THE GREEK AUSTRALIAN VEMA. OUR PRIMATE S VIEW The subject of Religion in the Public Schools of Greece

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1 THE GREEK AUSTRALIAN VEMA The oldest circulating Greek newspaper outside Greece OCTOBER 2008 Tel. (02) Fax: (02) OUR PRIMATE S VIEW The subject of Religion in the Public Schools of Greece PAGES 4/23-5/23 TOP DIRECTORS FILM OVERSEAS Term two for Sclavos Incumbent president re-elected unopposed until 2011 PAGE 2/20 The mystery of the Theandric Christ The mystery of theandricity, the very essence of Christianity PAGE 6/24 One of them a former Greek Orthodox altar boy! George Miller (photo), who recently threatened to take his upcoming movies, including Happy Feet 2, offshore after being denied access to the new 40 per cent producer rebate for his Justice League Mortal comic book adaptation, is planning to adapt Homer s masterpiece, The Odyssey with US actor Brad Pitt. In another blow to the implementation of generous new government incentives for the film industry, Sydney director Peter Weir will shoot his next film in Bulgaria. Weir, who last directed Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World in 2003, has written the screenplay and will direct The Way Back. The script traces the true story of an escape by soldiers from a Siberian gulag in It is based primarily on Slavomir Rawicz s book The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom, his account of capture by the Red Army in 1939 and his subsequent journey of escape across the Siberian Arctic, the Gobi desert and the Himalayas, before settling in Tibet and India. No one has been cast as yet. The private Weir, who has directed Picnic At Hanging Rock, Gallipoli and The Truman Show, had been developing an adaptation of Gregory David Roberts s novel, Shantaram, with Johnny Depp to star. Weir dropped out for unspecified reasons and the movie is now in turnaround. Miller will adapt Homer s epic poem, The Odyssey, with the intention of moving the ancient tale of Greek hero Odysseus s journey home to Ithaca after the fall of Troy to a futuristic outer-space setting, according to Hollywood newspaper, Variety. It is not known where the film will shoot, if it is produced. Pitt starred as Achilles opposite Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom in the 2004 film adaptation of Homer s The Iliad, Troy. It earned nearly $US500million globally in cinemas despite mixed reviews. Miller has long wanted to update the DC Comics superhero franchise, Justice League, by alluding to the mythic Greek origins of Superman, Batman and their friends. The son of Greek immigrant parents, Miller was once an altar boy at the St George Greek Orthodox Church in Rose Bay before becoming known as the writer and director of the Mad Max series of films. He is still developing Justice League with the Warner Bros studio, as well as Happy Feet 2 and Babe 3. There are also plans to develop a fourth Mad Max movie and/or videogame, entitled Fury Road. The Australian Greece the top place to visit for Australians in 2009 Thanks to the country s simple pleasures PAGE 19/37 St Euphemia College visits Canberra PAGE 12/30

2 The Greek Australian VEMA OCTOBER /20 TO BHMA This Day In History Για μια ακόμη φορά μας κάνει υπερήφανους ο διαπρεπής Επιστήμονας κ. Κοσμάς Σκλάβος, ο οποίος επανεκλέγεται για δεύτερη φορά ασυναγώνιστος Πρόεδρος του Συλλόγου όλων των Φαρμακοποιών (Pharmacy Guild of Australia) της αχανούς Αυστραλίας. Η Εκκλησία και η Ομογένεια εκφράζουμε προς τον ίδιον, την συνάδελφό του και Σύζυγο Έφη, τους Γονείς και τα αδέλφια του, που επίσης διαπρέπουν σε άλλους επιστημονικούς χώρους, θερμότατα συγχαρητήρια. Term two for Sclavos Incumbent president re-elected until 2011 October 29, 1998 John Glenn returns to space Nearly four decades after he became the first American to orbit the Earth, Senator John Hershel Glenn, Jr., is launched into space again as a payload specialist aboard the space shuttle Discovery. At 77 years of age, Glenn was the oldest human ever to travel in space. During the nine-day mission, he served as part of a NASA study on health problems associated with aging. November 5, 1994 George Foreman becomes oldest heavyweight champ On this day in 1994, George Foreman, age 45, becomes boxing's oldest heavyweight champion when he defeats 26-year-old Michael Moorer in the 10th round of their WBA fight in Las Vegas. More than 12,000 spectators at the MGM Grand Hotel watched Foreman dethrone Moorer, who went into the fight with a 35-0 record. Foreman dedicated his upset win to "all my buddies in the nursing home and all the guys in jail." November 8, 1895 German scientist discovers X-rays On this day in 1895, physicist Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen ( ) becomes the first person to observe X-rays, a significant scientific advancement that would ultimately benefit a variety of fields, most of all medicine, by making the invisible visible. Rontgen's discovery occurred accidentally in his Wurzburg, Germany, lab, where he was testing whether cathode rays could pass through glass when he noticed a glow coming from a nearby chemically coated screen. He dubbed the rays that caused this glow X-rays because of their unknown nature. By Simone Roberts Kos Sclavos has been re-elected unopposed as the national president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia This will be the second term for Mr Sclavos who was first elected to the position in The Guild s electoral cycle occurs every three years which means he will lead the organisation until It is an honour to serve Guild members and community pharmacy, said Mr Sclavos, only the seventh pharmacist to have served as president in the Guild s 80 year history. Mr Sclavos election means he will lead the profession through negotiations for the next Community Pharmacy Agreement expected to commence late next year. But Mr Sclavos said before that can begin it is vital that community pharmacy increases its uptake of the professional programs. Some of the figures for the uptake of our current programs do not create the right environment to negotiate an agreement. The government wants to see national programs which it deems to be coverage in 4000 pharmacies. So there is a lot of room for improvement. Every pharmacist can play a role to make sure we get a better result by making sure they are implementing the programs. President elect: Kos Sclavos Mr Sclavos said his main focus over the next year would be e-health. We have an ambitious program over the next 12 months, especially in the area of health IT, so that will be my first priority. The election of Mr Sclavos means that Queenslander Mike Farrell, a Mackay based pharmacist, will join the Guild s National Council having been previously elected first alternate national councillor. Mr Farrell is one of five new faces in the Council which Mr Sclavos told Pharmacy News is the strongest on record. We have councillors from hospital pharmacies, medical centre pharmacies through to shopping centre locations so in terms of the breadth of pharmacy practice it s a very strong council. Secondly, we have councillors who are pharmacists doing medication reviews through to owners of pharmacies with very strong retail footprints. This is probably the strongest council on paper in terms of covering every aspect of community pharmacy practice. Mr Sclavos said that he was looking forward to the participation of the new councillors who will bring freshness and enthusiasm to the group. The Council also includes two female branch presidents in Judy Liauw and Lenette Mullen, a first for the organisation. The National Council for is: Kos Sclavos (Qld), Tim Logan (Qld), Mike Farrell (Qld), Si Banks (NSW), Peter McBeath (NSW), Paul Sinclair (NSW), Toni Riley (Vic), Rob Foster (Vic), Judy Liauw (Tas), Julianne Drewitt (Tas), Ian Todd (SA), Scott McGregor (SA), Lenette Mullen (WA), Harry Zafer (WA), Pat Reid (ACT), Nunzio Meta (NT). Pharmacy News (2/10/2008) Hundreds protest against plans to sell Olympic Airlines By Derek Gatopoulos Several hundred Olympic Airlines employees and supporters marched to parliament on October 2 to protest the Greek government s plans to privatise the debt-ridden airline. In September, the European Union approved Greece s plan to break up and fully privatise Olympic by the end of 2009, transferring most of its 8,100 employees to public sector jobs. The company will keep its name and logo. But the EU said Olympic must pay back state subsidies worth 850m euros. Employee unions oppose the plan and have staged protests. There is room for a public, profitable Olympic Airlines, a proud Olympic that will not throw the employees out of work, Manolis Patestos, leader of the Federation of Civil Aviation Unions, said as he marched. He added, however, that employees did not plan any strike against airline operations. The company has accumulated total losses of around 2.7bn euros. Yiannis Panagopoulos, leader of Greece s largest labor union, promised more protests. This is only the beginning, Panagopoulos said. They can t sell off and destroy the productive fibre of this country. Workers at Greece s utility companies announced a strike on October 8 in support of the Olympic Airline workers. The government launched a bid on September 30 to sell Olympic, under the privatisation plan that has received EU approval, and on October 2 debated related legislation in parliament, which was finally passed. The tax payers must stop paying for this barrel that has no bottom, Transport Minister Costis Hatzidakis told parliament. We are also displaying sensitivity to (Olympic) employees who are totally covered and will not suffer any loss in pay. Since winning re-election last year, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis government has faced repeated strikes and protests over its efforts to reform Greece s economy. The government s plans to overhaul the country s debt-ridden and fractured pension system have been particularly unpopular. ATHENS NEWS

