THE HELLENIC LINK, Inc.

Member Update- BULLETIN

Editorial Committee: Ahilleas Adamantiades, Alex Economides, Maria-Eleftheria Giatrakou, Dean C. Lomis, Katherine Efthymiatou-Stabile

ContributingEditors: Dimitrios Oreopoulos, Evangelos Calamitsis

Acting Editor: Constantine Efthymiou

No. 98, September, 2011

Greek Studies in Jeopardy: Self-Action and Ethnic Cooperation Come to the Rescue

On September 20, 2011, there was a remarkable HL regional meeting held in Athens, Greece. It was hosted by the Astronomy Center of the Academy of Athens. Members of the Academy, of the academic community of Athens, and of the Hellenic Link, Inc. - branch in Greece were in attendance. The purpose of the meeting was to focus on high - priority educational issues of national and international interest, to review relevant HL activities, to exchange experiences, and to further energize and coordinate cooperation between the local branch and the organization in the U.S.A. Moderator of the meeting and the discussion was the Academician Prof. George Contopoulos., while the review- presentation was made by the visiting from the U.S.A. Prof. Constantine J. Efthymiou, Coordinator of the Advisory Council on Hellenic Education of the Hellenic Link.

The reviewer apprised those present of the critical situation generated by he reduction of the number of teachers assigned to schools in America by the Greek Ministry of Education, as a result of the on-going financial exigency. As an example, he cited the Charter School of Greek cultural orientation "Odyssey" in Wilmington (DE), which has an enrollment of over 500 students in grades K to 5, being on the verge of expanding to a Middle School (by August 2013) and to a High School (by the year 2014); the School found itself suddenly without the needed by the curriculum number of teachers of Greek! The administration of this particular school responded to the emergency by attracting and employing qualified teachers directly from Greece and by seeking alternative sources to fill the teaching positions left vacant.

The speaker reminded his audience of the initiative of the Hellenic Link to address the above problem quite some time ago through efforts to introduce the teaching of Modern Greek in the foreign language curricula of American schools. These efforts, undertaken by a Task-Force of Educators formed through the cooperation of the Hellenic Link and the Modern Greek Language Teachers Association (MGLTA), have begun bearing fruit: an officially endorsed by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) course of action for the formulation of National Standards for the teaching of Modern Greek in American Schools. A most recent development has been the authorization to form a Special Interest Group (SIG), a support- body of Greek language teachers, the mission and functions of which - very important for the future dissemination of the Greek language and culture - were detailed in the last HL Bulletin (No. 97). In light of the reported teacher-difficulties and efforts to remedy them, the speaker recommended that the HL members in Greece act via a liaison committee to offer assistance to the Advisory Council and its Task- Force, the MGLTA and the newly formed SIG and to the hardships-encountering Charter schools and Greek Orthodox communities providing Hellenic education in America. Assistance in recruiting in Greece qualified candidates for vacant teaching positions could be very valuable, in the latter case, in alleviating the problem of teacher scarcity. There ensued a lively discussion in which almost everyone present contributed questions or comments. It was decided, that a proactive liaison committee of educators, responsive as much as possible to educational needs of the Omogeneia, be established immediately. Any proposals or candidacies for teaching positions in the U.S.A. should be sent to this committee.

At the same time, it was reiterated, that the infrastructure created last year by the HL of Athens for Distance Teaching of Modern Greek using multimedia technology is in place and ready to deliver quality courses of elementary, intermediate, or advanced Greek, if requested by a school or structured learning group in America.

At the meeting, it became also known that the previously announced HL project on "Modular Teaching" of key themes of Hellenic Culture has reached a decisive point for its actualization: a model Chapter has been drafted for a Teaching and Resource Guide on the major cultural theme of Byzantine Civilization. The chapter, contributed by Dr. Constantine Hatzidimitriou (Advisory Council Member, who prompted this project) embodies two fundamental tenets: solid documentation of its researched content and adherence to pedagogical principles and requirements to render the Guide effective for understanding and educational assimilation by American students. This written chapter (titled "Byzantium and the World: The Impact and Influence of Byzantine Civilization") opens now the way for a better focused and accelerated writing on all aspects of Byzantium by collaborating Byzantine scholars.

