NEO magazine - May 2016

MAY 2016

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The Date of Pascha Calculation in East and West Common Misperceptions Nia Garnakelis Reports from Terror-Stricken Brussels Hellenic Medical Society's Kalopothakes Award Titan Foods: From Astoria, NY All Over the World!

Staten Island Cypriots Unite

Michael Johnson says Greece has plenty of oil, too

The Officers, Directors and Members of

The Hellenic American Association for Professionals in Finance wish the Community Happy Easter - Καλό Πάσχα!

We request the honor of your presence for our 34th Anniversary honoring

Dr. Maria Vassalou Partner & Portfolio Manager, Perella Weinberg Partners at the

2016 Executive of the Year Award Dinner Wednesday, June 8, 2016 Reception 6pm • Dinner 7pm The Union League Club of New York 38 East 37th Street (between Park & Madison Avenues) New York, NY 10017

For additional information or questions, please please go to haba.org

May 2015 16

:: magazine

www.neomagazine.com

44 Pyx Lax (Kick-Punch)

Ancient Greek Martial Arts at the Academy of Hellenic Paideia

56 The Hellenic Medical

Society Honors Dr. Anastasia Anagnostopoulos with the 2016 Dr. Mary Kalopothakes Distinguished Female Physician/Scientist Award

Oil pioneer Michael Johnson ays Greece has plenty of oil, too

58 Titan Foods:

The Strongest Rabbit Delivers the Biggest Food Basket

From The Editor Doing business in Greece and getting the business

by Dimitri C. Michalakis

periXscope Erdogan was jailed for a poem and now he’s taking a comedian to court for a poem!

by Demetrios Rhompotis

12 A Strange New World

20 Some common

Misperceptions about the Date of Pascha/Easter

35 Hellenis Jewelry at the

Olympic Tower Expands with a High End yet Affordable Luxury Collection

62 Staten Island Young

Cypriots United after Elected Politician Betrayed their Trust!

63 The Cypriot Young

Professionals Host 3rd Leadership Dinner

the Olympic Games ignite a flame in NYC’s Lincoln Center

for Academic Excellence 70 Maria’s Traditional

Prepares Students for the Best NYC High Schools and Beyond

by Endy Zemenides

64 Hercules, Prometheus and

36 The Faith Scholarship

37 The Cathedral School

strategy/στρατηγική The Turkey You Should All Know...

Easter Soup (Magiritsa)

medical world What Should we Check at the DR’s Office?

by Dr. Nicholas Kaloudis

80 DC Chians

at the NYC Greek Parade

38 All NY Professional

Societies in Unison Grind the Pepper during Traditional Greek APOKRIES

82 Greek Independence Day

Parade in the Heart of Greektown Baltimore

hellenes without borders Mystra: Byzantium’s Indian Summer

by Alexander Billinis

Doing business in Greece and getting the business

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It’s startling to hear from an oil expert in this issue that Greece has sizable reserves of oil that might help to bail the country out of its economic morass.

It’s not anything new to hear about Greece.

I remember interviewing somebody in the olive oil business who told me that Greece has the finest olive oil in the world (widely acknowledged, he said) but because of inefficiencies and corr uption and because producers can’t get together to agree on a uniform way of producing and marketing Greek olive oil the olive oil market has mostly gone to other markets, particularly the Italians, who know how to package it what is largely an inferior product. (Same with Greek-produced feta.)

And before that, I remember interviewing the head of Starbucks in Greece during its first pioneer efforts to get into Greece. He told me about the speeded-up Keystone Cops film of him visiting every agency in Greece to get the proper rights only to be told to go to yet another agency and fill out more forms that led to more forms at other agencies which led to a rat maze of other agencies and spider’s web of regulations that almost made Starbucks pull out, and many others, I’m sure.

I remember speaking recently to the man who helped get Olympic Airways off the ground for Aristotle Onassis who admitted, on record, that even a truculent and connected businessman like Onassis finally had to give up on the pioneering airline because the combination of corruption in government and zealotry in the unions made even Onassis throw up his hands and walk away from the enterprise.

The list is endless.

I remember in Chios there was a long-established vouleftis who had people camping outside his office literally year-round because nothing could be done without his seal of approval and his seal of approval always came with a price that went up through the chain of every paper-shuffler who had to approve the case of his unfortunate constituents.

I remember, memorably, my father telling me the case of a heroic sergeant who served under him in combat and died in the field and who left a widow and a child who couldn’t get his pension because the clerk at the pension office kept flirting with the poor widow and making her come back again and again. She told my father about it and when he next got leave (the first in five years in the front) he went to the pension office and put his service pistol down on the desk of the clerk.

“Either you sign the papers now,” he told him, “or I’ll blow your brains out right now.”

The Greek bureaucracy and way of doing business got a dose of reality with the recent economic collapse. Did it change anything?

Will it ever change anything in the realm of corruption? People making money under the table will always find ways to make money just like the nest of cockroaches ferreted out by flashlight who only find new places to hide.

Meanwhile ordinary people with no other resources suffer and the country as a whole suffers. Let’s hope the resurrection of Easter brings resurrection to the immediate future of Greece.

:: magazine PUBLISHED MONTHLY IN NEW YORK

Editor in Chief: Dimitri C. Michalakis info@neomagazine.com

Western Region Desk - Los Angeles Alexander Mizan director@americanhellenic.org

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Baltimore Desk Georgia Vavas gvavas@comcast.net

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Kalo Pascha!

Athens Desk Konstantinos Rhompotis (01130) 210 51 42 446 (01130) 6937 02 39 94 k.rhompotis@neomagazine.com

political cooperation is required….” Finally, on the 30th, Gazeta Polska Codziennie wrote, “A week after the attacks in Brussels, police and special services are under growing criticism over the mistakes they made,” while La Razon observed on a softer note, “Belgium tries to return to normalcy although the wounds of the worst attack in its history will take time to heal.” Belgium's La Libre summarized, “[I]t seems that Belgium has become international It was a few minutes past eight in the morning the observers' preferred punching bag,” yet concluded, in typical Belgian selfday of the Brussels attacks, and I was heading to criticism, “[W]hen a country spends 541 days forming a Government, is it work. We had just been alerted of an explosion surprising it neglects services that should normally receive daily attention?” of causes still unknown at the Brussels Zaventem Airport. On my way to the office, In the novel, A Brave New World, Aldous Huxley dealt with issues of people seemed a bit uptight- more than usual; technological advancements, and their effects on the individual. Technology he and even more pre-occupied with their cell said, would lead to a more dehumanizing society, distances would grow shorter, phones. Still not knowing what exactly had and true privacy would be rarer. He then showcased that people in industrialized happened, I walked into the office – our media societies worried about losing a familiar way of life, and perhaps even themselves hub. Our TVs were on, and they were covering in the process. This nightmare vision of a fast-paced but numbing and the recent events at the airport. And there it was, meaningless routine that the Brave New World illustrated, reflected this

by Nia Garnakelis* two explosions, video footage of people running widespread concern about the world in the 20s and 30s. That was over 80 years in all directions to shelter onto the parking areas ago, and Huxley was a visionary. After the events that took place here in Brussels, of the airport. Shortly after, we are informed of the explosion in the metro. I immediately thought about this book: the comparison of humans to assembly Watching this all unfold on television made me think back to the attacks in lines, the mass production and consumption of goods, and to our hedonistic Paris, and I felt a tinge of fear …Would they start shooting people next? I manners. I am not saying that these factors have spawned terrorism, but the truth guess this is what is feels like to be terrorized, that split second when you that our way of life is threatened and despised should make us stop and think. realize your present and your imminent future is being dictated, controlled by Looking back, it's hard to explain how we all actually filtered the information, the someone else. The instant urge to flee, the instinct of taking a quick accusations, the fear, and the anxieties we tried to mask. The return to normalcy assessment of your surroundings, that fight for survival coupled with a feeling was the easy part, as we are creatures of habit, and succumb to the mercies of our of fear and despair. That feeling slowly dissipates as you realize you are safe in daily lives. The hard part is accepting the world we have created while trying to your offices – and protected. juxtapose our desires as needs and our needs as desires. Ending, the words of World Controller Mustapha Mond resonate all too well: “The Gods are just. No Then, the second rush of adrenalin hits when you think of your friends/family doubt. But their code of law is dictated, in the last resort, by the people who that are living and working in the city like yourself, hoping they are safe too. organize society; providence takes its cue from men." Chapter 17, A Brave New Amusingly enough, Facebook “saved the day” with their location notification World. safety setting. Within minutes, everyone was checking in, a much needed reassurance. Messages from friends and family from around the world were Nia (Ourania) Garnakelis is Media Specialist at U.S. - European Media also extremely comforting. Social media has definitely made the world a lot Hub, in Brussels, Belgium. smaller, information travels so fast these days, sometimes almost too fast, but in situations like this, sometimes not fast enough! The hours that followed were a bit surreal and strange. Being a media specialist, a big part of my job is to analyze news commentaries. On a day like this one, we were simply reporting. Analyzing and dissecting news also makes you apathetic to some extent, and though this did not happen on that day, I have to admit, we did all feel a bit detached. We were in a bit of shock but our steadfast professionalism also kicked in, and we wanted to get the facts, we wanted to report a concise, succinct piece that reflected a more poised approach to all the noise around us.

A Strange New World

We wrote about the Brussels attacks for five days. On the day of March 22, panEuropean press was reporting of the “chaos in Brussels,” Elpais.com, as The Guardian.com signaled “Brussels on lockdown after deadly blasts at airport and metro,” adding, “The Belgian prosecutor confirmed that the airport explosions were caused by a suicide attack.” Turkey's Star portrayed a “terrorist Belgium,” and FAZ pondered, “An act of rdrevenge for the arrest of Salah Abdeslams?” The following day, on March 23 , it was “Europe at war,” from Ta Nea, and Les Echos cited, “Europe attacked.” Handelsblatt reflected, “[T]he decisive question now is: Will Europe survive? Following the attacks in Madrid, London and Paris, everyone must be aware of one thing: Only a united Europe will be able to withstand terror,” as La Razon argued, “[T]he war that ISIL has created… is no longer a territorial conflict but a sabotage of the principles of freedom and tolerance of democratic societies…,” and urged, “[W]e must defend our civilization placing our common interests above national needs.” Gazeta Wyborcza warned, “Let us have no illusions about it—Europe has not been and will not be secure in the near future. With the Islamic religious fanaticism spreading across the globe, the threat will continue to grow.” On the 24th, it became a blame game, with outlets underlining “poor intelligence and marginalisation underlay attacks” and that “Belgian security services were warned about one of the bombers but failed to act, ” calling it a “tragedy of errors,” The Independent. On the 29th, Corriere della Sera blatantly calls the investigation “the Belgian mess,” while the Belgian De Morgen reported, “There are many loose ends and no real breakthrough in the investigation of the Brussels attacks.” La Stampa asserted, “This is why an EU FBI is necessary,” and Belgium's Der Standard likewise stressed, “In order to defeat terrorism, prudent and connected 12

MAY 2016 NEWS & NOTES

Michael & Kay Johnson with the late Archbishop Iakovos

Michael Johnson with Ecumanical Patriarch Bartholomew and Andy Andrikopoulos

by Demetrios Rhompotis

Michael Johnson says Greece has plenty of oil, too

Oil “guru,” geologist, entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael Johnson (Giannakopoulos), who initiated horizontal drilling, a new technique that has perfected fracking--invented by another GreekAmerican, George Mitchel-- making possible the discovery of the Parshall oil field in Kay & Mike at a Florida beach North Dakota with oil reserves of 15 billion barrels, believes that in parts of the Aegean, southern and especially western Greece, there is oil in abundance waiting to be extracted. He pointed out that even Herodotus--more than 2,000 years ago--knew about the oil in Zakynthos!

