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 493 March 24, 2007 $1.00 GREECE: 1.75 EURO Diaspora Greeks Will Shape Greece’s Future Dora discusses issues ahead of her stateside Visit, meets with Ban, Rice and other officials By Aris Papadopoulos Special to the National Herald ATHENS – By enacting legislation allowing Greeks who live abroad to vote in Greek national elections, the Government has fulfilled an obliga- tion to Greeks of the Diaspora, For- eign Minister Dora Bakoyanni told the National Herald, adding that Greeks residing outside the geo- graphic borders of the Hellenic Re- public will “now have a hand in shaping the country’s future.” Speaking to the Herald shortly before her visit to New York this week, Mrs. Bakoyanni said, “This is a very significant initiative adopted by the New Democracy Government. The Greek Government is fulfilling a very large obligation to Greeks living abroad. Through this initiative, the Government is enabling them to equally participate in the most im- portant part of the democratic Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni process – elections – by allowing The Spirit of Greek Independence: “We would rather die…” them to mail in their ballots. This tion; and coordinate our efforts for way, they can play a role in shaping every issue concerning Hellenes French artist Claude Pinet’s famous painting, “Dance of Zalongo.” The Souliotisses were women from the mountainous area of Souli in Epiros. our country’s future, without endur- throughout the world,” she said. They preferred to courageously sacrifice themselves, by dancing off Mount Zalongo’s cliffs in December 1803, rather than be captured, raped ing any undue frustration.” “On this trip – which corresponds and subjugated by the Turks. Souli was a free state, and had successfully resisted numerous Ottoman attempts to capture it since 1635. The She also expressed her optimism with the celebration of our national Souliotes were betrayed by a modern-day Ephialtes named Pelios Gousis. Kitsos Tzavellas and Markos Botsaris are among the most famous over efforts to include Greece on the day of Independence – I plan to Souliot leaders (see stories on pages 6-9). United States Government’s Visa make the most of the opportunity, Waiver Program. She offered her despite the time constraints, and views on a variety of current issues come into contact with the omo- which Greece and the Greek com- geneia in America. As always, it is munity abroad carefully follow. my pleasure to do this,” she added. Mrs. Bakoyanni, the daughter of Asked if she was hopeful over the Archbishop Refusing to Have Fr. Katinas Defrocked former Prime Minister Constantine favorable outcome of Greece’s bid to Mitsotakis, said she looked forward join the U.S. VWP, Mrs. Bakoyanni By Theodore Kalmoukos cause he wants to be buried as a tions of lawsuits and a run-up to On February 23, one day after to meeting with members of the in said, “I am optimistic. The current Special to The National Herald priest, not as a layman. stories broken by the local media in the Dallas Morning News published the Greek American community dur- progress of discussions taking place Father Katinas, 72, a well known Dallas, Assistant Archdiocese a story about Father Kontogiorgis’ ing her visits to New York and Wash- within the U.S. Government leads us BOSTON – Archbishop Demetrios Greek Orthodox priest in America Chancellor Rev. Michael Kontogior- visit to Dallas and Father Katinas’ ington, DC. to believe that the initiative to induct of America is so far refusing to send of 43 years (28 of which he served gis traveled to Dallas on February suspension, the Archdiocese issued The Foreign Minister said such Greece into the Visa Waiver Program Rev. Nicholas Katinas, former pas- in Dallas), has been accused of sex- 21 and informed the Holy Trinity an official news release stating meetings remain a priority whenev- is on the right track. Of course, the tor of Holy Trinity Church in Dallas, ual misconduct with minors, which parish community, “There is no that, “after a thorough investiga- er she travels to America or other Greek American community’s efforts to Spiritual Court for defrocking, led to his suspension last July, just a doubt that Father Nicholas en- tion of allegations of serious mis- countries. “As you know, every time I have been extremely helpful toward effectively keeping him on sus- few days after he retired (in Ortho- gaged in serious moral transgres- conduct involving minors, Father visit the United States, and every this end. They are essentially the pended status indefinitely. dox terms, suspension means a sions,” and that Father Katinas’ sus- Katinas was suspended, in accor- other place in the world where there ones who