The HL Bulletin wishes to convey and express the deep appreciation of the Board and of all Members of the Hellenic Link, Inc. to the distinguished hosts of this highly useful Meeting for their interest, hospitality and support. The Bulletin also extends its warmest thanks to our fellow-members in Athens for their prompt response with empathy to offer all possible assistance for its educational needs to the U.S. Omogeneia, even though themselves are experiencing unprecedented painful hardships.

Membership Elects New Board of Directors

The Election Committee of the Hellenic Link, consisting of Katina Efthymiatou-Stabile, Ph.D., Helga Gajdjis, MBA, and Anna Kanes, O.D., announced the results of the General Elections 2011, held over the summer. The following members were elected to serve in the Board of Directors for a period of three years:

1. Anagnostis P. Agelarakis Professor of Anthropological Archaeology, Forensic Anthropology Laboratories,
Director of Environmental Studies Programs, Adelphi University, N.Y.

2. George Avgerakis, VP Creative Director, Avekta Productions, Inc., author and lecturer, active in e-media production

3. Evangelos A. Calamitsis, Ph.D. in Economics, Former Director, African Department, International Monetary Fund

4. Rev. Demetrios Constantelos, Ph.D., D.D., Distinguished Research Scholar and the Charles Cooper Townsend Sr. Professor of History and Religious Studies, Emeritus, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

5. Dimitri Dandolos, BS, MS, President of Eco Logos, Inc., an Environmental Consulting company specializing in Sustainability and Environmental Services; Member of the Board of Directors, Odyssey Charter School, Wilmington, DE

6. Katina Efthymiatou-Stabile, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Social Sciences, Community College, CUNY; has served Hellenic Link, Inc. as Secretary of the Board.

7. Constantine J. Efthymiou, Ph.D. in Microbiology, Professor of Biological Sciences (Ret.), St. John's University; past President, Hellenic Link, Inc and Coordinator of Advisory Council on Hellenic Education; Member of Board of Trustees, Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology

8. Constantine Gajdjis, MA, Foreign Languages Educator, Music Director, Hellenic Music Institute

9. Pandelis Halamandaris, Ph.D., Ed.D., Professor of Education, Emeritus, Brandon University; Deputy Director, Centre for Hellenic Civilization, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

10. Andrew Kampiziones, MS, on Faculty of Florence-Darlington Technical College and Francis Marion University, teaching Philosophy; founding member, leader and activist of several cultural, religious and fraternal Hellenic organizations in South Carolina and neighboring States.

11. Dean Lomis, Ph.D., Professor of International Education, Emeritus, University of Delaware

12. Kostas Makris, Electrical Engineer, Research Scientist at NYU, early developer of the Internet and of the first parallel computer, bank telecommunications manager, research engineer at Grumman Co.; served in the Board of Hellenic Link for years

13. Nikos Metallinos, Ph.D., Professor of Communication/Greek Studies, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada

14. Michael Papaioannou, Ph.D., Senior Economist, International Monetary Fund, Washington, DC

15. Dimitri Staikos, Ph.D. in Chemistry, professionally engaged for years in industrial research; as Board Member and President, was key organizer of the Krikos, Inc. and Hellenic Link, Inc. scientific and cultural Associations; active in many Greek community affairs: cultural, ethnic, church, civic.

16. Elias Stefanakos, Ph.D., PE, Professor and Director, Clean Energy Research Center, University of South Florida, Former Chairman, Dept. of Electr. Engin., USF; Associate Editor, Journal of Solar Energy, Photovoltaics; Former VP and Member of BOD, American Foundation for Greek Language and Culture.

17. Anthony Vasilas, MD, Radiologist; past President, Hellenic Medical Society of New York.

In this election, the members also approved two proposals submitted to them for ratification:

(a) the structure of membership dues as amended by the Board of Directors, and

(b) the amendment to increase the maximum number of Directors from 15 to 17.

The Bulletin warmly welcomes the members elected for the first time and wishes to all members of the new Board a tenure most productive in advancing the Objectives of the Hellenic link, Inc.

Courageous Testimonies on the Current Greek Financial Crisis

The following article (under the title: "Germany Was Biggest Debt Transgressor of 20^th Century") was posted on line in English by the German newspaper Der Spiegel on June 21, 2011. It is an interview(conducted by Yasmin El-Sharif) given by Albrecht Ritsch Wirtschaftshhistoriker (professor of History of Economy ), in which he takes to task the policy of Germany towards Greece. The implications of the views expressed by the noted German economist ought to be heeded by the German officials who have launched a relentless deadly assault on the livelihood and dignity of the Greek people, even though much of the cause of the Greek financial problem is of German doing. We present it in Greek, as reported to us by Stephanos Linaios , Secretary of the National Board for German War Reparations owed to Greece.

