Event announcement from: The Hellenic Society

Prometheas

Invites you to a lecture by:

James L. Marketos, Esq.
Partner, Berliner, Corcoran & Rowe, L.L.P.
Chairman, The American Hellenic Institute
 
Christopher Columbus:  A Greek Nobleman

    The traditional view is that Christopher Columbus overcame humble origins as a Genoese wool-worker and through cleverness and pluck convinced King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to finance his novel plan to reach the East by sailing west.  But Columbus was curiously vague about his origins, and the evidence for Genoese beginnings is doubtful.  As a result, there is lively debate about many mysteries associated with Columbus, not just his origins.  Why, for instance, did a man who supposedly lived in Genoa until early adulthood have only a poor knowledge of Italian and never use it when writing to his brothers?  How, in the rigid class structure of Renaissance Europe, did a humble wool-worker manage to marry into the Portuguese nobility within three years of arriving in Portugal in 1476 and then acquire royal patronage for a risky and unusual plan to find a new route to the Indies?  How did a common Italian merchant acquire Columbus's extensive knowledge of history, languages, geography, navigation, seamanship, and map-making?

    In an illustrated lecture, Mr. Marketos will address the controversy of Columbus's origins and re-examine the long-neglected theory that Christopher Columbus was a sophisticated nobleman related to the last of the Byzantine emperors.  He will explain how, if the theory is correct, it resolves many of the mysteries surrounding the discoverer of the New World.

The lecture will be in English. A reception will follow.

Friday, October 3, 2008 at 7:30 pm.

St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Founders Hall
7701 Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817

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The Hellenic Society Prometheas, 6700 Landon Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817, Tel 301-229-9389 www.prometheas.org

Event Announcement from: NY Greek Americans & Friends For Obama - Biden 2008

A Celebration of America and Hellenism

Dean Sirigos, Olga Alexakos and Jeff Kurzon* invite you to a Fundraising Reception for Barack Obama and Joe Biden
 
Join our grassroots endeavor and meet Greek Americans, Greek Cypriot Americans and their friends in a wonderful space and an atmosphere of Greek music and complimentary hors d'oeuvres as we rally for Obama - Biden.

If you were planning to make a campaign contribution, this is the ideal vehicle because your donation will be noted as being from the Greek American Community.  Barack Obama’s positions are strongly supportive of Greece and Cyprus and Joe Biden has been our powerful friend for 3 decades—let them know we appreciate their public service!

Special guests will be announced on this site as they are confirmed

Thursday September 25th

6:00 to 8:30 P.M.

The Olympic Tower’s Atrium Café

645 Fifth Avenue (entrance at 51st street across from St. Patrick’s)

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres wine and beverages will be served

Featured Guest Appearances By:

Assemblyman Michael Gianaris

Demetrios Boutris, Esq.
Obama for America National Finance Commitee
 
Special Guest And Friend Of Joe Biden

Dr. Dean Lomis  Director Emeritus, International Center, University of Delaware

Musical Performance By Blue Note Recording Guitarist

Spiros Exaras & Vocalist Fay

RSVP

We recommend you reserve your place in advance on the guest list – space is limited - by making your donation now at this  DONATE & RSVP BUTTON.

The Button takes you to the Obama for America official website. The campaign will then add your name to the guest list.

You can make your donation online or you can make a donation at the door.  100% of your donation goes to the campaign.

To join our efforts and any additional information contact us:

Dean Sirigos
csirigos100@aol.com

From FOS:

We are pleased to invite you to a cocktail gathering sponsored by FOS.  This second FOS Outreach gathering kicks-off the next FOS series (starting September 23) and serves as an open house for others interested in becoming acquainted with the spiritual illumination and nourishment that FOS offers, as well as meet its participants and  spiritual leader, Fr. Frank.   All are welcome.