will benefit from this pro- The Archbishop reportedly told priest is not allowed to perform any pension is permanent. dance with the Archdiocese’s State- are vibrant Greek communities, I al- gram the most, once this effort suc- members of the Holy Eparchial clerical functions anywhere until Members of Father Katinas’ fam- ment of Policy Regarding Sexual ways try to meet with our compatri- ceeds. Greek Americans will be able Synod of the Church in America the suspension is lifted). ily told the National Herald that the Misconduct by Clergy.” ots. I think this is the best way to in- to welcome their loved ones from last week that Father Katinas wish- After months of unconfirmed ru- former Dallas pastor traveled to crease communication between us; es to avoid being defrocked be- mors, as well as apparent expecta- Rhodes on February 19. Continued on page 4 continuously improve our collabora- Continued on page 11 Footprints of Odysseus in Thoughts on India: Greeks in Calcutta March 25th: Supported Greek Revolution We are Greeks By Stavros T. Stavridis 1824. The small Greek community By Steve Frangos Special to The National Herald and British Phil-Hellenes in Calcut- Special to The National Herald ta contributed financially towards This article will examine a news the Greek War of Independence. At All four of my grandparents story which was published in two this time, the British East India were the grandchildren of slaves. I English newspapers, The Times Company governed large tracts of have met Anatolian Greeks, Greeks and the Morning Chronicle, with the Indian sub-continent. An from what is now called northern the identical title, “Subscription for overview of the migration and set- Greece, and even individuals from the Greeks in India,” on August 27, tlement of Greeks in India, and an some islands who were all born analysis of the news story, will be slaves. So when the annual obser- provided. vation of March 25th occurs as a MIGRATION AND SETTLEMENT Greek national holiday, I always Greek merchants controlled think of those individuals first. My trade in the Mediterranean and enduring memory of those people News about a Levant, which served as a spring- has shaped my life. They told me board for them to seek new mar- many things. Still, it’s what I wit- Soldier who kets in Russia and Eastern Europe. nessed which has stayed with me. The brave and adventurous Greeks Those ‘Old Greeks’ never gave up. who made their way to India in the They overcame all obstacles to pro- Saved his Life 18th Century came from every cor- vide for their families. Nothing ner of Greece and Asia Minor. stopped them. Ever. These individuals were lured by the When I was in Greek school, the NICOSIA (TNH) – Costas Gian- prospects of making their fortunes room was encircled with line-draw- nakas is a Greek Cypriot from the through trade in cloth, salt, lime ing portraits of the heroes of the village of Mia Milia in Northern and native products. Most of the AP/PETROS GIANNAKOURIS Greek War of Independence. Cyprus. After the Turkish invasion Greeks who went to India came Inconvenient truth strikes Greece Framed and hung so that they of Cyprus in 1974, he fled to Lim- from Phillipopolis (now known as looked down upon us were masol, where he lives today. Plovdiv, located in present-day Bul- Lake Plastira, and artificial lake near Karditsa in central Greece, some 200 miles northwest of Athens, this Bouboulina, Rigas, Ypsilantis, Ko- Ironically, Mr. Giannakas was garia). The Greeks settled in Cal- past Tuesday, March 20, the last day of winter. Unseasonably warm weather and protracted drought have raes, Makiyiannis and the venera- only able to escape through the cutta and Dhaka (the capital city of caused shrinkage in lakes and rivers across Greece, raising fears of drinking water shortages during the ble Kolokotronis. Not unlike the help of a Turkish soldier, Mehmet modern day Bangladesh). summer tourist season. Lake Plastira is seven meters shallower than a year ago. icons which lined the walls of our Merjan, who saved his life during An Alexios Argyri Panaghiotis church, these martyrs for freedom the invasion. descendant anglicized his name to stood eternal vigil. But in true At the time, Mr. Merjan was a Panioty, and was regarded as the Greek fashion, we were told that corporal in the Turkish army, and first head of Greek community in even these heroes, just like the recently granted a telling interview Bengal. In 1771, Warren Hastings, saints, were common people. And about what transpired in 1974 to the Governor General of India, sent Full Senate Votes to Expand U.S. VWP Greeks being Greeks, we gossiped the Greek Cypriot newspaper, Poli- Panaghiotis on an official diplomat- about their lowly births and not in- tis.