Archbishop Christodoulos Opens up About His Health AHEPA's
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O C V ΓΡΑΦΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ Bringing the news ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ to generations of ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 1915 The National Herald Greek Americans A WEEKLY GREEK AMERICAN PUBLICATION c v www.thenationalherald.com VOL. 10, ISSUE 512 August 4, 2007 $1.00 GREECE: 1.75 EURO Archbishop Christodoulos Opens Up About His Health Christodoulos Discusses Pain and Suffering, Says he Will Come Back Stonger than Ever By Theodore Kalmoukos Special to The National Herald BOSTON, Mass. – In an exclusive interview, Archbishop Christodou- los of Athens & All Greece, head of the Church of Greece, told the Na- tional Herald he is expecting to ar- rive in Miami, Florida on August 18. In his first full interview with any publication or news media out- let since being admitted to Are- taieion Hospital in Athens this past June 9, when the seriousness of his health problems started to become evident, Christodoulos said he will continue his treatment in Miami, where he will undergo liver trans- plant surgery, to be performed by a world renowned physician, An- dreas Tzakis, who traveled to Athens in mid-July to personally examine the Archbishop, who re- Archbishop Christodoulos ferred to the Greek American doc- tor his “good friend.” my battle close to you, next to fa- AP/THANASSIS STAVRAKIS During the interview, miliar faces and friends who are an They look like they’re coming to life Christodoulos praised the Greek extension of the Greek people, and American community, and said that who have stood by me and support- Marble statues of wine-pouring satyrs on display at the Archaeological Museum of Athens. The sculptures were on exhibit as part of the Prax- he was fully cognizant of the gen- ed me so much during this time. I iteles Exhibition – named after the famous ancient Greek sculptor – which will run at the Museum through October 31. The exhibition consists uine love and concern Greeks in spent 42 entire days in the hospital, of 78 artifacts, to include the statue of Hermes from Olympia, which have been loaned from European and other Greek Museums. Praxiteles, the United States have for him. having undergone an extensive op- the greatest Attic sculptor of the 4th Century BC, left an indelible mark on the history of art. When he was told that the Greek eration. When I was being admit- American Community loves and re- ted into the hospital, I never could spects him a great deal and that, in have imagined what would follow. addition to conveying its wishes for Thank God I was treated by a speedy recovery, it was eagerly tremendous doctors who turned anticipating his personal comments their attention to me with love and AHEPA’s Accomplishments over the Past Two Years on the state of his health, the Arch- evident interest, trying – with God’s bishop of Greece said, “Through help and power – to offer me the By Evan C. Lambrou zation has positioned itself for the AHEPA’s inner administrative cir- believe was an ambitious agenda, your newspaper, I want to reassure best possible medical assistance Special to The National Herald future. cles last year when he announced which I thought required a second all our brethren in America that I and care. After a long stay, I left the Mr. James was only the fourth he would seek a second term just year to complete. I’m not saying reciprocate their feelings of love, hospital cured of my original prob- NEW YORK – After serving at the person since 1962 to have served as before the organization’s 84th an- every supreme president should honor and respect, and consider lem (colon cancer), and have al- helm of he Greek American com- the organization’s top man for two nual convention in 2006, but there seek a second year in office, but if them to be the finest ambassadors ready begun to prepare myself for munity’s arguably most important consecutive one-year terms, break- was no denying he had proven his you have the time, the energy and of our motherland. They are the the second phase of my battle (liver secular organization for two years, ing a long-established pattern of mettle, or that the general mem- the drive, and you feel that you ones who have honored, and con- transplant), which will take place AHEPA’s former supreme presi- successive one-year presidents, and bership widely considered him to need more time to fulfill your vi- tinue to honor, Greece abroad in the United States.” dent, Gus James, who stepped giving those who run the organiza- be deserving of another year in sion, then I would certainly encour- through their actions, work, When asked how he is spending down as the organization’s leader tion’s politics behind the scenes charge. age seeking a second term,” he progress and achievements. I also his time at home, Christodoulos during it’s 85th annual convention something to think about: Maybe AHEPA’s past supreme president said. want to thank everyone for the said, “From now up until my jour- in Denver last month, spoke to the one year is not enough for a capa- (PSP) does not think two years in “Again, it requires a great deal deep love they have shown me dur- ney to the United States, it is a time National Herald about AHEPA’s ac- ble leader to complete his agenda. office is for everyone, however. of commitment and energy, and it ing this immensely trying period. It of great mental and physical prepa- complishments under his leader- The Virginia-born Mr. James “I sought a second term because gives me the courage and strength ship, and how he thinks the organi- ruffled some feathers within I had a vision and pursued what I Continued on page 3 to encounter the second phase of Continued on page 5 Greek American Small Business The Mystery Owners Still Picking Up the Of Jamake Pieces after Steam Pipe Blast Highwater By Mark Frangos into the air, killing one person, in- By Steve Frangos Special to the National Herald juring 20 others and sending New Special to The National Herald Yorkers into a panic of another ter- NEW YORK – An underground rorist attack. Even six years after his death, steampipe at 43rd Street and Lex- Two weeks later, small business the exact relationship between the ington Avenue exploded this past owners in the affected area, cover- man known as Jamake Highwater July 18, opening a crater at one of ing several blocks, are trying to fig- and the Greeks of North America New York’s busiest intersections ure out how they will cope with remains a mystery. Jamake High- and shooting steam, mud and rocks damages and lost revenue and water, whoever he may have been, who, if anybody, will give them the was never who he claimed. More answers they want. confusing still, many of the allega- “All the workers just got up and tions about this man’s Greek identi- left,” said Peter Botsaris, manager ty are also unquestionably false. of Bloom’s Diner on Lexington Av- While Highwater’s past may still Karamanlis enue at 40th Street, remembering be in doubt, his New York Times that day. “Everything was shaking. obituary confirmed that he “wrote Meets with All the vases fell down, and every- more than 30 books on art, dance, thing was covered in dust. It was music and history. His work includ- very chaotic,” he said. ed novels, nonfiction, poetry and French Leader When the steampipe exploded, even travel books (June 16, the staff and customers of Bloom’s 2001).” Diner and other restaurants in the Curiously, this man’s most unre- PARIS (ANA) – Greek Prime Minis- area were worried about losing quited critics were also forced to ter Costas Karamanlis held lengthy their lives, but after being closed admit that “a tragedy of this man’s talks with French President Nicolas for five days, small businesses life was that he was an intelligent, Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace this wanted to make sure that Consoli- accomplished researcher and gifted past Monday, July 30, in a climate dated Edison (the country’s largest writer, and did not need to lie to that was termed "very cordial." electric, gas and steam company, have a place in the literary scene.” The talks continued during a which runs and operates New York AP/EVANGELIA TSOUKALAS I can only provide a fraction of working luncheon hosted by the City’s steam pipes) or the U.S. Gov- Two large tusks and bone remains from a prehistoric mastodon are seen in an excavated sandpit, at the this terribly flawed individual’s sto- new French president, who is also ernment will pay them back for village of Milia, some 270 miles north of Athens. Greek and Dutch researchers at the site said the remains ry. Without question, Jamake High- partly of Greek-Jewish heritage. their losses. are 2.5 millions years old and could provide insight into how the primitive elephant became extinct. water was a dancer, choreographer, Much of the talks covered issues “They said that they are still writer and lecturer. Outside of his of bilateral relations, which were working on figuring that out,” Mr. publicly documented career, little "close political and economic coop- Botsaris said. “They said that they else about him is certain. eration" was registered. will compensate us, but they are Even the date of Highwater’s The two leaders expressed de- working with us slowly.” Mastadon Tusks Found in Northern Greece birth remains unknown. It is likely sire for closer cooperation and bet- Other businesses in the area also to have been some time between ter coordination in the handling of closed for five days while repairs By Derek Gatopoulos Geology at the University of Thes- Tsoukalas led a team which ex- 1923 and 1933.