In an interview with NEO magazine during one of his recent visits to New York, Johnson explained that in the ‘90s he tried to get drilling rights to the famous oil seep at Dragopsa, Epirus. But after years of trying to cut through the institutional inefficiency and corruption he finally gave up. His experience proves what we’ve known all along: that Greece isn’t an OPEC country because the various factions that vie for money and power behind the scene haven’t come to terms as to the division of kickbacks! The oil is still there, however, waiting to be taken out of the ground and exploited if the right 16

MAY 2016 COVER STORY

people ever come to government and open the process without closing the eye to special interests. Mr. Johnson w o n’ t b e t h e r e , t h o u g h , preferring the Florida calmness to going through the experience in Greece again. Like many others who tried to do business in Greece and got burnt, he is unwilling to try his luck and patience once more no matter what the potential benefits.

Having entered the ninth decade of a very productive life, Mr. Johnson, crystal-clear minded and sharp-witted as ever, tall and erect and with a natural nobleness in manners, Michael Johnson receiving the AAPD Foundation's Explorer is unstoppable. He just finished of the Year Award from the organization's President Scott Tinker a book which comes as a sequel to his first book a few years ago in which he And unlike others, despite his huge professional described his life and how he came as a geologist to and financial success, he has chosen to stay close to be interested in oil and implement the horizontal the Greek American community, helping and drilling for which he has received numerous contributing generously in various causes. awards. In his new book, he talks, among other things, about good ideas that people might have Michael Johnson. a geologist and oilman who now and how to materialize them. It’s not going to be lives in Denver, Colorado, was raised in Tulsa, one more of those self-applauding books that tells Oklahoma, with his family numbering among the you how to become rich and famous following the 100 or so Greeks living in the city. Growing up Greek footsteps of the successful writers, but more of an in the segregated Tulsa at the time wasn’t easy and eye-opener delving into Mr. Johnson’s own it was perhaps this experience that contributed to experience that brought him from a Greek his inventive spirit and his ability to focus on his American household of restaurant owners to be a goals. leading figure in the American oil industry.

How was it growing up in Oklahoma? Did you feel you were discriminated against as a Greek American?

Yes. My mother never learned to speak English so she did not mix in the neighborhood where we lived. I felt like an outsider. Tulsa was totally segregated (schools, buses, neighborhoods, restaurants) until after WW II. We were a tiny minority. There were fewer than 30 Greek families, nearly all of whom Americanized their names.

Which part of Greece are your parents from? Have you visited their village and have you taken your children and grand children? If yes, what was the experience like?

Michael S. Johnson (Giannakopoulos) Consulting petroleum geologist Michael S. Johnson is recognized for contributing to the landmark discovery of Parshall Field in North Dakota. His 68-year career in the Rocky Mountain region began with positions at Amerada Petroleum and Apache. Since launching his independent consulting firm in 1963, he has focused his exploration efforts in the Williston Basin. He has been involved in 15 other oil field discoveries in North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming and Kansas.

Born in 1926 in Missouri to Greek immigrant parents, he became increasingly intrigued with the oil business after his family moved in 1931 to Tulsa, Oklahoma, already the world’s oil capital. He earned B.Sc. and M.S. degrees in geology from The Ohio State University.

His noteworthy and fulfilling career encompasses interests in several oil fields, culminating in his contribution to the discovery of North Dakota’s Parshall Field. One of America’s largest oil fields, Parshall extends over six million acres with producible reserves exceeding fifteen billion barrels.

His honors include Explorer of the Year awards from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists.

Kandila, a village about 25 miles northeast of Tripoli, in Peloponnesus. I have a picture in my book of my father’s house (shack). I gave my interest in my mother’s home to one of my relatives who live there. A On the outcrop, doing good lesson in living is for young people to go and field work in Nevada experience village life and recognize the hardships that your grandparents went through so that they can The oil price has dropped significantly (from $90 to prosper in America. $30 dollars per barrel) and it’s dropped for several reasons. The main reason is that we have developed a Tell us about your involvement in the Greek new oil-finding technique in America - horizontal American community. I know you are a member drilling (see photos). In the last eight years we have in various organizations and you support many discovered two million barrels a day of new domestic causes. oil production. That’s a big amount of oil. So instead of producing seven million barrels a day we now My wife and I support Orthodoxy and Hellenism. I am produce nine million barrels a day. In the U.S. we use a a member of the Board of Trustees of Leadership 100, total of about 20 million barrels a day, mostly to fuel FAITH, supporter of Hellenic College-Holy Cross, St. the 270 million cars that we own. Liquids from natural Nicholas Church at Ground Zero, St. Michaels Home gas (LNG) account for another three million barrels. for the Aged, Philoptochos and we are building a The eight million barrels remaining is imported from chapel addition to the Cathedral in Denver. I am an Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia etc. When A r c h o n r e c o g n i z i n g o u r c o n n e c t i o n t o we went from seven to nine million barrels, we Constantinople. flooded the market and the oil price went down starting in 2014. Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, could have prevented The fracking technique was perfected by George this drop in oil price. They produce 10 Mitchell, a Greek-American, from Houston, at the million barrels a day for the world market. If Barnett gas field. I initiated the horizontal drilling they had reduced that figure to eight, to technique in North Dakota and it was my idea that make up for the two million that we are it would work there. We ended up helping to putting out, the price would have stayed the discover Parshall oil field, covering six million same. acres, with oil reserves of 15 billion barrels.

Why didn’t they do that?

Although Greek Americans have been very successful individually, when it comes to collective causes we lag far behind other ethnic and religious groups. Why in your opinion is that and what can we do to change it?

I believe that we need to be more transparent and give full recognition to givers. We are characteristically frugal. The key to giving, and the most important thing in seeking donations to causes is, WHO DOES THE ASKING. What’s going on with the price oil? Will it drop further?

oil in America that presently goes for less than $29 a barrel, but it is low grade with a lot of sulphur. So, the price of oil varies. In North Dakota we are getting about $35 dollars per barrel, five dollars below WTI. To answer the original question, oil price is rising. It has gone from $30 to $40 dollars and will be $50 dollars per barrel or higher by the end of the year and up to $80 dollars per barrel in less than four years. Oil is the lifeblood of the world’s economy. It will be the major energy source for the next 25 years or longer.

The Middle Eastern countries need $70 to $80 dollar per barrel oil in order to sustain their economies.

There will be turmoil if that does not happen.

Were you one of the fracking technique inventors?

No, the fracking technique was perfected by George Mitchell, a Greek-American, from Houston, at the Barnett gas field in the Fort Worth area. I initiated the horizontal drilling technique in a new area in North Dakota and it was my idea that it would work there. We ended up helping to discover Parshall oil field, covering six million acres, with oil reserves of 15 billion barrels (see photos).

How does that work?

Because number one they wanted to help China, who is a big importer of their oil, and Saudi Arabia is a big We drill vertically 9,000 feet and then turn the drill to importer of their goods. So if the price went down it go horizontally in the rock layer that contains the oil, would help the Chinese economy. Number two and maybe only 10 feet thick, that’s all. One mile down, three, they wanted to cause economic hardship to two miles sideways. Now, that’s real, amazing Russia and Iran, now technology! I got some awards using that considered to be adversaries. technology (see photos)...

And four, let’s see if you "The key to giving, Americans can produce your What about the environmental concerns, and the most new oil at the present lower people are protesting that fracking is bad important thing in price of 40 dollars per barrel for the environment and it produces seeking donations instead of 90-- and we can’t. For earthquakes. to causes is, WHO the U.S., the price has to be $60, DOES THE ASKING." which is why drilling activity in That’s a bunch of nonsense, really. What is the U.S. has dropped happening is that waste water is being dramatically. injected into water disposal wells that slicken the fractures of the rocks in the subsurface causing Many people don’t realize that oil minor earthquakes with an intensity of 1 to 3. Maybe a sells at different prices depending on few are higher. Fracking has nothing to do with it. quality. What you see in The Wall Fracking has been going on and used in completing oil Street Journal is the benchmark price and gas wells since 1947. Were it not for fracking for oil based on the price of West Parshall oil field and George Mitchell’s Barnett field Texas Intermediate ( WTI), a high would not exist nor would some 10,000 other oil and quality 45 degree gravity crude oil, gas fields in the U.S. Fracking should be strictly one of the best in America. There is regulated by the States and they should be attentive to COVER STORY

MAY 2016

17

Are you telling me that bankrupt and cash-strapped Greece sits on big but unexploited oil reserves?

Absolutely! You just need to get the government to get rid of the corruption.

People are afraid to go to Greece.

Are you thinking of resuming your effort to extract oil there if things get better?

I would rather relax in Florida.

Atomic bomb explosion, 10/22/51, Nevada test

White radioactive cloud 30 seconds later

the damage that could be done. We have numerous I think western Greece has a lot of potential, also. safeguards of protecting the environment from Mostly in Epirus, east of the city of Egoumenitsa. I have fracking techniques. visited the famous oil seep at Dragopsa. We have a lookalike to western Greece in the states of Utah and What about the reports with the abundance of oil Wyoming where we have 200 million barrel oil fields. in the Aegean Sea. Is there truth in that?