??? ?? ??????? ??S S?????????S:

Spiegel: ????e Ritschl ? Ge?µa??a s???t?e? a?t? t?? ?a??? ??a pe?a?t??? ??????µ??? ß???e?a ??at?? ????da sa? ?pe???? ???? ??????????. ? ??ß????s? e?e??e? µe a?aµ??a s?µf??a µe t? ??s? : ¨?eft? ?a p??ete µ??? a? ???ete a?t? p?? sa? ??µe¨. ???a? d??a?? a?t? ? s?µpe??f??? ;

Ritsch: ???, e??a? ap???t?? ad??a??????t?.

Spiegel ?????? de? t? ß??p??? ?ts? ?? pe??ss?te??? Ge?µa???.

Ritsch ?p??e?, a??? ? Ge?µa??a ???se t?? µe?a??te?e? ??e???p?e? t?? ?e?te??? ?st???a?. ??? s?µe???? ??????µ??? a?e?a?t?s?a t?? ?a? t? ??s? t?? ?? ??das????? t?? ????p?? t?? ???st?e? st?? ???, ?? ?p??e? µet? t?? 1? a??? ?a? t?? 2? ?a???sµ?? p??eµ? pa?a?t????a? ap? t? d??a??µa t??? ??a te??st?a ???µat??? p?s?. ??t? de? t? ??µ?ta? ?µ?? ?a?e??.

Spiegel ?? a???ß?? s???ß? t?te;

Ritsch ? d?µ???at?a t?? ?a?µ???? ?at????se ?a ep???se? ap? t? 1924 µ???? 1929 ap???e?st??? µe da?e???, ta de ???µata ??a t?? ap???µ??se?? t?? 1. ?a???sµ??? p???µ?? da?e?st??e ap? t?? ???. ??t? ? ¨da?e?a?? ???aµ?da¨ ?at???e?se µe t?? ???s? t?? 1931. ?a ???µata t?? da?e??? t?? ??? e??a? e?afa??ste?, ? ??µ?? ??a t?? ??? te??st?a, ?? s???pe?e? ??a t?? pa???sµ?a ??????µ?a ?atast??f????.

Spiegel ?? ?d?? ?a? µet? t?? 2? ?a???sµ?? p??eµ?;

Ritsch ? ?µe???? t?te f???t?se ?a µ?? ??se? ?a?e?? ap? t??? s?µµ????? a???se?? ??a ap???µ??s?. ??t?? ap? µe????? e?a???se??, µata?????a? ??e? ?? a???se?? µ???? µ?a µe????t??? epa????s? t?? Ge?µa???? (a?at?????? ?a? d?t????). ??t? ?ta? p??? ??t??? ??a t?? Ge?µa??a, ?ta? st?? ??s?a ? ??????µ??? ß?s? t?? ?e?µa????? µetap??eµ???? ?a?µat??. ???? pa??????a, ta ??µata t?? ?e?µa????? ?at???? ?ta? a?a??asµ??a ?a ap?p??????? ta d??a??µata t??? ??a ap???µ??s?, µeta?? a?t?? ?a? ?? ?????e?.

Spiegel St? s?µe???? ???s? pa???e? ? ????da ap? ????p? ?a? ??? 110 d?? ?a? s???t??ta? ??a p??s?et? pa??t?, p?? ?a e??a? e? ?s?? µe????. ????e?ta? d??ad? ??a p???? ???µata. ??s? µe???e? ?ta? ?? ?e?µa????? ??e???p?e?;

Ritsch ??a?????? µe t?? ??????µ??? ep?fa?e?a p?? e??a? ?? ??? ?at? t?? ep??? e?e???, ta ?e?µa???? ???? t?? de?aet?a? t?? 30 ?s?d??aµ??? µe t? ??st?? t?? ???s?? t?? 2008. S?????t???, ???p??, ta ???? t?? ????da? e??a? µ?daµ???.

