜȘȅȝȠȖȑȞİȚĮʌȞİȣȝĮĲȠĳȩȡĮ ȂİȖȐȜȘ ǼȕįȠȝȐįĮțĮȚȀĮȜȒǹȞȐıĲĮıȘǼȕįȠȝȐįĮțĮȚ ȀĮȜȒ ǹǹȞȞȐıĲĮıȘ

:HZLVKHYHU\RQHD%OHVVHGDQG+DSS\(DVWHU:HZLVK HYHU\RQH D %OHVVHG DQG +DSS\ (DVWHU APRIL 2017 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 11/35 APRIL 2017 12/36 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

The Great and Holy Feast of Pascha

Introduction Liturgy are: Acts 1:1-8 and John 1:1-17. On Easter Sunday afternoon the faith- On the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha, ful gather once more for prayer with Orthodox Christians celebrate the life- lighted candles. All sing the hymn, giving Resurrection of our Lord and Sav- “Christ is Risen from the Dead”. The peo- ior Jesus Christ. This feast of feasts is the ple greet one another joyously, saying: most significant day in the life of the “Christ is Risen”, the Easter salutation Church. It is a celebration of the defeat which is answered, “Truly He is Risen”. of death, as neither death itself nor the They sing, “the dark shadows of the Law power of the grave could hold our Savior has passed away by the coming of captive. In this victory that came through grace”, and standing in exaltation they the Cross, Christ broke the bondage of exclaim, “Who is so great a God as our sin, and through faith offers us restora- God?” tion, transformation, and eternal life. The Gospel according to John (20:19- 25) is read in various languages, pro- Commemoration of The Great claiming the Good News of Resurrection and Holy Feast of Pascha all over the universe without discrimina- tion. The fruit of faith in the Resurrection Holy Week comes to an end at sunset of the Lord is love in His Name; there- of Great and Holy Saturday, as the fore, this day is called “Sunday of Agape” Church prepares to celebrate her most (love feast), a day dedicated to Christian ancient and preeminent festival, Pascha, principles, especially to forgiveness and the feast of feasts. The time of prepara- charity. At this time, Christians seek to tion will give way to a time of fulfillment. end misunderstanding and arguments The glorious and resplendent light ema- among those whom they may be at odds. nating from the empty Tomb will dispel Apostle Paul firmly interprets the Resur- the darkness. Christ, risen from the dead, rection of Christ, saying: “If Christ has cracks the fortress of death and takes not been raised, then our preaching is in “captivity captive” (Psalm 67:19). All the vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthi- limitations of our createdness are torn a- ans 15:14). The Church also states in its sunder. Death is swallowed up in victory Creed, “The Third day He rose again.” and life is liberated. “For as by a man came death, by a man came also the res- The Resurrection has not yet abolished holding candles. The priest sings: “Come Hymns of Pascha urrection of the dead. For as in Adam all the reality of death. But it has revealed ye and receive light from the unwaning Apolytikion (Plagal of the die, so also in Christ shall all be made its powerlessness (Hebrews 2:14-15). We light, and. glorify Christ, who arose from First Tone) alive” (I Corinthians 15:21-22). Pascha is continue to die as a result of the Fall. Our the dead”, and all the people join him in Christ is risen from the dead, by death the dawn of the new and unending day. bodies decay and fall away. “God allows singing this hymn again and again. From trampling down upon death, and to The Resurrection constitutes the most death to exist but turns it against corrup- this moment, every Christian holds the those in the tombs He has granted life.» radical and decisive deliverance of hu- tion and its cause, sin, and sets a bound- Easter candle as a symbol of his vivid, First Ode of the Canon of Pascha (First mankind. ary both to corruption and sin.” Thus, deep faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Tone) The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the physical death does not destroy our life Christ as Savior. In many churches the It is the day of Resurrection, let us be fundamental truth and absolute fact of of communion with God. Rather, we priest leads the people outside the radiant, O ye peoples: Pascha, the Lord’s the Christian faith. It is the central expe- move from death to life - from this fallen church, where he reads the Gospel which Pascha; for Christ God hath brought us rience and essential kerygma of the world to God’s reign. refers to the Angels statement: “He is from death to life, and from earth unto Church. It confirms the authenticity of One of the most symbolic of the Festal Risen; He is not here,” (Mark 16:1-8). Heaven as we sing the triumphal hymn. Christ’s remarkable earthly life and vindi- Icons of the Orthodox Church is that of Then comes the breathless moment as Listen » cates the truth of His teaching. It seals all the Holy Resurrection. In the center of the people wait for the priest to start the Doxastikon of the Praises (Plagal of the His redemptive work: His life, the model this radiant event is Christ pulling Adam hymn of Resurrection, which they join First Tone) of a holy life; His compelling and unique and Eve up from their tombs. The gates him in singing, repeatedly: “Christ has It is the day of Resurrection; let us be teaching; His extraordinary works; and of the Realm of Death are broken and Risen from the dead, by death trampling radiant for the festival, and let us em- His awesome, life-creating death. thrown down. Death, personified in hu- upon Death, and has bestowed life upon brace one another. Let us say, O breth- Christ’s Resurrection is the guarantee of man form is defeated, and bound hand those in the tombs”. From this moment ren, even to those that hate us: Let us our salvation. Together with His Ascen- and foot at the bottom of the scene. We the entire service takes on a joyous East- forgive all things on the Resurrection; sion it brings to perfection God’s union recall the joyous words of St. Paul: “O er atmosphere. The hymns of the Odes and thus let us cry: Christ is risen from with us for all eternity. death, where is thy sting? O grave, and Praises of Resurrection which follow the dead, by death He has trampled The Resurrection made possible the where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians are of superb meaning and expression. down death, and on those in the tombs miracle of the Church, which in every age 15:55) The people confess, “It is the Day of Res- He has bestowed life. Listen » and generation proclaims and affirms In the background stands the host of urrection, let us be glorious, let us em- “God’s plan for the universe, the ulti- the departed, so numerous they cannot brace one another and speak to those References mate divinization of man and the created be depicted. Among them in the front of that hate us; let us forgive all things and order.” The profound experience of and the multitude are some of the righteous so let us cry, Christ has arisen from the Pentecostarion. Translated from the the unshakable belief in the risen Lord dead, though now invigorated by the dead”. By this hymn they admit that love Greek by Holy Transfiguration Monastery enabled the Apostles to evangelize the Resurrection. King David and his son of one’s fellowman is the solid founda- (Boston: Holy Transfiguration Monaste- world and empowered the Church to Solomon are seen on the left wearing tion of the faith in the Resurrection of ry, 1990), 27-42. overcome paganism. The Resurrection crowns. Near the centre is Saint John the Christ. Calivas, Alkiviadis C. Great Week and discloses the indestructible power and Baptist. On the other side is Abel, the son The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Pascha in the Greek Orthodox Church inscrutable wisdom of God. It disposes of of Adam and the first man to ever die. He Chrysostom is then officiated. At the end (Brookline: Holy Cross Press, 1992), pp. the illusory myths and belief systems by wears a shepherds robe and has a cane. of the Liturgy, a part of the marvelous 89-121. which people, bereft of divine knowl- Many Icons of this subject depict large festival sermon of Saint Chrysostom is Farley, Donna. Seasons of Grace: Refle- edge, strain to affirm the meaning and crowds with a few other recognizable read, which calls upon the people to ctions on the Orthodox Church Year (Ben purpose of their existence. Christ, risen prophets. “Take part in this fair and radiant festival. Lomond, CA: Conciliar Press, 2002), pp. and glorified, releases humanity from Orthodox Celebration of Pascha Let no one be fearful of death, for the 147-152. the delusions of idolatry. In Him grave- Before midnight on Saturday evening, death of the Savior has set us free . . . O Wybrew, Hugh. Orthodox Lent, Holy bound humanity discovers and is filled the Odes of Lamentation of the previous Death, where is thy sting? O Hades, Week and Easter: Liturgical Texts with with incomparable hope. The Resurrec- day are repeated. The Orthros of the where is Thy victory? Christ is Risen and Commentary (Crestwood, NY: St. Vla- tion bestows illumination, energizes Resurrection begins in complete dark- Thou art overthrown. To Him be glory dimir’s Seminary Press, 1997), pp. 113- souls, brings forgiveness, transfigures ness. The priest takes light from the vigil and power from all ages to all ages.” 118. lifes, creates saints, and gives joy. light and gives it to the faithful, who are The Scripture readings for the Divine APRIL 2017 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 13/37 APRIL 2017 14/38 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