Tuesday, September 16, 6:30 pm
H2O Restaurant & Lounge
15 WATERSIDE PLAZA
Esplanade level overlooking the East River
25th St. and east of FDR Drive
(directions below)
NY, NY 10010
(212) 340-4200
(cash bar)

FOS, Forum on Orthodox Spirituality, is a ministry at the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral led by Reverend Dr. Frank Marangos, its Dean and Protopresbyter.  Geared toward NY area professionals, FOS was created in response to their need for continual spiritual illumination and nourishment.  Inaugurated on February 12 of this year, FOS welcomes Cathedral members, non-members and individuals of all faiths. The aim of FOS is to enrich our lives by comprehending the meaning behind our worship in the context of Orthodox Christian theology while creating relationships and community.  FOS covers a particular topic for a certain number of consecutive weekly sessions and generally meets Tuesday evenings.

Fr. Frank Marangos is a highly dynamic, sophisticated and personable theologian and clergyman.  His presentations and discussions at FOS make our faith more relevant in our lives.  In a very kind and humorous way, he dispels much of the “yiayialogy” with which we are familiar.  We explore such themes as free will vs. pre-destination, faith and doubt, rationalism, humanism, religion as the cause for wars and other world ills, “spiritual, but not religious”, comparison of religions, the real meaning of the Resurrection for us, and how the world has changed in 2000 years through Jesus Christ.

In addition to its Tuesday night discussions, FOS is active in sponsoring various events.  We anticipate the installation of movie nights on Fridays where FOS will host a showing of a film chosen by Father Frank.  He will discuss spiritual themes found in these movies.  Previously, Fr. Frank discussed the Christian and non-Christian undertones in "The Matrix". 

More information can be found at http://www.thecathedral.goarch.org/. For the most current updates, please request that you be added to the distribution list by contacting Dorothy at rodothea1@yahoo.com

Canadian Press:

NEW YORK — Ike Pappas, a veteran CBS newsman who was steps away from presidential assassin Lee Harvey Oswald when he was fatally shot, and reported the chaotic scene live on the air, has died at age 75.

Pappas, who also covered major events like the Vietnam War and anti-war demonstrations at home, died Sunday in an Arlington, Va., hospital of complications from heart disease, his family said.

A New York City native, Pappas was in Dallas after John F. Kennedy's Nov. 22, 1963, assassination, reporting for radio station WNEW, when police brought the manacled Oswald into the police station basement two days later to be transferred to the jail.

He had just asked the suspect, "You have anything to say in your defence?" when someone shoved Pappas, a gunshot sounded and Oswald crumpled, mortally wounded.

"There's a shot! Oswald has been shot! Oswald has been shot!" Pappas said on the air. "A shot rang out. Mass confusion here, all the doors have been locked. Holy mackerel!"

"One of the wildest scenes I've ever seen," he said seconds later.

The person who had elbowed Pappas aside turned out to be Jack Ruby, the seedy nightclub owner was convicted of killing Oswald. Pappas told the story in testimony at Ruby's trial and later to the Warren Commission that investigated the Kennedy assassination.

Born April 16, 1933, Icarus N. Pappas served in the U.S. Army, joined CBS news as a radio writer in 1964 and became a network correspondent in 1967. Besides the Vietnam War, he covered the 1967 Six Day War in Israel, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, the Kent State shootings in 1970, and coups in Greece, Bolivia and Chile, according to records provided by CBS.

Based in Washington, he was assigned to cover the Pentagon, the CIA, labour and other beats. One of 200 CBS News employees laid off by the network in 1987, he formed his own video production company, known as Ike Inc., writing and producing TV documentaries for PBS and other outlets.

In 1988 he made his film debut, portraying a reporter in the Paul Magursky-directed comedy, "Moon Over Parador."

Pappas lived in McLean, Va. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, two sons, Theodore and Alexander, and a daughter, Sarah Thomason, and two grandchildren.

IHT:

By Niki Kitsantonis
Published: July 22, 2008

ATHENS: Increasing numbers of affluent Europeans are buying or building luxury properties on the Greek islands, even as the market for top-end holiday homes in other European destinations like Spain and Bulgaria remains stalled, Greek real estate agents say.

Industry experts explain that the range of available properties - from extravagant new villas to bargain plots - has been attracting foreign buyers, some of whom say their investments have doubled or even tripled in value in just a few years.

***

There are about 70,000 foreign owners with property in Greece and, while there are no official records of house purchases by foreign nationals, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that the numbers are continuing to grow.