These fields are already productive and geologically are very similar to the geologic setting in western The oil potential in Greece has been recognized since Greece. That’s why I went to Greece in the mid ‘90s the time of Herodotus, who in about 400 B.C. trying to get a concession in Epirus. We worked with described the oil seeps on the island of Zakynthos. DEP, the Greek National Oil Company. I had the Other indications of oil exist in Greece. Neighboring backing of a large independent Denver-based oil Albania produces 18 thousand barrels of oil per day, company. We spent four to five years negotiating and so Greece is in oil country. However, Greece produces gathering data with the cooperation of DEP. However, only 1,000 barrels per day from Prinos, its only government red tape and “the “fakello” (the envelope commercial oil field that is located in the northern – kick back) is what caused failure.

Aegean Sea. It has produced 120 million barrels with remaining reserves of some 40 million barrels. The The offshore Ionian Sea and the north offshore of Aegean Sea has great additional oil potential.

Crete also have potential. Greece has already done detailed seismic that is available for review and in 2015 So, there is oil there…

Prime Minister Samaras began plans for offering concessions but the government change caused cancellation. The potential still exists though.

Your thoughts on the US electoral policies of the day?

I am a Republican like most oil business people. I like conservative policy. I believe that the federal government has exceeded the powers delegated to it by the Constitution. I think that in industry, and in health and education issues, the States can do a better job than the politicians in Washington D.C. A message you would like to send to young Greek Americans making or about to make their first steps in career or professional life?

Whatever success I have had I attribute to my watchwords-perseverance and tenacity. If you have a good idea, don’t ever give up. You have the good fortune of living in the greatest country in the world giving you many freedoms one of the best being entrepreneurship. A good education opens a lot of doors.

Building excellence everyday

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SOME COMMON MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE DATE OF PASCHA/EASTER

by John Fotopoulos There is a common misperception among Orthodox Christians that the reason why Orthodox Easter (i.e.

Pascha) often occurs so much later than Western Christian Easter is because the Orthodox Church abides by the rules for calculating the date of Pascha issued by the 1stEcumenical Council at Nicaea in 325 AD and thus the Orthodox must wait for Passover to be celebrated by the Jewish community before Pascha can occur. Despite this view being held by so many Orthodox Christians as well as being promoted in popular essays written by some Orthodox priests, it is not accurate. The reason why Orthodox Pascha frequently occurs so much later than Easter celebrated by Roman Catholics and Protestants has nothing to do with the Orthodox Church following the Paschal formula of Nicaea and the Western Churches not doing so, nor is it because the Orthodox must wait for Jewish Passover to be celebrated. Rather, Orthodox Pascha frequently occurs later than Western Easter because the Orthodox Church uses inaccurate scientific calculations that rely on the inaccurate Julian Calendar to determine the date of Pascha for each year. Some background information is in order to help explain precisely what the problems are.

Historically, Jesus’ death and resurrection occurred in association with Jewish Passover, although the synoptic gospels (Mk, Matt, Lk) and the Gospel of John contain differences regarding the precise day of Passover at that time. Because of these differences, early Christian churches developed different practices regarding when they were to celebrate Christian Pascha and how the date of Pascha was to be determined. Some ancient Churches celebrated Pascha on the Sunday immediately following Jewish Passover while others emphasized Jesus’ suffering and death on Pascha and thus celebrated the feast on the same day as Jewish Passover, regardless of what day of the week Passover occurred. Christian communities that adhered to either one of these Paschal traditions often relied on their local Jewish communities’ calculations of Passover in order to determine the date of their respective Christian Pascha. Passover is itself a lunar festival marking the beginning of the new year and is to occur annually on the vernal full moon—a date that came to be designated in the Jewish Calendar as the 14thof Nisan (Exod 12:1-6).

Ancient Jewish communities faced many challenges in regulating their year by a lunar calendar. Because the Jewish lunar calendar frequently fell out of step with the seasons of a solar year, Jews added an additional month to their calendar every two or three years to correct Passover from occurring out of season. A late decision to add a month to the Jewish calendar and/or difficulties communicating meant that not all Jewish communities were always aware of the extra month. This resulted in some Jewish communities celebrating Passover in different months, while other Jewish communities ended up mistakenly celebrating Passover twice in the same year.

20

MAY 2016 NEWS & NOTES

Because of Christian dependence on unreliable Jewish calculations of the vernal full moon for Passover and because of the varying Christian traditions for the date of Pascha’s celebration, the Roman Emperor Constantine convened the 1st Ecumenical Council at Nicaea which attempted to resolve these issues and promote Christian unity by issuing a formula for the calculation of Pascha. The Council at Nicaea determined that Pascha would occur on: the first Sunday | after the first full moon | after the vernal equinox This Nicene formula solved several practical issues.

First, the Church determined that Pascha would not be celebrated on the same day as the vernal full moon which itself is to mark the festival of Jewish Passover. By resolving to celebrate Pascha on the first Sunday after the vernal full moon, Christian Pascha would forever be associated with Jewish Passover without being identified with it, thus maintaining the historical associations of Jesus’ death and resurrection with Passover. Second, by resolving that the Christian celebration of Pascha must occur annually after the vernal equinox, the Church ensured that Pascha would only occur once each solar year. Third, the Nicene formula itself meant that the Church would not be reliant on Jewish calendars for the calculation of Passover (the vernal full moon i.e. 14 Nisan), nor would the Church be obliged to wait for Jewish communities to celebrate Passover before celebrating Christian Pascha.

Rather, the Nicene formula ensured that the Christian calculation of Pascha would occur independently of the Jewish reckoning of Passover by instead using the astronomical data of the vernal equinox and the vernal full moon in order to calculate the Sunday of Pascha. This maintained the historical and theological associations between Jewish Passover and Christian Pascha while allowing the Church to ascertain the vernal full moon (i.e., what should be 14 Nisan and hence Passover) without Jewish calendrical problems. Because Alexandria, Egypt was known as a premier center of astronomy in the ancient world, the Church of Alexandria came to assume responsibility for making the scientific calculations used to determine the date of Pascha. Although today many traditionalist Orthodox assert that it is only permissible to use the Julian Calendar to determine Paschal dates by employing the ancient Alexandrian scientific calculations, this is to ignore that the Alexandrians Christians used their own Egyptian calendrical dates to calculate Pascha which were then translated into Julian Calendar dates for other parts of the empire. Moreover, although the Council of Nicaea issued a clear formula for the calculation of Pascha, it did not precisely regulate the technical details, methods, or calendar by which the vernal equinox and the vernal full moon should be determined. Rather, Alexandria assumed greater responsibility for making Paschal calculations because the Church expected that the best scientific

means available would be used to determine Paschal dates.

Although the Orthodox Church and the Western Churches both continue to follow the formula of Nicaea for the determination of Pascha/Easter, the differences in their respective dates of celebration stem largely from the use of different calendars ( Julian vs. Gregorian) and different methods of scientific calculation so as to ascertain the vernal equinox and the vernal full moon. The Orthodox Church employs a complex mathematical formula for the calculation of Pascha that uses the more inaccurate Julian Calendar (currently 13 days behind the Gregorian Calendar) and a “fixed” Julian Calendar date of March 21st (Gregorian April 3rd) as the date of the vernal equinox, as well as a mathematically calculated approximation of the vernal full moon based on a 19-year lunar cycle (the Metonic Cycle). In other words, the vernal equinox used by the Orthodox Church for its calculation of Pascha is not the actual astronomical vernal equinox, nor is the vernal full moon that Pascha must follow (according to Nicaea) the actual, astronomical vernal full moon. Simply stated, the best available calendar and best available science are no longer being utilized for the calculation of Pascha which results in Orthodox celebrations of Pascha that are frequently out of sync with the astronomical phenomena of the vernal equinox and the vernal full moon and thus often occur later in the spring.

However, the Western Churches use the Gregorian calendar (a much more accurate calendar—although not perfect) and a more generally accurate scientific calculation of the vernal equinox and the vernal full moon which results in a calculation of Easter that better corresponds with the actual astronomical phenomena and that is typically more accurate.

In this year of 2016, for example, Western Easter and Orthodox Pascha have very different dates of celebration. Western Easter was calculated to fall on March 27th, whereas Orthodox Pascha was calculated to fall on May 1st ( Julian Calendar April 18th). However, a quick look at the actual astronomical data quickly demonstrates the problems with the current Orthodox calculation of Pascha. According to the U.S. Naval Observatory, the 2016 vernal equinox occurred on March 20th at 4:30 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). It is important to remember that the date and time of the vernal equinox depend on the meridian used for calculation (the position on earth used as the reference point). Therefore, it is generally agreed that Jerusalem should be used as the meridian since it is the historical location of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Thus, the 2016 vernal equinox occurred in Jerusalem on March 20th at 6:30 a.m.

(UTC+2). Moreover, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory, the first full moon after the vernal equinox in 2016 occurred on March 23rd at 12:01 p.m. (UTC), and in Jerusalem at 14:01 p.m.

(UTC+2). Since the vernal full moon that occurred on March 23rd, 2016 in Jerusalem at 14:01 p.m. was a Wednesday, this means that Pascha should have been celebrated on the first Sunday afterward, that is, on Sunday, March 27th, precisely the date when Easter was celebrated this year by the Western Churches.

It was widely understood by ancient Christians that the vernal full moon could not be determined continued on page 80

ORDER OF AHEPA AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION

GOLD COAST CHAPTER NO. 456 Manhasset, New York 11030 PRESIDENT John G. Levas Amcorjgl@aol.com VICE PRESIDENT Paul Macropulos SECRETARY Gus J. Bubaris RECORDING SECRETARY Nick Kouzionis TREASURER Ted Malgarinos Board of Governors Leonard Zangas Constanine Carr Honorary Governors Evens Cyprus Sunshine Welfare Tom Gardianos Dean Pappas

NEW MEMBERS: For new members to join the fee is $100.00. Membership renewals are $100.00.

Ahepa web Site is AHEPA.ORG You can down load membership applications on line!

Happy Easter - Καλό Πάσχα from your friends at the AHEPA GOLD COAST CHAPTER #456

Fraternally yours, John G. Levas President

Please support AHEPA so AHEPA can support you!!!

Fraternally yours, Gus J. Bubaris Secretary

Our meetings are held at The Port Washington Yacht Club, located at 1 Yacht Club Dr, Port Washington, NY, first Wednesday of each month, 6:00 pm.

The 94th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention will be held July 24-30 in Las Vegas, Nevada!

Our Chapter's Golf Outing with be held on May 25th, 2016.

Our Annual Christmas Family Gala will be held on December 14th, 2016 at The North Hills Country Club.

Everyone is Welcome!!!

For more info please visit AHEPA.org

strategy

στρατηγική THE TURKEY YOU SHOULD ALL KNOW...