3 OCTOBER 2008 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 3/21 Editorial By Nikos Konstandaras Iceland lies in the middle of the northern Atlantic, in one of the most remote parts of the Earth. Its population - a little over 300,000 - is descended mostly from Norwegians, who settled there in the 9th century, and is so homogenous and (most literally) insular that it is the subject of a national project to map everyone s genome. According to the UN s Human Development Index, Iceland is the most developed society in the world, in terms of longevity, literacy, quality of life and per capita income (about $64,000 in 2006). Among its many firsts, it just added another: In recent days, it became the first country to buckle under the weight of the global credit crisis. The government was forced to nationalize the country s three biggest banks, the national currency (the krone) is no longer traded and on Thursday the stock exchange was shut down. Iceland is the first country to be in danger of bankruptcy because of this crisis. Like some Third World failure, it is looking to the International Monetary Fund for help. A founding member of NATO, it has asked Russia for a loan of 4 billion euros to try and stay afloat. Given that the gross national product of Iceland is about $17 billion and that its banks owe some $80 No man is an island billion to foreign depositors, we can understand the magnitude of the problem: A large banking sector, with unregulated expansion into foreign countries, is dragging the whole country toward economic ruin and also leading to tension outside its borders. Britain has frozen Icelandic assets on its soil in an effort to protect the deposits of some 300,000 Britons in Icelandic banks. The result is that things are now even more difficult for Iceland, whose government has to negotiate with other governments but is also finding it more difficult to safeguard the deposits of its own citizens, with the political cost that this will have. Looking at these factors, it would appear that Iceland s only way out would be to find a way to peg its currency to the euro, despite the fact that the country is not even a member of the EU, let alone of the eurozone. Iceland is at the center of the global storm because its financial sector expanded rapaciously way beyond its borders and beyond the means of the country, because its currency did not manage to hold up against external pressure and because it is not part of a greater whole that could offer it some protection. We can draw many conclusions from the above factors. But perhaps the most urgent one is that the crisis that is knocking down markets and world theories can strike like lightning in the most unexpected places. For example, who would expect street lighting and garbage collection in Britain to be affected by Iceland s woes? Yet, 108 British municipal councils have invested some 1.2 billion euros in Icelandic banks and the future of those accounts is very murky. With globalization and the liberation of markets, the whole world is tangled up in a knot. The only hope for the restoration of some order and balance lies in state intervention. It is too early to say whether we are seeing the end of unregulated capitalism or the establishment of a new type of socialism. But at this moment, states are like rocks in a sea of panicked markets and bankrupt companies and ideas. Whatever new economic system results from this will have to combine state control with the functionality of the private sector, so that we can avoid the extremes of each. Until order is restored to the markets and until we learn what the consequences of this crisis will be for us, whether we be bankers or farmers, we watch Iceland s troubles and wonder whether we will face the same. As John Donne wrote: No man is an island... any man s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. KATHIMERINI THE CLASS OF 2009 Preparation for the new HSC cohort By PETER MAVROMMATIS * I guess it is part of the cycle of life that when one adventure ends it usually ushers in the beginning of a new adventure, and every end is nothing other than a new beginning. This is especially the case for secondary schools throughout New South Wales where the final term of the year is the beginning of the corresponding Year 11 cohort s Higher School Certificate year. Apart from highlighting the fact that there is no time to rest on one s laurels and celebrate the successes of the cohort which has just finished their studies, it is a time when serious students with high aspirations begin their long quest for the HSC examinations. The Year 11 cohort of 2008 has by this stage completed the Preliminary Course and has received feedback concerning performance, areas of strength and any weaknesses. This feedback is valuable as s- tudents tackle the new academic year even if it is at the back end of the current school year. It is important that students beginning the HSC Course proper do in fact begin to treat it as such and not simply as a hiatus between Year 11 and Year 12 which can have disastrous consequences. These students must begin to think of, and refer to themselves as, Year 12 to be reminded of their goals and ambitions. The first aim of the beginning HSC students ought to be at very least, the consolidation of achievements in the Preliminary Course. They must focus and build upon their strengths and try to address weaknesses with the appropriate action and support. Many readers may be questioning the sanity of the author because this discussion seems to be geared on the HSC Examination Period which for the previous cohort is happening simultaneously. This is the crux of the matter. The new cohort need only look into their school hall or examination rooms to see the previous cohort in action because in just twelve months time, they themselves will be seated in that same room, at the same desks, armed with just the examination script, some writing implements, a clock and their knowledge, trying to achieve the necessary results for university admission. This eye opener ought to stimulate student thought on two distinct yet equally important aspects of HSC assessment and achievement. It is imperative that students are already familiar with course content and assessment for each of their subjects. They must ensure that they clearly understand all expectations with regards to assessment. It is at this stage, if not previously, that students familiarise themselves with subject specific terminology and the types of tasks, writing and assessment that they are likely to encounter. As a rule of thumb, I have never begun a HSC course without having first issued copies of the Board of Studies Syllabus document to my students. Something as simple as knowing the difference between different types of writing tasks - analyses, evaluations, discussions, report writing etc., and being able to respond in the appropriate manner is invaluable. Of equal importance, particularly for those students with university entry ambitions, are the first few tasks of the HSC course. It is most likely that each subject will have at least one assessment task due for completion within term four (term one for HSC) of this year and while this task (these tasks) may not be heavily weighted, research has shown that it is here that high achievers gain advantages with regard to rankings. These small tasks with weightings of only 10% are the difference between a very high University Admissions Index (UAI) and a lower one because the conscientious students around the State work as hard for these as they do for the HSC Examinations themselves. Let us be honest with ourselves: even the least disciplined and least interested students will s- tudy for the final examinations. So if students want to get ahead, this is their chance. Let us also keep in mind that whilst these early tasks may be weighted as little as 10%, it means that there are 5 real HSC marks on offer (remembering of course that school assessment contributes to 50% of one s HSC marks). I think that when one looks at things this way, the need to hit the ground running is evident. To the students who will be completing the HSC as this article is being printed: keep at it, there is light at the end of the tunnel. To those embarking on this same journey, I wish you every Blessing from above. May God grant you patience, courage and wisdom as you begin the final year of secondary education through the prayers of His All-Holy Mother and the patron saints of education, the Holy Three Hierarchs.

4 4/22 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA OCTOBER 2008 Our Primate s View By ARCHBISHOP STYLIANOS OF AUSTRALIA Along with so many other issues, the position which Religion should have in the curriculum of Public Schools has tormented Greece for at least 30 years. And whilst at first sight one would think that this is a problem which should concern mainly the Ministry for National Education and Religious Affairs (N.E.R.A.), in recent times it has become clear to all that it rightly concerns the whole population of Greece, and not just Educators, Parents, the Church and Justice system. Nonetheless, two basic points need to be stressed from the outset: Firstly, that neither the Church nor the institution of family demonstrated the appropriate sensitivity, promptly and responsibly, towards such a delicate and fundamental issue. Secondly, that the Ministry for N.E.R.A. which is considered primarily responsible - over so many years, despite successive educational reforms - was unfortunately not competent enough to establish a few-membered Permanent Board of Executive Officers to serve as a stable rudder that would be in a position to probe with the necessary thoroughness and to advise the Minister of the day, using purely pedagogic criteria, concerning the treatment of this issue, regardless of which Party was in Government. Given the above, we must confess that the standing of Religion in Primary and Secondary Education became an even more difficult problem for modern Greek society to solve from the time that, following the unpredictable and rapid upheavals in the Balkans, especially after the collapse of the Soviet Governments, the socalled economic migrants (who for one reason or another saw Greece as the life raft of their choosing) now constitute 10% of the total population of the nation. A significant part of that 10%, who are not born in Greece but make Greece their homeland by seeking Greek Citizenship have Islam as their religion, as is known, whilst others belong to the Roman Catholic panspermia (mainly from Uniate proselytism.), others are Protestants of every variety, and others have no religion at all. That, then, means that the children of non-orthodox have the right to be exempted from the subject of Religion in Primary School which pertains to the Orthodox who, according to the Constitution of Greece, comprise the prevailing religion. Exempted from the common subject, they are entitled in the same periods to receive analogous instruction in their own Tradition. However, already, with such relativities and differentiations, it was natural that Religion would no longer be considered a core and necessary subject. Additionally, the continually evolving materialistic and technocratic composition of modern Greek society is obliged to place a greater emphasis on economicotechnological subjects, without that necessarily meaning an animosity of the State towards religion in general or towards humanistic studies. The writer, as a matter of principle, would not have any reason or right to doubt the good intentions of all those who - either as collective institutions or as individual personalities - attempted freely, i.e. unselfishly, to contribute towards an enlightenment as to the particular and serious parameters, in order to achieve a more wholesome handling of the outlined problem. As to the unselfishness or even the competency of those who express their opinion from time to time, we reserve the right to invoke, towards the end of this article, certain characteristic instances, experienced at first-hand, which are most revealing - as the reader will ascertain. It should be stated immediately that our involvement today is exercised only in the hope that we - who due to circumstances find ourselves at a distance from and outside the problem affecting those who are directly involved - might have, as would be natural, the somewhat greater credibility of a neutral third person. It appears then that the standing of Religion as a subject constitutes only a part of a broader and more general vision, if not a programme of ideological and political orientation which initially, at least, is connected rather with the hasty optimism of certain forms of the Enlightenment, and of the Left-wing variety at that, rather than with the traditional prudence of the balanced powers of the Democratic Centre. THE SUBJECT OF RELIGION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF GREECE Other associated demands of the same vision or programme expounded by the Enlighteners in mention (whom their dissidents sarcastically refer to as Lighteners!.) include the so-called Populist State in the form of a package intended to be a supposedly neutral and more just State for all of its citizens. However, the populist State has, as its foremost presupposition, the complete and distinct separation of Church and State with all of the relative consequences, which are certainly not always in agreement either with the centuries-old Traditions of the Church or, above all, with her formal teaching. Therefore, because an honourable separation of Church and State was not attempted in Modern Greece, since both the Church and the State looked to specific benefits, their attempt to proceed together and to cover each other would fatefully become a painful chessboard due to the continually changing conditions of the world. On this chessboard, unacceptable and sometimes sacrilegious games were unfortunately played, especially during recent times. With the Church on the one hand making boastful demands on the State, as though she and no one else was the Nurturer of the Nation without the slightest caution as to certain not always pleasant historic terms and roles (!), and with the presumably Orthodox State, on the other, denying the plethora of real benefactions and sacrifices made by the Orthodox Clergy and People to the once enslaved Motherland.

5 OCTOBER 2008 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 5/23 Cont. from previous page And whilst, before the Colonels Dictatorship of 21 st April (1967), there did not exist an established concept of remuneration for Clergy of every rank and service as Public Servants, there did exist known pot-bellied Ministers in absolute Democracy who abased the Higher Clergy particularly and humiliated the Orthodox Church as a whole with an altogether shameful public attitude and with the always scornful characterization of the priesthood as the Public Service Clergy. The Vema of the Church newspaper, as its readers know from years ago, has never suppressed but, on the contrary, has censured (with specific names and examples) the extremities of both sides. Today, then, we shall not revisit all matters previously expressed in the past. We shall only say that whatever the attitude of the State, the only response befitting the Church can be none other than that which all Christians read in the Gospel of Christ: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven (Mat. 5:16) In these epigrammatic words of the God-Man Christ, two very simple things are clearly declared: Firstly, that the Church of course engages in works and does not restrict herself to prayer. However, her works must be implemented with absolute transparency so that the light might shine on all people. And, secondly, that the works of the Church must glorify only the common Father in Heaven and never be claimed by those who implemented them (or were accessories) for their personal praise and projection. Now, as concerns the web of relations between Church and State, it is a fact that neither the Greek Government nor the European Union are entitled to demand of Greece everything required by the Populist State (compulsory civil marriage, civil funeral, cremation of the dead, etc). Therefore, since this relates to the Orthodox faithful, the Greek State must not come into conflict with fundamental dogmatic principles of Orthodoxy, nor should its Public Servants display a provocative attitude towards Orthodox customs which express a deeper ethos (the Sign of the Cross, public litanies and processions, etc) so long as other fellow citizens are not offended or aggrieved in any way. Nonetheless, the degree of hypocrisy as well as confusion simultaneously, demonstrated over two decades by the Governments of the PASOK Party (even towards the Sign of the Cross!), was experienced and is still remembered by contemporary Greeks. Indeed, whenever anyone reminded those of the PASOK Government (particularly before former Prime Minister K. Simitis!) that neither a separation of Church and State had taken place, nor had the internationally recognized Orthodox Greece quietly become a Populist State, there was then talk about a supposed free-thinking edification of its citizens, in order that they become responsible people and not supposedly controlled!! But why should we be surprised by such types of progressive ideas and motions from apprentice magicians in politics, especially on the issue of spiritual education of the Youth, when even most astute Orthodox theologians, evidently influenced by non-orthodox, experiment very dangerously and entirely one-sidedly with the pre-eternal glossary of living religiously? How can we speak of a Religion subject when the very word Religion is being contested, if not persecuted, thanks to the so-called ecclesiastical event coined in recent times? The immediacy of a collective life experience for the avoidance of hypocritical ritualism is, of course, a necessary pre-requisite for the sanctification of the entire human life from above (within and outside Worship). This, however, in no way means that the word Religion becomes an obstacle. Among the general experimental attempts by those practising politics through whatever means, in order to promote themselves as supposed benefactors of Youth, if possible even from their infancy (!),there was talk during the Governments of PASOK of abolishing Infant Baptism, a practice of the Orthodox Church till this day. Here is not the place for the writer to recall with what indignation he countered supposedly friendly proposals by the Chairman of National Radio and Television (1999), unfortunately at the home of an old and very eminent brotherhood Theologian who remained strangely silent, presumably so as not to risk dubious interests in those days! As to what degree, moreover, a single flippant and rather irreverent rationalism can influence even the most well-meaning people in dialogue (regardless of political ideology!), is demonstrated most characteristically by two incidents which we promised to narrate as a conclusion to this article. a) A friend and renowned lawyer of Athens, with a reputation for brilliance and hailing from a family continuously involved in socio-political interests (as a member of the Democratic Centre), courteously sought of the writer that he personally perform in due course the baptism of his young daughter, who was already 7 years of age and not yet baptized. To the question as to why he and his Wife had avoided till now the traditional Infant Baptism of our Church, he responded without hesitation, saying that he wanted to allow the child to choose her faith completely freely when she reached an age to decide maturely. Mindful that I might offend the dignity but also the intelligence of this fine Athenian citizen, I hastened very carefully to counterpoise with his logic, the unassailable arguments that Orthodox Pastoral Theology offers on this subject, respecting absolutely the character of the Sacrament, but without underestimating the value of discretion in every human decision. So, I said to him approximately the following: Just as, my friend, in your moving providence and affection for your child, you attempt with your own judgement to select, even from her infancy, every type of food, clothing and footwear, in the same way, for her spiritual nourishment, you are completely justified in securing for her what you have chosen for yourself. If, later on, when your child becomes an adult and wishes to abandon the Church, of course no one will obstruct her, as sometimes happens. And you should know, my friend, that the religion of God Incarnate is neither intellectualism nor naturalism, but grace unrepayable for all of us. The honourable response of this sincere man was both amazing and almost monosyllabic: Truly, so simple, and I hadn t thought of it! b) A high-ranking State official of the present Greek Government, and a Professor of Education, with vital responsibility for the educational programmes of the Nation in general, recently stated in one of the widest circulating Sunday newspapers of Athens, in relation to the subject of Religion, the following unthinkable: In facilitating the hour of Religion, he was not at all concerned either with the arrogance or the improvisation with which the responsible Minister for Education changed the previous Order regarding exemptions, with a single stroke of the pen, towards a most anti-pedagogic direction. Nor was he concerned about the content and the time allocation for the subject in mention. The only thing he judged as purposeful and imperative was that the subject of Religion should be restricted only to the text of the New Testament, because, as he asserted the Old Testament contains lessons that are incompatible with the teaching of the Christian Gospel. And as an example, this misfortunate person, gave the quote an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth! The man, obviously, must never have heard of the very deep coherence between the Old and New Testaments which comprise the indivisible Bible, nor about the indivisibility of the People of God, nor even about the one Revelation of the one Trinitarian God, given progressively - all most central truths of the Christian Gospel. It would, consequently, be an unforgiveable act of naivety for one to expect from such a Public Servant (of crucial responsibility for the entire Nation) that he should know, even from hearsay, about the incomparable Poetry and Theology of the Psalms of the King and Prophet David, recognized by World Civilization throughout the centuries, or about the importance which the Holy Psalter has always held, not only in the Worship of the Church, but also in the teachings of the Fathers and Theologians, up to the present hour. Further comments regarding The Subject of Religion in the Public Schools of Greece, are unnecessary. At least for the time being! Translated by FSS Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Visit the new website of our Archdiocese

6 The Greek Australian VEMA OCTOBER /24 TO BHMA THE MYSTERY OF THE THEANDRIC CHRIST By Anthony Papantoniou The mystery of theandricity, that is, the unity of the fullness of divinity and the fullness of humanity in the one person or hypostasis of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Logos, the second person of the Trinity, constitutes the very essence of Christianity. Modern scholars, however, have criticized traditional Christology as articulated in early Christian and Byzantine theology. On the one hand, there are scholars who reject the mystery of Christ, arguing that virgin births, miracles and resurrections are impossible. This position which rejects the reality of the incarnation began with the 18 th century Enlightenment, which with the emergence of a new rationalistic, historically conscious and scientific worldview reassessed all aspects of cultural life, including the fundamentals of Christian faith. It was argued that Christianity emerged within the ancient world and assimilated mythological images and symbols to express its faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who became human by a virgin birth, who performed miracles, and was raised to life after his passion and death on the cross. The ancient world, it was assumed, used similar categories in their mythologies, and so, the early church assimilating such symbols and images fabricated the idea that Jesus was God who had become a human being. Such things, according to the modern mind are impossible and cannot happen. However, while scholars reject the mystery of Christ, they believe that all this mythological symbolism is important only in so far as it expresses the theological meaning and significance of the event and person of Christ. Therefore, all of these mythical images, allegedly not factual, express theologically the importance of the meaning of what Jesus, as a God-inspired individual, accomplished during his life as a historical human person - the call to a new way of life which is grounded and moved by love. Although there are many scholars who continue to reject the reality of Christ on rationalist grounds, and the illu-sion of historical objectivity and scientific certainty, con-temporary biblical scholarship has shown that the mythological similarities between ancient mythology and Christian faith cannot be maintained. Early Christian theologians were aware of the difference between ancient mythology and Christian mystery. The Church sought to give historical witness and theological expression to the mystery of Christ. Jesus Christ reveals the mystery of his person as theandric (divine-human), which is historically witnessed in the inspired testimony of scripture, theologically proclaimed in the dogmas, and mystically experienced and celebrated within the liturgy and the sacraments of the Church. On the other hand, many modern theologians who affirm the mystery of Christ find Byzantine Christology as not expressing the fullness of Christ s humanity because of its affirmation that the subject of the person of Jesus Christ is the Divine Logos. It is argued that, if it is the hypostasis or person of the Logos who is the subject of Christ, then Christ who is also fully human has no real human hypostasis and therefore his full humanity is undermined. This incorrect assumption by modern theologians is a consequence of the fact that modern christologies have failed to articulate the principle of theandricity. We must ask however, what is this principle about? Before we attempt to examine this concept, it will be important to briefly look at how Christology was elaborated in early Christian and Byzantine theology. Christology in early Christian and Byzantine theology During the first three centuries, Christological articulation as expressed by the fathers of the Church, maintained the historical reality of Christ, who is the Incarnate Logos, who assumed human nature, and united divinity and humanity in his one person. While giving witness to the reality that the Logos [who] became flesh (John 1:14), the fathers articulated the soteriological signi-ficance of the person of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. This is illustrated by the famous axiom found in St Athanasius of Alexandria, God became human, so humans can become God. In the fourth century, a new set of Christological concerns emerged, precisely in regards to the unity of Christ. How is the unity of divinity and humanity understood in the person of Christ? This Christological problem of how we understand the unity of the two natures in the one person of Christ, was the most fundamental concern of early Christian and Byzantine Christology. There are two basic approaches to Christology in the fourth century, and they are expressed by the Schools of Antioch and Alexandria. The Alexandrians, on the one hand, emphasized a type of Christology that may be named one subject Christology, affirming that God became human. A problem that might arise with this approach, however, is that the fullness of Christ s humanity may be undermined. The Antiochenes, on the other hand, emphasized the full humanity of Christ and stressed the separateness of his two natures. This type of Christology may be named a dual [or, two-subjects] Christology, because there is an emphasis on the distinction of the natures, which may undermine the unity of Christ. The famous Nestorian controversy in the fourth century is an example of this two subjects Christology, for Nestorius erroneously affirmed two persons in Christ, one the Son of God and the other, the Son of Mary, who are united by connection (synapheia), and participation (henôsis schetike). St Cyril of Alexandria, the greatest Christological thinker, refuted Nestorius dualistic Christology and affirmed that there is only one subject in the person of Christ, the Incarnate Logos, and the unity of divinity and humanity takes place according to hypostasis (henôsis kath hypostasin). There is only one Christ, one person or hypostasis, where humanity and divinity are united without confusion (asyghytôs), without change (atreptôs), without alteration (ametablytôs). Therefore, if the subject of Christ is one, out of two natures (ek duo physeôn), divinity and humanity united in the one hypostasis or person, the manner of Christ s existence is also one, that is, it is a theandric mode of existence. With the understanding of the union according to hypostasis, St Cyril sought to give expression to the mystery of theandricity. Let us explore this principle in greater detail. The theandric hypostasis of Christ The principle of theandricity does not simply indicate the unity of the two natures, the divine and human, in the one hypostasis of Christ. Rather it signifies the new mode of existence (tropos hyparxeôs), that is, the manner of Christ s new existence, which is theandric, as a consequence of the union of the two natures. This union occurs at the level of personhood since it is a union according to hypostasis, henosis kath hypostasin because it is the hypostasis of the Word and Son of God who unites the human nature to his one hypostasis. Therefore, the subject of the one person of Jesus Christ is the one hypostatic reality of the Incarnate Logos, whose manner of existence is theandric. The hypostasis of the Incarnate Christ at the moment of conception is no longer simple, but complex or composite (synthetos). This is expressed by St John of Damascus who writes that the hypostatic union (hç kath hypostasin henôsis) produces one composite hypostasis of the things united (mian hypostasin tôn hçnoumenôn apotelei syntheton) and that this preserves unconfused and unaltered in itself both the uniting natures and their difference as well as their natural properties (sôzousa tas synethlousas pros hçnosin physeis kai tçn touton diaphoran kai ta touton physika idiomata asychyta te kai atrepta en eaute) (Philosophical Chapters, 66). Since, according to St John of Damascus (On the Orthodox Faith, Chapter 3), we confess one person (hypostasis) of the Son of God incarnate in two natures that remain perfect, and we declare that the person of his divinity and of his humanity is the same and confess that the two natures are preserved intact in him after the union - and do not set each nature apart by itself, but hold them to be united to each other in one composite person, there is in Christ also one theandric energy (theandrike energeia), to employ St Dionysius the Areopagite s famous formula. This means that although in Christ there are two wills and two energies as a consequence of the two natures, they do not act separately but rather in association with each other, for as St John of Damascus (On the Orthodox Faith, Chapter 19) writes: when the flesh is acting, the divine nature is associated with it because the flesh is being permitted by the good pleasure of the divine will to suffer and do what is proper to it - and when the divinity of the Word is acting, the flesh associated with it, because the divine operations are being performed by the flesh as by an instrument and because he who is acting at once in a divine and human way is one. Many modern theologians affirm that because in Christ there is no human hypostasis, the fullness of his humanity is compromised. This is actually based on an ancient saying which affirmed that there is no nature without a hypostasis (ouk esti physis anhypostatos). This means that a human being in order to be fully human must also have a human hypostasis. In Christology, it is affirmed that the hypostasis of Christ is that of the Logos. Therefore, according to ancient Antiochians and modern scholars alike, if Christ only has a human nature but does not have a human hypostasis, the fullness of his humanity is undermined. However, the hypostasis of Christ is not simply that of the divine and eternal Logos, it is rather the Incarnate Logos. There is no mere human person Jesus Christ before the incarnation, therefore there cannot be a human hypostasis of Jesus; rather it is the Incarnate Logos who assumes human nature and enhypostasizes the human nature assumed from the Theotokos. The Logos is the subject of the person of Jesus Christ, and because the unity of natures has occurred hypostatically, the manner of the Logos existence is theandric. The mystery of the theandric Christ, however, has enormous existential significance. As a new mode of existence in the reality of the person of Christ, it becomes the only bridge for communion and divine participation in the mystery of salvation for humanity. Christ inaugurates a new existential mode where human beings may experience the fullness of divine life and love, which is the mystery of salvation. This mystery of salvation begins now within the sacramental life of the Church and is imparted to the entire world, being completed eternally in the kingdom of heaven. Acknowledgement: I would like to express my thanks to my teacher and friend Revd Dr Doru Costache for reading this paper and making important suggestions.

