Ta Matia MAY04 - Wellington Olympic AFC

www.goyanz.org.nz
Official newspaper of GOYANZ representing the Greek Community of Wellington
www.goyanz.org.nz
Issue No. 22 June 2004
Greek Food Festival P4
photo by J. Serepisos
photo by J. Serepisos
Greek Easter P10
ALSO IN THIS
ISSUE:
NEWS IN BRIEF: P3
Cyprus - OXI P8,18
Baraki: P8
THE PASSION OF
CHRIST: P13
GOYANZ/Olympic NEW Website p20
3
months
to go!
THANKS TO OUR
SPONSORS:
GET TICKETS FROM STELIO MANOUSAKIS 021-393-035 OR
VOULA KOSMADAKIS 021-242-7483
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Community Events Calendar 2004
So once again it is my turn to write the opinion. I am very opinionated
on many aspects in the Greek Community as many of you know only
too well. A few that need to be mentioned this time round are the
GOYANZ dance, Baraki night and clubrooms.
The annual Miss GOYANZ dance will be held once again on Saturday
June 5th 2004, which changes from the normal Sunday of Queen’s
birthday weekend as there is a wedding on (na zesete!). This year we
have raised the ticket prices to accommodate the high rates of the airline
tickets as well as the cost of the band. Last year we had Kerasma band
from Melbourne and they are returning this year but they, themselves,
have changed. The only member of the original band is Byron. The rest
have moved on to different things and they have brought in new band
members. They are pretty good according to Dalaras and Marinella
who had them as their opening band for their concerts throughout
Australia recently. Tickets are selling fast for this, as they always do, and
we are expecting a sell-out dance. The prizes for Miss GOYANZ, as well
as the judging, have also changed so no financial bribes will be accepted
by any judge from any parent who wants their daughter to win (just
joking!)!
The next big event for GOYANZ is the Baraki night to be held at Blow
Bar, on Blair Street, on Saturday July 3rd. The short of this is that if we
don’t get an average of 300 people to this, it is literally financial suicide
for the club and we will not consider hosting another one. GOYANZ
need the full support of ALL Greeks, not just the youth, for this event.
We have asked a popular bar to shut in the heart of the city on a Saturday
night for this to go ahead. We have secured DJ Krazy Kon from Sydney
(who has been on the Neolea radio show numerous times) and as you
can imagine this is not a cheap thing to do. GOYANZ think that this is
a very worthwhile risk to take and hope that you all come to this event.
Even if you don’t, you are more than welcome to make a donation to
any committee member in lieu of you attending (no jokes).
The other thing that I would like to mention is the clubrooms. Previous
committees worked extremely hard to get the clubrooms functioning,
and the current one is working hard to keep it functioning! If the
clubrooms are not utilised what is the point of having them? It is
not only for soccer or netball teams! You are more than welcome to
come down and have a drink or something to eat during the weekend.
People over the years have complained that there is not one area for the
neolea of today. We finally get it and it is not being utilised to its full
potential. It would be great to see some more faces in there! So feel
free to come down and enjoy it! It is for ALL of YOU!
In late September/ early October GOYANZ will be hosting the first
ever large scale Greek Film Festival. The festival will include
contemporary Greek cinema, including the Internationally acclaimed
Politiki Kouzina (a.k.a in English: A Touch of Spice(don’t ask)) which
featured at this years Tribeca Film Festival in New York and is a contender
for the 2004 Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars. The Greek Film
Festival as a whole should be a very exciting event with tremendous
amounts of planning, and months of negotiation and preparation already
having gone into it – as is the case with these types of events, success will
come down to attendance – we would like to see this as an annual event
that will expand to Auckland and Christchurch in the coming years,
therefore it is crucial that in these early stages the event is well supported.
Sponsors are also needed to make this event a commercial success, if
you are interested in sponsoring the film festival, please contact Stelios
on 021 393035 or e-mail greekfilmfestival@paradise.net.nz.
So as you can see, there is a lot going on in the next couple of months or
so, which not only require your continual support, but are fun and
interesting events. I will be travelling the world very shortly, as are
numerous members of the committee, and will be thinking of you all in
this wonderful Wellington weather. If there is anything that you would
like to discuss, feel free to contact any of our lovely, hard-working
committee members. Until next time, where it is Stelios’ turn to write
his opinion, kalo mas taxidi and I hope you enjoy the up-coming events!
Yia sas!
Voula Kosmadakis, Co-President
June 5
Miss GOYANZ Annual Dance - Parthenon, Hania
St. Featuring “Kerasma Band” live from Australia
June 12
Euro 2004 kicks-off
June 29
St John the Baptist Church - Palmerston Nth
July 3
GOYANZ Baraki Night featuring DJ Krazy Kon,
Blow Bar, Blair Street
Aug 10
St Soterios Name day - Masterton
Aug 15
Assumption day - commemorating the bodily ascent
of the Virgin Mary into Heaven
Aug 13-29 Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Greece
Sept 14
Hypsosis Tou Stavrou (The Exhaltation of the Holy
Cross of our Lord, strictly fasting day)
September GOYANZ Greek Film Festival
GOYANZ Clubrooms: 75 Adelaide Rd, Newtown
Committees 2004
GOYANZ:
Voula Kosmadakis & Stelios Manousakis (Joint Pres.), Theo Doucas (V. Pres),
Ria Tsourounakis (Sec.), John Serepisos, Pagona Economou, Chrisanthi
Kamberogiannis, Tula Androutsos
Olympic:
John Serepisos (Chair.), Tasos Barbarouses (V. Chair), Chrisanthi Kamberogiannis
(sec.), George Neonakis, Dave Hooley, Peter Votsikas, John Servos, George Carras
Netball:
Chrisanthi Kamberogiannis, Vera Georgiou, Karen Doucas, Helen Cordalis
Junior Soccer:
John Serepisos (co-ordinator), George Serepisos, Nick Efstratiou, Paul Kotrotsos,
Demetrius Christoforou, Basil Bouzoukis, Nicko Liolis, Stath Apostolakis
Ta Matia tou Kosmou:
John Serepisos, Stelios Manousakis, Meropi Kafakis, Gina & Angela Gouvatsos,
Steve Samaras
Youth Radio:
Voula Kosmadakis, Vera Georgiou, Chrisanthi Kamberogiannis
Events:
Chrisanthi Kamberogiannis, Vera Georgiou, Helen Neonakis, Ria Tsourounakis
GOYANZ/Olympic Website:
John Serepisos (johns@tbd.co.nz), Paul Kotrotsos, Basil Mitrakis
GOYANZ Youth
Radio Program
JUNE
JULY
6
13
20
27
4
11
18
25
Little Stel, Laki & Vera
Gina, Angela & Steve
Stelio M & Voula K
Little Stel, Laki & Vera
Gina, Angela & Steve
Stelio M & Voula K
Little Stel, Laki & Vera
Kostandina Karasava
Access Radio Studio ph 385-8783 for dedications and requests
If anyone is interested in doing a radio show please call Voula
Kosmadakis on 021 242 7483.
Tune in and listen to the latest Greek music.
Every Sunday at 3.00pm - 4.30pm
on Access Radio, 783 AM
Τα Ματια Του Κοσµου
is produced Bi-monthly by GOYANZ
PO Box 6257 Wellington or email johns@tbd.co.nz
Layout and Design: TBD www.tbd.co.nz
Printing by: TBD & Ultracopy www.ultracopy.co.nz
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Public transport in the ‘city of joy’
E-Kathimerini, 21/05/04
applicants, while the remaining 9.5 percent were Greeks of the diaspora
from 99 countries.
In a bid to sweet-talk Athenians into leaving aside their cars during the
month of August, Olympics organizers and government officials
yesterday presented a plan for steeply upgraded public transport services
during the Games, designed to cope with 600,000 passengers on a
daily basis.
Out of the Greeks, 80 percent came from the five Olympic cities. Some
62 percent were residents of the greater Athens area and Attica, 10
percent came from Thessaloniki, 3 percent from Patras and its environs,
another 3 percent from Iraklio in Crete and 2 percent were from the
Volos area.
“Athens in August will bear no resemblance to the city we see every
day,” Athens 2004 Organizing Committee President Gianna
Angelopoulos-Daskalaki told a press conference. “Systematic and
methodic work will be required, as well as patience.”
The largest national group of non-Greeks were US nationals (6.3
percent), followed by Spaniards (4.4 percent), Germans (3.3 percent),
Britons (3 percent), Australians (2.9 percent) and Cypriots (1.7
percent). Most applicants were aged 18-24 (41 percent), 5 percent
were aged over 55 and 2 percent were under 18.
The beefed-up public transport system will be in effect between July
20 — when a series of crippling restrictions for motorists will also be
implemented — and August 31.