Less than four years ago, those in the community seeking a more conciliatory (or submissive, depending on your point of you) approach towards Turkey on national issues were particularly outspoken. The head of one cultural organization claimed that those involved in national issues were “nationalistic”. A Church heirarch (o.k., the Bishop of Mokissos in Chicago) feted then Foreign Minister Davutoglu at the Metropolis of Chicago, became a traveling speaker for the Gulen movement from New Hampshire to California, and tried to water down a religious freedom resolution in Illinois by inserting a nonsensical clause on how much relations between Greeks and Turks worldwide have improved.

People despaired, thinking that the rest of the world was siding with the accommodationists in community. But the reaction to Turkey’s President Erdogan – in the press and in official circles – during his last trip to Washington, D.C. has demonstrated that the world may finally be waking up to what we really have in Erdogan’s Turkey.

Pick your Hellenic issue, and you’ll see how naïve it was to trust Turkey over the past several years. Cyprus? World leaders are over eager to declare a Cyprus solution close at hand, but cannot point to tangible contributions that Ankara has made to reunification negotiations. The most notable moment in the latest round of negotiations is the interruption provoked by Turkey’s claims on Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone and by Turkey sending research and military vessels into Cypriot waters.

Religious freedom? Since Davutoglu’s infamous visit to the Metropolis of Chicago, Erdogan has run a four-year streak of lying to President Obama regarding his decision to open Halki Theological Seminary. This year, even more churches have been expropriated by the Turkish state, and now there are news reports that Turkey will reverse its granting of land it had illegally seized back to Christian churches.

The Aegean? Turkey felt it necessary to shoot down a Russian jet that had violated Turkish airspace, but in the past few years has violated Greek airspace – including armed incursions over habited islands – thousands of times.

Then again, maybe we are the problem. If Turkey is such a great example of a Muslim democracy, a key ally in the fight against ISIS, advancing its “zero problems with neighbors” foreign policy with historic rivals like Armenia . . .I’ll quite with the sarcasm right here. The problem is that Turkey has been exposed on all fronts, yet it is on our issues that we are being asked to continue to trust Turkey, and to pursue even more reconciliation measures. But what type of country exactly are people asking us to reconcile with?

ONE OF THE WORLD’S WOST JAILERS OF JOURNALISTS • Turkey’s track record on free speech is so horrific that the Committee to Protect Journalists has a weekly tracker — the “Turkey Crackdown Chronicle” — documenting the constant threats and intimidation journalists suffer at the hands of Turkey’s government.

• Erdo an has filed some 1,800 criminal complaints against people for "insulting the president" since he took power in 2014.

• A single tweet can get a reporter arrested. Erdogan has stated his policy that he would consider journalists and members of parliament “terrorists.”

A LIABILIT Y IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ISIS • According to a report in the The Daily Beast in 2014, “Erdogan’s domestic critics say he has to some degree helped the rise of ISIS, as well as other Islamic militants.

At the very least Turkey has turned a blind eye to them as they emerged in the Syrian civil war and increasingly formed the vanguard in the fight to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad. Some critics argue that Turkey’s intelligence agencies have gone farther and actively channeled arms supplies to the jihadists.”

• Jeffrey Goldberg, writing in The Atlantic about his landmark interview with President Obama, noted that the president once saw Erdogan as “the sort of moderate Muslim leader who would bridge the divide between East and West—but

34

MARCH 2016 STRATEGY

By Endy Zemenides

Endy Zemenides is the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), a national advocacy organization for the Greek American community.

To learn more about HALC, visit www.hellenicleaders.com

Obama now considers him a failure and an authoritarian, one who refuses to use his enormous army to bring stability to Syria.”

• In conducting military action against Kurdish units that have proven most effective in fighting ISIS, Turkey undermines the effort to defeat ISIS. GENOCIDE DENIER • 1.5 million Armenians, up to 750,000 Greeks, and some 300,000 Assyrians died as part of a systematic campaign by the Ottoman Empire to extinguish Christian identity within its borders, in the first genocide of the 20th century.

• In the United States, Turkish genocide denial has become a lucrative business for pro-Turkey lobbyists and activists. As Peter Balakian noted in The Los Angeles Times, Turkey “spends a fortune annually to stop scholarly and cultural events about the genocide, even going so far as to pay former [Rep]. Richard Gephardt's Gephardt Group more than $1 million each year to lobby against congressional resolutions on the genocide. Turkey has threatened several times, most recently in 2007, to close Turkish missile bases to U.S. airplanes if Congress passes a simple non-binding statement acknowledging the events of 1915 as genocide.”

I could go on and on – Turkey ruptured relations with Israel, is the chief promoter of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, has been implicated in terrorism financing by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies – but the indictment is comprehensive enough. The time for a “trust but verify” approach towards Turkey is over. If Ankara wants peace, stability, and EU membership, it has to prove it via action.

"fun" and affordable line in 9K gold made and designed in Italy by the Greek Italian designer Elisabetta Gavelo

in New York City in a prestigious location of Midtown Manhattan, Ilias Verras was able to be closer to his longtime US and international clientele and at the same time explore the unlimited possibilities of the City. In NY he continues the research of valuable stones, precious materials and luxur y timepieces in order to ensure the perpetuation of his legacy and continue adorning women and men for generations to come.

Hellenis founder and owner Ilias George Verras

Hellenis Jewelry at the Olympic Tower Expands with a High End yet Affordable Luxury Collection Hellenis-Malvezzi is a Greek owned jewelry boutique located at the lobby of the Olympic tower in Manhattan. Its founder and owner Ilias Verras has become renowned for his creative and business mind to be able to offer luxurious jewelry and distinctively rare stones. He learned the skills that were to determine his future career in the 1980’s in Greece, working aside with the most famous and world renowned greek jewelers of that time. In his work he would always seek to convey the spiritual and symbolic link of an object to its historical past.

In the 1990’s, he decided to branch out on his own.

He started his own company with its headquarters at Puerto Rico. It was the first jewelry store in the Americas featuring exclusively Greek jewelers,

Hellenis-Malvezzi, is known for higher level jewelry items and precious stones. Since January 2016 they began introducing for the first time more casual and affordable luxury products. These new items still maintain the high standards of design and manufacturing and appeal to the same sophisticated clientele. The latest addition is a very beautiful "fun" line in 9K gold (as seen in the pictures). It is made in Italy by the Greek Italian designer Elisabetta Gavello.

Many of the designs are inspired by Greek themes and motifs such as the evil eye, crosses etc.

including the legendary house of Zolotas, a favorite Greek jeweler of Jackie Kennedy-Onassis and other celebrities. The concept with the time evolved.

Hellenis became one of the most exclusive high-end boutiques representing the most discerning and prestigious watch and jewelry companies in the The company is currently developing a state-of-themarket including Harry Winston, Audemars Piguet, art online store that will be launched in this coming fall. Its purpose will be to bring Hellenis closer to the Chopard and others. public by becoming available 24 hours in the As appreciation of his work spread, the business convenience of the consumer's home or office. continued to grow. In 2010 Hellenis and the Hellenis's web store will offer a unique array of Olympic Tower (where it is housed the Alexander S. products and a great online experience. Hellenis Onassis Public Benefit Foundation) came to an retails and also distributes exclusively all of its agreement in order to create a place that will be in p r o d u c t s . F o r i n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a c t : accordance with the unique identity, the prestige ilias@hellenis.com or call 212-207-3976 (Mondayand unique character of the building. By expanding Friday10:00AM-6:00PM).

THE FAITH SCHOLARSHIP FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE "FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism" announced it will once again sponsor a series of merit-based scholarships for high school seniors entering college in the fall through its prestigious "FAITH Scholarships for Academic Excellence" program. In the past, awards have ranged from $1,000 to $20,000 in value. The application, along with a list of applicant criteria, can be downloaded from the FAITH website: thefaithendowment.org/FSAE. The deadline is June 30, 2016.

In addition, young people majoring in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math) receive support for all four years of their undergraduate studies through the "FAITH Scholarship for Excellence in STEM." To renew the award, students must maintain a 3.6 minimum GPA and participate in organizations related to the Greek and Hellenic Orthodox community throughout their college career.

FAITH Founder Dr. P. Roy Vagelos spoke on behalf of the FAITH Founders saying, "We are profoundly pleased to support this important initiative and also support the best and brightest young people who will be the future leaders of our community." He continued, "A background in STEM subjects will be critical for obtaining graduate training and jobs in science, technology and engineering in the future. Our nation needs, and will need, people well-trained in these fields in order to remain globally competitive. Successful students who excel in these fields will receive a premium along with their award."

Each year since 2004, FAITH has funded merit-based scholarships to some of the brightest young members in the Greek and Hellenic American community who rank within the top of their class. FAITH Scholars represent all Metropolises across the nation and enroll in universities ranging from UCLA to Cornell University to pursue a diverse set of career paths from Neuroscience and Aerospace Engineering to Education. These exceptional young people have played, and continue to play, an integral role inside and outside the classroom as leaders in their churches, communities and schools and garner high recommendation and praise from their mentors and teachers for displaying the scholarly intellect lauded by their Hellenic ancestors and a strong spirit of community service and good citizenship in line with their Greek Orthodox Christian values.

"FAITH is an incredible support in my education at Cornell University. I feel blessed to be a part of the Greek Orthodox Community and promise to use the knowledge I acquire to be a part of something greater than myself," said Alex Bilzerian, a freshman Chemistry major at Cornell University who received the FAITH Scholarship for Academic Excellence in 2015.

FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism supports the development of innovative educational, cultural, and scholarship programs for young people that promote an understanding of the Orthodox faith, Hellenism, and the relationship of the two to America’s history and multicultural landscape. For more information their number is 212-644-6960 and their website the faithendowment.org.

In February, FAITH awarded 45 full and partial financial aid travel grants to young people registering to participate in the 2016 Ionian Village Summer Camp program. Grant recipients will travel to Greece to learn more about their Hellenic heritage and Orthodox faith by visiting ancient sites, monasteries and cultural institutions.

The Cathedral School Prepares Students for the Best NYC High Schools and Beyond

The Cathedral School announced another extremely successful year for their graduating class of 2016. With the careful guidance by high school admissions director, Juliana Fazzone, and in partnership with their families, this year’s graduating students navigated a highly competitive and challenging high school placement process with remarkable results. Every eighth grade student was admitted to their first high school of choice!

Highly competitive New York City independent school acceptances included Horace Mann, United Nations International School, Loyola, Marymount, and Columbia Prep. Cathedral students had similar success in the public school application process. Those who applied to specialized high schools qualified with high scores and were admitted to Bronx Science and Lehman College School for American Studies. Additionally, three Cathedral students were admitted to Eleanor Roosevelt High School and to Beacon--all first choices for these applicants.