7 OCTOBER 2008 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 7/25 Facts & Stats Rudd spends his way out of economic gloom By Colin Brinsden The Rudd government has gone on a massive $10.4 billion spending spree in a bid to spare Australia the worst effects of the global economic crisis. Pensioners, families and first home buyers are the big winners under the government's strategy that aims to prevent a deep and prolonged economic slowdown. Almost half of the $21.7 billion budget surplus will be pumped back into the economy, with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd warning the global crisis had entered a "new, dangerous, and damaging phase" that demanded action. He suggested the government might loosen the budget purse strings further, saying the government was determined to take "whatever action is necessary in the future" to maintain stability of the Australian financial system and underpin economic growth. Under the rescue plan, one-off handouts include $4.8 billion to all pensioners and carers, and $3.9 billion to low and middle income families. The package also includes a doubling of the $7,000 First Home Owners Grant until June next year, or $21,000 for first home buyers purchasing newly constructed homes. "... the government has decided to act decisively and early on the question of this economic security strategy for the future," he told reporters as he announced the strategy in Canberra. Later, in his first televised address to the nation as prime minister, he moved to reassure Australians while also acknowledging many were "anxious, and even fearful" about the future. "The truth is that we are going through the worst financial crisis in our lifetime," he said in the threeminute address broadcast on news programs. "I don't intend to gild the lily. There will be tough times ahead." But he said the government was determined to do whatever was necessary to steer the economy through the crisis. The last time a prime minister made such an address was when John Howard decided to send troops to Iraq in March, The rescue package gave a further lift to the share market, which gained around four per cent on top of yesterday's five per cent rally - the best two-day gain in 33 years. The market also received a major boost from the biggest ever points gain on Wall Street yesterday. Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull backed the strategy and said it would help cash-strapped pensioners but noted it was fiscal concerns, not compassion, that had prompted the government to act. He also questioned whether existing homeowners might end up bearing the brunt of the bonus for low-income Australians. "We trust that the government has taken into account advice from Treasury and considered the impact that this stimulus may have on the Reserve Bank's ability to continue reducing interest rates," Mr Turnbull said. "But nonetheless we're not going to argue about the composition of the package or quibble about it. It has our support." Business, welfare and housing groups welcomed the initiative, but economists also noted it may limit how much further the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is able to cut interest rates. "This package contains all three ingredients to have maximum impact. It is well-timed, well-targeted, and temporary," Business Council of Australia President Greig Gailey said. There is no exact figuring of what impact the package will have on economic growth and inflation at this stage. That will come in next month's mid-year budget review. The government has said the surplus will remain in the black. This package is the equivalent of a one per cent injection into economic growth, suggesting that this was the size of the damage that could have occurred to already thinning growth if the government had sat on its hands. "The purpose of a surplus in the budget is to deal with tough times and tough times are with us," Mr Rudd said. The package will also provide $187 million to create 56,000 new training schemes and formally accelerates the implementation of the government's three nation building funds. AAP Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Following the annual anticipation of this continuing series of talks on Orthodoxy since 1989 A SHORT COURSE IN ORTHODOX STUDIES is again being organized as an initiative of St Spyridon Parish of South-East Sydney in collaboration with St Andrew s Theological College, Sydney This year s series will be held each TUESDAY evening in ENGLISH as always from October 14 th till November 18 th, 2008, p.m. at St Spyridon Parish Hall, Gardeners Road, Kingsford, Sydney Tuesday 14 th October WHY DOES GOD ALLOW SUFFERING? By Father (Dr) Dimitri Kokkinos, (M.B.B.S., F.R.A.C.P.) Parish Priest at St John s Church, Parramatta, Visiting Medical Officer in Neurology at Bankstown Hospital, and Conjoint Lecturer in Neurology at the University of New South Wales Tuesday 21 st October OBESITY A MULTIFACTORIAL DISEASE WITH A SPIRITUAL SOLUTION By Associate Professor Nicholas Manolios, (M.B.B.S., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.A.C.P., F.R.C.P.A.) Director of Rheumatology Sydney West Area Health Service, Associate Professor in Medicine, University of Sydney, And Member of St Spyridon Fellowship Tuesday 28 th October THE CHURCH GOD S MIRACULOUS PRESENCE ON EARTH By Philip Kariatlis, (B.A., B.Th., M.Th., Th.D (cand.) Graduate of St Andrew s Theological College, Lecturer in Dogmatic Theology and Academic Secretary at St Andrew s Theological College Tuesday 4 th November I BELIEVE IN JESUS WHY DO I NEED THE CHURCH? By Associate Professor Angelo Karantonis, (B.Ec., M.Comm., B.Th.) Head of School, School of the Built Environment, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney, and Graduate of St Andrew s Theological College Tuesday 11 th November AM I SAVED? CONFRONTING HEAVEN AND HELL By Father Chris Dimolianis (B.Th., Dip.Appl.Sc. - nursing) Parish Priest at St Efstathios Church, Melbourne, Chaplain to St John s Greek Orthodox College at Preston, Melbourne and Greek Orthodox Chaplain to Victoria Police Tuesday 18 th November MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD THE SUPREME HUMAN PARADIGM By Mary Alabasinis, (B.A., LLB., Grad.Dip.Leg.Prac., Dip.Byz.Mus. ) Lawyer, Graduate in Diploma Course at St Andrew s Theological College, Member of the Millennium Choir of the Archdiocese and Member of St Spyridon Fellowship INTERESTED? NO FEES JUST TURN UP AT ANY OR ALL OF THE TALKS Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

8 8/26 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA OCTOBER 2008 Windows to Orthodoxy Iconography Exhibition Success in West Australia By Peter N. Kakulas On Sunday the 28th of September 2008, the Apostle Luke s School of Iconography held its inaugural Icon Exhibition between 11am - 4pm. The exhibition was held at the Monastery of Saint John of the Mountain with over sixty original icons being exhibited. The day was blessed with beautiful spring weather. The Monastery provided a serene and ideal location for the exhibition. Visitors were greeted by a tree studded property. All this added to the atmosphere to fully appreciate the icons. After the blessing by the Abbot, the exhibition was officially opened. Throughout the day a large section of the community came to view the icons. Most of them stayed to enjoy a hot beverage and sweet in the surrounding areas. The positive comments and reactions were simply overwhelming. So how did the course come about? It all started back last year where in the course of a conservation I was having with one of the monks at the Monastery, I happened to mention an iconography course that I was about to complete by correspondence. He said, I d love to have a look at your work. So the next time I visited the Monastery I took up three icons and left them in the boot of the car. After the church service I took the monk and somewhat sheepishly showed him my icons. He was suitably impressed and before I knew it a whole lot of people were gathered around the boot of a car looking at the icons. The Abbot asked if I d be interested in teaching iconography to others. After a little hesitation I said Yes, but only if God wanted it. He said it s not just God s will, but we too have to participate. Not really having any teaching experience, I put together some brief notes and started to teach the basics to one of the monks at the Monastery. Then through a series of discussions we decided that an iconography course should be offered to the community. So, early this year we started the classes and were pleasantly surprised with the enthusiastic response. Throughout the year the students were taken on a journey. Topics included the symbolism and spirituality aspect together with the practical side of icon writing. Iconography is a lifelong learning experience. So how do you teach so large a subject in such a short amount of time? Not to be deterred, all students commenced with lessons on drawing and shading. The lessons then progressed to the application of colour with all icons Chrismation: The Mystery of Personal Pentecost written using Egg Tempera and following the symbolism according to the Orthodox Byzantine tradition. Other topics included the making of icons boards and the application of gold leaf. I think one of the highlights of the course was the five hour workshop where the application of the gold leaf was taught. For those of you who don t know gold leaf is a very delicate substance and just your breath is enough to blow it away, so care is a must. At one stage we had gold leaf virtually everywhere. The mention of the forthcoming exhibition was enough encouragement for the students to accelerate their progress and to complete their icons in time. Some students even managed to complete multiple icons. All of the students were proud of their work and were more than happy to share their experience with family and friends. Each icon had something special to offer. The vast majority of students are looking forward to next year s classes. I think a comment from one of the students sums up the whole experience: it s like a curtain has been pulled back, and I now see icons in a different light. Revd Dr Doru Costache In a previous article (see Coming into Orthodoxy: Aspects Related to Conversion, Initiation and Integration Vema, June 2008), I had emphasised the importance of catechetical instruction leading to the reception of adult converts in the Orthodox Church. By the end of the article I mentioned in passing the role played by the three mysteries/sacraments of initiation (baptism - chrismation - holy communion), for the final stage of the reception process. In the following, I will try to point out several main aspects pertaining to the mystery of chrismation, a sacrament whose significance is not always fully comprehended. The mystery of chrismation (from the Greek meaning anointing or unction ) is the second of the three sacraments of initiation and part of the service of illumination/baptism. It is performed by either the bishop or the priest, who, after calling the power of the Holy Spirit upon the newly illumined/baptised ( do you yourself, Sovereign Master, compassionate King of all, bestow upon him/her also the Seal of your almighty and adorable Holy Spirit ), anoints them with the holy and great myrrh, saying: the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the life of the newly illumined, chrismation corresponds to the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ at the river Jordan (cf. Luke 3:21-22), and as such constitutes the sign of a renewed humanity, open to, and indwelled by, the Holy Spirit. Also, it corresponds to the very nature of God s people, the Church, that journey from the day of Pentecost and throughout history under the dew of the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 2:1-4). Through chrismation, the newly baptised become truly pneumatophores - Gr. bearers of the Holy Spirit - experiencing in grace the existential conformity with Christ and his Church. Perceptively, in his Letter to the Ephesians 9 St Ignatius Theophoros ( the Godbearer ) calls Christians God-bearers, Spirit-bearers, temple-bearers, Christ-bearers, bearers of holiness. The newly illumined are now inundated by the energies (according to St Nicholas Cabasilas, The Life in Christ 3.4), gifts or charismata of the Holy Spirit (cf. Isaiah 11:2), together with being acknowledged ecclesially as members of the priestly people of God (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). Both aspects, namely the sanctifying action of the Holy Spirit and the ecclesial acknowledgment, appear as the common denominator of the two main ways of administering chrismation: the laying on of hands, which was the initial fashion as performed by the apostles, and the anointing. The visible sign (i.e. either the laying of hands or the unction) signifies the ecclesial acknowledgment whilst the charismata bestowed upon the newly baptised point out the active presence of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, the two aspects concur with the realisation of a theandric, or divine-human, life (cf. St Nicholas Cabasilas, The Life in Christ 3:2) of the newly illumined, within God s people. And in fact, by further walking - consciously and strenuously - the spiritual path of virtuous life, the newly chrismated opens up progressively to the horizon of divine participation, in the Holy Spirit, through Christ, with the Father (see St Nicholas Cabasilas, The Life in Christ 3:5-6). As already stated, chrismation was performed originally by the apostles through the laying on of hands (cf. Acts 8:14-17). Very soon, however, the practice of anointing had become generalised (as suggested in 1 John 2:20), either because the apostles were unable to attend all the baptised or in order to distinguish chrismation from cheirotonia, the sacrament of ordination. Giving expression to the ecclesial teaching, St Nicholas Cabasilas (The Life in Christ 3:1) considers both ways as efficient: Scripture says that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid hands upon those who had been initiated. Now too the Paraclete comes upon those who are being chrismated. The Orthodox Church administers the three sacraments of initiation in connection with the baptismal regeneration (for infants and adults alike), given their existential value, of fully regenerating the inner being of the human persons. In turn, the Roman Church separates them for catechetical, non-existential, reasons. Thus, in the Roman rite, confirmation, the equivalent of chrismation, is administered at the end of the catechetical instruction (when children are about 12 years of age). In line with the Roman practice, some Protestant Churches perform the ceremony of confirmation only for adults and teenagers; however, they do not consider it a sacrament.

9 OCTOBER 2008 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 9/27 Greek Cypriots cancel war games to help peace climate By Charlie Charalambous Cyprus President Demetris Christofias said recently he had decided to cancel large-scale Greek Cypriot military exercises in order to improve the climate of reunification talks launched last month. "The cabinet has for some time now decided to propose to the UN Secretary-General (Ban Ki-moon) the postponement or cancellation of Nikiforos (the annual war games)," Christofias told reporters after his fifth meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat (photo) since the talks were launched. "Based on this position of the cabinet, the president of the republic has decided to cancel the Nikiforos military exercises." Nikiforos - scheduled for this week - is an annual event which involves calling up thousands of Greek Cypriot reservists to participate in three days of exercises which include both land and sea components. UN special envoy Alexander Downer said both leaders were beginning to find common ground in the talks. "Inevitably there is a growing understanding between the two sides and their positions and, as time goes on, of course the gaps are going to narrow," Downer told reporters after the recent three-hour session. "The two leaders have some common positions and they have of course been negotiated over the past few weeks and there is much that still needs to be negotiated." The former Australian foreign minister warned that the road to peace would be a painstaking one. "This is an enormous issue - it hasn't been resolved for a very long time. You can't expect them suddenly to agree on everything on day one... It's going to take a lot of time and it's going to be a difficult negotiation. There is no question of that." Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island's northern third in response to a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at union with Greece. Turkey maintains an estimated 40,000 troops in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north, and a small Greek contingent is stationed in the government-controlled south. Annual Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot military exercises have long been a source of tension on the island. They were cancelled between 2001 and 2004 to help a previous round of UN-brokered peace talks. Those negotiations resulted in a UN-drafted reunification blueprint which was approved by Turkish Cypriots but overwhelmingly rejected by Greek Cypriots in simultaneous referendums in Following the failure of those talks, Greek Cypriot army manoeuvres resumed in Christofias has called for a united Cyprus free of all foreign troops - Greek, Turkish and British. When Cyprus won independence in 1960, Britain retained sovereignty over two large base areas on the island where some 10,000 troops and dependents are stationed. AFP For the e-bibliophiles Byzantine women: Varieties of experience AD Edited by Lynda Garland (pub d by the Centre for Hellenic Studies, King s College London, 2006) This book contains 9 essays by a number of scholars, the most familiar to Australians being Dr Lynda Garland from the University of New England in Armidale, NSW. The essays have been arranged such that they begin with the subject of women s monasteries, with issues ranging from the problem of poor families who forced unmarried daughters to become nuns, to the imprisonment of former empresses. There is a wealth of interesting information, including the fact that wives of priests elevated to the position of bishop were required to enter monasteries, and they (like many other nuns) relied upon their family s wealth, or that of their former husband, to support them until their death. The essays finish with one describing the entertainment enjoyed by empresses and their retinue, when on their own or in the company of the emperor and his courtiers. The entire book makes for fascinating reading, and really brings alive the society and culture of Byzantium. Worth reading. Holy Fools in Byzantium and beyond. By Sergey A. Ivanov (Oxford Studies in Byzantium, 2006) The author quickly distances himself from any controversy over whether or not holy foolery is canonical. Instead, using mostly Greek and Old Russian manuscripts, he gives examples of holy fools (from antiquity to the 20th century) in an attempt to understand what prompts a society to perceive holiness in someone when the only thing visible is apparent insanity. To begin with, however, he draws attention to the paradox of holy fools; of one who feigns insanity to avoid the vanity of worldly praise, yet is required to abandon the disguise in order to be appreciated for what he or she is. A fascinating read for anyone interested in the subject. Both books are available at the library of St Andrew s Greek Orthodox Theological College, 242 Cleveland St., Redfern NSW Ph: A.C

10 The Greek Australian VEMA OCTOBER /28 TO BHMA Greek PM looks for crisis boost The Greek government is expected to finalize the details of its plan to ensure the stability of the banking market, as Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis (photo), who has canceled a planned trip to China in order to focus on dealing with the financial crisis, is hoping that some decisive action by the ruling conservatives can help revive their flagging poll ratings. Karamanlis attended the emergency summit of eurozone leaders in Paris but, unlike many of the other countries at the meeting, Greece did not announce the details of how it plans to ensure there is enough liquidity in the market. France, Germany, Spain, Austria and Italy yesterday announced plans to spend more than 1 trillion euros in an effort to shore up their banks. The Greek government is only expected to finalize the details of its plan in the next few days, when Economy and Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis returns to Athens from Washington. With that out of the way, Karamanlis plans a series of meetings aimed at tackling the financial crisis. He left for a summit meeting in Brussels and then travelled to Frankfurt for talks with the president of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet. Greece is hoping that the terms of the eurozone s Stability Pact will be eased, which would allow the government to increase handouts for pensioners and the poor. Some commentators had criticized his visit to Malta last week at a time when there were rapid developments in the world s financial markets. According to sources, the prime minister is hoping that if he provides strong and decisive leadership during the crisis, even though Greece has yet to feel the full force of its consequences, it will help his government regain some of its lost popularity. Karamanlis may look to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has managed to improve his disastrous poll ratings on the back of his leadership during the financial meltdown. The two leaders are due to meet this week and Karamanlis is then expected to fly to Qatar for talks that are thought to be linked to interest by Qatar Air in buying Olympic Airlines. Busy young Greeks turning to junk food Students and young employees say they increasingly rely on fast food due to excessive hours at their desks, a new study has shown. According to a poll conducted by the research and educational institute IEK Domi on a sample of Greeks aged 18 to 29, more than half (52 percent) claim to have changed their eating habits over the past three years, with a third (36 percent) saying they often opt for convenience food. Half (45 percent) said they eat fast food up to five times a week. As for the reasons behind the unhealthy shift in eating habits, 40 percent blamed their working hours or studies. Asked to describe the Mediterranean diet, half (48 percent) could not, while 21 percent said they believed healthy eating was all about moderation. But the majority (72 percent) said they wanted to learn more about what constitutes a healthy diet.

11 OCTOBER 2008 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 11/29

12 The Greek Australian VEMA OCTOBER /30 TO BHMA Laiki Bank Space Zone Golden Ticket Competition 2nd winner announced Laiki Bank announced the winner of the second draw of the Space Zone Golden Ticket Competition, Mielé Celine Bougessis from Adelaide. Mielé is the lucky winner of a $200 JB Hi-Fi voucher. Our heartiest congratulations to Mielé and her parents. We hope she enjoys her prize and continues to save regularly, said Michalis Athanasiou, General Manager, Laiki Bank Australia. The Golden ticket competition aims at promoting saving habits in young kids by rewarding them for making frequent deposits in their Space Zone accounts. With every deposit, children qualify to enter into one of the three draws. The more regularly they make deposits, the better their chances are of winning. Mielé is the second Space Zone account holder, who has won a prize this year by participating in the golden ticket competition. The winner of the first draw Marcos Krantis, won a $200 Rebel Sports voucher. The third and final Grand Prize draw is scheduled for 11th of November 2008, when the lucky winner will receive a brand new Sony VAIO laptop. Space Zone is a savings account by Laiki Bank that makes it easy for kids to save, with no account keeping fees and high interest rates on deposits. Parents can have easy access to the account through Laiki ebank or through regular account statements. To find out more about the Space Zone account or the Golden Ticket competition, visit your nearest Laiki Bank branch or call (Left to right): Laiki Bank Mile End Branch s Customer Service Representative Helen Sianis, the winner of the Golden Ticket competition 2nd draw Mieli Celine Bougessis and Mieli s mother Jacqueline Bougessis. BYZANTINE CHURCHES OF CONSTANTINOPLE A colour catalogue of the recent Photo Exhibition by Church historian Dr Ken Parry, recently held at St Andrew s Greek Orthodox Theological College, is now available through the Bookcentre of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Sydney. Over 30 beautiful images of the spiritual history of the City, on glossy paper, with explanatory captions. Price: $15 including postage and handling Contact Anthony: bookcentre@greekorthodox.org.au Serengeti, Dolce & Gabbana, YSL Christian Dior, Gucci, Calvin Klein Katerina + Kyriacos Mavrolefteros Dean Psarakis & Mary Krithinakis OPTOMETRISTS 874 Anzac Parade, Maroubra Junction (at bus stop, on RTA block) TEL: (02) service@maroubraoptoms.com.au We have over 1,200 spectacle frames and sunglasses on display! Polo Ralph Lauren, Oakley, La font Silhouette, Adidas, Carrera Thanks Funding to the critical generosity early early work of work the of brilliant community of young creative Cure and Cancer innovative scientists Australia s asresearchers they pursue mission as potential is they possible: pursue breakthrough to find potential a cure by breakthrough supporting research to solve research young scientists the riddles to solve to on cancer the deliver complexities breakthrough cells. in cancer cancer cells. research. Contribute to the Cure & send your tax deductible PO Box gift R185 to: Royal Exchange NSW 1225 PO Box R185 Royal Tel 02 Exchange NSW 1225 Tel

13 OCTOBER 2008 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 13/31 Health HEALTH NEWS WITH DR. THEO PENKLIS * BREAST CANCER Pink Ribbon Day Pink Ribbon Day this year is Monday 27th October. This day is the signature day of the National Breast Cancer Foundation and throughout October which is internationally known as Breast Cancer Month, the Pink Ribbon Campaign aims to celebrate the achievements of breast cancer research and raise additional funds. The National Breast Cancer Foundation is the only national not-for-profit organisation funding research into the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer. Around one in eleven women develop breast cancer in Australia and the role of the pink ribbon project is to increase awareness of the importance of research and its role in breast health and to provide opportunities to raise funds for vital breast cancer research. What are breast lumps? Lumps in the breast can be cancerous or non-cancerous. Non-cancerous lumps and cysts (fluid filled lumps) are more common and may be due to infections, blocked milk ducts or a non-cancerous growth called a fibroadenoma. Breast cancer is less common than non-cancerous lumps but still occurs in about one in eleven Australian women. It may be picked up by screening X- ray or mammogram or found by you or your doctor. What causes breast cancer? The exact causes of breast cancer are still the subject of scientific research. However, we are still aware of a number of risk factors and ways to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. Risk factors for breast cancer AGE: The risk of breast cancer increases with age. A woman of 70 years has a ten times greater risk of breast cancer than a 40 year old woman. FAMILY HISTORY: Breast cancer can run in families. A woman whose mother or sister has had breast cancer has an increased risk of breast cancer. In some families there can be a bad gene for breast cancer and typically around half of the female members develop breast cancer, usually before the age of 40, and often involving both breasts. REPRODUCTIVE FACTORS: The later a woman begins having children, the higher the risk of her having breast cancer. Breast feeding for at least three months is thought to be a protective factor and women who have never breast fed have an increased chance of developing breast cancer. DIET: The best diet to reduce the risk of breast cancer is a diet high in fibre, rich in fruit and vegetables and low in animal fat. ALCOHOL: A woman who has two standard drinks per day (that is, two glasses of wine or two nips of spirits) increases her risk of breast cancer by 40-70%. EXERCISE: At least four hours a week of regular exercise significantly reduces a woman s risk of breast cancer. Being overweight is also a risk factor for breast cancer. Exercise helps control weight gain. HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY: There is some evidence that hormone replacement therapy is involved in promoting the growth of breast cancer. What are the warning signs of breast cancer? Early detection of a change in the breast tissue will minimise the potential for a serious problem to develop. So if any changes are noted in the breast tissue, one needs to seek medical advice. Some common changes that can be early warning signs are: Dimpling of the skin or any changes to breast texture or shape Changes to nipple shape or unexplained nipple discharge Breast lumps Skin changes or skin thickening Underarm tenderness It is important to note that most breast changes are not cancer. However, if you note any of the above warning signs, see your doctor as soon as possible so he /she can reassure you that everything is alright or arrange the appropriate assessment. How often should a woman have breast checks? All women should practice regular breast self-examination. By doing regular breast self-examination you get to know how your breasts look and feel so that you will notice any changes that may appear. Breast self-examination should be performed once a month, just after a period. If the woman no longer has periods, she should choose a day that she will remember each month and examine her breasts at the same time each month. To be most effective, breast self-examination should be done regularly and carefully. Have your doctor explain to you the correct procedure for self breast examination. The Cancer Council recommends that women from the age of 40 continue self breast examination and have their doctor examine their breasts at least once a year. A free screening mammogram is available in New South Wales to women over 40 every 2 years through the Breast Screen Programme. For women years, the programme more actively targets this age group, because it is this age group whose screening has been shown to be the most effective. Over 70 years of age, breast screening is still available. Women in this age group are still at high risk of breast cancer, but may have other health problems. Therefore, their need for screening may be governed by other factors. Investigations used in the assessment of breast lumps: MAMMOGRAM: A mammogram is a breast X- ray. It is the most useful test for diagnosing breast cancer. However, it is not the final proof that a lump can be serious, nor should a mammogram which is normal be conclusive evidence that the patient does not have breast cancer. This is because a patient with a normal mammogram may have a breast lump which is palpable clinically. ULTRASOUND: An ultrasound is sometimes needed to get images of certain lumps in some women s breasts. This additional information will assist with diagnosis. It is usually used for younger women (especially pre-menopausal women) who have dense breast tissue. BREAST BIOPSY: A biopsy is a taking of the piece of the lump for testing. This can be done by inserting a needle into the breast to get some cells from the lump. These three tests, mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy are used to assess breast lumps to determine if they are cancer. It is important to remember that not all breast lumps are cancer and could be cysts or other benign tumours called fibroadenomas. It is however important to remember that early detection of a breast lump by the practice of regular self breast examination and appropriate screening mammography could save your life! This year show your support for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and support of breast cancer research. To see how you can help visit the pink ribbon day website * The information given in this article is of a general nature and readers should seek advice from their own medical practitioner before embarking on any treatment.