European Sports
Photographer of the
Year
“We want everybody to be able to move around town safely and
quickly,” Transport Minister Michalis Liapis said. “We want our visitors
to have easy access to the Olympic venues. Athens will function
smoothly... we want it to be a city of joy. We want Athenians to help
us.”
Reuters; 27/04/2004
Furthermore, a new suburban railway running from the Larissis railway
station to the airport at Spata is expected to cater to some 2,700 people
an hour. Effectively all the city’s main roads will be given over to
Olympics-related traffic and public transport, leaving only one lane for
other motorists.
Reuters photographer Yannis Behrakis has
been awarded the European Sports
photographer of the year award by Fuji for
his three images of a Greek Paralympic
swimmer training in Athens. In one of
them (shown), Greek Paralympic amputee
swimmer Sakis Kostaris walks to a pool for
a training session in Athens in March
2003. Athens will be hosting the XII
Paralympic Games from September 17 to
28 this year, just three weeks after the Olympic Games. A total of
4,000 athletes from 143 countries are competing. Behrakis was named
Fuji European Press Photographer of the Year in 1998 and in 1999 he
won first prize from the World Press Photo organization in the news
category and the Overseas Press Club of America Prize. In 2000, he
was awarded Greece’s Botsis Prize.
More than enough volunteers
Salonica is Greek Web capital
E-Kathimerini; 30/04/04
E-Kathimerini; 05/02/04
An impressive total of over 160,000 people,
including a large number of residents abroad, have
offered to work as volunteers during the Olympic
Games, the Athens 2004 organizing committee said
yesterday.
The typical Greek Internet user is an educated, affluent male city-dweller
aged 18-24 who is looking for specific information, according to a
new survey made public yesterday.
The city’s public blue buses will serve a total of 300 routes on a daily
basis — 21 of which have been specially laid on to serve Olympic
venues — carrying some 50,000 people an hour. There will be 21
trolley-bus routes, five of which will run all day, while the Kifissia-toPiraeus electric railway will also work on a 24-hour basis and at 2.5minute intervals, carrying 24-28,000 people an hour. The new tramline
will carry 4,000 passengers an hour, while the metro will serve an
estimated 32-41,000 people an hour.
The nationwide poll conducted by GfK Market Analysis between
November 11 and 24 found that 59 percent of all Greek Internet users
have access at home, while 30 percent surf the Web at work. Seven
percent use university computers, 5 percent go to Internet cafes and a
further 2 percent log on from friends’ or relatives’ homes.
Today is the last day for submitting applications for
voluntary Olympic work.
Some 45,000 volunteers will be needed to work during the August
13-29 Olympics, and another 15,000 during the September
Paralympics. But Athens 2004 wanted 120-150,000 applications, so
as to be able to pick the best candidates. The total response was much
higher than the 75,665 applications submitted for the Sydney 2000
Games and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics’ 78,000.
Previous surveys have shown that some 15.1 percent of all Greeks use
the Internet, while about 75 percent of the population does not own
a computer.
According to the Gfk Market Analysis poll, 35 percent of all Greek
men use the Internet, and 50 percent of all people aged 18-24.
Furthermore, 50 percent of university-educated Greeks and 53 percent
of wealthy Greeks use the Web.
Over 30,000 applicants have already been assigned their duties, the
organizing committee said. Women slightly outnumbered male
applicants, accounting for 55 percent of all applications.
Thessaloniki turned out to be the country’s Internet capital, with 42
percent of its residents using the Web. The corresponding figure for
Athens was 38 percent.
Some 65 percent of all applicants were Greeks living in Greece.
Nationals of a total 188 countries made up 25.5 percent of all
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THE GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL
By Steven Samaras, photos by J. Serepisos
It was a beautiful Wellington morning for the Greek Food Festival. I
parked my car a good 10 minute walk from the Festival that was held at
the Overseas Terminal. A block away from the venue, as I walked across
the park, I could smell the variety of food that was being cooked and the
Greek music playing. People were everywhere.
I decided to start from inside the venue and admire the delectable Greek
cakes and other food on display, as no Greek event would be complete
without the sweet section that our Greek noikokures always labour to
make. Walking through the doors the first thing I noticed, which was
also a first at the Greek Food Festival, was an ice cream stand. However
so as to stick to tradition, to my right the bar was set up, where most
men could be found and was reminiscent of the paniguria at the xorio.
I made my way through each stall, picking up a cake or two. Prices of
the cakes were reasonable, ranging from $1 to $5.
L-R: John Yiappos, Voula Kosmadakis, Stelios manousakis, pagona Economou
Heading toward the back of the venue, the place was a bit airy. There
was an area for people to sit back and enjoy the screening of ERT
television, provided by TNC communications-Bryan Heath. In support
of the momentous event in Athens the Greek Community had a video
showing information on the Olympic Games 2004. Whereas on the
other an Olympic 2004 stall was there once again promoting the games
with a basket of promotional gear for the winner of the raffle.
I could hear that the band had started to play outside in the foyer of the
venue so I made my way to have a look. A group of young kids started
to dance to traditional Greek beats. There was no time for fun for the
GOYANZ committee who were working hard to keep up with the
demand, as people were lining up to get some of the famous ‘beftekia’.
Similarly other committees were on task for example the Mytilenian
committee was cooking away loukoumades by the thousands. A large
box of loukoumades containing approximately 15 loukoumades was
$5. Whereas the Cretan committee was busy cooking squid rings as
they have done on previous occasions.
Lefty Kondos “working” the Tombola
Lisa Pantelis & basil Serepisos on the
Akarnanian Brotherhood stand
It was another successful day. All the Greek committees in the Wellington
region were working together, united to introduce our culture to our
fellow New Zealanders. My congratulations to all that participated in
making this day succeed and especially to the Greek Orthodox committee
for the long hours and hard work they had put in prior to the day in
order to make this event successful.
I hope next year’s Food Festival will be a reflection of what was achieved
in 2004 if not bigger.
Basil Xygalas and the Apollon boys, cooking up more Mititi
L-R: Eleni Pantelis and Louise Tziakis
Everyone was invited to enjoy Greek dancing
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25th MARCH
By Meropi kafakis
photos by J. Serepisos
COMMUNITY
On Sunday 28th of March 2004 a doxology commemorating the
Greek Anniversary of National Independence (25th of March 1821)
took place at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Evangelismos. His
Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, His Excellency the Ambassador of
Greece Mr Damianakis and Mrs Damianakis were all present, along
with Her Worship the Mayor of Wellington Mrs Kerry Prendergast
and representatives of various Greek community groups. The church
service was followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the New Zealand
Greek Memorial and then a reception at the Parthenon Hall, with
speeches about the special day, a dance performance by Greek children
and snacks and refreshments.
EVENTS
1/5/2004
The
fall
of
Constantinople in
1453 signalled the
beginning of the
Ottoman Empire,
which meant that
until
Greece
gradually became
liberated in the
19th century, the
country was under
T u r k i s h
Children of the Greek School in
occupation.
National Costume
Although daily life
became very difficult for the majority of Greeks throughout that time,
they managed to retain their language and culture throughout the
centuries. The common Orthodox religion in particular served as a
means of keeping all Greeks united; the situation was also helped by
educated Greeks in Fanari (an area in Constantinople) and various
overseas communities - in places such as Vienna, Venice, and Odessa
- who printed Greek books and newspapers, funded Greek schools
and eventually played a significant role in organising and promoting
the Greek fight for independence.
19/4/2004
Photo from the
afternoon
tea
AHEPA
in
conjuction with
the
Greek
O r t h o d o x
Community had
at the Parthenon
Hall in which
Christoforos Yiavasis spoke about the “History of the Greek
Community in New Zealand 1924-1947”. There were about
80 people there and at the end of the speech our family donated
a plaque to the greek community a copy of the CD plus the
“Minutes of the 1st meeting held in February 1944 to form
the Community”
The 25th of March is an important date in the Orthodox Calendar,
as it is the day of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, when she was
told by Archangel Gabriel that she would give birth to the Messiah.
On the morning of the 25th of March 1821 Archbishop Palaion Patron
Germanos raised a banner at the Monastery of Agia Lavra in the
Peloponnese in order to signal the official beginning of the revolution
which had been prepared for the last few months. That date has
denoted a double celebration (both religious and national) and
commemoration of good tidings ever since.
18/4/2004
L-R: Ambassador to Greece, Mr Damianakis, mayor of Wellington Kerry
Prendergast & Mrs Damianakis
R-L: Archbishop Josef, Greek Community President, Stella bares
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are to be planted along the route of the flame and there will be a
Greek flavour at the Olympic Stadium in the evening. Let the Athens,
Olympic Games celebrations begin in Sydney!