The British and the Germans make most purchases, according to agents, who agree that the slump in the British housing market and a weak pound have had little impact on top-end property sales. Next are the French, Italians and Scandinavians. There have been fewer U.S. buyers since the dollar fell against the euro, but fast-growing interest from newly wealthy Russians is absorbing the slack.

LINK

By JOSEPH AL-SHANNIEK

     This summer I had the incredible opportunity to study religion and politics with a Boston College (BC) contingent in the Islamic state of Turkey, a country with thousands of years of history wrapped in tales of triumph and oppression. Our class was led by a BC theology professor and two Jesuits studying at the institution.
     While returning from the Asian side of Turkey one day, I was approached by a conservative young man who described himself as a Turkish nationalist. Finding out that I was Greek-American, he informed me he hates “Americans and Greeks” while ignoring the part of me who is ethnically half Jordanian. It could be said that his assertion was rooted in the poor relationship between the East and West and also in the fact that Greeks and Turks traditionally have had poor relations since the besieging of Constantinople in 1453 by the Ottoman Empire.
     Nonetheless, in this decade (2000- present) alone, relations between Turkey and Greece have begun to improve by means of the successful 2004 Olympics in Greece which helped spark economic growth and the joint building project of an oil pipeline being underwritten by the Turks, Greeks and Italians that will extend across Europe once complete.
     Turkish people are taught to feel a strong sense of nationalism from a young age and to revere Ataturk (“Father of Turkey”), a man who made Turkey the “secular state” it claims to be. He saw the importance of beginning dialogue between the East and West. The Turkish state he took over was plagued by a tumultuous history of conquest and socio-political upheaval over the centuries between the Ottomans and Greeks among others. Even though Ataturk supposedly made Turkey secular, the only officially recognized and funded religion happens to be Islam.
     While disembarking from the ferry I was very nervous due to the conversation I had just experienced with the Turkish man because I had read and heard numerous accounts of violence, bombings and a lack of civility or respect toward people of diverse backgrounds in Turkey. Such has been the case in recent years against Christian and Jewish people and religious institutions. One of these institutions is the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Orthodox Church located in Istanbul.
     Thus, I wanted to get away from the ferry and the young confronter for this reason. His antagonistic demeanor appeared to be rooted in what is taught to adolescent Turkish citizens at an early age. The reverence for Turkey ingrained in young people is unlike the nationalism and a sense of pride schooled to us Americans when we are students in school. We retain our right to form independent opinions about American government, whereas in Turkey I was surprised to find out that it is illegal to speak against the government. Perhaps I was a bit naïve. Turkish society is not truly secular because nationalism is coupled with religious courses that strictly teach Islam to students in schools funded by the government. These courses are about the Islamic tradition and strictly geared to Muslims, who according to the Lonely Planet Guide Book, make up 98 percent of the population.
     The next step in Turkey’s state-funded religious programs lies in its investment in approximately 80,000 mosques that are fully funded by the government. In the United States, at pre- and secondary schools, religion is only taught in private schools and patriotism is not linked with religious courses in the public school system.
     The present-day economy of Turkey, the hospitality of most if its people and the freedom to practice Islam are strong here. Mosques seem to be at every corner in the major cities of Istanbul and Ankara. During my visit, I found these positives to be unfortunately overshadowed by a lack of liberties for minority populations and religions, which have been driven out and are not a part of the state-funded school system. This lack of respect struck a chord in me when our student group from BC had a personal audience with the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church while in Istanbul. This holy man was humble, gracious and open to all peoples in spite of his precarious circumstance.
     Even though my young Turkish antagonist may have walked away knowing that Americans generally have an open mind to all people, cultures and religious beliefs, the same could not be said of him and perhaps too many of his contemporaries. In his country, there is a degree of censorship and a lack of religious freedom for minorities and social liberties for citizens. (I was informed by some readings that insulting “Turkishness” in Turkey may result in prosecution.) Thus I found it sad though not surprising that Turkey’s government subjugates the Ecumenical Patriarch to state norms.
     When we went to meet with the Grand Mufti (Islamic religious leader) in Istanbul, I asked  him about Turkey’s treatment of religious and ethnic minorities and he responded to me by saying “Bartholomeos [the Ecumenical Patriarch] likes to think of himself as the Ecumenical Patriarch ... . We do not acknowledge him as so… [and] Turkey has the same religious freedom as in America.” This was like him saying that Turkey does not acknowledge the Pope as the Pope or the Dalai Lama as leader of Tibetans. The Mufti also stated that “the problems facing the Kurds have been solved.”