Spiegel ?? ?p???taµe ?t? ?p???e µ?a pa???sµ?a ??sta ??a ßas????de? t?? ??e???p?a?, p??? ?a ?ta? ? ??s? t?? Ge?µa??a?;

Ritsch ??t???at?????. Se s??s? µe t?? ??????µ??? ep?f??e?a t?? ???a?, ? Ge?µa??a e??a? ? µe?a??te??? aµa?t???? t?? 20?? a???a ?a? p??a??? t?? ?e?te??? ??????µ???? ?st???a?. "MS Mincho"'

Spiegel ??te ? ????da de? µp??e? ?a µa? a?ta????ste?;

Ritsch ???, ? ????da pa??e? ??a de?te?e???ta ????. ?p???e?, ß?ßa?a, t? p??ß??µa t?? ???d???? t?? µet?d?s?? t?? ???s?? st?? ???st?? e???pa???? ???e?.

Spiegel ? ?µ?sp??d?a?? d?µ???at?a t?? Ge?µa??a? ?e??e?ta? ?? e?s????s? t?? sta?e??t?ta?. ??se? f???? ??e? ??e???p?se? ? Ge?µa??a;

Ritsch ??a?t?ta? p?? t? ?p??????e? ?a?e??. ??? te?e?ta?? a???a t??????st? t?e?? f????. ?et? t?? te?e?ta?a st?s? p????µ?? st? de?aet?a t?? 30,a?a???f?st??e ? Ge?µ???a ap? t?? ??? µe µ?a µe??s? ??e??, ? a????? ??a "Haircut", p?? ?s?d??aµe? µe ??a µe?a??p?ep? Afro-Look p?? µetat??peta? se fa????a. ?p? t?te ??at?e? ? ???a t?? ??????µ??? ??µ?? t??, e?? ?? ?p????p?? e???pa??? d???e?a? sa? ta s????? ??a ?a ????p?d?s??? ap? t?? ?atast??f?? t?? p???µ?? ?a? t? ?e?µa???? ?at???. ?? a??µ? t? 1990 e??aµe ep?s?? µ?a st?s? p????µ??.

Spiegel ??? e?pate;

Ritschl ?eßa???! ? t?te ?a??e?????? Kohl a??????e ?a ???p???se? t? S?µf???a t?? ???d????, t?? 1953. ? s?µf???a ??e?e ?t? ?? ?e?µa????? p??eµ???? ap???µ??se?? st?? pe??pt?s? t?? epa????s?? t?? Ge?µa???? ?a p??pe? ?a te???? ?p? epa?ad?ap?a?µ?te?s?. ? Ge?µ???a ?µ?? de? p????se ap???µ??se?? µet? t? 1990 (e?t?? p??? ?????) ??te ta a?a??ast??? da?e?a, ??te ta ???da ?at????. ? ????da e??a? ??a ap? ta ???t?, p?? de? p??a? de???a.

Spiegel Se a?t??es? µe t? 1953, s???te?ta? ep? t?? pa???t?? ? d??s?s? t?? ????da?, ????te?? µ?s? µ?a? µe??s?? t?? ??e?? ?a? pe??ss?te?? µ?s? µ?a? pa??tas?? t?? ?????? p????µ?? t?? ??at???? ?µ??????, d??ad? µ?a? ?p?a? a?ap??sa?µ???? t?? ??e??. ?p????µe ed? ?a µ???µe ??a epape????µe?? ??e???p?a;

Ritsch ?p?sd?p?te. ???µ? ?? a? e?a ???t?? de? e??a? e?at? ta e?at? a???a?? ?a ??a??p???se? t??? p?st?t?? t??, µp??e? ?a e??a? ?p? ??e???p?a. ????ß?? ?p?? st?? pe??pt?s? t?? Ge?µa??a? t? de?aet?a t?? 50, e??a? ?e?da?s??s? ?a p?ste???µe ?t? ? ????da ?a µp???se? µ??? t?? ?a p????se? ta ????. ?a? ?p???? de? t? µp??e? e??a? e? ???sµ?? ??e???p?µ????. ???a ?a ?p?epe ?a ?a????ste?, p??a ???µat??? p?s? e??a? ?t??µ?? ?? p?st?t?? ?a ??s??s???. ???ad? ?a p??pe? ?a ß???µe p???? ?a p????se? t? µ??µa??. ?

Spiegel ?? ???t?? p?? p?????e? ta pe??ss?te?a e??a? ? Ge?µa??a.

Ritsch ?????? ??p?? ?ts? ?a p??pe? ?a ???e?. ???? ?µasta? st? pa?e???? p??? a??µe???. ? ß??µ??a???? µa? pa?a???? ???d?se p???? ap? t?? ?p?????e? e?a?????. ?? a?t?e???????? ??se?? p?? p??ß?????ta? ap? ta ??? ed? e??a? p??? ep????d??e?. ??? ?e???te ?t? ???µe µ?sa se ??a ??????? sp?t?: ?? ??????µ??? µa? ?a?µa ????e d??at? ap???e?st??? ?a? µ??? epe?d? de? a?a??ast??aµe ?a p????s??µe ap???µ??se??.

Spiegel ? Ge?µa??a d??ad? ?a ?p?epe ?a e??a? p?? s????at?µ???;

Ritsch ? Ge?µa??a st?? 20? a???a ????se d?? p???µ???, t?? de?te?? de t?? d?e???a?e ?? p??eµ? afa??sµ?? ?a? e??????e?s?? ?a? st? s????e?a ?? e????? t?? ap?p??????a? t? d??a??µa t??? e? µ??e? ? ?a? ?a?????? ??a ap???µ??se??. ?? ?t? ? Ge?µa??a p?a?µat?p???se t? ?a?µa t?? p??? st?? p??te? ????? e???pa??? de? t? ????? ?e??se? ?? ?????e?.

Spiegel ?? e???e?te;

Ritsch ?? ?????e? ?????? ta e?????? ????a ?a? ???µe? sta ?e?µa???? ??? p??? ?a??. ?? ? d???es? t?? ??????? ???e? p??? p?? ep??et???, µp??e? ?a a?aß??s??? ?? pa???? d?e?d???se??, a??????ta? ap? t?? ????da, ?a? a? ? Ge?µa??a p?t? a?a??aste? ?a p????se?, ?a µa? "p????? a??µ? ?a? ta s?ß?a?a".

Ta ?p?epe a?t??eta ?a e?µaste e????µ??e?, ?a e????????µe t?? ????da µe ta ?eft? µa?. ?? eµe?? ed? pa????µe t? pa????d? t?? ???, pa??st????ta? t?? ???t?? ?µ??, p?? ?ap???e? t? p???? t?? ?a? a??e?ta? ?a p????se?, ??p?te ??p???? ?a µa? ste????? t??? pa????? ???a??asµ???.

Spiegel ???????st?? st? t???? µe????? ?p??te?e? s???e??: ?? µp????saµe ?a µ????µe ??t? ap? t?? e?e???e??, p??a ??s? ?a ?ta? ? ?a??te?? ??a t?? ????da ?a? t? Ge?µa??a; ?

Ritsch ?? ??e???p?e? t?? Ge?µa??a? ta pe?asµ??a ?????a t? de??????: ?? ??????te?? e??a? t??a ?a s?µf????e? µ?a µe??s? t?? ??????. ?p???? d??e?se ?eft? st?? ????da, p??pe? ?a ??se? ??a µe???? µ???? t???. ??t? ?a ?ta? ?atast??f??? ??a t?? t??pe?e?, ??' a?t? ?a ?ta? a?a??a?? ??a p????aµµa ß???e?a?. ?p??e? a?t? ? ??s? ?a e??a? a???ß? ??a t? Ge?µa??a, a??? ?ts? ?? a????? ?a p??pe? ?a p????s??µe. ?? ?ts? ?a e??e ?a? ? ????da µ?a e??a???a ??a µ?a ??a a???

Albrecht Ritsch , Wirtschaftshistoriker ?(?a????t?? "?st???a? t?? ??????µ?a?")

Moreover, another distinguished German economist (Karl Heinz Roth) has presented a moderate, historically documented account of the German debts towards Greece. For limited space herein, we reprint his highly interesting study in our website (http://www.helleniclink.org ), in English along with the method used for estimation of the monetary size of the reparations due. We strongly recommend to our readers to read this revealing article retracing the catastrophe Greece suffered in the hands of Mrs. Merkel's country, which apparently, still unrepentant and indebted, seeks to accomplice in Greece what she failed to do more explicitly in the 40s of the last century. Again, we acknowledge receipt of this article from the National Board for German War Reparations.

