GreekNewsBlog: johnmetaxas.com

Vol. 3, # 6

Friday, August 31, 2007

AHEPA Sets Up Emergency Greek Fire Relief Fund

From AHEPA.org:

The widespread fires throughout Greece have devastated entire communities and cities. Thousands of Greek families are without homes, shelter, clothing and food. They have lost everything, except hope. The AHEPA Emergency Greek Fire Relief Fund has been established to channel donations directly to the local relief efforts in Greece. This online form makes giving fast and easy. Please contribute as much as you can. (ALL DONATIONS TO THIS FUND ARE 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE)

CLICK TO CONTRIBUTE.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

'In Greece, Wine Saves Life; a Mother’s Arms Do Not'

From International Herald Tribune:

Greeks battle to save homes from fire

By Ian Fisher and Anthee Carassava

Monday, August 27, 2007

MAKISTOS, Greece: When the water ran out, with pinecones popping and the flames still high around his house, George Dimopoulos switched to wine. He made it himself two years ago, and, nearly alone in his village as it all but burned down Friday night, he poured liter after liter, 200 in all, into his little copper hand-pumped crop sprayer - and sprayed and sprayed.

"I had nothing else," said Dimopoulos, 63.

His wine helped save his life, his house and possibly his neighborhood. But it was an exception in this village and the one next door, Artemida, an area where the death toll from Greece's worst fires in more than a century accounted for nearly half the 63 people now reported to have been killed.

Most of them died on the run. An elderly brother and sister, unmarried and living together, fled with their only donkey and would not leave it. A convoy trying to outrace the flames snarled into a crash, in a fire so hot it liquefied metal and bubbled windshields like grilled cheese. At least 23 people died trying to escape. Medical workers found, in a nearby olive grove fanned over by fire, four children shielded by their mother's body.

CLICK TO CONTINUE.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Ecumenical Patriarch pursued by Turkish prosecutors

From Kathimerini:

VARTHOLOMAIOS PURSUED

Istanbul prosecutor calls patriarch to justify use of term ‘ecumenical’

A prosecutor in Istanbul has called Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios to give testimony as to why he used a phrase referring to the “ecumenical nature of the Patriarchate” during a conference for Orthodox youth held in the city in July. This is the second time in the last month that the prosecutor’s office has made such a request. After the first inquiry, the Patriarchate’s legal team pointed out that the term “ecumenical” had been in use since the 6th century. The Patriarchate expected the matter to be resolved and was surprised by the new request. Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said the decision was “provocative” and “totally unacceptable.”

See also:

AsiaNews: Ankara cancels Istanbul visit by archbishop of Cyprus

It is the second time in four months the visit is cancelled. Chrysostomos and the ecumenical patriarch were set to meet in May for strictly religious purposes. Religious minorities are concerned. Archbishop of Cyprus says: “Ankara has shown its real face.”

CLICK TO CONTINUE.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Bridge disaster victim was a "Daughter of Penelope"

From the Daughters of Penelope:

WASHINGTON (August 16, 2007)— Daughters of Penelope Grand President Karen Stamatiades has issued the following statement on the news that authorities in Minneapolis have recovered the body of Christina Sacorafas, along with her vehicle, from the waters of the Mississippi this morning:

“It is with deep, heartfelt sorrow that today we learned of the recovery of Christina’s body from the Mississippi.

“Our thoughts, prayers, and sympathies are with her family and friends as their trying vigil comes to a heartbreaking conclusion.

“May they all find comfort in the wonderful memory left behind by this lovely woman who touched the lives of so many people in the community in which she served. May her memory be eternal.”

Christina was one of eight confirmed missing individuals in the aftermath of the Minneapolis bridge collapse two weeks ago. She was a member of the Daughters of Penelope Antigone Chapter 35, Minneapolis, where she served on several committees. Christina was on her way to St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church to teach a Greek folk dancing class when the bridge collapsed.

# # #

Founded in San Francisco in 1929, the Daughters of Penelope is the first women’s organization of its kind established in the United States. It is an affiliate organization of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA). The mission of the DOP is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Hellenism, Philanthropy, Education, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Icon of Theotokos and Christ by Image & Likeness Iconography

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Is Phil Angelides making a real estate comeback?

From newsreview.com:

If this is how Phil Angelides wants to get back into the development game, he’s picked a hell of a project to start with.

Angelides may try to develop a troubled 48-acre plot in East Sacramento that has vanquished many a developer before him—the low-lying stretch of land they call Centrage. His spokeswoman, Cathy Calfo, wouldn't give up much detail to SN&R. She's not saying Angelides is going for it. But she did confirm that he has bought an option to acquire the property from his old mentor Angelo Tsakopoulos, and that he's taking a close look.

"He's in the due-diligence phase," Calfo explained. "That should be completed in the next several weeks.

CLICK TO CONTINUE.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Building Bridges of Prayer to Heaven as Earthly Bridges Collapse

Father Chris has written to us regarding the sad story of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. I had read Christine's Sacorafas's name on the air while anchoring at WCBS radio on Sunday and we had played a clip of Father Paul Paris's prayer on the network. Everybody who is connected with this tragedy certainly needs our prayers.

Written by Fr. Christopher T. Metropulos

CLICK THIS LINK to read the entire article and to listen to Fr. Christopher interview three people whose lives were deeply touched by the tragedy in the Twin Cities. On Wednesday, August 1 a major artery, I-35 W in Minneapolis, collapsed -- an event which some are still trying to come to grips with. The bridge was 1,907 feet in length, 108 feet wide and 64 feet above the christine sacorafas

water of the Mississippi River where over 100,000 cars travel each day. Hundreds of volunteers as well as members of the Police and Fire and Rescue have risked their lives to save those affected and recover the victims. Fr. Christopher speaks with Fr. Paul Paris of St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church, Fr. Richard Andrews of St. George Greek Orthodox Church both in the Twin Cities. In addition he speaks with Lisa Dutinger whose cousin and best friend, Christine Sacorafas, is still listed as missing. Tune in to hear this story of tragedy and how many are turning to prayer to cope and recover. Come Receive the Light is broadcast each week in the Twin Cities on KKMS 980 AM. Don't miss this incredible story of hope.

See also: ABC News: Police Release List of 8 Bridge Missing: Christine Sacorafas, 45, a recent transplant to Minnesota, was on her way to teach a Greek folk dancing class.

Friday, August 3, 2007

Plot against the Ecumenical Patriarch foiled

See also: Turks and Tolerance, by Joshua Trevino

Zaman: US invitation leads to ‘ecumenical crisis'

From AsiaNews:

The Istanbul public attorney’s office is investigating a group of ex army officers who seem to have plotted to eliminate Bartholomew I as well as Mesrob of the Armenians. The Turkish Supreme Court ruling contesting the ecumenical title of the Patriarchate is discussed in Brussels and finds an unlikely ally in the Church of Moscow. CLICK TO CONTINUE.