New York City has one of the most extensive public and private school networks in the country and finding the right high school placement can be a daunting task.

The Cathedral School provides individualized support to its seventh and eighth grade students as they navigate this process. A key strength of the school’s admissions counseling is that the admissions director knows each student exceptionally well and has an expert knowledge of the diverse and competitive high schools in New York City. With these supports in place, Cathedral students have every opportunity to be accepted to and succeed in the finest high schools in New York. Many alumni also attribute their success to Cathedral’s small teacher to student ratios, their dedicated faculty, and a learning environment that cultivates critical thinking and writing.

Located in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood, the Cathedral School is accepting applications for grades Nursery through grade 8 for the 2016-2017 academic year. The Cathedral School is a culturally diverse, coeducational school encompassing early learning through middle school years whose mission is to inspire a life-long love of learning. It offers each of its students a unique and stimulating education built around classical disciplines in science, mathematics, English, history, humanities, religious studies, Greek and world languages and technology. By recruiting and retaining accomplished and inspiring faculty and staff, Cathedral provides a rigorous academic high school preparatory curriculum while upholding its Greek Orthodox Christian and Hellenic heritage as it welcomes religious and cultural diversity.

Picture of Apollo Orchestra with among else, Lefteris Bournias (Band leader, clarinet), Thomas Vrettos (vocals/bouzouki), Christoforos Ellis musical director

Heads of all NY Professional Societies opened glendi dancing P " os to trivoun to piperi (How you grind the pepper)"while rubbing their body parts to the floor

Pictures of guests receiving awards for best costume

All NY Professional Societies in Unison Grind the Pepper during Traditional Greek APOKRIES NY Hellenic professional societies celebrated Greek traditional Carnival “Apokries” at Terrace on the Park, Queens NY. The Hellenic Medical Society of New York, invited the Hellenic Profession Women (HPW), HABA – The Hellenic Association of Professionals in Finance, the Hellenic Lawyers Association (HLA), the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce (HACC), and the Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce, to join in the annual festivities of Apokries, thus providing a casual and festive environment for members of all societies to mingle and enjoy Carnival season. Many guests were dressed in costume and participated in the custom of celebrating Aprokries as is done in Greece, with satire, traditional songs, dancing, good food, and wine.

Apollo Orchestras led by clarinetist Lefteris Bournias, featuring lead singer Thomas Vrettos and musical director Christoforos Ellis delighted the guests with a real potpourri of Greek traditional Αποκριάτικα songs made famous by Domna Samiou, like “Pws to triboun to Piperi” and "Νά’μουν νύχτα στο γυαλό" shocking and

Hellenic Medical Society President Dr. George Liakeas in costume with a friend 38

MAY 2016 NEWS & NOTES

entertaining the guests with the puns and innuendo’s of the songs’ double entendres.

In attendance was HLA president Michael Hartofilis, HPW Founder Maria Frantzis, HMS President Dr. George Liakeas – in costume, as usual, along with HACC President, Ms. Nancy Papaioannou, and Dino Paliatzis, representing HABA. Dr. Stella Lymberis, organizer acknowledged Ambassador Vasilios Philippou, of Cyprus, who was just promoted to High Commissioner for Cyprus in New York, and his wife Anthea, as well as Greek Consul Mr. Manos Koubarakis, and Nassau County Comptroller Mr. George Maragos and his wife Angela and thanked HMS administrator Evangelia Tavaris for her tireless organizing efforts. Mrs. Roula Lambrakis welcomed the guests in Greek and thanked Mr. Demetrios Kaloidis, owner of Terrace on the Park, and manager George Cadsounis for his support to host the lively event. Mrs. Lambrakis further encouraged all young professionals to maintain close ties with the motherland and act as ambassadors for Greece while excelling in here in US in all their respective professional roles.

Dr. Florence Christodoulou

Kyriake-Melina Robotis as a young diva

Prof. James DeMetro in action

Roula Lambrakis and Stella Lymberis, the organizers

Chris Salboudis with her daughter P HOTO S: ETA P RESS

Pyx Lax (Kick-Punch) Ancient Greek Martial Arts at the Academy of Hellenic Paideia by Athena Efter

Konstantinos Doikos, who holds a Pankration Instructor certificate from the General Secretariat of Sports in Greece and is a gold medalist athlete in Pankration Athlema, supervising the “dielkistinda" (tug of war) game

Maybe I fell asleep in Greek School. Ok, not maybe. I was sleeping the whole time, but then again my Greek School was not nearly as exciting and creative as the Academy of Hellenic Paideia in New York. It was just the straight talk of uninspiring classes in Greek language, history and culture. Add to that the usual introduction to basic dance moves and the recitation of poems I didn’t even understand. No one bothered to translate anything. It was just assumed you knew what it meant with a curt command of: “Here. Read and memorize this.” I can’t remember if the school was to blame for my lack of interest or if it was simply my own apathy. I think it was a combination of both. Perhaps if I had attended an after-school program, like the one in Astoria founded by Demetra Varsami, I may have been more inclined to engage myself to learn Greek as a second language, and learn it correctly.The first time I walked into her school, I was impressed with her efforts to set a higher standard of Greek education in America. She has a solid mission and doesn’t deviate from it. Each curriculum unit is carefully planned, presented and experienced to accurately reflect her school’s mission of “nourishing genius” and “promoting potential”, and she does this by providing a model that closely reflects the thematic purpose of a classical education.

This interview was challenging for me because it was conducted in Greek, but nonetheless when you want to learn anything, sometimes you just have to throw yourself into the fire, and that’s exactly what I did. It was an exciting learning opportunity for me to practice my basic Greek. They do teach adults 44

MAY 2016 NEWS & NOTES

language classes here, and I am ready to start again with Greek 101 and work my way up. Ms. Varsami with her own bright and sunny disposition, and her love of Greek letters, offers a school with a variety of innovative and creative programs dedicated to just that – Greek Letters. I call it her love letter to Greece.

She’s a purist in many ways. She weaves the classical style of education that cultivated ancient Greece into the here and now. She brings it into the future.

When you walk in, there are several classrooms, each one reinforcing everything Greek. If it’s theater you are studying, the whole room is devoted to Greek theater. Everywhere you turn you see Greek words, Greek images, Greek history, Greek language, and Greek culture. So why not a room devoted to the ancient Greek sport of Martial Arts?

That’s something I didn’t know was Greek nor did I learn about in Greek school, or if I did learn it, I was asleep. I always thought the Japanese had a monopoly on Martial Arts. I can’t say the Greeks were there first, but they were doing it ages ago, as far back as 648 B.C.

fullest potential. Mr. Doikos’ command of his classroom is balanced. Children learn the rules of the sport in a structured environment that is both disciplined and relaxed. He has a natural affinity with children, as both a friend and mentor. I saw a lot of happy faces, so he must be doing something right.

But what is Pankration Athlema? Mr. Doikos is very specific with this term, because it’s uniquely Greek.

There is no head lowering or bowing. Your posture must stand up straight always and the right hand is raised to the forehead as a salute and students shout “erroso”, which is a wish for a healthy body and mind. He explained to me that Pankration Athlema originated as a skill to defeat the enemy when they lost their weapons and ammunition. The term pankration literally means the strongest and athlema means sport. Therefore, whoever wins is the strongest and most revered in the sport, almost with iconic status. That’s no different today, is it?

Our athletes today are highly lauded for their victories and sought after. They are bestowed all kinds of honors, especially monetary ones. It was the same way back then. People put their trust in this superhero-like athlete to the point where they felt safe enough to knock down their enemy walls. The logic was that the strongest pankration athlete will protect them. After all he won the fight with his bare hands and without using weapons. The game itself was also referred to as Ieron Pankration, which translates into sacred sport. The winner was made a statue of, was given high honors, and monetary gifts.

He even held seats as a guest of honor at various political assemblies.

The idea of a Martial Arts superman can be found in Greek mythology. Hercules killed the lion Nemeas I had the opportunity to visit the class in using the skill and technique of pankration athlema. action and I found it to be a genius idea. A Greek Theseus kills the minotaur also using this technique. school teaching Martial Arts in the Greek tradition? You can even see these images depicted in ancient Why didn’t anyone else think of that? Finally, Greek art. I don’t remember learning that in Greek someone did, and leading the way for this ancient school. Another little fact I came to learn from my Greek sport is Konstantinos Doikos, who holds a crash course in Greek sports history with Mr. Doikos Pankration Instructor was that Socrates and certificate from the General Plato were also Secretariat of Sports in Greece pankration athletes. and is a gold medalist athlete Plato won twice in in Pankration Athlema. He is Isthmia in Corinth and also a certified Ellanodikis once in Pythia at Delphi. from the Greek Association of And I always thought Pankration Athlema, which they were just means he can serve as a referee philosophers! They in these games, and is trained must have applied their in a variety of disciplines sophism to their sport, dedicated to this sport and too. In 648 B.C, Martial general athletics.

Arts became the most important competition When I first walked into the in the Olympics. Sadly, classroom, the students were Mr. Doikos noted, it is dressed in blue and white not practiced the way it uniforms that depict the Greek was in ancient Greece in key insignia on their shirts and today’s Olympics. You pants. They took themselves might see parts of its seriously, with a sense of duty, influence in boxing and right hand is raised to the forehead as a salute but still maintained a childlike The in wrestling, and and students shout “erroso”, which is a wish for a and light-hearted approach to healthy body and mind though it may hold the the concept of competition. same principle as They had respect among each other. There was a Karate, the ethos is not the same. If the Olympics sense of “filotimo”, a uniquely Greek word that originated in Greece, how can we not have a expresses the idea of brotherhood, love, honor and competition in Pankration Athlema in the ancient integrity all at the same time. All children are treated Greek tradition? Mr. Doikos further explained that fairly and equally and given a chance to rise to their only one person, Arrahion, died in Greek history.

His opponent had him in a chokehold, and as his opponent put up his finger, a sign of victory, it was the very same minute Arrahion died. It was probably not the opponent’s intention to kill him. Perhaps he didn’t realize his own strength and got carried away.