Stolen antiquities returned from Munich arrive at National Archaeological Museum in Athens Eight crates containing 33 archaeological artifacts and moment. What you feel from the expressions of the ar- coins, she said. 600 coins, including some ancient masterpieces dating chaeologists and curators, the joy on their face every “It is a non-negotiable principle of the Greek state to to the 12th and 13th centuries B.C., arrived at the Na- time the very important finds are unveiled one by one,” combat illegal antiquities smuggling and protect cultur- tional Archaeological Museum in Athens from Munich said Koniordou. Their return from Munich, where they al heritage by any means. It is our desire that these ille- on Friday, March 31. were taken illegally, was “truly touching,” the minister gally acquired ancient treasures should return to the ar- The crates full of archaeological treasures were trans- added, noting that it was a huge success for Greek and eas from which they were stolen. We are already dis- ported to the museum with great secrecy and opened German law enforcement agencies, which had cooper- cussing how specific antiquities will be presented at the in the museum amphitheatre in the presence of Culture ated seamlessly in a joint effort to which the Greek gen- best time and in the best way to the public,” Koniordou Minister Lydia Koniordou, with the Athens-Macedonian eral consul in Munich had also contributed greatly. said. News Agency invited to record the opening of the The minister said that the 33 objects dated to the late The finds linked to an international ring of illegal an- crates as the museum curators took delivery. Bronze age, had very interesting shapes and patterns, tiquities traders dismantled in Patras last October have The remarkable finds, most in very good condition, in- while most appeared to come from the same pottery been transferred to museum conservation workshops, cluded amphorae, bird-shaped vases, a pottery statue workshop. There were also small objects from the Geo- while a committee has been set up to assess their au- of a chariot driver and two riders and other small ob- metric period that were “real masterpieces” and 600 thenticity and value. jects, most of which were possibly grave goods taken from the northwestern Peloponnese. “Today, this is a special, touching and very important Bribie Island Retreat and Recreation Centre

An Activity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

What’s been happening?

We have continued to work internally to improve our site and range of activities; whilst also focussing externally on marketing, advertising and networking to build relationships with a range of school, youth, sporting, Church and community groups. We have also linkedwith youth service providers to implement programs which are geared towards employment, training, cultural awareness, general well-being of our youth and community at large.

Several new organisations have chosen to stay at the Retreat including the following:

9 C3 Church, Kawana Waters 9 Living Stones Worship Centre 9 Redcliffe Dolphins Mal Meninga 9 Good News Lutheran Church Cup Squad 9 Adventure Alternatives 9 Chameleon Regional Community 9 Couples for Christ Australia Global Housing Accommodation & Welfare 9 Gateway Church The Sleeping female figure (Koimomeni) is leaving First Cemetery

Donations

We are extremely grateful for donations and bequests which have been received to date. If you would like to contribute, please feel welcome to contact the Board of Management The Sleeping Female Figure (Koimomeni), Yan- President - Mr Emanuel Kallinicos on 07 3391 1202, or the Coordinator - Matt Bender on noulis Chalepas’ sculpture that covers Sophia Afen- taki ’s grave at the First Cemetery of Athens, and 0419 509 935. In particular we are currently seeking donations & funding to contribute was completed in 1877 will be transferred at Na- towards building of a Shower Block ($40,000 estimate), Multi-purpose sports court ($80,000 tional Gallery’s Glyptotheque. estimate) & upgrade to commercial kitchen ($25,000 estimate). These projects are crucial in Chalepas’ legendary sculpture is in an immediate future development of the Retreat & will rely on funding & donations to proceed. need of preservation which demands its transportation and is in accordance with the artists’ Matt Bender, Coordinator –February 2017 hairs A high standard replica will be installed in the ori- Bribie Island Retreat and Recreation Centre - www.gobribieisland.org ginal sculpture’s place. APRIL 2017 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 15/39