14 The Greek Australian VEMA OCTOBER /32 TO BHMA The Harvard-Nafplio connection The university s new Peloponnese outpost is a high-tech, academic hub for all ANGELIKE CONTIS The Iatrou building in central Nafplio houses the two-year-old branch of Harvard University s Centre for Hellenic S- tudies IT S EARLY autumn in Nafplio. Outside, people are strolling and sitting at cafes, but within one of the harbour s nicest neoclassical buildings Professor Chris Blackwell, British Library conservator David Jacobs and Graz University Library expert Manfred Mayer are gathered around a contraption called The Cradle. Reminiscent of an old wooden loom but made of metal, The Cradle is designed to photograph old manuscripts. It was put to use last summer at Venice s Marciana Library for the digital imaging of two of the earliest versions of the Iliad in the world. The Cradle s new home is the twoyear-old branch of Harvard University s Centre for Hellenic Studies (CHS) in Nafplio. Mayer designed the device after Graz University, in Austria, decided to create digital images of 2,000 treasured books. The contraption supports old books on a foam surface, their wizened pages held open by a soft vacuum. A red laser beam checks alignment before the mounted digital camera snaps an image. He and his two colleagues were in the Argolid to discuss how The Cradle could be used to digitally back up Nafplio s archives, the modern Greek state s first. No degrees, no fees Such exchanges are becoming increasingly common at the centre, says Classics Professor and CHS Nafplio chairman of the board Ioannis Petropoulos. Things were busy at the former town hall, dubbed the Eastern Campus of Washington DC-based CHS by its director, Professor Gregory Nagy. The past year included a lecture and cultural event series, the June 28 official opening and an increased flow of students, professors and locals. Petropoulos says the town s response has been positive but notes the Harvard flag is often mistaken for a tutoring school. He adds, It s not uncommon to have a mother come in and ask whether she can enrol her son in any program. The Harvard alumnus underlines, We do not award degrees, and we don t charge fees. The centre does offer an e-library that s open to the public. Having taught at the University of Thrace since 1991, Petropoulos says he s painfully aware of the lack of libraries and research facilities in Greek universities. He says that anyone can walk into CHS Nafplio, register their name, receive a brief explanation and start using a computer portal to access Harvard University s 80 libraries, free of charge. It s no small thing to access the school s online, non-copyrighted books and the endless list of journals and periodicals. (This Harvard/Radcliffe alumna, for one, may have been jaded by some narcissistic instructors but was never let down by one of the institution s libraries.) Harvard goes global This year, 18 Harvard student intern volunteers spent time in Nafplio to participate in a hands-on experience in fields ranging from shipping to archaeology. Still others passed through via Nagy s summer school course. In 2010, a pioneering 14-week semester abroad programme will be inaugurated. Petropoulos explains, It s a pilot project. Harvard has gone global and Greece is the first country where it is doing so. The programme aims to give 25 students a deep understanding of Greek culture. In order to avoid the creation of a year-abroad ghetto of American students herded around, the emphasis is on individual cultural immersion. Students will learn basic Greek and will embark on assignments like finding and reflecting on an olive tree or elementary school. Students will work their way ANNOUNCEMENT from Crete, to the Cyclades, then stop in Nafplio (3 weeks), Athens and Thessaloniki before heading to either Sicily or Western Turkey. The CHS outpost is supported in large part by private funding that has included the Onassis Public Benefit Foundation and individual sponsors. * The Centre for Hellenic Studies in Nafplio e-library is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am-2pm and 5pm-8.30pm and Tuesday and Thursday 10am-6pm. To make a recommended reservation: Tel , chsnafplion@chs.harvard.edu, ATHENS NEWS St Andrew s Greek Orthodox Theological College is pleased to announce the continuation of its successful and highly informative intensive course units during January and July. These five-day intensives commenced in January 2004 as part of the establishment of fully accredited graduate level programs: Graduate Certificate of Arts, Graduate Diploma of Arts and the Master of Arts. The schedule for January 2009 will be: THE EARTHLY HEAVEN (12-16 JANUARY 2009) Coordinator: Dr Guy Freeland GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA St Andrew s Greek Orthodox Theological College This course unit will deepen the student s understanding of the meaning and spiritual significance of icons and architectural spaces, and of their relationship to Orthodox liturgy. Themes include: The origins of Christian iconography and the evidence for the preservation of the true image, especially of Christ Symbols and signs; the symbolic language of the principal icon types and their relationship to the liturgy and the Church Year The nature of the iconoclast controversies The concept of the temple in Judaic and pagan Antiquity, and the evolution of the Christian church, with special reference to Byzantine buildings The symbolic meanings and liturgical functions of Byzantine architecture and iconographic programs EARLY CHRISTIAN PATRISTIC THEOLOGY (19-23 JANUARY 2009) Coordinator: Rev. Dr Doru Costache This course unit engages the thought and methodology of the early Church Fathers and investigates the major trends in the Christian tradition through to the fourth century. It assists students to appreciate the preeminent position of the Patristic tradition for the modern Orthodox Church and its articulation of doctrine and theology. Themes include: Timeline and key characteristics of Patristic literature (Greek, Latin and Syriac writers) Christianity and culture Theological developments during the second and third centuries, with references to the Apostolic Fathers, martyrologies, the Apologists, and the defenders of the ecclesial tradition Theological developments during the fourth century with references to St Athanasius the Great, the Cappadocians, St Ambrose and St Augustine The legacy of the early Fathers The course units are conducted on campus at Redfern NSW and are open to men and women, Orthodox and non-orthodox alike. They may be credited towards a degree (admissions criteria apply) or undertaken by university students as electives towards their own awards (e.g. Bachelor of Arts). Limited places may also be available to auditors. Applications for January 2009 should be lodged by Friday 5 December For more information about theological education at St Andrew s please contact the Registrar by telephone on (02) / or via at registrar@sagotc.edu.au.

15 OCTOBER 2008 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 15/33 Name proposal lacks support Less than half of Greeks in favour of Northern Macedonia, as FYROM premier says he will not back deal either More than half of Greeks are against the proposal by United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz (photo) for Greece s northern neighbour, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), to be called the Republic of Northern Macedonia. According to a poll carried out on behalf of Kathimerini and Skai, 53 percent of Greeks would reject the opportunity to settle the longrunning dispute between the two countries by adopting Nimetz s proposal. However, 43 percent of those questioned by Public Issue said that Greece could accept the deal on the table. The overwhelming majority of respondents (77 percent) feel a single name that FYROM would use for all purposes has to be agreed upon. Nimetz s proposal would allow FYROM to keep its constitutional name of Republic of Macedonia but would require Northern Macedonia to be used on official documents and in international organizations. However, opinion is split on whether the New Democracy government is handling negotiations with Skopje well. Half of those questioned think that Greece has probably handled talks well, whereas 42 percent think the Foreign Ministry has probably made the wrong moves. The likelihood of Nimetz s latest proposal being accepted seems to be diminishing by the day, as FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski added on Saturday his voice to that of President Branko Crvenkovski in rejecting the mediator s idea. Gruevski said that he agreed with the view that the proposal is not a suitable basis for reaching a permanent solution. Speaking to Sunday s Kathimerini, US State Department official Daniel Fried urged both sides to accept the deal. I hope both governments will have the courage and wisdom to accept it, even though I know it will not be easy, he said. KATHIMERINI Roman statue remains found in submerged ancient Greek city Archaeologists in Greece have found Roman remains in a submerged ancient port on the Cycladic island of Kythnos, the Greek culture ministry said recently. The archaeologists found the bearded head of a man and the torso of a warrior wearing a Roman-era breastplate at a depth of 2.5 metres underwater in the island bay of Mandraki last month. It is unclear whether the fragments were part of the same statue. They had apparently been used as building materials in a wall running along the harbour, the ministry said in a statement. The age of the fragments has not been certified. The Romans became dominant on the Greek mainland from the second century BCE onwards after defeating the waning Macedonian kingdom and a number of Greek city-states in battle. Greece was subsequently incorporated into the Roman Empire for the next 500 years. AFP THE ROLE OF A GREEK FAMILY IN ACCESS AND TREATMENT FOR PROBLEM GAMBLERS The Greek Welfare Centre is the welfare and community services arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese that has been providing services to people of Greek background for over 30 years. The GWC has received funding from the RGF, NSW Office of Liquor Gaming & Racing, Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation, to further develop the education and counselling service provided to people affected by gambling. During the month of October every year, the Greek Welfare Centre aims at raising awareness around issues in the Greek community, one of these being problem gambling. The following information was presented at the conference of the National Association of Gambling Studies in It highlights the role of the Greek family in accessing and supporting treatment for problem gamblers. Counselling in general, is an unfamiliar concept for many Greek migrants. Prior to migration, support when needed was sought from: - Within the family- (emotional support and guidance) - The doctor - (physical and emotional health) - The priest for spiritual guidance and support. The concept of counselling and social work are not well understood in the Greek community. The notion of disclosing family matters and being emotionally expressive to a stranger is unfamiliar for many Greek people. Also, there is a stigma associated with seeking help. There is an expectation that family will take care of family. If an individual seeks outside assistance, the implication for some is that the family must be incapable or unwilling - either of which reflect poorly on the family and creates a sense of shame. The fear of being found out (i.e. of seeking external support) is a further barrier to accessing services. These are factors in access regardless of the issue which help is being sought for. This is particularly pertinent if the issue about which assistance is being sought has associated shame and stigma, as is the case with problem gambling. Some addictions e.g. alcohol, generally are better tolerated in Greek families as there is an identifiable substance which blame can be attributed to where there is loss of control or unacceptable behaviour. Gambling is perceived differently - the person is held accountable for their behaviour. The perception is that a problem gambler chooses to gamble knowing the repercussions. The associated behaviours e.g. lying, deception, fraud, neglect of family etc are judged in a negative way and bring shame to the individual and the family. As previously mentioned, seeking outside help is generally difficult for Greek people but with the added barriers of shame and stigma the Greek problem gambler would be very reluctant to seek help. As seen in mainstream data this is not particular to Greek people. The literature and anecdotal experience tells us that more often it is a family member who is seeking support and not the problem gambler. The support required is usually to help the family cope with the problem gambling. In Greek families the support is sought to facilitate access for the problem gambler. A family member may make the initial inquiry, find out about the service, how a referral is made, how they can bring in the problem gambler. They need to be active in the process (referral, counselling and recovery) and often accompany the problem gambler to appointments. In a Western counselling concept this may be seen as over-involvement or that the client is lacking motivation. In the Greek culture, the family not only shares an identity and a name but also share material assets, decision making, achievements, failures and shame. Maintaining the group s well-being is ultimately the best guarantee of the individual s well-being. 1 It is therefore very important that the family take responsibility for the care of the family, particularly at times of stress and crisis and all attempts are made to minimize any shame. Dependence on the family is not only seen as desirable but is a culturally entrenched expectation. Dependence has the connotation of closeness, strength and adherence to family duty and obligations and contributes to family honour. It is in this context that the role of family in access and treatment is meaningful. The Greek family will do everything in their power to get help for a family member (Even if the person themselves is reluctant). In doing so they are, firstly, showing their love and support to the individual. Secondly, they are doing the right thing by the family and, lastly, they are seen to be doing the right thing. Greek Welfare Centre Problem Gambling Service A brief description of the Greek Welfare Centre s Problem Gambling Services is outlined below: 1. The service is ethno-specific 2. Counselling is offered to individuals and families. 3. All counsellors are bi-lingual and bi-cultural 4. Psycho-education is offered individually or through groups. If you have any concerns about yourself or anyone you know please contact Greek Welfare Centre s Problem Gambling Services on or G-Line(NSW) Problem Gambling Helpline on David, M Newman, Elizabeth Grauerholz, (2002). Sociology of Families, Pine Forge Press, 55[

16 16 /34 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA OCTOBER 2008 Large families facing extinction Greek multi-membered clans point to empty pockets but moral rewards MARY SINANIDIS The birth rate in Greece is among the lowest in Europe and often a cause for concern when considering the rapidly ageing population. Incentives to increase the fertility rate (1.41 births/family in 2006 according to the National Statistics Service of Greece, or ESYE) have ranged from giving large families taxi drivers licences to priority in public sector jobs. Despite this, most Greek families prefer to stay small. Champions of large families point to the necessity of multi-mem- bered clans in a world that is becoming more and more egocentric and materialistic. Dimitris Stamoulis, acting head of the General Confederation of MultiMembered Families (ASPE) and father of five, points to the ESYE s figures that show that 31.5 percent of Greece s pop- Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Parish Parish of of St St Therapon Therapon s Presents it s Annual Annual Fundraising Fundraising Dinner Dinner Dance Dance Saturday The Ryde Civic Centre Cnr Blaxland Rd & Devlin St, Ryde $60.00 adult $30.00 students (under 5 free) Live Music, Live Auction, Raffle Draw Seafood Entree, Kondosouvli Main All proceeds to help the cause of St Therapon Building Fund Bookings essential. Please call Fr Stavros Karvelas on ulation will be over the age of 65 by 2050, adding to the drain of the country s social security funds. If the cost of having a family was eased, then there would be greater opportunities for families to have more children, says Stamoulis. We have already sent a letter to Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis calling for reduced taxes on family goods [eg nappies], as is the case in Portugal and Ireland. However, we have yet to receive a response. Stamoulis points to countries like France and Ireland that encourage mothers of three children to become stay-athome mums and receive greater benefits. It is little wonder that these countries have high birth rates, he says. Cost factors alone are not to blame for small family sizes. Large families are not seen as particularly attractive for many, says Alexandra Grazia, a working mother of three who complains that families with just three children miss out on the perks afforded to those with four or more. Yes, I would gladly have more children because having them is the best thing I ve ever done, says Grazia, pointing out that having a lot of children is for her just as selfish as it is selfless. If you look at it on a global scale, having a large family isn t environmentally responsible as overpopulation is overcrowding our planet. Selfish or not, people still see parents of large families as heroes. Mrs Tsagia, a Polish working mother of seven, points out that there s nothing heroic in having a large family. In fact, it s easier to manage than most people think. People say, You just don t have any time for yourselves, but that s not the case, she says. Large families operate as a team. The older children help out and look after the younger ones, whereas all members learn to listen to each other and develop socially. In my case, my husband also helps out a lot. Everyone bonds and benefits. Not a member of a large family herself, Tsagia sees how her children have gained from the experience of sharing. I feel having so many brothers and sisters has made them calmer and not as focused on material things as they would have been if we had been fewer, she says, pointing out how patience - rather than instant gratification - is part of her family s existence. The ones who win in the end are the children, who have round-the-clock playmates. Ten-year-old Theodora Daskalaki, the oldest child in a family of five, says she likes sharing a room with her sister and doing homework together. Asked if she would like a few months without her brothers and sisters, she emphatically answers: No, I like the fuss! - adding also that she wishes she had more young ones to boss around. ATHENS NEWS

17 OCTOBER 2008 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 17/35 Greeks, amongst them my own family, have been migrating to Australia since the 19th century, so by now it would appear reasonable to presume that we feel pretty much part of the furniture. Although we ve entered a period of negative migration (with people returning to Greece), according to government ABS figures at the beginning of the 21st century there were around 125,000 members of the Australian population who were born in Greece. It s difficult to get accurate information on the size of Australia s Greek community (pre- and post-war immigrants and their descendants), but some put it between half to three-quarters of a million. The majority of Australia s Greek community lives in the eastern mainland capital cities: Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane-Gold Coast (in that order), with Melbourne far outstripping the others. Despite having a lengthy Australian pedigree, for purposes of government policy-making the Greek community (not just Greek migrants) is regarded as being NESBIAN (i.e. Australian of non-english speaking background). According to surveys conducted by museums and arts funding bodies this means that Greeks fall into the slice of Australian society that is less likely to familiarize itself with the country s major cultural institutions. A few years ago I conducted a survey amongst the Greek communities in the three major eastern capital cities to find out if this assumption was true. It was part of a larger research project that questioned the states public museums and galleries commitment to the policy of multiculturalism. I was given permission to distribute the questionnaire through Greek Orthodox local parish churches. The response from Melbourne s Greeks was almost equal to the response from Brisbane s, the reason for the disproportionate response, according to one priest, Arts, Food & Wine Editor: Imogen Coward Culture, anyone? being that I had set out the questionnaire in English. Sydney s Greeks, in comparison, returned about three times more responses than each of the other cities. I was particularly thankful for the enthusiasm of the ladies auxiliaries, especially, when it came to distributing the questionnaire in their parishes. As the questionnaires began returning in the post, it became clear as to why there was such enthusiasm: Greeks do visit museums; not just occasionally, but frequently; not just when visiting Greece or other countries overseas, but in Australia; not just in their own city, but elsewhere in the country. Everyone who responded to the questionnaire had visited a private or public museum or gallery in Australia or overseas. Over half the respondents said they visited occasionally, with tertiary educated Australian-Greeks being more likely to visit often. In Brisbane-Gold Coast area, it made no difference as to whether the Greeks were born in Greece or in Australia: both had the same response rate for visiting museums often. Melbourne s Greeks, who visited museums (whether occasionally or often) were more likely to visit those museums and galleries in Melbourne itself, which one suspects may be a common trend amongst Melbournians. In comparison, Brisbane s Greeks appear to be enthusiastic tourists outside their home state. Their responses showed that after visiting museums and galleries in Brisbane, they were most likely to have visited others in Sydney, with some going as far afield as Adelaide. In comparison, Sydney s Greeks were most likely to favour Canberra and then Melbourne after Sydney. The cultural traffic, it appears, tends to travel in a southerly direction! One of the questions in the survey asked if Australia s Greeks expected to find Greek artifacts in major public Australian museums or galleries. Proportionally, the responses from each state were the same: the majority said they expected to find both ancient and modern Greek artifacts in Australian public collections. Surprisingly, however, between percent in each state said they didn t expect to find any Greek artifacts in Australia s museums or galleries. Most of those who responded negatively were born in Australia, were tertiary educated, and had visited museums overseas as well as in Australia. Low expectations of Australia s museums by Australia s Greeks doesn t appear to be a product of any language difficulty or lack of education. So, where does this leave us? Contrary to popular opinion, Australia s Greeks do have a habit of visiting museums and galleries. Language is not a barrier. But do we feel part of the furniture? The fact that so many did not expect to find anything Greek in Australia s public museums or galleries suggests that for many of us there is still a distance to go before that happens; before the perception of Australia as a multicultural (let alone cultural) nation becomes ingrained. Dr Ann Coward Maria Callas EMI Subtitled popular music from TV, film and opera this two CD set contains a well balanced selection of famous opera arias from composers such Puccini, Verdi, Bizet and Donizetti, many of which will be familiar not only to opera lovers but also to anyone who has watched films such as The Fifth Element. The majority of the recordings gathered together in this compilation date from the mid-1950s to early 1960s. For those who have only heard late recordings of Callas, this collection is enlightening as it shows her in her prime and illustrates why she is considered one of the greatest singers. Of particular note is Callas performance of the ever-popular Habanera from Bizet s Carmen. Although this role is firmly the territory of the mezzo-soprano, her voice has all the depth and richness required and leaves the listener in no doubt as to her amazing vocal abilities. Her interpretation is as to be expected: highly individualistic, but in a captivating way. All the coquettish and dramatic nuances of the aria are there without sacrificing musical and vocal beauty. For students of singing, this recording is also valuable for Callas clear and natural French. Food & Wine This month, we bring you a review by New Zealand-based chef, Nik Mavromatis. If you are lucky, you may have a bottle of this Durif lurking at the back of your cellar. For those who wish to purchase the wine however, try one of the many wine auction houses or ask the advice of your local liquor store. Morris of Rutherglen, Durif, 1977 Écoutez! Arts Review The Greek Australian VEMA The oldest circulating Greek newspaper outside Greece Tel: (02) Fax: (02) vema@bigpond.net.au After two attempts to get the black and wizened cork out, the wine was decanted throwing off remarkably little sediment for such an aged one. This wine is a dense faded red velvet colour in the glass. On the nose, leather, blackcurrants and roasting coffee beans. In fact the nose develops with great complexity. On the palate the powerful tannins have softened but are still very evident. Surprisingly it has quite a bright acidity. There is little primary fruit but rich waves of dried plums, liquorice and Christmas spices. This wine is drinking lovely now, won t improve with more time and cries out for red meat. Perfect with grilled lamb chops with a zucchini and tomato braise. In many ways, this wine is an example of what happens to big Aussie reds, and demonstrates the reason to start a cellar and watch these monsters slip into middle age. Nik Mavromatis