The Pankration Athlema was held in various contests throughout Greece in places like Delphi, the Isthmus of Corinth, Nemea, and at the Panathenea. A lot of this went over my head due to my limited knowledge of Greek history, but one notable competition was held at Pythia where the God Apollo killed Pythonas, the python snake. Nemea is where Hercules killed the lion. With these competition venues, there was a symbolic mythological reference to augment the excitement and skill of the competition. Who would win and hold “the heavyweight” title, as the strongest and almost god-like superhero? In Sparta, Martial Arts were only practiced in real battle, not as a sport. The competitions, however, were held in sandpits with

naked men slathered in oil, which made it harder to It is Mr. Doikos’ vision and the Academy’s goal to grab the opponent. By making it more challenging, expand this program to other Greek schools, and even to non-Greek schools, with the more planning they created a more compelling competition. and funding. Finally a school exists whose mission it In this modern day Greek martial arts class, children is to espouse a form of classical education, to serve are engaged in the ethos of the sport. They carry on as a paradigm for a Greek way of life. It’s not a day the ancient Greek tradition, which is first and school in the sense of the Greek parochial school foremost to be a good person, but they also learn system, but it is an independent and supplementary how to compete, as a brotherhood and sisterhood, program that really scratches beneath the surface. operating as a team and respecting one another.

They learn the spirit of the Greek word “filotimo” Classes in Martial Arts are held once a week as a behind the competition. They learn that they are not curriculum lesson and twice a week as an afterenemies or opponents fighting against each other, school program. Friday classes are held from 7-8pm but fighting with each other to strengthen their and Saturday classes are held from 3-4pm. Adults mind and body. The walls themselves provide a can also train in Greek Martial Arts every Wednesday teaching tool of reinforcement. A poster depicting from 8-9pm. Greek language classes for adults are the various physical styles and techniques is hung on offered every Friday from 6-8pm. For more the wall. Instructions and commands, which are information about the school and all of its programs, given in Greek, are also words you can read on the you can visit HellenicPaideia.com or email classroom wall. They use the words pyx lax in info@HellenicPaideia.com. ancient Greek, which mean punch and kick.

Ohhhhh…..so that’s where that popular Greek I want to give a big shout out of “erroso” and a salute music band got its name! When students shout “eia”, to the forehead to all the children of the Academy of it means they are using their inner strength to bring Hellenic Paideia. I also want to thank them for forth their outer strength. As I observed the class, I “taking down the wall” so I could enter their sacred was also surprised to find out that the game “tug of space or “Pankration os Ieron Athlema”. I got to war” or “dielkistinda” also dates back to ancient learn some Ancient Greek too. It’s not really a dead Greece, where two people tug on each end of the language when so much of our language, both rope. The person who can’t hang on to the rope Greek and English, was influenced by it. Thanks to loses the game. Within the context of Martial Arts, Demetra Varsamis, the school Board, and the faculty students are introduced to a variety of Ancient Greek of the Academy of Hellenic Paideia, Greek is a games. And why not a whole class devoted to Greek tangible way of life there. To her and her team, I say: athletics in the ancient Greek tradition? We were, “Keep up the great work. The sky is not the limit, but after all, highly competitive and profusely athletic. don’t try to get too close to the sun. You need your wings to fly higher.”

Medical World

What Should we Check at the DR’s Office?

A Wellness Blood Test Panel, is a baseline assessment of one’s weakness, or bruising, that you may have. A CBC also helps health and contains separate laboratory tests. These tests should diagnose conditions, such as infection, anemia, and bleeding be checked by your primary care physician at least once per year, disorders. for anyone over the age of 18.

Test includes: WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, Platelets, Neutrophils, Lymphs, Monocytes, Eos, Here is a breakdown of those tests and what they actually Basos, Neutrophils (Absolute), Lymphs (Absolute), represent and control:

By Dr. Nicholas Kaloudis Monocytes(Absolute), Eos (Absolute), Basos (Absolute), 1) Lipid Panel With Total Cholesterol:HDL Ratio Immature Granulocytes, Immature Grans (Abs) -Cholesterol, Total, A sterol in the blood. Knowing your cholesterol level may be 5) Urinalysis Complete with Microscopic Examination detects abnormalities of as important as knowing your blood pressure. Elevated cholesterol levels are urine and urinary tract infection (UTI); diagnoses and manages renal diseases, associated with an increasing risk of coronary heart disease. urinary tract infection, urinary tract neoplasms, systemic diseases, and inflammatory -Triglycerides, Triglycerides are fat in the blood that are responsible for providing or neoplastic diseases adjacent to the urinary tract. energy to the cells of the body. Triglycerides should be less than 400 mg/dl even 6)The Iron and Total Iron-binding Capacity test is used for testing differential while in a non-fasting state. diagnosis of anemia, evaluation of thalassemia and possible sideroblastic anemia, -HDL Cholesterol High-density lipoproteins are believed to take cholesterol away and the evaluation of iron poisoning. Specimen collection must be done before from cells and transport it back to the liver for removal or processing. They are patient is given therapeutic iron or blood transfusion. Iron determinations on known as the "good" cholesterol as people with high levels of HDL may have less patients who have had blood transfusions should be delayed at least four days. heart disease. Low HDL could be the result of lack of exercise and smoking.

7) Vitamin D 25-hydroxy is used to determine if bone malformation, bone -LDL Cholesterol Low-density lipoproteins contain the largest percentage of weakness, or abnormal metabolism of calcium (reflected by abnormal calcium, cholesterol and may be responsible for depositing cholesterol on the artery walls. phosphorus or PTH tests) is occurring as a result of a deficiency or excess of vitamin They are known as the "bad" cholesterol.

D. Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and is absorbed from the intestine like a -Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio, calculated by dividing the total cholesterol by the fat, vitamin D tests are at times used to monitor individuals with diseases that HDL cholesterol. This is the ratio used by physicians in determining your relative interfere with fat absorption, such as cystic fibrosis and Crohn's disease, to assure that risk for developing cardiovascular disease. they have adequate amounts of vitamin D. Vitamin D tests are used to determine effectiveness of treatment when vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, and/or magnesium 2) Comprehensive Metabolic Panel supplementation is prescribed as well.

-Glucose - Blood sugar level, the most direct test to discover diabetes, may be used 8)HEMOGLOBIN A1C: Considered one of the best indicators for pre-diabetes, not only to identify diabetes, but also to evaluate how one controls the disease.

HbA1c measures your average blood sugar over the last 3 months, instead of the last -Kidney Profile few days.

Bun or Urea Nitrogen, is another by-product of protein metabolism eliminated 9)TSH and FREE T4: The thyroid significantly influences metabolism and energy through the kidneys and an indicator of kidney function. use, and is the most common hormone imbalance in the U.S. Creatinine, Serum, An indicator of kidney function.

Dedicated to Nina, in memory of her mother Anna Georgalos.

Bun/Creatinine Ratio, calculated by dividing the BUN by the Creatinine.

Glomerular Filtration (eGFR), provides an assessment of the filtering capacity of the kidney.

-Liver panel Protein, Total, Together with albumin, it is a measure of the state of nutrition in the body.

Albumin, serum one of the major proteins in the blood and a reflection of the general state of nutrition.

Globulin, Total, a major group of proteins in the blood comprising the infection fighting antibodies.

Albumin/Globulin Ratio, Calculated by dividing the albumin by the globulin.

Bilirubin, Total, a chemical involved with liver functions. High concentrations may result in jaundice.

Alkaline Phosphatase, a body protein important in diagnosing proper bone and liver functions.

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST or SGOT), an enzyme found in skeletal and heart muscle, liver and other organs. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT), an enzyme found primarily in the liver.

Abnormalities may represent liver disease.

3) Fluids & Electrolytes -Sodium, one of the major salts in the body fluid, sodium is important in the body's water balance and the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.

-Potassium, helps to control the nerves and muscles.

-Chloride, similar to sodium, it helps to maintain the body's electrolyte balance.

-Carbon Dioxide, Total, used to help detect, evaluate, and monitor electrolyte imbalances.

-Calcium- A mineral essential for development and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. It is important also for the normal function of muscles, nerves and blood clotting.

4) Complete Blood Count (CBC) - A CBC gives important information about the numbers and kinds of cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

A CBC helps your health professional check any symptoms, such as fatigue,

hellenes without borders

By Alexander Billinis Mystra: Byzantium’s Indian Summer

Mystra figures less prominently in historical commentary and touristic itineraries than other Greek sites, but for profundity and for a true taste of sublime, understated beauty, it is peerless. Here is where Byzantium expired, yet with its passing, the dying empire breathed life into both the Renaissance further West, but also into the Greek identity, with a renewed pride in the Ancients as well as the Byzantines. This is the Greek identity we know and cherish today, and it had its inspiration in Mystra. An author as prolific and profound as Nikos Kazantzakis put it best in Journey to the Morea, “[Mystra is] the hill where modern Greece was born.”

Indeed. A blessed, all too brief, symbiosis of topography, architecture, and the rich artistic and intellectual legacy of a thousand-year-old empire produced a trove of final achievements, made all the more poignant by the subsequent “Ottoman Winter.” If we as Greeks wish to discover where we truly come from, and to understand the true legacy we passed on to Western Civilization in that all-too-brief Indian Summer, it can all be found in the sublime and living ruins of Mystra.

In a land as ancient as the Peloponnese, Mystra is a relative youth - one of history’s ironic accidents.

Founded after the Fourth Crusade by Western Crusaders who temporarily dismembered Byzantium, Mystra began its illustrious existence as a fortress built to protect Crusader holdings in the Valley of Sparta from raids by Greco-Slavic tribes from the Taygetus Mountains. Returned to Byzantine hands, the city would become Byzantium’s Florence; the locus that indeed inspired the Renaissance in the actual Florence and other Italian cities.

Following a generation of Crusader rule, the Byzantines regained the Castle of Mystra after its Crusader Duke was captured by them in 1259. A city quickly grew around the citadel. Mystra’s strong defenses and proximity to the fertile Valley of Sparta constituted key factors in the city’s success. In an age when Constantinople and Salonika were aching with 50

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fatigue after centuries of prominence and abuse, Mystra pulsed with the yearnings and vibrancy of youth. Many of the fading empire’s leading intellectuals and artists flocked to the city, conscious perhaps, that their civilization was entering its twilight.

Crowning the artistic endeavors of Mystra are its churches, whose frescoes exhibit a breathing humanity.

These images clearly presaged the art that would begin to flourish a few decades after Byzantium had passed into history, in studios in Italy and further West.

In one church, Saint Demetrios, the frescoes stand as timeless witnesses to the crowning of the last Byzantine Emperor, Constantine XI Dragas Paleologos, who had served with distinction as Despot (Prince) of Mystra.

Constantine was a brave soldier, but also a statesman who encouraged the intellectual and artistic growth in his domain. Among the philosophers who flourished at the time was George Gemistos Plethon, who actively encouraged the study of the Ancients and in many ways, re-established the Byzantines’ link with the Classical past. He encouraged Byzantine Greeks to study the ancient philosophers and to be proud of their Hellenic roots, while still remaining Orthodox Christian Byzantines. In a real sense Phethon s the founder of the modern Hellenic identity and he flourished in the finest intellectual environment in Europe, also, coincidentally, in the heart of Classical Greece. When we think of our modern identity as Hellenes, we ought to remember Plethon’s legacy.