STAYING IN TOUCH NO. 72
A NEWSLETTER FROM THE SAE OCEANIA CO-ORDINATOR
On another positive note we are delighted to learn that the replica of
the ancient Athenian trireme – “Olympics” will carry the Olympic
Torch. This had been proposed for the Sydney Olympics and had the
agreement of the Hellenic Navy and the NSW Government but did
not eventuate because of a veto by one of Sydney’s major sponsors.
Now our proposal to Athens has been accepted and the trireme will
participate in the torch relay.
by Costa Vertzayias
The emphatic “No” by the Greek Cypriots leads this bulletin. After 30
years of hypocrisy by the international community, which completely
disregarded the numerous U.N. Resolutions on Cyprus, these same
hypocrites have the audacity to forget all that has transpired and present
the referendum result as one in which Turkish Cypriots wanted
reunification but the Greek Cypriots voted “No”. It scandalously ignores
the fact that it has been the Greek Cypriots who have been struggling
for the unification of their country, following the invasion, ethnic
cleansing, and the settlement of colonists in the occupied territory by
Turkey in defiance of countless U.N. Resolutions, damning reports by
the Council of Europe and judgments of the European Court of Human
Rights. The Greek Cypriots did not say “No” to reunification, they
said “No” to a plan that legitimises the de facto partition, pardon’s
Turkey’s documented violations of human rights, forces the Greek
Cypriots to pay the cost of Turkey’s occupation and most importantly,
does not provide a viable and functional constitutional framework.
Greek Cypriots WANT reunification based on U.N. Resolutions, E.U.
law, on the basic principles of democracy and the rule of law. Finally,
the most fundamental tenet of a referendum is that the people should
be able to freely express their opinion without the threats and
intimidation that they will be punished if they vote “No”. Why is it
that the overwhelming majority’s decision in Cyprus cannot be
accepted?
MAY COMMEMORATIONS
On the 19th May each year we commemorate the Pontian Genocide
and the Asia Minor Holocaust. Canada is the latest country to recognise
the Armenian Genocide, its Parliament recently voting 153 – 68 in
favour of doing so. If Turkey is to ever be truly accepted as a member
of Europe it must accept and apologise for the mistakes of the past
and commit itself to a new future. During May we also have the Battle
of Crete and liberation of Thrace commemorations. Let us attend the
various events being organised and show support for our Pontian,
Cretan and Thracian brothers.
CULTURAL EVENTS
SAE Oceania’s Cultural Network has organised the following events:
1.
A series of five seminars on the history of the Hellenic Language.
These will be held each Sunday, commencing on 20th June at the
Alexander Club, Livingstone Road, Marrickville between 4pm and
6.30pm. For details contact Yota Krili on (02) 9660 4428.
2.
The deadline for submissions for the SAE Oceania 2004 literary
contest is 31 st October, 2004. For details contact Dr John
Vasilakakos on (03) 9510 6887.
3.
The world premiere of the play “Ellada’s Odysseia” will be held in
Sydney during the months of September and October. The
production will be the result of a collaboration between five Sydney
theatrical troupes.
ATHENS OLYMPIC GAMES
The adverse media attention on Athens continues in the face of the
real facts as stated by the most objective authorities: Scotland Yard
ridiculed the Times of London, Kevan Gosper refers to the Olympic
Village as the safest place on earth during the Olympics and the evidence
- $1 billion to be spent on security (compared to $231 million in
Sydney), almost 50,000 security personnel on the ground and NATO
patrolling the skies and waterways; the venues are world class,
architecturally impressive and breathtaking, (Gosper admits that the
media facilities are superior to those of Sydney and that ATHOC has
been much more open and truthful than SOCOG was); and the new
tram and suburban railway will be operational by early July. Further,
and despite the worldwide negativity and instability Athens had sold
almost 2 million tickets at the close of the last selling session. Sales will
restart on 1 June, 2004. Ticket sales to the public outside of Hellas are
up by 20% over Sydney. It is sad that there is bias and some malice in
the way the media portray Athens (the actual 60 minutes programme
from America was balanced but channel 9’s previews were not;
headlines such as “Let the Greek Comedy begin” and “countdown to
chaos” create a misconception of an impending Olympic disaster and
completely ignore the many “firsts” (even on volunteer applications
Athens received 160,000 as compared to 76,000 in Sydney) already
achieved by Athens).
I also take this opportunity to thank Yota Krili and the organising committee
of the 2003 literary contest, George Lianos and AHEPA (NSW).
A.H.C.
The Australian Hellenic Council will hold its annual Conference in
Canberra between 19-21 June, 2004. The Niki Awards for 2004 will
be presented at a dinner to be held at the Hellenic Club on Sunday, 20
June at 7.30pm. For tickets call the Hellenic Club on (02) 6281 0899.
JOTTINGS
• EPA 5, “the voice of Greece’s radio programme may now be heard on
www.voiceofgreece.gr
• SAE World President Andrew Athens has been honoured by the American
Jewish Committee for his leadership in promoting relations among
America’s ethnic groups Mr Athens’ close ties with Jewish Americans
assisted in the recent recognition of Patriarch Ireneos by Israel. Well
deserved!
• Another area where Andrew Athens’ hard work has been inspirational is
the medial centres in the former Soviet Union and Albania. In just 5 years
In the meantime we are getting ready to welcome the Athens Olympic
Torch in Australia – its first stop. In Sydney the Hellenic Community
has organised a celebration at Brighton on Friday 4 June between 11am
and 1pm and a special fundraising luncheon for the AOC. Olive trees
$53 million worth of medicines, supplies and equipment have been
distributed. The new food distribution programme has sent four containers
of food to Hellenes in Georgia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. If you would
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must be absolute
national unity at the
political
and
ecclesiastical levels,
between Athens
and
Nicosia,
between political
parties, organisations
and individuals. The
issues must be handled
decisively but with
delicacy, sensitivity and
diplomacy and we must all lend our support to this national unity.
There is no room for division anywhere.
like to assist any of the SAE programmes your donation may be deposited
at any Commonwealth Bank branch in the following account: World
Council of Hellenes Appeal
• Parthenon Marbles – support the call by registering your support on the
electronic petition direct to the U.K. Parliament on www.saeoceania.org.au
• The Albanian Parliament voted against a motion brought by the
Nationalist Party in support of the Tsamides (political exiles from
Hellas who sided with the fascist forces during world war II). Is this
a sign of political maturity in the Balkans? Perhaps the Albanian
Government will now permit the operation of a Greek language
school in Heimarra.
The year 2004 was always going to be an important one for Hellenism.
It is now also one of the most critical in recent Hellenic history. There
Greek Youth Radio
783AM.
Every Sunday 3.pm - 4.30pm
We hear them every Sunday keeping us company from 3-4:30pm. Some of us may know them well or perhaps not at all, so it’s time to match the faces
with the names and the voices while taking a quick peek into their brain!! Remember if you want to listen to the Greek Youth radio program, which
is proudly sponsored by ‘TBD’, ‘The Nash’ of Seafood Plus and Kiwi Quality Seafood and Paper, tune in every Sunday to hear the presenters broadcasting
live on Access Radio 783AM.
Constantina Karasavas
Stelios Manousakis
What is your name? Constantina Karasavas
What is your name? Stelios Manousakis,
but better know as Stel, Steli and Mr
Presidente
What do you do for a living? 6th form at Wellington
High School / Working Part time at KingsGate Hotel
as a waitress.
What do you do for a living? I tell people
what to do with their money.
Which part of Greece are you from? Born in Athens,
but my father is from Rhodes and my mother is from
New Zealand.(but Greek)
Which part of Greece are you from? Crete
Have you always been involved in the
Greek community? hmm... Yeah... for quite a while now!
Have you always been involved in the Greek community? Yes
What else do you do for the Greek community? I attended the Greek
school and I graduated from it in 2000. I also attend the festivals.
What else do you do for the Greek community? The occasional
Radio Show, youth Rep for SAE, on the GOYANZ Executive and
help out with Ta Matia
What was the reason for getting involved in the Greek radio? I thought
it would be a great idea to see what it would be like for me in the future
when I decide to become a radio presenter of some radio show.
What was the reason for getting involved in the Greek radio? I was
forced into it.
How long have you been doing the radio for? 4 years
How long have you been doing the radio for?.... quite a while, I
think I did my first show around eight years ago.
What do you aim to achieve by being involved on the radio? Experience
and to get to know other Greek people and their tastes in music.
What do you aim to achieve by being involved on the radio? World
Peace
Where do you get your music? What I have been given a few CDs to
start me off. I purchased a few, my Auntie Voula from Athens has sent
me a few' and my uncle from Aussie has sent me a few also.
Where do you get your music? Mainly from trips to the Patrida
Ellada and Australia also from online music stores
Who is your favourite Greek artist? Why? Glykeria because my
grandfather use to say I looked like her to me and my Mum and Dad (
Papou Kosta).
Who is your favourite Greek artist? Why? I bet you all thought I
was gonna say Voula. We have all heard her sing at the Baraki Nights!