Last but not least, while the socioeconomic drama of Greece is unfolding, we believe a voice must be heard expressing the pain felt by the overwhelming majority of Greeks ruthlessly tormented, and still a voice with the ethical strength, capable to awaken the people and help them rise to a catharsis of their own drama. Such a voice was indeed heard a short time ago in the form of an encyclical addressed by their Metropolitan to the citizens of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki ( by now, a large suburban area just outside Athens, reaching from the Northeast to the Southeast of Attica). Let us listen to that voice, uttered in straight forward Greek:

"....?a ?es??e?a ?a? ? ?a??e?t??? e??a? µ?a e?????µ??? pe????? p?? µ???? p??t???? ?sf??e ap? a??pt??? ?a? e??µe??a. ??? te?e?ta?? ?µ?? ?a??? ??? ?a? p???a????? a?t?? p?? µe ap????s? st??f??ta? st?? ?????s?a ? ?p?? ß????, ?a? e???pa???? ??a s?µpa??stas? ?a? ß???e?a.

?????? ????? ????se?, ????? ??????µ??? ???at?se?. ?e? µp????? ?a ??????? ta pa?d?? t???. ??asa? t?? ?p?? t???. ???? t?? ape??? t?? pa???t?? ?a? µe t?? f?ß? t?? µ?????t??.

????? ?d???t?s?e?, a??? de? ????? ???µata. ??t?? p?? ?a p????s???; ??? ?a ta ß????; Ta t??? p????? t? sp?t?; Ta t??? ?????? t? ?e?µa; ???a? d??at?? ?a ß???s??? st? s??t?d? t?? ?e?at?a ? t? ?a???? p?? f????e???? t? µe?a??te?? e???st?s?? t?? ??? st?? pat??da µa?;

?,t? ?a? ?a s?µße?, ade?f?? µ??, ?a ??e?a ?a ???ete ?t? ? t?p??? ?????s?a µa? ?a d?se? ta p??ta ??a ?a sta?e? st? p?e??? sa?. ?? se ??a? ?????? t? ?e?µa, eµe?? ?a t? ?????µe se ????? t??? ?a???.

Ta ?????µe ??µ??? µe ?e??? sta ????a ?a? ?e?t?????e? µe d????a sta µ?t?a. ?e ?a???a? t??p? de? ?a de????µe, t? st??µ? p?? ?????????? e??a? ß???sµ??a st? s??t?d?, ?? ?a?? ?a ?e?t??????? µe a?aµµ????? t??? p???e?a????.

???? µa?? ???p?? t??a, ?fe????µe ?a p??s??µe t??? e?p??s?p??? µa? pe??ss?te?? ap? ?s? t??? p??????e ?? da?e?st??.

G?at? ? a????? µa? ??a ep?ß??s? ?epe???e? t?? a????? t??? ?a ????a???s??? p??? µa?. G?at? ? a???p??pe?? µa? a???e? pe??ss?te?? ap? ta p?s?? f?se?? s?µf????ta.

G?at? ? e????? µa? ?pe??f??e?a st????eta? se µ?a ?st???a p?? ???? t??? ???e????. G?at? t?? ????p? t?? ß??p??µe pe??ss?te?? ?? ???????e?a p?? ?ata??e? t?? d?s????a t?? ?a?? pa?? ?? ????? p?? ?d??e? se asf???a t?? ???????e?.

?e? µa? ?µe??e t?p?te ???? ap? t? ?a µetaµ??f?s??µe ?a?? t?? ????da se pat??da µa?, t?? ?st???a t?? se ta?t?t?t? µa?, ta pa?ade??µata t?? p??????? µa? se ß??µat? µa? ?a? ?a ep??,t?????µe ap? t?? as??et? ?e?p???t?sµ? st?? a???p?ep? ??t?t?ta ?a? ???????e?a, ap? t?? ?p?te????? ?p?????se?? st?? ????sµ? ?a? ap? t?? pa???sµ?? d?as??µ? st?? e????? ?pe??f??e?a ?a? t?? pa???µ??????µe?? ?a?µasµ?.

?ts?, ? Te??, ?p?? ???e? ?a? ? ?a??, de? ?a µa? af?se?, ??at? µe a?t?? t?? t??p? de? ?a ??? ????µe ?? eµe?? af?se?.