“George Averof” naval ship to be revived by Alexandros Goulandris The legendary ship, “George Averof” is beloved by all – something which she has earned in her years of service in the Hel- lenic Navy. It’s been 65 years since the ̌ΉΕΣ ̄ΕΛ΍ΉΔ΍ΗΎΓΔφ ̄ΙΗΘΕ΅Ώϟ΅Ζ ship was decommissioned, and she has ̌̈̔̒̕ ̐̄̒̕ ̖̗̒ ̗̄̆̌̒ ̛̗̌̄̐̐̒ ̖̗̒ ̖̖̗̅̄̓̌̒̕ served as a floating Naval museum in the bay of Palaio Faliro just south of Athens Greek Orthodox Parish of St. John the Baptist Cairns since 1984. Cnr Kamerunga & Fairweather Rds Redlynch QLD 4870 She may be out of commission, but re- Tel: (07) 4058 1116 Mob: 0415 936 609 Email: [email protected] cently the famous Greek shipowner Website: www.greekorthodoxparishcairns.org Alexandros Goulandris along with members of Hydra’s Ecologists Club and re- tired Naval officers have decided to come together and revive the old ship to see her sail the Greek seas again. ̓̔̒̆̔̄̏̏̄ ̛̌̈̔̐ ̛̗̄̍̒̎̒̋̈̌̐ It has been awhile since “George & 2017 Averof,” also known as “Lucky Uncle ̄̆̌̄̕ ̍̄̌ ̏̈̆̄̎̊̕ ̈̅̇̒̏̄̇̄̕ ̙̓̄̄̕ George” has sailed the seas. Back in the 40’s she made a name for herself and her crew who defied the threat of German airstrikes as she made her way to Souda Bay, Crete. “George Averof” went on to patrol the Indian Ocean and remained in commission until 1952. Now Alexandros Goulandris, known for SERVICES OF HOLY OF HOLY WEEK. his philanthropy in all things Hellenic – especially maritime tradition – has taken on the task of reviving the old ship. It is a SUNDAY 9 PALM SUNDAY daunting task, as she has been anchored 7:30 am Matins & Divine Liturgy for decades and, being a 110 year-old FISH LUNCHEON $10.00 All WELCOME. cruiser, she has a lot of mechanical work that must be completed before she can 6:00pm MATINS SERVICE FOR MONDAY ever sail the seas of Greece again. Monday 10 HOLY MONDAY, JOSEPH THE ALL GOOD 6:00pm MATINS SERVICE FOR TUESDAY

TUESDAY 11 HOLY TUESDAY PARABLE OF THE 10 VIRGINS 6:00pm MATINS SERVICE FOR WEDNESDAY

WEDNESDAY 12 HOLY WEDNESDAY, THE WOMAN WHO POURED MYRRH 6:00pm VESPERS AND THE SACREMENT FOR HOLY UNCTION

Photographer Alexandros Maragos THURDAY 13 HOLY THURSDAY- THE LAST SUPPER is well-known for capturing stunning 8:00am Vespers & Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great still shots and videos of the natural beauties of Greece. This time, he has 6:00pm Service of the Holy Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Reading of the 12 Gospels) created a video called “Acropolis Es- per Analysis” (Time-lapse), where he FRIDAY 14 HOLY FRIDAY- THE HOLY PASSION OF OUR LORD captures the imagery of the Acropolis 8:00am THE GREAT HOURS during Earth Day 2017. Originally started as a “lights-off 11:00am (Dressing of the Epitaphio with flowers) event” in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour 3:00-4:00pm Vespers- The Apokathelosis (Taking the Body of Christ of the Cross) is a worldwide movement organized 7:00pm Evening service of the Holy Sepulchre-'Epithaphios' by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) which occurs in March annual- ly. The basic purpose of the event is to SATURDAY 15 HO LY SATURDAY- THE DESCENT OF THE LORD INTO HADES encourage individuals, communities, 8:00am VESPERS & Divine Liturgy (STRICT FAST NO OIL) households and businesses to turn off 11.00pm-1:30am EVENING MATINS OF THE RESURRECTION all non-essential lights for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. The event is symbolic as a means to save energy SUNDAY 16 GREAT & HOLY PASCHA and demonstrate a commitment to 11:30 am SERVICE OF THE HOURS OF LOVE & PASCHAL LUNCHEON ALL WELCOME the environment and our planet. More than 7,000 cities participate in the annual event in 172 countries. ̒ ̌ΉΕ΅Θ΍ΎЏΖ ̓ΕΓϞΗΘΣΐΉΑΓΖ Δ. ̏ΉΑνΏ΅ΓΖ, Γ ̓ΕϱΉΈΕΓΖ Ύ΅ϟ Θ΅ ΐνΏ΋ Θ΋Ζ ̈ΎΎΏ΋Η΍΅ΗΘ΍ΎφΖ This year’s event took place on March 25. ̈Δ΍ΘΕϱΔ΋Ζ, ΉϾΛΓΑΘ΅΍ ΉϟΖ ϱΏΓΙΖ ΘΓΙΖ ̙Ε΍ΗΘ΍΅ΑΓϾΖ ̍̄̎̒ ̍̄̌ ̗̈̎̒̆̊̏̈̐̒ ̙̓̄̄̕ APRIL 2017 16/40 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

Afksentiyos Kalangos: The “golden” hands of pediatric cardiac surgery

He has been characterized as the mod- than the 15.000 surgeries over the last He graduated in 1984 at the age 23, He loves the smell of cinnamon and he ern missionary of Medicine and not un- decade to poor children. from the American Medical Faculty of Is- always has a bottle of it in his office. He fairly. He is not just interested in titles or In 1998, Afksentiyos Kalangos founded tanbul, he specialized himself in surgery says that cinnamon regenerates him, but offices. He was a disciple of Alain Karpen- the charity institution «Coeurs pour in London and then he spent five addi- it also reminds him of the place of his ori- tie and Magktni Yaqub, whom he fol- tous» (Hearts for All), and since then he tional years of study in order to be de- gin Constantinople. lowed closely. is holding the leading po- is surrounded by a group of surgeons voted to heart surgery for children and As a son of a doctor, his father was a sition in the Department of Cardiac sur- with common ideals, offering valuable babies in Paris and in the U.S. Eventually physician, head physician of the pediatric gery of the University Hospital of Gene- medical services to people in need he became a professor at the University hospital in Istanbul Baloukli, he followed va. All the above do not matter more around the world. of Geneva at his early 40s. his father’s words, to make his life’s goal the works and not the money. It’s no wonder that a road to Istanbul has been named after his father, who died in 2004, having completed 65 years of devotion to patients. “A man, who could cure any disease” Issue 2 “To sin and not as the Turks say even today! repent is blasphemy against the Lord”, Anony mou s

Portion 2.1 Obstructions to Confession The divine Chrysostom though tells us: “feel When the enemy sees that we intend to shame when you sin and not when you confess our sins to a Confessor Priest, who will repent”. We must not feel shame or fear not only not spread them, that is, announce towards the Confessor. The Confessor never them to others, but with the Grace of the Holy scolds, but always with love advises the Spirit will burn them and erase them, then the believer. devil shakes every stone, going through all methods, placing shame, fear, cowardice etc, so the confession does not occur, that it be Portion 2.3 More on Obstructions postponed. So we say, beware brethren of the devil and his methods. The natural effect of repentance is confession. We must know that if we wish our sins to be Portion 2.2 More on Obstructions forgiven the only way is to go to the Confessor About 10,000 and confess them. There is no other way. It is In order to reach the Confessional we must an error that which many say, I will sit before asylum succeed in bypassing some obstructions that the icon, and there once I ask, will receive the evil one puts. The first is insensibility. We forgiveness. Neither the icon can forgive sins, think that because we have not killed, and neither even an angel, but only the Confessor seekers have not stolen, we do not need confession. Priest, to whom this authority was given by But sins are not only these two. There are Jesus Christ himself. will remain hundreds of others, small and great, for which we must search well inside us to see if we in Greece have fallen into. The second obstruction is despair. This overtakes those who have About 10,000 asylum seekers, mainly practiced some of the great sins. They think Afghanis, will remain in Greece, the Di- that God will not forgive them. But God forgives rector of the country’s asylum service all, in whatever degree that they have sinned, Maria Stavropoulou said, speaking on the sidelines of a conference in Athens ti- as long as they repent and confess. The third tled, “Dimensions of the refugee issue obstruction is shame and fear. A person feels and the humanitarian crisis — Dialog for shame to say his sins to the Confessor Priest the rights of asylum seekers and benefi- and thinks that the Confessor will scold him. ciaries of international protection.” “I estimate that about 10,000 people, mainly Afghanis, will remain in Greece, in asylum status,” she said, adding that more than 50 percent of asylum requests submitted by Afghani nationals are rec- ognized. She said 51,000 asylum applications were submitted in 2016, about four times more than in 2015 when 13,500 were recorded. “However don’t forget we are the fourth country in the number of asylum applications after Germany, France and Italy and in spite of that we have a good rate of asylum recognition, since this is granted in 72 days, on average,” she said. APRIL 2017 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 17/41