However by a narrow margin I pick Andonis Remos - after seeing
him in concert I have a new appreciation for his music.... Then of
course there is Kaiti Garbi, Yiannis Ploutarhos and Peggy Zina.
What kind of material do you like to use for the show? All sorts, as
there are young and old listeners which have complimented me as I talk
mostly Greek ( it paid off that I went to Greek school).
Are there some things you would like to see changed? If we could be on
twice a week and I could be involved more but also so the older
generations can have something to look forward to.
What kind of material do you like to use for the show? New releases
and ‘beaty’ music
Are there some things you would like to see changed? No. The
world is perfect.
What would you like to say to those people that listen to the show?
ENA MEGALO EFXARISTO YIA TA KALA SAS LOGIA POU MOU LETE
POU SAS ARESO KAI TA LEO KALA! Thanks Mum and Dad!!
What would you like to say to those people that listen to the show?
Thanks for listening.
What would you like to say to those that don’t listen to the radio
What would you like to say to those that don’t listen to the radio
show? XANETE THN OMORFI ORA POU PARIAZI H COSTANTINA.
MA KAI OTI XANETE TA OREA TRAGOUDIA!!!
show? Tune in,.. we are good!.. honest!
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‘Ano-Kato Baraki Night’
By Gina Gouvatsos, Photos by Steven Samaras
On the 28th of February the GOYANZ
committee organised a Baraki Night for
the youth (whether that be defined in
terms of age or heart!!). The guest DJ
was from Melbourne called DJ Lambros
who currently works at a very well
established Greek bar ‘Strata’ which is just
off Chapel St.
There were quite a few forces against this
night such as the storm predicted, the
Cuba Carnival and the start of the Arts
Festival, which resulted in not such a big
turn out. And if that didn’t seem to be enough, due to unforseen
reasons (beyond anyone’s control), the original location for the
Baraki Night (Curve Bar) was changed to a more modest
environment (Sub-9).
However this did not dampen the mood for those that were present,
as everyone would agree with me that this is one of the best Greek
DJs ever to visit Wellington. DJ Lambros was able to provide a
variety of music. There were a lot of tsiftetelia and zemebekika but
also more upbeat music which got even the people tucked away in
the corner up and dancing. In fact what impressed most people is
that he was able to move away from the mainstream versions of songs
that are currently on the top 20 and play unique tunes!! For hours
on end our imported Disc Jockey was mixing one song with the
next effortlessly.
The next Baraki Night planned will be on the 3rd of July with a
HUGE name-DJ Krazy Kon from Sydney. Those that have
experienced Kon in action claim that he is out of this world, I think
it is only fair that we treat ourselves to such a talented Greek artist!!
Further details can be found closer to the event, hope to see you
all there.
ADVERTISE IN “TA MATIA”
Advertising rates as follow: (price is for ads 90mm x 125mm; and
price is inclusive of Advert/Artwork creation; all prices quoted are
inclusive of GST):
C
olour:
Black & White:
1 Issue: $100
1 Issue: $80
2 Issues: $180
2 Issues: $150 3 Issues: $250
3 Issues: $210
4 Issues: $310
4 Issues: $250
Continued on page 18
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play
for
us
a
breathtaking remix of
‘To Gucci Forema’ by
Mazonaki.
DJ KRAZY KON@BLOW!!
By Gina Gouvatsos
To sum up the whole
pack of ‘Greece 2004’
will satisfy a vast array
of musical preferences.
DJ Krazy Kon is on his way and is really excited about coming to
Wellington to infuse the Greeks and especially the youth with new
musical stimuli. As was promised to Steven, Angela and myself on the
GOYANZ radio show (18th of April) this popular Australian Disc Jockey
is planning for the next baraki night on July the 3rd to be amazing. So
whoever is going to join in on this unforgettable party make sure to
energise yourself as Kon is aiming to go on all night long fuelling himself
with a few packs of Borrocca!
Due to the huge
success of ‘Greece 2004
Volume One’ (which in
Greek standards would
have received a gold
record) Kon is already
in the process of
compiling the second
volume that is going to
be released in August in
order to coincide with
the Olympics. Similarly to ‘Kouna To’ in Volume One, this new CD
will have a track written by this Australian DJ and an American artist
(whose name will not yet be disclosed) and is likely to be played for
the first time at out baraki night, fingers crossed!!
If you are curious as to the kind of music Kon plays, you should get
your hands on the CD called ‘Greece 2004’ which was compiled by DJ
KK and has sold 13,000 units in the mainstream Australian industry.
‘Greece 2004’ composes 2 CDs. The first one, called ‘Club Sessions’,
contains a selection of recent hits which Krazy Kon thoughtfully
sequenced in such a way where you start off dancing tsiftetelia. By mid
point the music becomes more ‘heated’ (which may lead you to table
tops) and towards the end the final tracks are a wind down with
zebekika. On the other hand CD 2 ‘Bar
Sessions’ is far more alternative and
unique as its influence stretches from
reggae and dance to hand raisers. There
aren’t many remixes as there were strict
regulations that didn’t permit DJ Kon to
display his full talent. Nonetheless he
did state that he is lining up a series of
remixes for his New Zealand appearance
and he emphasised that he is going to
If you want to experience Krazy Kon live the only thing you have to do
is to join us on the 3rd of July at a new Venue in the heart of WellingtonBLOW on Blair St. Tickets are on sale NOW 15$ for pre-sales and 25$
on the night. See you all there!! DJ Krazy Kon’s official website is
www.krazykon.com.
Get tickets from Stelio Manousakis 021-393-035 or
Voula Kosmadakis 021-242-7483
GREEK COMMUNITY PLAYGROUP
We thought we would take this
opportunity to let you know who
we are where we are, and what we
are doing.
We would love to see more and invite you to come and participate at
any time. If you would like to contact anyone with questions please
feel free to contact Louise Tziakis on 388 1997.
The Playgroup is running a fundraiser with Positive Negatives
Photography on Saturday 19 June. A gold coin donation would be
appreciated for the sitting, which will go towards the Playgroup. Please
book your time with Angela Boulieris on 388-6468. Remember to
book early because times are going fast. It is important to be on time
for your appointment slot because they are only 10 minutes long per
family.
We are a group of mothers and
Yia Yias who bring our
preschoolers (under 4s) to play
and learn.
The playgroup can be found every
Friday morning of the school term at the Odysseus Hall on Hobart
Street in Miramar from 9am to 11.30am. We have free play from 9am
followed by Mathima at 11am. Coffee and tea is available for all.
The playgroup is going from strength to strength with new people
coming along all the time. Our committee is 9 mothers strong with all
bringing different skills and ideas.
Chairperson:
Louise Tziakis
Secretary:
Stav Soulis
Treasurer:
Mersina Toulis
Fees and Fundraising:
Karen Doucas
Angela Boulieris
ECDU Liaison:
Eleni Pantelis
Teacher:
Antonia Pappafloratos
Librarian:
Maria Ioannou
Member:
Nadia Palamilas
By Karen Doucas
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photo by J. Serepisos
EASTER IN NEW ZEALAND
As the most sacred holiday of Orthodoxy, Easter is definitely one of the
most special times of the year for Greeks all over the world. ‘Pascha’,
the Greek word for Easter, means ‘Passover’ and of course refers to the
passover from life to death and then once again to eternal life in Heaven.
‘Triodion’ begins fifty days before Easter, on “Kathari Deftera”, and is
meant to be a period of fasting, repentance and good deeds. This
culminates in ‘Megali Ebdomada’ (Holy Week), which honours the
events leading to the death and eventual resurrection of Jesus. Palm
Sunday, exactly a week before Easter Day, commemorates Christ’s entry
into Jerusalem. The people of the city, having found out about the
resurrection of Lazarus, welcomed Him as their saviour and future king,
joyously waving branches which they had cut off from palm trees. That
is why palm leaves shaped in a cross (called “vayia”) are handed out at
the end of the Holy Liturgy on Palm Sunday. On the same day it is also
customary to eat fish. Then there are church services every day during
Holy Week, and people are generally busy preparing for Easter, for
example with housewives making tsoureki and koulourakia on Holy
Tuesday, and dyeing eggs red on Holy Thursday, ready for cracking
competitions on Easter Sunday!
Saturday is another time to take communion, and of course in the
evening everyone (mystery Greeks included!) attends the service of
Anastasi, the Resurrection of Jesus. At midnight all lights are
extinguished in the church and the priest comes from within the altar
holding a candle whose light is passed on to the entire congregation.
Everyone then goes outside, saying “Christos Anesti” (“Christ has risen”)
to each other, and replying ‘Alithos Anesti’ (“Indeed He has risen”).