     In the European Union (EU) Parliament’s recent February 2008 publication “Religious Freedom in Turkey: Situation of Religious Minorities” reference is made to the Turkish government’s stance on religious freedom as “suspicious.” Since 1971, Turkey has sadly repossessed churches and synagogues owned by the religious minorities of the state and created a vacuum of power in favor of only one religion, Islam. Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Judaism have practically been obliterated. All property and rights of these faiths have been strategically absorbed by the state without allowing legal appeals. Turkey’s Supreme Court has ruled that religions other than Islam will not function or be recognized by its government; they may simply exist but not thrive.
     The religious minorities cannot improve their buildings of worship without extensive lobbying, cannot have gift shops in their offices (as is the case of the Holy Patriarchate) due to tax issues for unrecognized religious sects, cannot dress in clerical clothing in public if they are not dressed as Muslims, and cannot train seminarians in Turkey anymore.
     Currently the Ecumenical Patriarchate and his followers appear to be facing extinction by the Turkish government. The Roman Catholic Church faces similar circumstances. The Archbishop of Cologne recently urged Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to reopen one of its confiscated churches in Tarsus, the home city of Saint Paul. Such has not and most likely will not occur.
     In addition to his strong relationship with the late Pope John Paul II and current Pope Benedict XVI, Patriarch Bartholomew the leader of about 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, seeks to create bridges with all people of faith, including Jews and Muslims. He has been a part of at least 21 major global symposiums promoting inter- religious dialogue since 1986 and meets with Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders worldwide regularly.
Most recently, Bartholomew was acknowledged by Time Magazine as the 11th Most Influential person in our world due to his concern for humanity and for ecological and political rights. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is like the Dalai Lama or the Pope in trying to establish a world united in harmony. In 1997 the Patriarch was awarded the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal, joining past recipients that included only three other religious figures: the Dalai Lama, Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is commonly referred to as the “Green Patriarch” by governments and by the media worldwide for his efforts to raise awareness of the sacredness of our Earth, which is threatened by global warming and other catastrophic environmental activities.
     Patriarch Bartholomew has studied in several parts of the world to gain a more wholesome religious and diplomatic understanding of diverse people. The Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Anglican Church, wrote in a Time Magazine 2008 excerpt that “Patriarch Bartholomew…has turned the relative political weakness of the office into a strength, stak[ing] out a clear moral and spiritual vision that is not tangled up in … balances of power.” This is the kind of office the Turkish government subjugates by closing down the Church’s orphanages and seminary on the island of Heybeliada.
     The Turkish government does a fine job in providing amenities to tourists and to the only religion it recognizes and funds (Islam). It falls far short of providing liberty for all its peoples, which include such minorities as Jews, Armenians, Kurds and Greeks and who it seemingly hopes will simply lose their religious identity under the laws of the government and eventually disappear.
     As the first installed Islamic state to the EU, Turkey should free itself of intolerance and set an example to the world by granting institutions like the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Catholic Church and Jewish synagogues more freedom and true autonomy to run and update their seminaries, orphanages and churches that can serve as beacons of peace for the world.
     In the commentary of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s most recent book, former U.S. Secretary of State Albright, says that “The Ecumenical Patriarch is renowned as a bridge-builder.” Turkey’s government should act as more of a “bridge builder” with its diverse populations and in support of furthering dialogue and respect between East and West. It can find no better example than its own Orthodox Patriarch.
     Until such occurs and Turkish leaders enhance tolerance and freedom of choice for their people and true love of mankind, should they be accepted into international communities of free nations such as the EU? The question must be reviewed and answered.

The author is a graduate of Boston College and St. Basil Academy in Garrison, New York.

Seacoastonline.com:

This is not the first time the Nicene Creed (without the filioque) was recited by the Pope, but it's evidence of the growing unity between the so-called "two lungs of the same church."

Catholic News Service:

Vatican Radio:

Scientific American: