THE GREEK AUSTRALIAN The oldest circulating Greek newspaper outside VEMA Greece JANUARY 2015 Tel. (02) 9559 7022 Fax: (02) 9559 7033 E-mail: [email protected] DISCIPLINEANGELICA IN SOTIRIOU THE HOME Painting with the colours of Creation PAGES 16/34 - 17/35 Archbishop Stylianos visits new Greek Community building in Melbourne His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, made a historic visit to the new building of the Greek Community of Melbourne, on Thursday De- cember 31, 2014. PAGE 15/33 ELDER PAISIOS CANONIZED Big increase in the number Elder Paisios was canonized on 13 January 2015 by Cappadocia. He is famous for his spiritual teachings. the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Saint Many people worldwide, especially in Greece and in of students opting for Paisios of Mount Athos (Greek: Όσιος Παΐσιος ο Αγιο- Russia, highly venerate Elder Paisios. Ancient Greek in Australia ρείτης), born Arsenios Eznepidis (1924–1994), was a Students studying Ancient Greek at the Uni- well-known Eastern Orthodox monk from Farasa, Cont. page 5/23 versity of Melbourne have doubled since 2010. It is indicative that the interest in An- cient Greek and Latin language studies is growing in Australia, Asia and worldwide. GGrraanntt ooff $$99,,995500 ttoo tthhee HHoollyy PAGE 4/22 MMoonnaasstteerryy ooff SStt GGeeoorrggee aatt YYeellllooww RRoocckk PAGE 2/20 90th Anniversary Celebrations in Perth Official celebrations took place in Perth to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the laying of the Foundation Stone of the Church of Sts Constantine and Helene. PAGE 6/24 JANUARY 2015 2/20 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA Greek National Theatre to transform Rex into Athenian theatre hub Xylouris family music tradition coming soon on cinemas Re-opening the Rex as a theatre may contribute to the gentrification of Omonia The documentary ‘A Family Affair’ is going to be By Nikos Vatopoulos - Kathimerini, Athens The theatre’s management also hopes that the oper- released this month in cinemas across Greece, Aus- ation of the Rex complex as a purely theatrical venue - tralia and the US. A recent ruling by an Athens court granting the Greek it had been best known for hosting Greek music acts - The film’s production was made possible by a National Theatre the right to use a large theatre on the will contribute toward efforts to gentrify the Omonia successful Kickstarter campaign in March 2014, ground floor of a building it owns in the city center is district. which helped to cover initial shooting in Australia expected to contribute to efforts for the gentrification The building, whose exterior has already been reno- and trigger the support of ABC TV Australia, the of Omonia Square and its environs. vated, will also be refurbished inside, with plans includ- Greek Film Centre and OTE-TV, and most recently The plan is for all three stages to be utilized by the ing making it fully accessible to people with mobility NERIT, the Greek public broadcaster. National Theatre to present different kinds of works, problems. The film follows three generations of musicians with the initial idea being to use the biggest of three These ambitious plans will be possible after careful fi- of the Xylouris family who uphold and pass on the stages, on the ground-floor level, for musicals, a genre nancial management resulted in the National Theatre vibrant tradition of Cretan music, performing cea- that has been gaining increasing popularity in Greece paying off all of its debts and ending September with a selessly to followers across the world. It captures but does not have a solid presence. surplus to the tune of 260,000 euros. how music is passed on from father to son to Hatzakis hopes that he will be able to launch the new The Rex was built in 1935 and designed by architects grandchildren, in a contemporary Greek-Australian initiative with a major international production of an Leonidas Bonis and Vassilis Kassandras to resemble the family, brought together by their love of music. acclaimed musical such as “The Phantom of the Opera” grand art deco theaters of New York. A short version of the film, entitled ‘Sounds Like to generate a buzz about the venue and the National It was the first venue for large spectacles to operate Home’ was aired on ABC Australia in October 2013. Theatre’s initiative to branch out into new genres. in Athens. Grant of $9,950 to the Holy Monastery of St George at Yellow Rock (NSW) The Very Rev. Fr. Kyriakos Stavronikitianos accepting the cheque at St George Bank in Springwood from the Branch Manager Mr Dean Berry The Holy Monastery of St George, at Yellow Rock NSW, received a grant of $9,950 from Westpac Group, in support to the Replacing Workshop and Equipment for Vol- unteers project, following last years devastating bushfires. The cheque was received by the Abbott of the Monastery, the Very Rev. Fr Kyriakos Stavronikitianos. The grant application was completed, voluntarily and with Father Kyriakos’ bless- ing, by Mrs Christina Efthymiades, on behalf of St George Monastery at Yellow Rock under Westpac Group’s Natural Disaster Recovery Fund. The presentation of the cheque was organised at the St George Branch in Spring- wood on Thursday 18th December. JANUARY 2015 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 3/21 Liberty, Equality, Fraternity By Pantelis Boukalas - Kathimerini, Athens Even if we have difficulty grappling with complex and complicated notions, and even if we are ruled by an urge to divide the world into Good and Evil, Light and Darkness, Civilized and Barbaric, it is still neces- sary to turn an ear to the lessons of history. A first lesson is that Good and Evil have no geo- graphic relevance. Good exists in no greater quantity in Europe and America than in Asia and Africa, and the same goes for evil. In recent history, the West has on numerous occasions flirted with the forces of Evil to promote its interests, which should make us skep- tical to claims of purity and goodness. A second lesson is that the religious and cultural map that we have come up with in a bid to conve- niently give locations to our ideas is too a product of biased fantasy. No matter what the Scriptures say, there has never been a religion that was purely be- nign. Similarly, no civilization in history has ever been virtuous and immaculate through and through. Our Greco-Roman legacy has its own failings simply be- cause it was the product of history, not metaphysics. So if we insist on treating history as a clash of civi- lizations, the conflict is not one between Western and Afro-Asian civilizations, or between the Christian and Muslim religions. The dividing line is between the culture of freedom, A French national flag remains hung at the statue named 'Le triomphe de la Republique' (Republic Triumph) by French solidarity, tolerance and democracy on the one hand, artist Jules Dalou, in the Place de la Nation (Nation square), on Monday, a day after demonstrators put during a unity rally ‘Marche Republicaine' in tribute to the 17 victims of a three-day killing spree by homegrown Islamists. and the culture of violence, intolerance, authoritari- anism, religious zeal and theocracy on the other. The the locus of ideological fermentation. The crowds did against those who sow or exploit fear. two camps are clear, but they have no relevance to not protest against a specific religion or race - after Demonstrators did not just carry “Je suis” signs, geography or race. After all, how can one forget US all, the demonstrators came from different races and which could be interpreted as an indication of ephe- President George Bush, a religious fundamentalist in religions. They did not demonstrate against refugees meral emotional identification. Other signs carried spite of his Western background? and migrants that supposedly threaten to Islamicize the revolutionary slogans that have inspired genera- Among other things, the above was underscored in the West. Rather, they demonstrated against those tions of people across races and religions. “Liberty, the massive demonstrations in France, a country who try to install fear while speaking and killing in the Equality, Fraternity.” The one and only chapter of an which has once more drawn the eyes of the world as name of - absent or ignorant - gods. They protested ever-timeless gospel. SPEECH NIGHT 2014 An evening of Excellence and Achievement Left: His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis with guest speakers Mr David Feeney MP, journalist and former newsreaderMr George Donikian, the Parish Priest Fr Dimitrios Catrinei, College VP Mrs Denise Summers, and the College Principal, Dr Charalampos Ladopoulos. Centre and Right: Dr Ladopoulos with students/recipients of awards On Wednesday 10th December St John’s College (VIC) acknowledged the great reputation and exceptional cal- life on the importance of setting one’s aims high and held its annual Speech Night where it was able to cele- ibre the College within the wider community. As an ar- the importance of embracing hard work. He advocated brate the success of the academic year. The College was dent supporter of promoting equitable educational op- for vision, proactive thinking and collegiality as vital delighted to welcome the Hon Mr Feeney MP and Mr portunities within the community and his electorate, characteristics that will lay the foundations for a future Donikian as guest speakers. Also in attendance on the the College was thrilled to have The David Feeney of personal growth and success. evening were His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, award of Excellence presented to Year 12 student The audience was rewarded with outstanding student Reverend Fathers, members of the College Board, Nicholas Delivinias.