Many people take communion on the morning of Holy Thursday. In
the evening the Twelve Gospels are read and a large cross with the
image of Jesus being crucified on it is placed in the middle of our church
on Hania St. The Epitafio (the bier of Christ) is decorated with flowers,
and its solemn procession outside takes place during the evening service
on Good Friday. People then worship it and pass underneath it. Good
Friday is of course a day of mourning and perhaps the most important
day of fasting. People tend to eat foods that contain vinegar on this
day, in respect for the sufferings of Jesus on the cross, and because a
soldier offered Him a sponge dipped in bile and vinegar when He
complained of thirst during his crucifixion. The morning of Holy
Then they carefully carry their lighted candles home; it is also customary
to make a cross with the smoke of the candle on top of the door before
entering the house. Now is the time to enjoy a feast of mageiritsa (or
just meat for those unable to stomach lamb’s intestines!) and various
other Greek goodies. In many parts of Greece people prepare “souvlisto
arni” (lamb on the spit) for lunch on Easter Day, and this is generally a
time spent eating, drinking and merrymaking with one’s nearest and
dearest. Kai tou xronou!
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The Greek Festival of Sydney 2004
By Irene Manousakis
The 22nd Greek Festival of
Sydney was recently held
and I must say it is a
wonderful vehicle to
promote Hellenism in and
around Sydney. It felt like
I was back in Greece.
them and if I compare them
to my mums they were not
as good. And I must say the
prices on the food were
pretty comparative to the
ones we charge here.
Apart from the food stands,
they had the Athens 2004 Nikos Kazantzakis “Zorba meets Quixote”
Olympic
Exhibition
showcasing costumes and torches of past Olympics. Both Athena
and Phevos – the mascots for this years’ Olympics were in attendance,
which proved very popular with the children (and adults, I must
admit). The Laiki Bank had a stand, as did the outside fourno
company. Jewellery was also on sale as were paintings by Greek
artists, art on canvas (one of my favourite stands) Antenna Pacific
and SBS Radio. In the children’s area there was face painting, screenprinting displays and an art workshop.
This year the festival was
moved to Darling Harbour
after the old venue in
Brighton Le Sands became
too small – by the way the
old venue use to attract
over 50,000 people.
The Greek festival in
Sydney runs in excess of a
month. It covers songs,
music, dance, celebration,
theatre and literature.
One of the more interesting stands was the Greek Rugby League
stall that launched their uniform for entry of the Greek team to their
National League next year. Nice shirts I must say!!
To see the support the festival receives in Sydney you just need to see
the advertising around the city and to also look at the festival website.
People such as the Australian Prime Minister, the Leader of the
Opposition right through to the Greek Minister of Culture have passed
on their well-wishers for this event.
The festival also encompassed the 25th March celebration with a
march by the local Greek school children. It was followed by a wreath
laying ceremony, poetry readings and more traditional dancing.
The festival ended at 10.00 pm, twelve hours later that were filled
with plenty of food and
entertainment for all
ages. By 8.00 pm it had
started raining, which
unfortunately put a
damper (excuse the
pun) on one of the last
events, DJ Krazy Kon’s
Closing Party “Philosophy of Love”
music finale together
with a fireworks display on the Aquashell. Great music and I bet if
the weather was better we would have been dancing too instead of
trying to stay dry.
I had the honour of attending the festival this year and all I can say is
that it was amazing, I was blown away. Anyone that has been to
Darling Harbour knows how beautiful and BIG the venue is. The
festival itself started at 10.00 am on Sunday 21 March, we arrived
around lunchtime finding it packed with people all enjoying the mixed
warm weather, food and entertainment.
Seating arrangements had
been set up around the
various stages for viewing
the dancing displays and
the other entertainment
planned. Dancing groups
from within Sydney
performed as well as ones
Greek Play “The Taming of the Strigla”
that had travelled from
Adelaide and Melbourne. We were entertained by George Kapiniaris
of Acropolis Now fame. He was the M.C. for the day. Greeks and
xenoi alike were entertained by his stories of what it means to be
Greek. Explanations were made to the xenoi of why we had such big
lunches and as to why our mothers liked to use their padofles on us.
I can now see why George is regarded as a top comedy entertainer in
Australia. He had a sold out comedy show - Who let the Wogs out
– later on in the month, which would have been good to see!! They
even had a loukoumades eating competition for both kids and adults
alike, and it was most entertaining to watch.
All in all it was a great day, we missed some events including Effie
also from Acropolis Now fame, the Zorba dancing competition and
the plate breaking, which if I return next year I will be better prepared
for. Apparently reports coming out from Sydney put the numbers
for this year’s festival to over 200,000 people.
Well that’s it from my
Sydney adventure and me.
I have just had a look at
their website for an update
and to see if I have missed
anything and I noticed
that applications are now
open for stall holders for
the Greek Festival of
Sydney 2005. Perhaps
GOYANZ should consider
a stall, they didn’t have
beftekia on sale if I Photo Exhibition “Greek Australian Women”
remember correctly.
All morning my friends and I had been talking about what food we
were going to eat. My mind was clearly set on pastitsio, but when it
came to finding it, we couldn’t. Souvalakia, dolmades, pagoto,
loukoumades, oktapodi, Greek yoghurt with honey and walnuts were
all on the menu as well as the Elliniko Kafe at the kafenio. The
loukoumades stand had the longest queue – all day!! I had to try
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E NTERTAINMEN T
‘Eurovision & Eurostar’
a particular process
whereby the nation feels as
if they take some
ownership of the final
decision. Voting is split
between a jury and
telephone voters in a 60/40
ratio in favour of the jury.
By Angela Gouvatsos
Not only NZ but also Greece has caught The Idol bug. Unlike
American, Australian and New Zealand Idol, the Greeks decided to
do it a little different to the rest. They achieved this on the one hand
by using a more original title, Eurostar, and on the other appointing
a distinctive/distinct/distinguished purpose for holding this contest
which was to declare the winner of this TV talent show as the main
performer representing Greece at this years Eurovision.
The winner of Eurostar
2004 was Apostolis
Saki Rouvas
Psichramis. He scored
18.8% percent from the jury and 19.1% of televotes giving him an
overall score of 37.9%. Psichramis graduated from a musical high
school in Pallini after six years of studying classical guitar. He also
plays piano, trombone and ‘tampoura’. He was in his second year
of a course in the theatre studies in Athens.
For those of you that are not familiar with Eurovision, it is a musical
contest where countries from Europe send a candidate to represent
their nation in the competition. A panel of judges selects a best
candidate in all the following areas: best song, best singer and best
performer. In the past Eurovision has helped singers and bands gain
universal recognition such as ABBA, Celine Dion and Antique.
Bearing the above in mind the finalist of this Greek TV contest (ie
Eurostar) carries a significant role and as a result Greece has designed
The Passion Of Christ
Eurovision was held at Istanbul on May 15th. The Greek
representative Sakis Rouvas came third with the song “Shake It”.
By Angela Gouvatsos
(Τα Παθη Του Χριστου)
After the Easter weekend, The Passion of
Christ became the eighth bestselling movie
in the US; it has also become an
increasingly popular movie in New
Zealand. Of course without doubt Mel
Gibson’s movie was tailor-made for the
Easter Holiday. As a result after being
number one for the first three weeks it was
released and then dropping in the
following three weeks, this movie was able
to climb back to the top after the Easter
weekend. This has led The Passion of
Christ to claim the 8th best selling movie
in the history profiting $ 354.8 million
while also rewriting box office history. As Paul Dergarabedian,
president of box office tracker Exhibitor Relations, stated ‘The return
of a movie’s popularity is unprecedented’.
Obviously Mel Gibson was trying to present the significant event as
he interpreted it to be. Regardless of whether we agree with this or
not he has justifiably been rewarded for presenting a religious movie,
something that hasn’t been approached before.
However a fundamental reason for this phenomenon has been the
allegations and criticism directed at Mel Gibson who it the producer
and the director of the movie. They have accused this director of not
presenting the facts as they occurred which has stirred debates between
the churches. Even our Greek Orthodox Church has expressed its
concerns with the movie. Another reason for discussion is the fact
that the actors used two dead languages throughout the movie, Latin
and Aramaic, with English subtitles. This has never been encountered
before and was done to reinforce its sense of realism.
Interestingly it must be emphasised that this movie presents the final
twelve hours of Christ’s life including his crucifixion, which makes a
movie not for the faint hearted. In fact reports have been made that
two people have died from heart attacks. In one instance a Brazilian
Catholic priest rented two theatres for him and his parish to attend
the screening of The Passion of Christ during which he passed away.