Plethon also had Western admirers. In 1465, when the Venetians briefly captured the city from the Ottoman Turks, they exhumed his remains, and brought them to Rimini in Italy, where his tomb graces a church there to this day.

Constantine’s attempts to grow the political boundaries of the Mystra Despotate met only temporary successes, but luckily the intellectual

Alexander Billinis is a writer and lawyer in Chicago, Illinois. He and his family returned to the US after nearly a decade in Greece, the UK, and Serbia. He writes prolifically on Balkan topics. His books, The Eagle has Two Faces: Journeys through Byzantine Europe, and Hidden Mosaics: An Aegean Tale, are available from Amazon.com.

effects, both obvious and subtle, remain for us to enjoy, benefits of his rule were enduring. As Emperor, Constantine is remembered for his brave defense of Constantinople’s final, fatal siege of 1453, where he died sword in hand. It is fortunate for the legacy of this thousand-year empire that a man of Constantine’s bravery and stature served as her final emperor. His beloved Despotate of Mystra outlasted the capital by seven years, surrendering to the Turks in 1460.

Unfortunately, his brother, the Despot, lacked Constantine’s steel and vision.

Often in history, countries or empires in political and economic decline produce some of their greatest intellectual and artistic achievements. In Mystra’s case, the artisans had much to draw upon; for nearly one thousand years Byzantium was Europe’s most advanced civilization, providing a model for her neighbors both East and West. This embattled empire preserved the legacies of Classical Greece and Rome, and in its declining years, set forth key artistic and intellectual efforts, which, subsequently in the West, would become the foundation for the Renaissance. The Empire converted the Slavs by providing an alphabet, preaching the Word, and demonstrating the Spirit, rather than converting by the sword. When we lived in Serbia, every time I would see the Serbian language written in the Cyrillic alphabet, developed by the Byzantine scholar-monks Cyril and Methodius, my heart would jump a little; it is a tangible demonstration of Christianity’s noblest principles. Sadly, such achievements are not always deemed interesting either in Western history or in current conventional wisdom.

Returning for a final thought on Mystra, the visitor of today is subtly overwhelmed by the ruined elegance of its palaces and edifices, the small squares shaded by the ubiquitous mulberry and plane trees, and the cobbled roads winding to the castle atop the hill. Arched walls without roofs are like raised hands in parallel prayers of supplication to the heavens. Though Mystra has its share of visitors, it lacks the mass tourism that often resembles a traffic control pattern. Here the opportunity for intimacy with the surroundings, and with one’s thoughts, is readily available. The delicate brickwork inspired the generally unsentimental author Robert Kaplan to exclaim in his work, Mediterranean Winter, that, “for millennia artists have tried to replicate the beauty of nature. [In Mystra] brickworkers and stoneworkers had almost outdone her.”

PHOTO: KRASI KIRILOVA

The Hellenic Medical Society Honors Dr. Anastasia Anagnostopoulos with the 2016 Dr. Mary Kalopothakes Distinguished Female Physician/Scientist Award On Wednesday, April 6th, 2016, the Hellenic Medical Society of NY held t h e 5 t h a n n u a l D r. M a r y Kalopothakes Distinguished Female Physician/Scientist Award Symposium at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC. The Hellenic Medical Society of NY began honoring and recognizing female medical physicians in 2011, under the leadership of then President Dr. Nicholas Mezitis after the concept was proposed by then Vice President Dr. Stella Lymberis. The Dr. Anastasia Anagnostopoulos with conference was named after Dr. her members of her family and members M a r y K a l o p o t h a k e s a t t h e of the Hellenic Medical Society Board suggestion of Dr. Stella Lymberis which was unanimously accepted by the Executive field of Pathology and held many leadership and Board of the Society. The conference is held administrative titles during her long career. annually and features female speakers exclusively and awards a female physician or scientist of Anastasia Anagnostopoulos, M.D., F.C. A. P., FASCP, has had a long illustrative career spanning three Hellenic descent.

HMS President George Liakeas with past Presidents George Tsioulias and Spyros Mezitis along with Dr. George Patoulis, President of Athens Medical Association and member of the HMS Board

This year Dr. Anastasia Anagnostopoulos, M.D., Chair of the Department of Pathology and Medical Director of Laboratories at Saint Francis Hospital, The Heart Center in Roslyn, NY, and Medical Director of Laboratories at the Infusion center of Saint Francis Hospital in East Hills, NY was awarded the Dr. Mary Kalopothakes award which recognizes the accomplishments of women in medicine.

decades at St. Frances Hospital. She oversees the Clinical and Anatomical Laboratories and the Blood Bank. She joined the hospital as an Associated Pathologist in 1983, before becoming Director of Laboratories in 1993. Dr. Anagnostopoulos was an Assistant Clinical Professor at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons and is a member of several Committees at St. Francis, including: The Chair ’s Committee, the Medical Executive Dr. Anagnostopoulos earned her Medical Degree Committee, the Cancer Committee, the Tissue and from the University of Athens Medical School. She Procedures Committee, the Continuing Medical had an Internship in surgery at the General Hospital Education Committee and the Blood Utilization of Rethemnon, Crete, before coming to the United States where she completed her training in pathology. She met her husband, a clinical cardiologist in Rethymno, Crete during medical training. Despite a limited knowledge of English w h e n t h e y b o t h c a m e t o t h e U S , D r.

Anagnostopoulos was determined to complete her training and practice medicine in the US. She worked hard to learn and master the English language, managing to complete her residency training, meanwhile raising a family of two children. Dr. Julia Smith, She succeeded to climb the academic ranks in the during her speech 56

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Committee of which she was the Chair for 20 years.

Dr. Anagnostopoulos is a fellow of the College of American Pathologist (CAP), a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and a member of the Hellenic Medical Society of New York. She is a Certified Pathologist, by the American Board of Pathology. During her keynote lecture, she lectured on lung cancer informing attendees of current guidelines and commendations for this grave illness, outlining the risk factors, early detection, screening guidelines, classification, staging and predictive and prognostic molecular studies of lung cancer.

During the CME-accredited symposium, Dr. Julia Smith also gave an important lecture on the role of genetic screening for women at increased risk for cancer. Julia A. Smith, M.D., Ph.D. is Clinical Director, Cancer Screening Program Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center Project for Women with Increased Risk for Cancer and Director, NYU and Bellevue Lynne Cohen Foundation & Caring Together. She spoke on the importance of screening patients for atypical cancer family histories and offering a genetic blood test to rule out the possibility of a genetic mutation. Management of these patients varies greatly depending on the result of the test. The event was sponsored by Myriad Genetics.

The Honoree, Dr. Anastasia Anagnostopoulos

Mary Kalopothakes was born in Athens in 1859, the daughter of Michael D. Kalopothakes a medical doctor from Athens, Greece, and of Martha Hooper Blackler from Marblehead, Massachussetts, USA. She studied at Greek and American schools and graduated from the Harvard Annex (now Radcliffe College). She is the first Hellenic American female to complete medical training and to practice medicine.

HMS NY honors her memory annually via this award recognizing Hellenic women in medicine.

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Titan Titan Foods: Foods:

The The Strongest Strongest Rabbit Rabbit Delivers Delivers the the Biggest Biggest Food Food Basket Basket

by Athena Efter I don’t think there is a single Greek person in the whole tri-state area who doesn’t know the “titan” or the giant of Greek supermarkets Titan Foods. In fact, Titan Foods is well-known all over the country and the world, as far as Chicago and even …Qatar! I had the pleasure of listening to Kostas Mastoras, owner and founder, humbly and proudly recount two stories, among many, as I sat in his offices upstairs. In his own words: “I remember I was in Chicago and I saw a bag with the big green olive and Titan all across the bag,

your teeth into, like freshly made spinach and cheese pies, melomakarona and kourabiedes (Greek cookies) all made at Domna’s Bakery, an homage to his mother Domna, a baker, and her authentic sweet tasting recipes.

Titan Foods first opened its doors on March 25, 1984, the day of that famous day in Greek history when Greeks finally started the fight for their freedom and independence from the Ottoman Empire, which is

reasonable prices. But that’s not all. Titan has an array of frozen foods, which was also recently reinforced to bring more selections. Where else can you get over 4,000 Greek items including egg dye for your Easter eggs, masticha (a Greek sap gum used in baking or chewed as gum), baked goods, olive oil, cheese, olives, pasta, butter, herbs, worr y beads, yogurt……and let’s talk about Greek yogurt and how popular it’s become in mainstream yogurt culture.

We’ll start with Fage, the brand that would change the way the whole world eats yogurt. Mr. Mastoras, who holds a degree from the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki and a Masters degree from St. John’s University, was the first entrepreneur to market this highly successful product and what is now a six billion dollar Greek yogurt industry to the U.S. Kostas prides himself on this import as being his greatest accomplishment as a businessman, so much so that Forbes Magazine wanted to find out who was the brain behind the moving and shaking of this revolutionary product. He spent many nights at JFK waiting for shipments of Fage. I even had the opportunity to receive a small introductory crash course business 101 seminar. As a man committed to bringing you the finest quality products with the finest ingredients, Mr. Mastoras explained to me that 1 lb of American yogurt costs $.99 compared to 6 oz. of Fage Greek at $2.79. What does that tell me? It’s the gold standard of yogurt. People loved it and kept buying it and its sales have soared throughout the United States, if not the world.

annually celebrated with a big Greek parade on Fifth Avenue here in New York City. Kostas Mastoras remembers that day well because it was the day his first independent business venture opened its doors to a stampede of the entire Greek parade. He wasn’t expected such a grand opening. They all came in flocks and droves and he was hardly prepared for that kind of grand entrance in what he noted was a small traditional store of 600-700 square feet, but they managed, and it was enough of great start to eventually start expanding to its current location of 5,000 square feet, just down the road from its original location, complete with shopping carts and parking facilities, and most recently with new renovations.

Mr. Mastoras is not just a businessman. He is also a mentor to many young students in Greece and a speaker at several events held by the Chamber of Commerce. He loves food and he loves what he does, which is to continuously research and bring new Greek products to us, and he credits his passion for his success. He travels the world, mainly Europe to attend numerous food expos where he samples and buys only the best quality product. He is an outspoken advocate for how to improve the Greek economy through the food industry. He tells his students to stay in Greece, to cultivate their products and resources, and to learn how to market and sell them, because if anyone knows about marketing success, he’s got that market covered. He advises and consults students on how to start their own companies. Because of the economic austerity in Greece, he believes it is now more important than ever for young people to start cultivating their own products, like honey, olive oil, and even herbs such as thyme and oregano.