?e pat????? e???? ?a? t?? e?p?da t?? af?p??s??,"

? ???????????S

We believe this refreshingly salubrious message by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolaos could be heard beyond the boundaries of Mesogaia, indeed to reach all Greeks everywhere within and outside Greece in order to dispel the prevailing among them choking and unnerving environment. The entire encyclical can be accessed on the internet at the site:

http://www.imml.gr/webpages/egkyklioi/2011/63a5.pdf

Forgotten Kastellorizo: Now at the Center of World's Attention-

The island of Kastellorizo, one of the Dodecanese, is the most distant territory of the Greek Archipelago, in the past has rarely attracted wide interest, avoided, for example by the mainstream of foreign tourist phalanges visiting Greece annually. The same can be said, unfortunately, about Knowledge of and interest in Kastellorizo on the side of the Greek populace generally and to a significant degree the Greek State. Perennial are the complaints of the Kastellorizeans for public obtuseness in solving basic needs of theirs such as an adequate connection by sea with the mainland and provision of health care services. The lack of development prospects took away the younger generation in pursuit of a more promising future in other locations in Greece and in far away places such as Australia and America. The long neglect inexorably resulted in a drastic thinning of the local population. The demographic weakening is now faced by a new threat for the survival of the Greek identity of the island and its people: the discovery of natural deposits of hydrocarbons in the area and the emergence of the geopolitical concept of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) brought into the picture the predatory expansionist designs of neighboring Turkey, now embarking into a systematic sinister effort to usurp the entire territory of Kastellorizo.

To bridge the existing gap of knowledge, educate our compatriots on what Kastellorizo represents in terms of Greek history and culture, and to motivate them to a concerted support action, the Municipality of Kastellorizo (historically known also as Megisti) published a booklet entitled KASTELLORIZO: Struggles for 3000 Years to Remain a Greek Island, brought to our attention by our fellow-member and co-worker Dr. Ph. Maria -Eleftheria G, Giatrakou, who also translated it into English. From this publication and for its expressed purpose, we wish to bring highlights to the HL Bulletin for the benefit of our readers.

• The name Kastellorizo is of Byzantine origin (from kastello and riza), built, i.e., 'at the foot of the mountain.' The Italian name 'Castello Rugio' is corrupted from the Byzantine name.
• The first inhabitants lived in the island in the period 14,000-9,000 B.C.

In the Neolithic era, Doreans left considerable archaeological remnants of their

presence (cyclopean walls, ornamented tombs, Greek inscriptions).