18 18/36 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA OCTOBER 2008 Travel Travel news in brief Brazil ship Escape Travel is giving travellers the chance to climb aboard the tall ship Tocomorine and tour the Brazilian coastline. The ship visits the historical city of Paraty, the modern metropolis of Rio De Janeiro, as well as the rainforests of Ilha Grande and the town of Sitio Forte. Participants will have the chance to s- norkel at the Mamangua Ecological Reserve, have a night swim in fluorescent plankton at Saco de Ceu and search for monkeys and armadillos in the rainforest. The tour is priced from $1,115 per person twin share (excluding airfares) - plus a local payment of $US250 - including six nights on the ship, all meals and all non-alcoholic drinks. The Tocomorine departs January to May and November to December, Details: Escape Travel or Anzac Day For those travellers who have already experienced the emotion of an Anzac Day service in Gallipoli, Flight Centre has created a 10-day tour of the Western Front for Anzac Day The tour, which departs on April 18, 2009, travels from Paris to Ypres, following the steps of the Diggers through the World War I battlegrounds of Western Europe. The package is priced from $2,989 per person, including first class accommodation and coach travel, daily breakfasts, some other meals, a farewell dinner and all entrance fees. Details: Contact Flight Centre on or Mornington A new website has been launched with the aim of making booking holidays to Victoria's Mornington Peninsula simpler. MyCoastline Coastal Accommodation has been created with the aim of offering affordable holiday options in and around Rye, Blairgowrie, Sorrento and Portsea. The site will be run by Mornington Peninsula residents Heidi Crozier and Danny Petrone. Details: AAP Greece the top place to visit for Australians Greece has been given the nod as the top place to visit for Australians in Flight Centre listed Greece at number One in its annual Top 10 Where To Go list, thanks to the country's "simple pleasures". The list is based on the company's top selling destination data, showing the countries that have consistently gained popularity over the past 12 months and will be the places to be seen in "Greece offers... an affordable holiday, delicious food at reasonable prices, cheap sailing, local wine, beautiful beaches, sunshine, quaint villages... and little islands full of scenic surprises," Flight Centre says. The tiny nation of Brunei is a surprise at number two, and Flight Centre says it "offers a unique blend of modern refinement, scenic allure, cultural reverence and majestic opulence for the discerning traveller". Croatia charts at number three this year, with its "sublime stretch of the Adriatic coast" and the atmosphere of towns and villages proving a favourite with Australian tourists. Vietnam confirmed its status as a hotspot for western tourists - it sits at number four on the list, and Flight Centre is full of praise for the destination. "Vietnam is rich with its perfect balance between ancient times and the here and now, and its people welcoming visitors with open arms," Flight Centre says. The tiny Pacific island of New Caledonia - France's "best kept secret" - is number five on the list. Still a favourite for Aussie tourists and known as the "Island Of The Gods", Bali is ranked at number six this year. At number seven is Mexico, popular for its native American heritage and distinct Spanish flavour. The Czech Republic is number eight on the list, and Flight Centre says this is because of the "culture and charm" of the city of Prague. "Prague is a beautiful city of spires and a visual feast of the medieval, baroque and art nouveau architecture," the release says. "(It is) favoured particularly by the discerning traveller seeking culture and charm rather than pizzazz and parties." Booming Dubai has seen the United Arab Emirates shoot to number nine, and there has been a sharp increase in the amount of flights from Australia to Dubai. Spain is number 10 this year, and has benefited from becoming the beach resort of Europe, thanks to budget airlines and affordable fares. Flight Centre's Annual Top 10 Where To Go in 2009: 1. Greece 2. Brunei 3. Croatia 4. Vietnam 5. New Caledonia 6. Bali 7. Mexico 8. Czech Republic 9. United Arab Emirates 10. Spain AAP

19 OCTOBER 2008 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 19/37 St Euphemia College visits Canberra N. Zealand World War II veteran dies at 104 Federal Member for Blaxland, Jason Clare MP, has joined students from St Euphemia College in a special School Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The School Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was funded by the Federal Government. In his address to the students, Mr Clare spoke about Australia and Greece sharing many bonds. The most enduring bond has resulted from the involvement of Australian troops in the defence of Greece and Crete during World War II. During the Battle of Crete Australian soldiers fought alongside troops from Greece to defend Crete against German invasion. Many were killed and several thousand were taken prisoners in the battle. One of those young men was my grandfather Athol Neate, who was captured and taken prisoner for two and half years in Stalag 18A in Wolfsberg Austria, Mr Clare said. The students visited the Australian War Memorial as part of a three day Civics and Citizenship Camp to the Australian Capital. One of New Zealand's oldest World War II veterans has died at the age of 104. Douglas Morrison, promoted Lieutenant Colonel in 1944 and mentioned in dispatches, had earlier distinguished himself commanding a company of troops among the rearguard protecting the evacuation of forces from Greece in He died on Tuesday 14 October in Whangarei, in the North Island. Morrison commanded 29 Anzac Day parades, including one overlooking Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, and was foundation president of the Northland Officers Club. He was born in Gisborne, but his family moved to Maungatapere, just outside Whangarei in As a young man he became a farmer and built up a pedigree herd. He served in Greece, Egypt and Italy during the war but a spinal injury ended his active service - and his farming career. After his return to New Zealand he became a rural valuer. NZPA Greece pledges billions to support banks Greece pledged up to 28 billion euros ($A54.91 billion) in financial support to its banking system recently. Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said the measures were part of a wider effort in the European Union to prop up lenders amid the financial crisis. "Our aim is not to save banks and financial institutions... but to shield the Greek economy from this crisis, which is unprecedented on an international level," Alogoskoufis said. He said up to 28 billion euros would be available "with two main aims: to provide liquidity... and to shore up the capital base at financial institutions." AP ANOTHER MOVIE FILMED IN GREECE! Not long after Mama Mia was shot on the idyllic island of Skopelos, Arcadia Lost promises to show another side of Greece s mainland Grizzled US actor Nick Nolte becomes a wandering mystic in Arcadia Lost, a coming-of-age drama shot in the mountains of Arcadia in the Peloponnese in Greece. The low-budget movie is directed by Phedon Papamichael, the Greek-American cinematographer of Sideways, Walk the Line and W, the upcoming Oliver Stone biopic of President George W. Bush. Nolte plays a vagabond living in the Greek wilderness who mentors two American teenagers after their parents die in a road accident whilst on vacation in Greece. It s a mystical story...a movie that takes place in parallel realities. It s almost like a trip to the underworld, Papamichael told a news conference in Athens. Locations include the rugged Mani peninsula in the Peloponnese, Mount Parnassos in central Greece and the River Mornos Reservoir where receding water levels brought a submerged village to light. We had the opportunity to expose new parts of Greece to a foreign audience, the Los Angeles-based director and cinematographer said. The film was originally supposed to be shot in India but was rewritten for a Greek setting after Indian authorities failed to back the project. Nolte s character is based on a German vagrant who lived in a cave near the Arcadian town of Leonidio where Papamichael spent his holidays as a youth. The film s release has been tentatively slated for spring Nick Nolte plays a vagabond living in the Greek wilderness

20 The Greek Australian VEMA OCTOBER /38 TO BHMA Saint Demetrios was born in Thesaloniki, Greece in 270 AD. He came from a wealthy family and because he was athletic in appearance and heroic in spirit, he became a high-ranking officer in the Roman Army at a very young age. (This is why he is depicted in Byzantine icons in military dress, either standing or riding a horse.) He considered himself a soldier of Christ first, and a military soldier second. He spent most of his time as a devout missionary, preaching the Gospel at secret meetings and converting pagans to the Christian faith. At one of these meetings, he was captured and placed in front of the Emperor Maximian, who wanted to learn the truth about the conversions. Saint Demetrios proclaimed his faith by saying:...only in Christ do I believe. With that proclamation, Maximian ordered that Saint Demetrios be sent to prison and subjected to the cruelest tortures. Even though Saint Demetrios was imprisoned, he did not stop preaching the Gospel to those who came to see him. In jail, he was visited by his follower, Nestoras. Nestoras was a man of small stature and had come to ask for his beloved teacher s blessing to fight in the upcoming gladiator games. The emperor had decided to use the games as a duel between Christianity and paganism by challenging The Life of Saint Demetrios celebrated October 26 any Christian to a fight against the athletic giant, Laios. With the blessing of Saint Demetrios, Nestoras fought and killed Laios. Enraged at the loss of his favorite gladiator, the emperor commanded that Nestoras be beheaded on the spot. Recognizing that Saint Demetrios was the inspiring power behind Nestoras, the emperor ordered that Saint Demetrios be executed by spear on October 26, 306 AD. Christians buried the body of Saint Demetrios at the place of his execution and because of the beautiful scent that emanated from his tomb, he was named Mirovlitis or The Myrrh Gusher. The most ancient icons of Saint Demetrios may be found in his church in Thessaloniki where he is the patron saint. This is not just because he was born and died there, but because the people believe it was his intervention that saved the city during many attacks by Slavic nations, the Bulgarians, Arabs, Saracens and others. Even the liberation of Thessaloniki during the Balkan wars of 1912 coincides with the feast day of Saint Demetrios on October 26. In early times, the life of Saint Demetrios was commemorated with celebrations that lasted for months. These celebrations where accompanied by many events such as the famous market named Demetria. Traders and business people from Europe, Egypt, Arabia and Libya came to deal and trade. The festivities were also attended by philosophers, learned men of the time and artists. To this day, Thessaloniki hosts Greece s largest international trade exhibition each year. Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Saint Euphemia College High School Áðï áéñåôéóôþñéï Äåßðíï óôïõò ôåëåéüöïéôïõò ìáèçôýò ãõìíáóßïõ, The annual Farewell Dinner for Year 12 students was recently organised by St äéïñãüíùóå The Euphemia Saint Euphemia ôï College ÊïëëÝãéï (Bankstown) College Áãßáò High Åõöçìßáò, and School it was Bankstown, Open a memorable Night êáé ç was event üëç held âñáäéü for on all who óôýöèçêå Wednesday, attended. ìå áðüëõôç 21 The May night åðéôõ ßá started It Ç was åêäþëùóç with a very a Doxology Üñ éóå successful ìå in Äïîïëïãßá the evening Church áðü for of ôïí St Euphemia ð. prospective Ìé. Áðïóôïëüðïõëï, conducted students by s and åíþ Fr Michael parents, ïìéëßåò Apostolopoulos. áðçýèõíáí who were e óôïõò able to ðáñåõñéóêüìåíïõò attend guided Speakers ï tours Ðñüåäñïò of the on ôïõ the school, Êïëëåãßïõ night led included by ê. the Ð. Èåïößëïõ, the enthusiastic President ï ÄéåõèõíôÞò of members the College ôïõ of the Ãõìíáóßïõ Peter Student Theo ê. t OAM,. Representative åéñüêçò, Principal ï Óýìâïõëïò Council. Mr H. Hirakis, Ìáèçôþí They also Year ê. Ó. enjoyed Adviser ÐáðáäçìÜôïò the Mr engaging S. êáé Papadimatos ïé êüðôáéí subject ôïõ and School ó ïëåßïõ displays Captains and ÅëÝíç informal Êïýæéïõ Eleni Couzios talks êáé íôñéïõ with and the Andrew Âáóßëç. High Vassili. School Áêïëïýèçóå Principal ç áðïíïìþ and staff ôùí f The âñáâåßùí of the students College. êáé collected óôï Students ôýëïò their ôçò past Year âñáäéüò and 12 Reports present äüèçêáí at spoke óôïõò the end ìáèçôýò about of the their evening. ïé ó ïëéêïß ôïõò wonderful Ýëåã ïé. experiences at the School. St Euphemia Orthodox College 202 Stacey Street, Bankstown, 2200, NSW P.O. Box 747, Bankstown, 1885, NSW Phone: Fax: Web: Strive for Excellence

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