The British bird Greek research team’s findings spark new hope for Parkinson’s cure has flown A team of Greek medical researchers has discovered a substance that successfully treated By Nikos Konstandaras - Kathimerini, Athens laboratory mice suffering from the equivalent The British government has made its official application to leave of human Parkinson’s Disease, creating new the European Union, setting the United Kingdom and the EU on an hope of an eventual cure for humans. Their unknown course not only regarding relations between them but also findings were published in the Proceedings of with regard to each side’s cohesion. the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) re- Art, myth and history are full of analogies, from the stories and hor- view in the United States on Monday. ror films where wolves, serial killers or fatal loneliness devour anyone In an interview with the Athens-Macedonian who strays out of the herd/cabin/spaceship, to Noah’s doves. It re- News Agency (ANA), the head of the team of mains to be seen whether Britain will return to the ark, having ex- researchers Demetrios Vassilatis, of the Bio- hausted all efforts to find something better, or whether it will never medical Research Foundation of the Academy come back. of Athens (BRFAA), noted that the discovery The success or failure of Brexit will determine to a great extent was still at a preclinical stage but might lead to whether the UK can remain united, or whether there will be a per- a new treatment route in the future for the manent rift with Scotland and a border with Ireland. It is also unclear specific neurodegenerative disease, which af- whether Britain’s departure will strengthen the forces tearing at the fects millions of people worldwide. EU or bring its 27 remaining members closer together. When asked what it is exactly that the re- Brexit fans claim that the exodus will bring only good for their search team has succeeded in doing, Vassilatis country, while “remainers” fear countless ills. But when dealing with explained: “My research team in the United human behavior, such as politics, no one can be sure of what will States, in collaboration with the neurology happen. team at Baylor College of Medicine, was the In the case of Brexit, the past is not necessarily a good indicator. first to discover the mutations that suppress symptoms in animal models of Parkinson’s Dis- Conditions are different today; but, also, those most involved in the the Nuclear receptor-related 1 (Nurr1) gene in ease.” issue – the citizens – may change course. Those who dream of a patients with Parkinson’s Disease. The re- When ANA asked the next steps that will be Britain that will grow rich on old trade networks with former colonies search in my laboratory in Athens in recent taken in the research, and if/when would clin- imagine their country ruling the waves free of EU constraints. The years has focused on answering the question ical trials on people are likely Vassilatis said former colonies, however, do not share this sentiment and, free now, whether the activation of the Nurr1 can be that “The questions arising from our experi- will pursue their own best interests with a zeal similar to Britain’s. therapeutic in animal models of Parkinson’s ments are many and the research required has The old relationship was not between equals, and the grandchildren Disease. Because in the dopaminergic neu- many levels, including the basic and transla- of empire will have to acknowledge this as they risk their country’s rons, Nurr1 creates a heterodimer (a molecule tional research. The discovery of pharmaceuti- greatest trading market (the EU) for a bet on deceptive nostalgia. composed of paired proteins with some cals is a lengthy and multi-stage process and Things are just as complicated for Brexit’s enemies, because, when amino-acid sequence variations) with Retinoid we are in a pre-clinical stage. We would like to their country’s success is at stake, it is not in their interest to be X receptor A (RXRa), we decided to target be the first to assess Nurr1 activators/antago- proven right. Just as Brexiters will have to come to their senses, “re- Nurr1:RXRα chemically.” nists in clinical trials. In this direction, we mainers” will have to help make the future work. In a valuable article Vassilatis also added that “In collaboration worked with Dr. Jens Schwamborn from the on theconversation.com, Stephen Church, professor of Medieval His- with Dr. Demosthenes Fokas of Ioannina Uni- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine tory at the University of East Anglia, noted that there are several ex- versity, we discovered various chemical com- (LCSB) and assessed BRF110 on dopaminergic amples of Britain and Europe splitting from each other. “The clearest pounds, among them BRF110, that selectively neurons derived from the stem cells of a lesson of all,” he pointed out, is that “when the relationship with Eu- activate Nurr1:RXRα. In my laboratory at the Parkinson’s Disease patient with very positive rope is poor, the lot of the ordinary Briton is poorer for it.” BRFAA with my colleague Dr. Athanasios Spa- results. The next stages include improving the We live in another era now, with fewer barbarians and less pesti- this, we showed that BRF110 not only has the existing chemical compounds in potential clin- lence, but flight into the unknown is always dangerous. capacity to protect dopaminergic neurons ical molecules, which could be developed in from degeneration but also to improve the the next two to three years.” Good results for The Pankration Club at the NSW Karate Championships

On Sunday March 12, at Whitman Centre Liverpool (NSW) over 700 athletes from 80 Schools came to compete in the NSW Karate Championships. Representing the Greek colorist was The Pankra- tion club from Tempe. Results were: * Helen Daskalakis 1st in Kickboxing, 2nd in Karate and Second in Self * Defense Caleb Mera 1st in Kickboxing and 1st in Jiu jitsu Giannis * Vavasis 3rd in Kickboxing, Manolis Moustakas 1st in Jiu jitsu and 3rd in Kickboxing (he is the former Greek Pankration champion and is now living in Sydney) * Kostas Papaioannou 1st in Karate Mens, 1st in Karate Veterans and2nd in Self Defence. APRIL 2017 18/42 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA Arts, Food & Wine Editor: Imogen Coward Icons and the meanings of colour

By Dr Ann Coward one needs to look to ancient Egypt and the pre-figuring of Christ in the worship of Isis and Osiris. Which god or Do colours have a meaning? Well, yes and no. There goddess was related to who, and what they were called is a school of thought, currently doing the rounds tended to vary over the course of Egyptian history, but amongst film schools in the U.S. that people’s bodies lit- it was the cult of Isis that has influenced the colour and erally resonate according to whatever colour they hap- motifs of the icons depicting the Theotokos. pen to be looking at. While the textbook, which has If you look at the icons of the Holy Mother, it be- been a best-seller, discusses only blocks of colour, the comes clear that in order to separate her out from oth- mind boggles as to how people are supposed to react er women, her clothing usually bears two of the sym- (or resonate) if they are confronted with a pattern con- bols drawn from Isis: the blue of the sky, and the stars, sisting of multiple colours. Many ideas, even the most hanging off the fringe (the ‘fringe of Isis’) and some- ridiculous, can have a germ of truth in them, but some times stars are also depicted on the shawl part covering are not worth pursuing. her head, although these stars may appear on Saint An- There are many books written about colour, some to na’s shawl. do with choosing colour schemes for interiors, others to The fringe of Isis, however, is always, it seems, re- do with the affect of colours on emotions, and so on. served for the Theotokos. It is precisely to indicate that The important word in the previous sentence is ‘sche- the wearer is the Mother of God, that dictates the ap- me’. How we interpret colours, how we use them, may plication of this fringe, rather than the colour blue. To partially be related to physics (and our physiological re- those familiar with the cult of Isis in Rome at the time, sponses, but I’d discount ‘resonating’). More than like- by depicting Saint Mary/Maria as the Mother of God ly, our responses have been conditioned by the way in (by virtue of the fringe, in combination with blue, but which colours are or have been used in whatever con- moreso because of the fringe) it meant that the text they are encountered, that is, whatever scheme or child/man she is shown to be holding and/or indicating, schemes we are familiar with. by extension, must be God , with power over life and To give an example. One Sunday, completely oblivi- death. And this – to inform people that Christ is God – ous as to how my dress might be perceived, I wore a is precisely the intention. black dress to church. Now, I was not born in Greece, Once you know the code or scheme that is being ref- and neither were my parents, but of course I have been erenced, the meanings become clearer. What we can aware all my life of my Greek family members wearing presume, is that the colours (and other elements) cho- black as a symbol of mourning. But, for some reason, sen by the early iconographers were not haphazard, this did not occur to me on this particular Sunday morn- nor should we presume this of any colour or other de- ing. The result? I lost count of the number of kind peo- sign element associated with religious beliefs, from ple, including a very upset priest, who approached me within any culture or time. after the service, asking if I was alright, and enquiring as For example, a girl I know visited the Australian Mu- to what had happened. seum to see some Egyptian mummy sarcophagi, which But change is afoot. For example, some young wo- were covered in stars, similar to asterisks. When she men are wearing black to weddings, nowadays, includ- enquired as to what these meant, the visiting guide an- ing Greek weddings. Once, guests would never wear swered that they were just ornaments, ‘fillers’ to cover black to a wedding, nor white, the latter frowned upon the space. Knowing that something as serious as death as it drew attention away from the bride. Today, it would not be treated frivolously, the girl carried out her seems anything goes as colour codes or schemes are ei- pigments/dyes from which they derive are precious or own research, and found that the five ‘pointed’ stars ther being ignored, forgotten (embarrassingly so, as in difficult to come by, or are unstable and therefore depicted people (like stick figures), stars representing my case) or are no longer known. tricky to use. the souls of the dead. While colours can be powerfully symbolic, what we Egon Sendler, in his book The Icon: image of the invis- It is not uncommon to find relatively recent books on need to remember is that there is not one universal ible, attempts to set the symbolic usage of colours in icons where meanings have been given to the colours in meaning attached to any one colour, other than what icons within the context of quotes found in ancient order to impart spiritual lessons for the benefit of the might be physically obvious, such as the sky being blue. sources, or of cultures in countries surrounding the faithful. To a degree, this is an attempt to keep the sym- What blue means as a result of this association, howev- Holy Lands, as well as their mention in the Scriptures. bolism of colours relevant to the changing times. How- er, can differ widely even within the one culture, de- This is a fascinating book, however, from the moment ever, we need to keep in mind that icons were a pow- pending on its context. For example, the meaning of one begins to read his classification describing where erful pre-literate form of communication, initially di- blue can range from peace and serenity, to depression, particular colours appear in icons, one can immediately rected towards people whose religious environment or even murderous rage and just about anything in be- think of exceptions to these supposed ‘rules’. was quite different to our own. Regardless of how we tween. Over a hundred years ago, it was the colour Apart from red’s association with blood, one colour, may read meanings into the colours today, we should worn by baby girls, pink being worn by boys! blue, does appear to have remained relatively consis- not presume that these meanings were meant to com- We need to keep in mind that some colours have be- tent in its reference to the Theotokos, in both Eastern municate the same things when first used by the early come prized, and continue to be, simply because the and Western Christian imagery. To understand why, iconographers.

Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and in more recent times Germans, Spaniards and French, with Sicily being a Écoutez! strategic stepping stone between Europe and Africa, and between West and East. Vivid stories about key players in the history of the island bring to life not on- Arts Review ly famous episodes in Sicilian history, but also link to the major buildings, and towns. Although we’re prone today, to thinking that multiculturalism is a modern Sicily phenomenon, it adds both a richness but often tragic John Julius Norwich side to history as Sicily shows. It is hard not to be fas- (John Murray, 2015) cinated with how, throughout the ages, the many different cultures that existed on Sicily combined, some- Subtitled ‘A short history from the Ancient Greeks to times peacefully, sometimes not, ultimately leaving Cosa Nostra’, Norwich’s Sicily is a beautifully written their mark, especially in the spectacular churches and and engaging trek through the history of this most fas- fusion of cultural elements. cinating island, illustrated with a small selection of high-quality images. It is also a small window into past Cost: around $50 civilisations from the Phoenicians to the Romans, IC APRIL 2017 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 19/43

FromFrom Drarkness Darkness toto ResurrectionResurrection and and Beyond: Beyond: AA GlimpseGlimpse ofof thethe Paschal MysteryMystery

Revd Dr Doru Costache * passing ritually under the holy epitaphion (a large cloth on which is embroidered or painted the image of Christ’s prepara- According to our tradition and in line with an archetypal reli- tion for burial), the very symbol of Jesus’ tomb and reminder of gious perception, ritual (in spite of its misunderstandings in the day when – in the baptismal waters – we died to the old modern times) is not just a spectacularly intricate form of ways to walk the path of a renewed life (see Romans 6:3-4). remembering past events, a mere memorial of the divine econ- The tomb remains the ultimate testimony of the entire drama omy; ritual is, originally and essentially, the most appropriate and its unexpected end, the glorification of the Crucified one way of experiencing the existential substance of faith. As such, and of us, his faithful. recapitulating the living dimension of faith through the commemoration of the salvific events, ritual on the one hand recalls, The epitaphion being now laid on the altar’s holy table, there it or rather re-enacts, the past events and on the other transports will rest – as unquestionable witness of Christ’s resurrection and transforms the participants. Furthermore, ritual represents a this time – till the eve of the deifying ascent of the Lord. Made mystical vehicle, a way of transferring the celebrating commu- transparent by the resurrection, the tomb becomes a window to nity illo tempore (‘to those times’), beyond the immediacy of the promised Kingdom to come; for the moment, however, it the present and the past of the original events, to the eschatolog- offers no hope. ical realities foreshadowed, signified and anticipated by those events. In other words, ritual builds a bridge over the abysses of Holy Pascha history, creating a knot between present times, the remembered events and the Kingdom to come. As such, ritual produces the After the Saturday of the Lord’s descent to Hades – where he simultaneous metamorphosis of the participants into witnesses found also us (this is why on this Saturday we do not eat, since of the salvific events and partakers of eternal life, contributing the dead no longer need food), enslaved by our sinfulness –, we to the renewal of the God’s people. meet again in the lightless church, a desolating scene of death and defeat. …We were hoping that it was he who was going to This complex function of ritual is abundantly evidenced redeem Israel… (Luke 24:21). Living the fear and hopelessness throughout the Great Week of the Lord’s Passion, which begins of the old Israel (see Hebrews 2:15), it is as if we are not yet with the Saturday of Lazarus (as suggested by the apolytikion, God’s people, a nation of trust, joy and light (see 1 Peter 2:9). or dismissal hymn, of the feast) to end with the Holy Saturday, Still dominated by the prince of darkness, we are terrified by the when we celebrate the glorious descent of Christ to Hades. It is darkness of ‘this world’. The church is now an image of our a week that encapsulates the whole message of the New own tomb and the tomb has no comfort yet to bring us. It is also, Testament by way of a dramatic Christological narrative – and properly, the cave where the Lord was interred and us with punctuated by powerful eschatological suggestions –, a week him: in the darkness of the tomb there is no horizon, no zenith, which actually transcends the cursory seven day pattern by par- no escape… We remain silent and disoriented, since there is no adoxically comprising the eight days between the two men- sign yet of a victory; the only thing that keeps us safe, above all tioned Saturdays. The same way, and symmetrically, the Bright insecurity, is the power of prayer. Creator God and Lord of glory. In light of the re-enacting func- Week – an explosive manifestation of the eschaton (fulfilment) tion of ritual, however, Christ stands alone once again – an here and now, in the midst of God’s people – comprises the Suddenly, however, the joyful light emerges in the tomb and embodied call to repentance – on the cross, immolated for our eight days between the Sunday of Pascha and that of the rapidly spreads from the Lord of glory (the Light which shines salvation. He is again rejected, despised and mocked, although Antipascha (in ancient times, the ‘Higher Sunday’). in the dark) toward us. We are now resurrected by him and not by shouting crowds but by our sins and failures. Yet, cele- together with him! …Trampling down death by death and to brating full of reverence the tremendous mystery of divine In the following, however, I will focus not on this symbolically those in the tombs bestowing life… We are witnesses and par- humility, we evade the tragic choreography of irrational hate: it symmetric architecture, choosing rather to refer to the mystical ticipants, the righteous – sanctified by his grace – brought to the is as if we are ready to climb up on the cross together with the meaning, existential significance and transformative grace of renewed life (cf. Matthew 27:51-3). Neither the soldiers have humble Lord of glory – like all the martyrs of the old – to realise the rituals between Holy Friday and the Pascha. seen him first nor the myrrh-bearing women. It is us who have, ‘the fullness of him who fills all in all’ (Ephesians 1:23). since we are those being raised today together with him, a real- Orthros (Matins) of Holy Friday (Thursday night) Orthros (Matins) of Holy Saturday (Friday night) ity witnessed and poetically proclaimed by St John Damascene, the author of the divine Paschal Canon: The service of the twelve gospel readings guide us methodical- The Lordly burial service, the lamentation, finds us crucified ly toward the apex of the theodrama of the Logos incarnated with Christ. Paradoxically, we are once again active witnesses ÁíáóôÜóåùò çìÝñá / The day of resurrection, and crucified for our salvation. The texts, starting with the first of the events, participants in their development and objects of a ëáìðñõíèþìåí ëáïß, / let us be radiant, O peoples! (prefacing the last stages of the journey through revealing the mysterious transformation. And indeed we are the beneficiaries ÐÜó÷á Êõñßïõ, ÐÜó÷á, / Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha; accomplishment of the New Covenant and depicting the seren- of the Lord’s immaculate Passion; for us has he immersed into åê ãáñ èáíÜôïõ ðñïò æùÞí, / for from death to life, ity of Jesus facing death), represent an extremely dense narra- the waters of our transience and death; we are those to whom êáé åê ãçò ðñïò ïõñáíüí, / and from earth to heaven, tive and indeed the vehicle of our transportation back to the his- he descends to bring salvation. Witnessing the agony of the ×ñéóôüò ï Èåüò, çìÜò äéåâßâáóåí, / Christ God has brought us, torical setting of the events. We are no longer, therefore, mere Lord, his death and interment, we contemplate both the all- åðéíßêéïí Üäïíôáò. / those chanting the hymn of victory. listeners of a story. Hearing the sacred account, we become par- encompassing salvific love of the Crucified one and the pro- ticipants in the events that happen this very day: óÞìåñïí found misery of a humanity failing to acknowledge its Lord. The gospel reading of the liturgy deciphers this mystery: Christ êñåìÜôáé åðß îýëïõ, ï åí ýäáóé ôçí ãçí êñåìÜóáò, today Now, we are the faithful disciples accompanying the Lord to the is the light shining triumphantly in the darkness (see John 1:5), is hanged on a tree the one who hung the earth upon the tomb, for this is the meaning of the lamentation and procession: transforming those who believe in him into sons and daughters waters… ç æùÞ åí ôÜöù, êáôáôÝèçò ×ñéóôÝ, you who are the life, O of God (see John 1:12-3). Christ, were laid in a tomb… The story’s threads absorb us progressively to finally place us The narrative of the sorrowful and glorious journey of Christ, among the disciples at the mystical supper and the last sermon, From another viewpoint, it is as if we perform our own memo- the Lord of Glory, becomes in the framework of the ritual a pre- then making us witnesses of the betrayal, the disciples’ cow- rial service together with that of Christ, while still travelling text to explore our own spiritual journey as God’s people. We ardice, the unjust condemnation and humiliating death of the together with him toward the tomb. Being put to death every cannot achieve renewal without first dying mystically. Lord. The climax of the experience is reached with the presen- day (cf. Romans 8:36) for the name of the Lord (cf. Matthew Therefore, along with the ritual we have to learn to die to our tation of the crucified Christ in the middle of the church as if on 5:11), we are now - literally - interred together with him, will- old habits and rhythms, to our mind corrupted by the darkness Golgotha, acknowledged and worshipped by the faithful as ingly and compassionately. This is in fact the significance of us of ignorance. Only in this way are we ready to enter the paschal week, an image of the eighth day, announcing the unending day of the Kingdom to come – of the Kingdom that has already GREEKGREEK ORTHODOX ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA OF AUSTRALIA manifested its dawn in the radiant night of Pascha and in the glorious day of ascension. The transformative energy of this New Website radiance will pervade the entire world and history through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Sunday of Pentecost, the Visit our website eighth of the Pentikostarion. www.greekorthodox.org.au www.greekorthodox.org.au * Revd Dr Doru Costache lectures in Patristics at St Andrew’s ANOTHER WEBSITE BY PROSITOS.COM.AU Theological College, Sydney APRIL 2017 20/44 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA Travel Methana A sleeping beauty

This peninsula on the Saronic Gulf hosts a long-dormant Methana volcano, hot springs and plenty of trekking opportunities

BY HARIS ARGYROPOULOS

Methana, the pear-shaped peninsula on the Peloponnese that sticks out in- to the western Saronic Gulf some 25 nautical miles southwest of Piraeus, is dotted with pretty villages, ar- a fishing settlement with a sheltered chaeological sites, Byzantine church- harbor that fills up with expensive es and an imposing dormant vol- boats on weekends, attracted most- cano. ly by the fish restaurants. The volcanic activity which shaped North of Vathy, the road brings you the peninsula over millions of years to Kameni Hora, the settlement below has left its mark, most visibly in the the volcano’s biggest crater. The form of Methana’s hot springs and white houses here, amid the greenery some 30 craters. The last explosion, and the dark colors of the volcanic mentioned by ancient Greek travelers rock, are naturally air-conditioned Strabo and Pausanias and the Roman through holes in the rock with sub- poet Ovid, occurred in 273 BC but an terranean vents, which keep them at explosion in the sea area north of the a steady temperature of 16 degrees peninsula was also reported in 1700. Celsius (61 Fahrenheit), even in the Methana, believed to be named so summer. due to the methane gas emissions About 1 kilometer further north, the from the Earth’s surface on the penin- road stops at a parking lot and a sign- sula, is at the western end of the so- posted though demanding footpath called volcanic arc of the southern begins to wind through the trees Aegean, which includes the islands of and rocks leading to the crater. It takes Milos, Santorini and Nisyros. about 30 minutes to walk to the top, The town of Methana, on the east- which offers amazing views of the ern coast, grew around the spa resort gulf. You will also see a fault with ver- that was developed at the end of the tical walls 15 meters high and the in- 19th century and flourished until the Tranquil escape scription “Volcano” at the entrance, 1970s, when a process of decline set Methana is on the whole a which you can step into. The actual in – evident today in the state of some relatively quiet and uncrowded crater, with a diameter of 100 meters of the early 20th-century buildings place, even in the high season, and 40-50 meters deep, is slightly to that house the baths. and well suited for brief the right. But signs of renewal are also evi- The second route from Methana dent, as the town is slowly shedding getaways and exploration leads in a northeasterly direction to the image of a resort purely for the eld- a number of locations worth seeing. erly. The peninsula, around 40 square Driving through pine woods and kilometers, is in fact a pole of attrac- olive groves you come to Kypseli, with tion for naturalists and trekkers, as it some impressive old houses. Oga has some 60 signposted trails with ex- hill, about 1 kilometer to the north- cellent views. A highlight is the ascent east, has remains of a Classical era fort to the Helona summit, at 740 meters. but access is difficult. Methana is on the whole a relatively From there, the road descends via quiet and uncrowded place, even in Aghioi Theodori to the coastal set- the high season, with satisfactory in- tlement of Aghios Georgios. At the end frastructure in terms of accommo- of the pier are the interesting remains dation and roads, and well suited for of a World War II cargo ship – as its brief getaways and exploration. hull rusted, the cement it was carry- Two routes start from the town of ing remained, a negative sculpture Methana, on the eastern side, where Where to stay What to eat Things to see & do made by man and nature. the ferries dock. One, the touristy Cavo Petra (tel 210.924.4486, Las Olas, in Aghios Nikolaos (tel The islet of Aghioi Anargyri at the port The road continues along the north- northwestern route, leads to Kameni 6937.438.844, www.cavopetra.gr): 22980.32266): Spanish owner Maria bears the remains of a Cyclopean wall; ern coast to Kounoupitsa and Aghios Hora and the volcano. The road as- new guesthouse built using volcanic Jose, from Galicia, prepares paella, remnants of a Neolithic wall made of Nikolaos, named after a chapel built cends through olive groves, offering rocks and set in lush gardens, five tortilla and fish caught by her husband volcanic rock were found on the hill of on the site of an ancient temple, as at- breathtaking views of the town and tastefully decorated suites – one with a Panayiotis; Theoni, in Paleokastro (tel Paleokastro; an important Mycenean tested by the marble parts in the struc- the sea, then comes to Megalohori via jacuzzi; Akti (tel 22980.92387, 22980.92558): the steady clientele settlement (14th-13th-century BC) was ture. There is also a small thermal spa Dritseika, and descends to Paleokas- www.akti-studios.com): 12 studios in comes from afar for Mrs Theoni’s fish discovered on the hill of Aghios establishment near a hot spring men- tro, the site of Methana’s ancient one of the oldest hotels, with tasteful soup and lobster spaghetti, and Constantinos, near the spa, in 1990; the tioned by Pausanias. On the way to acropolis. decor and verandas with views of galaktoboureko for dessert; Zorbas, in therapeutic spa in Methana town (tel Aghios Nikolaos, a left turn leads to Further down, you come to the Poros island; Athina (tel 22980.93050) Methana (tel 22980.92982): one of best 22980.92378) has a strong smell of Makrylongos, a small village with Chapel of Aghios Nikolaos (15th cen- fully equipped and clean rooms near restaurants, on the waterfront, with sea hydrosulphate, the waters have a broad views of the Saronic Gulf. tury), surrounded by cisterns, and end the sea; Avra (tel 22980.92550/382, food and mainstream Greek dishes temperature range of 28-34 degrees The most popular beach is up at the long beach at Paleokastro, www.avra-hotel.gr): 51 recently (weekends only); Mariori, in Paleokastro: Celsius (82-93F) and are recommended Limionas, next to the town. Aghios Ge- with its caiques and fish tavernas. renovated comfortable rooms, has sea likewise, with sea views (weekends only, for rheumatism, arthritis and skin and orgios, Paleokastro and Aghios Niko- The coastal road continues to Vathy, views and restaurant. closed December-January). gynecological ailments. laos are much quieter.