• The Ancients were pagan, worshipping the Lycean Apollo and honoring the patrons of seamen Dioskouroi. At the time of Apostle Paul, who during his 2^nd and 3^rd voyages by sea came to the south coast of Asia Minor (Patara, Myra), they became Christians and remained Eastern Orthodox through the ages till today, albeit repeatedly were severely pressed to change their faith.
• The island, endowed with a safe natural harbor, attracted throughout history many conquerors and marauders.
• Administratively, the island was never linked with Asia Minor in ancient times. It was under Rodian administration. Later it came under the rule of the tyrant of Alikarnassos, then under the command of the fleet commanders of Alexander the Great. After his death, Kastellorizo along with all other Greek island came under the jurisdiction of Ptolemaios. The Romans followed giving the island a degree of autonomy. For an interim period, pirates held sway until it became part of the Byzantine Thema of Kyvirraeotes. It is noted that during the reign of the Emperor Constantine, his mother Helen visited the island while on her way to Palestine to find the Holy Cross and established a small church, which now is covered by the magnificent Church of Sts. Constantine and Helen, the patron saints of the island. During the Byzantine era, Kastellorizo experienced protracted prosperity for centuries.
• During the 2^nd and 3^rd Crusade (1147 A.D.and 1189 A.D., respectively), Kastellorizo suffered the greatest catastrophe of its history. In 1306 A.D. the island was occupied by the Knights of Rhodes, later on (in 1440) by the Egyptians, in 1461 by the Catalonians, in 1470 by the king of Naples, in 1512 by Spaniards until 1522 when the Turks occupied it until 1560, when again was reoccupied by the Venetians under the command of legendary Morozini. In 1792, the Turks returned and stayed there until 1821, the War of Independence (except temporarily for 4 years after 1788, when Lampros Katsonis realizing its geographical value occupied its castle, which afterwards he broke it down)
• In 1821, the Kastellorizeans (population at the time 2500), espousing the ideals of "Philiki Etaireia," were among the first to join the Revolution. They immediately sent their womenfolk and children to Kasos, Karpathos and Amorgos for safety and converted their merchant ships to warships. Their very significant contribution to the sea war in the Aegean for the liberation of their homeland has been well documented and acknowledged.
• Following the Protocol of London (1830), the Dodecanese remained outside the borders of the newly established Greek State and a new period of Ottoman rule started. During the 19^th Century, the Kastellorizeans with dedicated hard work developed a very respectable merchant marine, which included 165 ships (total tonnage 24,000), in addition to schooners, "goletes", "bratseres" and other smaller ships. Throughout this period until the early part of the 20^th Century, Kastellorizo (population 15000 by now) exhibited a remarkable socioeconomic structure, Medical care and pharmaceuticals were provided free. Free was also the education provided in the following institutions: Santrapeia Urban School (eight teachers, 480 pupils), Girls' School (seven teachers, 400 pupils), Co-educational School for small boys and girls, Nursery School (one nursery-school teacher and 100 infants). (This information comes from the Magazine "Filia" published at the time in the island).
• During the Balkan Wars, the Kastellorizeans hoped that the time had come for their liberation. They sent emissaries (leader, Michael G. Petridis) to request help from the Prime Minister of Greece, Eleftherios Venizelos for the liberation of the island. He discouraged them, as Greece could not project to their distance for protection the Greek Navy. Events, however, caught up with and overtook diplomatic contacts. In the same year (1913), A force of 30 Cretans under the leadership of Daskalakis and two Kastellorizeans, sent by Ion Dragoumis, arrived in the island. The inhabitants took up arms and immediately arrested the Turkish guards, On March 29, 1913, in public assembly in the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, they declared their "irrevocable" decision to unite their island with Mother-Greece, in spite of the strenuous objections of the Greek Government. Finally, the Government retreated and on August 1,1913 sent to the island an official as administrator.
• During WWI, the French taking advantage of the situation in the island, landed a military force to advance their operations in Syria and Cilicia. Despite their promises to the islanders, in March 1921, they left tuning the administration of the island over to Italy and not to Greece.
• Under the Italian fascist occupation, Kastellorizo suffered persecutions and exiles. The oppression was so severe that the disappointed people started a large scale emigration to such places as Piraeus, Egypt, America, Australia. The size of the population from 15,000(1910) reached a low of 1500 in 1941. In November 1941, during the Greek-Italian war, the allies in the Mediterranean made a diversionary attack and occupied Kastellorizo for 24 hours. The inhabitants rushed into the streets exclaiming "Christ is Risen" and unfurled Greek flags. Their joy did not last long. The following day upon departure of the allied force, the fascist tyrants returned to continue their torture of the defenseless inhabitants of Kastellorizo.
• About two years later, on the morning of September 13, 1943 the islanders were startled seeing the Greek destroyer "Admiral Kountouriotis" entering quietly into their harbor. Dubious at first, they were finally persuaded that liberation had come for real. They put up the Greek flags, started singing the National Anthem together with the crew of the Greek warship and they all entered St. Constantine's Church to thank God for granting them freedom again after losing it for 8 or more centuries!
• The just liberated Kastellorizo was used by the Allies as advance base for the liberation of the rest of the Dodecanese, occupied by the Germans. The very next day, Luftwaffe fiercely bombarded the island causing much destruction. The allies immediately ordered evacuation of all civilians to Palestine via Cyprus. In the ensuing months of the conflict, a multi-race, Commonwealth force, remained entrenched in the island. Unfortunately, they used much of their time to loot the households of the islanders who were now in forced exile. The Kastellorizo refugees were mighty surprised to see their own belongings auctioned and sold in Palestinian markets.
• In May 1945, upon surrender of the German garrison of the Dodecanese, the refugees of Kastellorizo demanded their return to their homes. The allied command embarrassed by what it had allowed to happen to the homes in Kastellorizo, had all houses there set on fire and burnt to the ground in order to cover-up their outrageous crime. 1400 homes perished in the process.
• The Kastellorizean survivors, about 900, returned to their ruined home island and properties to start building again. The reconstruction was difficult and the people experienced all sorts of adversities. They have felt and expressed it in no uncertain terms that in comparison with others in Greece, they have not received equitable support from the authorities.

The booklet published by the Municipality of Megisti (in 2004) ends with a plea addressed to Greeks everywhere that the long struggles of Kastellorizo for the preservation of their corner of land as Greek makes it imperative that all Greeks be energized to make it happen.

We concur and observe that under the present 2011 circumstances the above appeal becomes red - alert urgent for all of us!