13
www.goyanz.org.nz
as states a Troparion of
the Praises of Good
Friday.
photo by J. Serepisos
“Every part of His holy
flesh suffered the disgrace
for us”,
His head was injured by
the thorny crown. His
face was spat upon. His
jaws received blows. His
mouth the unbearable taste of vinegar mingled with gall. His ears
suffered the disgraceful blasphemies. His back the whipping. His hand
was disgraced with the mocking reed. His whole body was stretched
on the Cross. His joints were pierced with the nails. His side was pierced
with the spear. His human dignity was degraded with the mocking red
mantle, which like another “straight jacket” they put on Him. His
heart was injured by their ungratefulness. Not just by the crowd - “My
people, what have I done to you, and what have you given me in
return!” - but even of those much closer to Him. Judas who betrayed
Him. Peter who denied Him. And the other Disciples (save John) who
abandoned Him during His most painful hour on the Cross. And finally
the horrible and dreadful death of His body, which sealed the Suffering
of His body and the Trying of the soul of “the Son of Man”.
NEW WEB PAGE OF THE ECUMENICAL
PATRIARCHATE IN THE INTERNET
The
Ecumenical
Patriarchate
of
Constantinople, our Mother Church, opened
a new web-page in the Internet. Its address is:
www.ec-patr.gr
This page includes a lot of information about
the life of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and its
history, about Orthodox life and spirituality etc.
Visit it!
HOLY METROPOLIS OF NEW ZEALAND
The Office of the Holy Metropolis of New
Zealand is now in 61-63 Taranaki Street, 6th
floor, Wellington. It is open for the public from Monday to Friday from
10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Telephone: +64 4 801 6385. Facsimile: +64 4 801 6388.
E-mail: imnz@xtra.co.nz
Postal address: P.O.Box 6545 Marion Sq. Wellington
All these did take place. They were undeniable facts, most bitter and
most horrible. But they had to take place, according the very ancient
intention of the Divine Love. Only after these and the suffering of the
Chief of our salvation took place, began, through the Resurrection,
the never ending Day of the true Light and the actual Life, for all those
who wished to make the offered salvation from God, their own.
Facing the Holy Week
by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph of New Zealand
Lazarus’ Saturday marks the end of the second period of the Triodion
and, while it marks a joyous interval of one day, the Palm Sunday, we
come to the most holy days of the ecclesiastical year, the Holy Week.
If we belong to these who wish to receive the salvation offered by the
love of God, then we must be determined to receive the painful road
of suffering. We must march together with Jesus who is hurrying to
His Suffering for us. To crucify the unruly cavorting and impure desires
of our flesh. To bury our blameful passions indeed those hedonistic
tendencies, which are the most dangerous means of destruction. Parallel
to this we must be intellectually awaiting by the side of the Cross of
our Lord, together with the Theotokos, the Beloved John and the
Myrrh-bearing women, as His most grateful children. We must declare
together with the pious Centurion that “Truly this man was the Son of
God!” and say together with the grateful robber from the depth of our
soul: “Remember me, Lord, when You come in Your Kingdom”! Also
together with Joseph and Nicodemus we must offer to the Life-giving
dead body of our Lord the myrrh of our gratefulness and the aloe of
our worshiping tears, to be with the Myrrh-bearing women “very early
Lazarus’ resurrection is one of the hopeful pronouncement of so much
that will happen one week later, when the “Life of all”, Christ, the
dawn of “The first day of the week”, being a Sunday, trampling down
death and granting life everlasting, no longer to one person but to the
whole of humanity. On the other hand the triumphant entrance of
Jesus to Jerusalem, which is celebrated on Palm Sunday, is a panegyric
proclamation from the mouths of the babes and sucklings, and of the
souls of the God-lovers, because He, Who will be taken like a lamb to
the slaughter under the curses of the people of darkness, is the One
who comes in the name of the Lord, “the King of Israel”. Not only the
old Israel, as ironically was written on the Cross by Pilate but also, the
new one, which is the Church! He is the Lord of the whole world,
visible and invisible, earthly and heavenly. The Lord of the living and
of the dead, Whom “death does not conquer” even though we saw
Him hanging on the Cross. Even though we saw Him dead, He will be
“most life-giving dead”, Who in three days, by His resurrection, will
remove the poisonous sting of death, will deprive Hades of victory,
will enlighten the world of the nether regions and will resurrect Adam
“with his whole race”, granting inalienable life to His creatures.
photo by J. Serepisos
Having, therefore, on hand those joyous facts, firm hopes which in no
way can be contradicted, we are called to follow step by step the painful
path of our Lord till His Passion, to His Cross and to His death, like the
Church, day after day of the Holy Week guides us. Because without
the Good Friday there cannot be Easter. Resurrection without prior
death is not possible! Empty Cave without the Cross is something
inconceivable.
Jesus Christ suffered before He was glorified. He suffered in reality,
Not imaginable or assumed. Neither did He suffer simply skin deep,
far from it!...
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Our humble wish and prayer is, at least for all those who read these
lines and those who would have the desire to cross the entrance of the
church these holy days, is that they be proven worthy, indeed, all of us
to be proven worthy to live the suffering of the Passion
Passion, to accept the
grace of the Cross
Cross, to taste the joy of the Resurrection and to walk as
enlightened children of the Church ready to receive the blessed hope
of Christ’s salvation.
in the morning” to run to the Grave of Life to meet our Master and
Lord, the triumphant Victor of death, offering Him instead of myrrh, a
hymn and Doxology befitting God, having previously cleansed our
internal world with repentance, to hear from His most holy lips the:
“Rejoice”! The most sweet greeting that a human ear could ever receive!
So much more when this is coming from the Theanthropic mouth of
Jesus, it is not a simple greeting and a wish, but a tangible gift, blessing
and grace...
Patriarchal Encyclical on Holy Pascha.
the history of humankind, myriads of
human beings have been deprived of
the blessings of life and joy, due to
murderous and invidious acts
committed by other human beings.
This goes on until today.
Prot. No. 247
B A R T H O L O M E W BY THE MERCY OF GOD ARCHBISHOP
OF CONTANTINOPLE NEW ROME AND ECUMENICAL
PATRIARCH UNTO THE ENTIRE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH
GRACE,PEACE AND MERCY FROM CHRIST THE SAVIOUR, RISEN
IN GLORY
But, Christ, was risen to offer us life
and abundance of life. Therefore, it is
inconceivable for a Christian or anyone
else who loves his own life and respects
God, to want or commit a murder or
to cause pain to others. The killing of
people,
and
moreover
the
indiscriminate killing of innocent people, non-participating in war
conflicts, is an inhuman, condemnable and non-heroic act. Likewise,
every selfish act that causes pain to some people in order to satisfy
others is also condemnable.
Brother concelebrants and pious, God-loving children of the Church,
Christ is Risen! As we greet you, dear beloved, with this Paschal
exclamation, we reminisce about the philanthropic action of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Logos of God, through Whom everything was created,
to offer life to mankind. We also think of the cruel pursuit of the
devil, and of the people who have been misled by the devil, having
become his instruments in trying to deprive humankind of the great
and sacred gift of life.
The sacred gift of life is intended by God to bring joy. The mouth of
the Myrrh bearers was filled with joy as they cried, “Christ is Risen”,
says the sacred hymnist. Ever since, thousands of people cry, “Christ
is Risen” and the hearts of innumerable devout Christians fill with
joy in repeating the announcement “Christ is Risen”, for all of us
value life as one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. It is a valuable
gift through which we can enjoy all of the other divine gifts, for without
the gift of life we cannot have any awareness of the other gifts God
offered to us.
As has always been the case, this year’s celebration of the Resurrection
of Christ follows the same predicament; it is clouded by a multitude
of grave incidents. We hear about many group homicides and other
hurtful acts committed by people against people. Christ, Who is
the Way and the Resurrection and Life and Who lived an earthly life
of doing good and healing, shows to all people the way of love and
giving, of justice and respect of life and joy of others, as the single
way, which leads humanity to true joy and fullness of life. Christ
resisted His persecution and death through forgiveness, love, good
deeds, sacrifice and resurrection. He proved that the power of evil,
despite its fierce aspiration to kill the leader of life, failed. And He
persuades us that in our days the powers of evil will be again defeated
by the greater power of love, which is the only way leading to
resurrection.
The source of life and joy is Christ, beloved brothers and children,
and He invites us all to become participants of His divine gifts. He
does invite not only us, the Orthodox Christians, but also every single
person. Every human being is invited to partake in the fullness of a
joyful life. God created human beings so that they might live joyfully;
He intended for us to constitute adornments of the material and
spiritual universe. He gave each person the opportunity to enjoy all
creation; that would become possible, of course, if people showed
respect for one another, and, moreover, if they loved God and the
other beings. The observance of this commandment leads to a
harmonious society of people, which is surrounded by the whole
creation, in service of humanity, and is based on freedom, which is
the foundation of love. Our feeling of this love, which is based on
our free will, reveals the ineffable beauty of the face of the Lord, the
most desired one, as the holy Church Fathers say, and, also, the face
of the beloved human person. The human face reflects and depicts
the divine and supreme beauty of God’s face, for it was created in His
image and likeness.
Thus, brothers and children in the Lord, we should not fear in the
face of evil that seems to prevail. At the end, our Risen Lord Jesus
Christ will be the victorious winner along with the people who believe
in His resurrection. But our win will not be against our fellow human
beings, but against evil, for we Christians want all people to partake
in this victory so that none will be defeated by evil or lose the earthly,
and most importantly, the eternal life.
Thus, we greet all of you, beloved, with the Paschal greeting “Christ
is Risen”, and pray that you will travel the road of Holy Pascha in
the joy of Resurrection. We pray also that through your pious life
you will contribute to the propagation of the spirit of altruism and
will inspire others to respect the life and the joy of their fellow human
beings, so that good will prevail over evil and the leader of life, our
Risen Lord Jesus Christ, will reign in your hearts. Amen. Holy Pascha,
2004.
The faithful Christian, and every human being, must himself feel the
opportunity to experience and cherish life, and recognize this right in
all others, as well. Unfortunately, though, the devil hated human life
and turned murderous, and implanted the idea of homicide in the
human race. The devil persuaded Cain in killing his brother and
becoming the first fratricide. Since then, many fellow human beings
hate, by imitation of the devil, the life of others. As a result, throughout
Your fervent supplicant before the Risen Christ,
Bartholomew of Constantinople
15
www.goyanz.org.nz
Parthenon Hall
Greek Orthodox Community
We have no news to date for the leasing of the Parthenon Function
Centre.
of Wellington
and Suburbs Inc.
22 Pirie St
The end two car parks in front of the Cultural Centre are for the tenants
use. Please do not park in these spaces nor block their entrance and
exit into the car park at any time. We have had complaints that they
are unable to get in and out during church services.
NEWSLETTER
Newsletter of the Management Committee of the Greek
Orthodox Community of Wellington and Suburbs Inc.
School
The Greek Festival 2004
The second term has started with even more pupils and adults enrolling.
The area inspector for schools outside Greece, Ms Maria
Agathangelidou visited our New Zealand school recently. A weekend
seminar was held for our teachers followed by a meeting for parents.
Judging by the few parents who attended the meeting everyone is
obviously well pleased with the running of the school.
The Greek Festival in the Month of March was another successful series
of events in the Committee’s calendar. The Festival started with the
hugely successful Food Festival on the first Saturday in March. The
weather was fine and warm, the mood was jovial and the crowds
tantalised with the aromas and replete with the wonderful food our
volunteers were cooking. Our thanks go to the many volunteers who
spent so much time for their community; from the electricians, stall
helpers, dancers, musicians to the people who helped set up, dismantle
and clean up.
Ms Agathangelidou was very impressed with the total makeover of the
school both educationally and its clean and cosy atmosphere. This is
very heartwarming. This Committee is determined that the school
will now only go from strength to strength. Thank you to the teachers
and parents who volunteer their time in the classroom.
Other events in the Festival Programme were a Video presentation by
the Hellenic/New Zealand Congress, a talk on the life and works of
Fotis Kondoglou by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, a poetry recital
on Kostis Palamas by Ahepa and the “Open Days” at the Cathedral of
the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.
Please don’t forget the playgroup! Sessions are held on a Friday morning
at the Odysseus Hall in Miramar. Children start learning the basics of
the Greek language with play and songs and are able to adjust to the
more formal primary school learning more easily. Parents and
grandparents enrol your youngsters now. It really does make such a
difference to their early education.
What has now become an annual event, the Art Exhibition and sale
produced a varied collection of artworks from artists of Greek descent.
Every year the works get better and better. We get a lot of feedback
from the public as to the quality of our artists’ work. This event is a
great way to show that the Greek Community has an important profile
in Wellington. Also within the month of March was the Vespers and
Feast Day for the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and the celebrations
for the Independence Day of Greece.
Church Painting Fund
Money for the painting of the church is still only dribbling in. The
fund has been open since September 2003 but only approximately
$4,000.00 have been collected to date. At this rate it will be quite a
while longer until we see any progress here.
The Olympic Sculpture
Landscaping
The Sculpture named “Patritha” was unveiled at the opening of the
Art Exhibition by the Mayor of Wellington, Ms Kerry Prengergast. The
following day the sculpture was formally handed over to the Olympic
Committee’s Chef de Mission Mr Dave Currie at an incredibly moving
ceremony. Presidents of Communities, Associations and Brotherhoods
from throughout New Zealand attended the Aiasmos which was
conducted by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph together with our
Priest, Father George Serras. Afternoon tea followed.
Landscaping will soon be started in the car park as it was a condition
of resource consent being granted for the building of the Cultural
Centre. Olive and bay trees will be planted and under planted with
rosemary. Hopefully when finished, the corner will have a softer look.
Parking
As stated in the previous newsletter, members should feel free to park
between the Church and the Parthenon and in the grounds of the
Cultural Centre while attending Church Services. PLEASE NOTE The
Cultural Centre car park has two designated car parks which must
remain vacant 24 hours a day, every day
day, as these are for the
Metropolitan and the Ambassador. Rutherford and Bond have entered
into a lease with the Community to park their vehicles in the remaining
spaces when there are no church services.
Several donations have been received for the sculpture but still not
enough to cover our costs. To the communities, associations and
brotherhoods who have yet to donate, please table our petition at
your next meeting. We would gratefully accept any donation, large or
small. This was a gift from all Greeks living in New Zealand. Individuals
are also invited to donate.
Kinotita Dance
EVANGELISIMOS CHURCH - Hania Street
ST. ANDREWS CHURCH - 365 Broadway, Miramar
ST. NECTARIOS CHURCH - 23 Bay Street, Petone
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST - 30 Rochester Street, Palmerston North
It was decided not to hold the annual dance for the 25th of March this
year as it was during Easter Lent. Celebrations for this were held two
weeks after Easter. “An Evening in Palia Athina was the theme”.
Everyone who came along enjoyed the old style music and danced
away the evening to music played by a DJ. Yet another successful
event!
Office Hours for the Priest: Father George Serras Monday to Friday
4.00 - 6.00pm, Evangelismos Church, Hania St
Priest’s Phone Number: Home: (04) 802 5456 ;
Mobile: (025) 248 9524 Church Telephone: (04) 385 1076
Subscriptions
Many subscriptions for the years 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 have been
paid but there are some still outstanding. Invoices have been sent out
so please post in your subscriptions as soon as possible.
16
www.goyanz.org.nz
USA REPORT
New York City’s Tallest Building Again Honors
Hellenes Across the World by Lighting its Towers in
the Greek Colors of Blue and White for Greek
Independence Day!
photo by J. Serepisos
New York, NY—USA—March 23, 2004 – George C. Zouvelos
announced today that the Empire State Building once again has
agreed to illuminate the building’s towers with the Hellenic colors
of blue and white in honor of Greek Independence Day. The lighting
will commence on Thursday March 25th at 6:00 PM ET sharp and
end at midnight the
same night.
“With all the horrific
crimes
against
humanity that are
continually perpetrated
against
innocent
civilians, including our
people, around the
globe I have a painful
George Zouvelos
reminder of the
struggles that our own ancestors endured under the oppressive
Ottoman rule,” said George Zouvelos. Our Hellenic ideals grow
and persist because of brave men and women, Hellene and philHellene, who fought, shed blood and died to reclaim and defend
our autonomy, our sovereignty and our freedom. For me, Greek
Independence day is a reminder and a testament of what a united
people with unbreakable resolve and with the deep belief and love
for God almighty can achieve against oppressive, imperialistic, brutal
and tyrannical forces. The devil is in the details and not matter
what national or religious mask the evil one chooses to wear now,
lets make certain that in this day we as free and educated Hellenes
do not allow others to get away with treating fellow human beings
in the matter the Ottomans did to our ancestors over 180 years
ago,” added Zouvelos.
Olympians to carry gift to Athens
2004-03-31
A 1-7 metre tall, 250-kilogram stone sculpture is to accompany
New Zealand athletes to the Athens Olympics in August.
The artwork, called Patritha or homeland, was gifted to the New
Zealand Olympic Committee by the Wellington Greek Orthodox
Community. Sculpted out of Oamaru stone, the work represented
a bond between the countries going back to World War II, designer
Maria Heath said. After a blessing by Greek Orthodox archbishop
Metropolitan Joseph at the Michael Fowler Centre, the work was
presented to Olympic chef de mission Dave Currie.
It would stand outside the New Zealand quarters at the Olympic
Village and be presented to the city of Athens after the games, Mrs
Heath, a Lower Hutt artist, said. The work has five columns topped
with paua -encrusted Olympic rings and is engraved with flags
from both countries , an olive branch and a silver fern. Mrs Heath
said her inspiration came from her parents, who emigrated to New
Zealand from the Greek island of Kastos in 1929. “My thoughts
were with my parents and other parents of that first generation,
who made a great effort to preserve language, customs, love and
pride of their homeland. It is due to their efforts … that Hellenism
is alive and well in New Zealand today.”
The Empire State Building has once again become the tallest building
in New York after the tragedies surrounding 9-11 that leveled the
World Trade Centers Twin Towers and murdered over 3000 innocent
souls. The ESB lights can be seen across New York City and
illuminate the eastern and western sky across the Hudson River,
New York Harbor, Statue of Liberty and New Jersey. Airplanes flying
to and leaving from the 3 major airports, John F Kennedy
International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark’s Liberty
International Airport in New Jersey are able to get a birds-eye-view
of the blue and white lights as they pass.
Upper Hutt sculptor Bruce Winter, who made Mrs Heath’s design
reality, had “captured the elegance and serenity” of classical Greek
buildings such as the Parthenon. The sculpture will be at the
Michael Fowler Centre for a week, then at Wellington Airport ,
before being taken to Athens in May.
“T H E A P O L L O N ”
75 ADELAIDE ROAD, NEWTOWN
“Whether you are in the United States, Greece, New Zealand,
Australia, United Kingdom, France, Germany, South America or
Africa or anywhere else on this earth, this year I dedicate the lighting
of the World Famous Empire State Building to the success of the
Olympic Games that have finally made it home to Athens Greece
and to us, the Greek Diaspora that will try to journey there to see
and celebrate them, together and in Peace! Yia Sas, ” added
Zouvelos.
A UTHENTIC G REEK M ENU
Mititie - Fish - Steak - Greek Salads - Tiropita
Baklava - Greek Coffee - Specials
OPEN
Friday 11am - 7pm
Saturday 11am - 7pm
Sunday 11am - 7pm
If you have any questions or would like to make a comment please
contact me at E-mail: Zouvelos@earthlink.net
Bookings Essential
Ph 3844763
17
www.goyanz.org.nz
Continued from page 8
United nations Secretary general, Kopi Annan (centre), flanked by
representatives of the UN, at the recent Cyprus talks.
18
www.goyanz.org.nz
European Cup 2004
Schedule of matches
All Matches Phase 1
13 June 2004 - Group A
Portugal
v
Greece
Spain
v
Russia
14 June 2004 - Group B
Switzerland
v
Croatia
France
v
England
15 June 2004 - Group C
Denmark
v
Italy
Sweden
v
Bulgaria
16 June 2004 - Group D
Germany
v
Netherlands
Czech Rep
v
Latvia
17 June 2004 - Group A
Greece
v
Spain
Russia
v
Portugal
18 June 2004 - Group B
England
v
Switzerland
Croatia
v
France
19 June 2004 - Group C
Bulgaria
v
Denmark
Italy
v
Sweden
20 June 2004 - Group D
Latvia
v
Germany
Netherlands v
Czech Rep
21 June 2004 - Group A
Spain
v
Portugal
Russia
v
Greece
22 June 2004 - Group B
Croatia
v
England
Switzerland
v
France
23 June 2004 - Group C
Italy
v
Bulgaria
Denmark
v
Sweden
24 June 2004 - Group D
Netherlands v
Latvia
Germany
v
Czech Rep
dear_thea@hotmail.com
• Dear Thea, I am sick of being the caught when I go out with my
boyfriend. What is the problem here as I don’t see one? Jordy
Dear Jordy, I can’t see one either really….could it be that he is married
with children and Indian? You need to realise that nothing is mistiko
in the Greek community, no matter how hard you try….we will
always find out what you have done before you do it! This is the
way we work. Stay home with your hamomili, baba, yiayia and
mama and retire to the fact that they will find you your husband,
not you. And he will be a hard working village man from the
mountains who will know how to light a fire and kill a goat for you
to live happily! Thea
• Dear Thea, I left New Zealand some time ago to come overseas to
make my riches as so that I could come back and finally have enough
money to gain the approval of a certain girl’s parents to ask her out.
I now hear she is going out with some other guy and am devastated.
Should I come back anyway and take a chance? Pavlo
Dear Pavlo, The first thing to consider is what your preka is exactly.
How can you entice this girl’s parents? Do you have a spiti, katseka
or anything of the like? You will need to take this into careful
consideration when your two families meet to interfere in your
possible relationship with this girl. Take the chance, but be prepared
that most Greek fathers are businessmen and want to cut the best
deal! Thea
• Dear Thea, As Easter has just passed I have found myself having put
on some extra weight from eating all those chocolate easter eggs.
Do you have any quick ways to lose the kilo or two I have put on?
Spiros
Dear Spiro, Don’t eat at a Greek house! This is your only solution
as with all the ladi and fat that they use in their cooking methods –
deep frying kai ta lepa (and they don’t believe in draining the tiyanita
either) this is you only bet! Or move in with your friends into a
flat…..eat baked beans and become a Kiwi male….this will shed the
kilos too! Thea
• Dear Thea, I am 47, male, tall, dark and toso, toso handsome. I am
also unmarried. I was wondering if you could possibly do a lonely
hearts issue where you could set me up with some potential nefes
out there. Thoma
Dear Thoma, If you can’t find your nefe that comes complete with
goats, chickens and the village house….I can’t help you either. You’re
doomed! Thea
Kick-Off (NZ time)
04:00 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
04:00 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
04:00 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
04:00 a.m.
04:00 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
04:00 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
04:00 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
04:00 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
Quarter-final Matches
25 June 2004 - Match 25
Winner A
v
Runner-up B
26 June 2004 - Match 26
Winner B
v
Runner-up A
27 June 2004 - Match 27
Winner C
v
Runner-up D
28 June 2004 - Match 28
Winner D
v
Runner-up C
• Dear Thea, With the recent bombing in Athens (outside the polics
stashion) I am a bit concerned about my safety at the up and coming
games. Should I hire my own security? Atheleticos
Dear Athleticos, Hire you brother and father. Once prospective
terrorists see them walking down the street in mufti wearing their
New Zealand thongs, shorts and singlet, they will become scared of
them and run the other way! I feel that this is your best form of
security against the games as they are more worried about the roof
at the moment. Last week’s news was a prime example of this.
Thea
06:45 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
06:45 a.m.
Semi Final Matches
29 June 2004 - Match 29
Winner Match 25
v
02 July 2004 - Match 30
Winner Match 26
v
• Dear Thea, Another baraki night? What the heck am I going to wear
this time? Tina
Dear Tina, Don’t wear what you did last time! You need to
remember that your father will find out about your outfit even if
you leave home wearing your long pantalongia and blouza buttoned
to your chin. See, if you are allowed to come this time, just remember
that your father’s best friend’s son’ daughter’s neighbour saw you
do that ‘quick change’ once you left the spiti and told him….we
found out about it at church the next day. Nothing, and I mean
nothing, escapes the Greek gossip line! Thea
Winner Match 27
06:45 a.m.
Winner Match 28
06:45 a.m.
Winner Match 30
06:45 a.m.
Final
05 July 2004 - Match 31
v
Winner Match 29
19
www.goyanz.org.nz
www.goyanz.org.nz
www.olympicafc.org.nz
Panathinaikos ends 7-year hex
E-Kathimerini; 24/05/04
Two weeks after winning the
soccer Final Cup from long-term
rival Olympiakos, Panathinaikos
clinched the first-division
championship with a late away
victory on Saturday.
GOYANZ/Olympic AFC launches
new website
Our new website is now up and running. It has taken John Serepisos
and the team at TBD three months to complete and is a huge step
forward from the previous effort.
Features include:
It was the first championship for
the Athens powerhouse since the
1995-96 season, and followed seven years of uninterrupted
dominance by Olympiakos.
- Contact information of ALL Greek Communities in New Zealand
- Updated history sections for Olympic and GOYANZ
- Enhanced News Section
The Piraeus club also scored a victory in Saturday’s last round of the
championship, ending two points behind Panathinaikos’s 77. Both
teams will represent Greece in next season’s European Champions
League, together with PAOK Thessaloniki,
which finished third with 60 points.
- “Play the Virtual Federation league” on-line contest
- Links to hundreds of Greek Websites worldwide
- Information of how sponsors and advertisers can help Greek youth
- Full player and game history of Olympic teams since 1954
- Dedicated Junior soccer section
AEK Athens ended fourth but is unlikely to play
in the UEFA Cup after a decision on Friday by
the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) not to
grant the team the necessary certificate due to
outstanding debts. The heavily indebted team
will have to raise 2 million euros by Thursday
in order to secure an EPO certificate.
- Hundreds of pictures from Greek community & youth activities
- Club Shop where you can but online gear and souvenirs
This is an excellent resource for our community which is being
under utilised by its Greek members. If anybody has information
or articles that they wish to submit to the website, please email
johns@tbd.co.nz
20