He added a whole section of traditional prepared foods, like roasted chicken, lemon potatoes, moussaka, baked shrimp and the plate du jour. Too lazy to cook? Just go Titan for mom’s take-out at very

The advice he gives students is to take whatever they have that can be made into food products, or any kind of product for that matter, and market it. The problem, in his eyes, is that they have the products but

Kostas Mastoras, owner and founder of Titan Foods and I was almost in tears.” Then, there is the story of the Greek (or Greek-American) Lieutenant in the Air Force who wanted an order of the traditional Greek Easter bread tsoureki shipped to him all the way to Qatar. I was a bit stunned. Really? Qatar?? Was that a Fedex or UPS shipment? It was any company that delivered there, and Kostas Mastoras makes it all happen with his own food empire that started right here in the heart of Astoria.

Kostas Mastoras, his business and life partner wife Stavroula Mastoras, and his business associates are all part of this thriving Greek food operation. And it’s thriving alright. What started as a small cheese and dairy store in 1984 eventually expanded, and rather quickly, into a Greek mega store where you can buy over 20 different kinds of olive oil, cheeses, olives, herbs, frozen foods, pastas, pastries, and anything Greek you want to taste and get your hands on, or sink 58

MAY 2016 NEWS & NOTES

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they lack the experience, and as a man of experience and personal success, he wants to share that secret and key to success by guiding them through that process. Almost 95% of sales come from Greece, because his business heavily depends on Greek imports, and it is also his way of stimulating the Greek economy. Even frozen spinach is imported from Greece! There are over 400 suppliers in Greece. By giving them business, you keep them there and you keep the economy moving, according to Mr. Mastoras, and I couldn’t agree more. These are a 50/50 split between Greeks and non-Greeks. manufacturers export to the Europe, Australia and He’s come a long way since his first store opened with 100% Greek patronage and cash only. The majority of Titan Foods. income now comes from credit card use.

I asked Mr. Mastoras how the recent collapse of the economy affected his business, as I looked around at Mr. Mastoras just kept talking and my hand was about all the Easter baskets and products that decorated the to fall off, but I kept writing at the speed of which he store in anticipation of the upcoming holiday. “We was talking, because he had a lot to tell me and I was were lucky this year that Easter is on May 1. Business all ears. I even managed to tap into his inner comedian was affected in 2015 and in January and February when he recounted the story of how a man tried to pay 2016. There were no shipments during those months. for his purchases at his first store with a credit card.

Luckily there are very few Greek Roman Catholics, His reply: “Sir, this is not Bloomingdales but a small because April Easter would have been a tough sell this ethnic food store.” Well, cover me plastic! The Greek year,” he explains. “And because of capital controls on “Stop and Shop” will accept your American express the banking system at $420 Euros per week, it became now. necessary to open bank accounts in Bulgaria and Cyprus for machinery, parts and raw materials, which He admits that it wasn’t always easy to be away from he also imports from Greece. The entire case of his family. You can’t be in one country and attend your prepared foods is made from raw materials that came child’s play at school, especially when you are from Greece under the manufacturing name of working 7am-9pm non-stop on a 14 hour day, but his Dragoulakis, which was part of his 1.2 million dollar family is his pride and joy. They are very much a part of the operation. His children, Anthony and Angela carr y on the tradition and bring as he stated, an “American way” into it. He claims to still think the Greek way. So what does all that mean?

It means the creative marketing strategies they bring into it that contribute greatly to its success. His children are tech savvy. They created TitanFoods.net as a way to reach people throughout the country renovation project. So if the Greek economy depends and the world. Anyone can order anything and have it on the import of these materials, without a free shipped to their door, even as far as Alaska and Qatar. moving economy, it can’t be done.” This year, we And I personally will never forget that enormous won’t have any problem if we want to buy ready-made billboard with the signature green olive over the magiritsa or traditional Greek Easter soup. They’ll Grand Central Expressway at the mouth of the Triboro also dye the eggs for you to eliminate the big mess it Bridge.He hired a high level Greek-American art will make in your kitchen and ship them to you director that works for MSNBC, Victoria Todis, who happens to also be one of my best friends, to design without a crack. his logo and marketing materials. He thanks her He also cites the importance of keeping up with the profusely for lending her creative vision to his success. latest trends and to adapt to changes in shopping habits. For example, the shift towards organic With four companies working their food magic, there products is now in high demand, so he stocks a whole is no doubt that he will continue to refine and line of organic products. Domna’s Bakery is now enhance his business in a changing world to adapt to making tsoureki with Stevia, a sugar substitute, and he keep customers satisfied and coming back for more. would like to, in the near future, start offering more His distribution company, Optima Foods in Deer Park, baked goods with this substitution to better serve takes all the products they import through his Athens those with dietary restrictions. The yogurt and healthy based warehouse, Atlantic Food Exports, which Mediterranean diet food trend has also opened up his selects, packages and ships products to them, so they doors to a whole new clientele. Today his customers can, in turn, take their trucks and distribute them all

over the tri-state area to a variety of restaurants and gourmet food stores. They are also the distributor of Titan’s optimum group brand Attica food products.

He also opened up a second Titan Foods for retail in Deer Park, so if you are not an online shopper and you don’t want make the journey to Astoria, you can stay right where you are on Long Island and go shopping more conveniently there. But wherever you are, it doesn’t really matter. If you want it you can have it with the click of your mouse and have it shipped to your house. And with Domna’s Bakery in Deer Park baking up all kinds of fresh and tasty Greek sweets, why bother baking this year? I bought a box of melamokarona and kourabiedes (Greek cookies) and shared them with my American friends and they loved them, just as much as I did. And no, you do not have to be Greek to go Greek or love Greek. My Italian American friends came all the way from Nyack one day because they wanted me to take them shopping at Titan Foods. They spent some time in Greece and wanted very specific products that they couldn’t find anywhere else but here at Titan. It was an adventure to shop in his bright, sunny store with white-washed rustic walls reminiscent of Greece, and also a lot of fun to learn more about what products they wanted that even I, as a first-generation Greek-American woman, never heard of.

Kostas didn’t forget to thank all of his patrons and customers for their continued loyalty and support over the years. By committing himself to ensuring that the finest ingredients are brought to you, he assures us of his dedication. It’s a lengthy and detailed process to have all nutrition facts and labels registered with U.S Customs, and it takes 8-12 months to make a product under the proper guidelines and conditions, but his team at the U.S Embassy trusts him, and we do too. He also wants to thank the publisher of NEO

Magazine, Demetrios Rhompotis and his associates for their continued support. He wishes everyone a “Kalo Pascha or Happy Easter”. Feel free to stop by on weekends when he has tastings of food samples and new products weekly. It’s a great way to shop and be introduced to new products. I picked up a half pound of Greek Feta cheese from a region I never heard of, but the free sample at the right room temperature sold me. I brought it for myself, but then decided to give it as a gift among the cookies I bought to my American friends, who only know the sour tasting, overly salted domestic brand of Feta that cannot be served on its own as an artisanal cheese. Nope. Not this Feta. It was velvety creamy smooth and mild in flavor and definitely worth introducing. It was even better than my favorite French Feta. I can’t remember the name. It began with a Z, but you’ll have to stop in and find out for yourself, because he sells over 20 different kinds of cheese!

NEWS & NOTES

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Staten Island Young Cypriots United after Elected Politician Betrayed their Trust!

by Philip Phytides Staten Island may be a small community, but in the recent years we have come to realize just how many Cypriots live on the island. As a result, Staten Island Cypriots have shown the desire to come together to form a united club and demonstrate the traditions and

politician that overlooks the struggles of our homeland.

If the Cypriots of Staten Island unite, they can make a difference and show politicians that support the Turkish invasion of Cyprus that we will not stand for it and not support them in any way, monetarily or otherwise. Many times, these stories are not told and are not made public for everyone to hear. How many Cypriots on Staten Island know what this politician or other politicians are doing in favor of the Turkish forces? How many From left, Petros Gregoriou Cypriots know what their (Treasurer), Penny Phytides campaign contributions (Secretary), Philip Phytides are used for and what that (President), Joanne Kouros candidate actually stands (Co-treasurer), Andrew strength of those who are immigrants and descendants Panayiotou ( Vice President) for? of the beautiful island of Cyprus. Unfortunately, in our society, there are politicians who allow the power and More politicians are needed in Congress that are willing temptation of monetary reward to overtake the to stand up for Cyprus and do something about the island being divided for so long. Just because Cyprus is morality of helping those in need. a small island as compared to other European There has been such an example on Staten Island with countries, it does not mean there are not enough of us one politician in particular. For a large sum of money, here in the United States that have never forgotten what this person has made it his mission to “fight for people happened in 1974 and want it to be known to everyone. who need help to have their voices heard” as he has It is important to teach our children about the invasion been quoted as saying. Unfortunately, the “poor of our beautiful island on July 20, 1974. As generations people” he is referring to are not the Cypriots who were grow, sometimes traditions and the history of your thrown out of their homes in the Northern part of roots gets faded or even lost. When a Cypriot Club is Cyprus. He is giving a voice and supporting the Turkish formed and becomes part of a greater and respected invaders of the Northern part of Cyprus. How about group such as the Federation of Cypriot American those “poor people” that had their homes destroyed, Organizations, it gives them the resources for their husbands lost, and churches burned to the ground? voices to be heard.

There is no mention that these people are the Greek Cypriots, NOT the Turkish forces that took what was not As a Staten Island Chapter, our goal is to promote the theirs. He also took the side of the Azeri Turkish to traditions, culture, and language as well as many other condemn the freedom of Armenian Nagorno Karabakh aspects of the Cypriot heritage. It gives our children and from Azerbaijan Turkish persecution. He continues to grandchildren a place to meet and socialize with others support the Turkish side’s denial of the Armenian from their island. In this way, it promotes the longevity Genocide. How can Greeks or Cypriots trust or support of Cypriot culture and provides enthusiasm both to the a man who would defend and support the Turkish young and old generations. The United States is such a “melting pot” that sometimes it becomes very difficult invasions? to associate and find others from your homeland. Once It is stories like this one that further make Cypriots of a chapter is established, it gives a common place for the United States, and specifically the Cypriots of Staten everyone to meet and socialize and unite for a common Island, want to unite and make others aware of these cause. An intervention on the part of United States’ types of injustices. We cannot continue to support any politicians is long overdue to help the cause of the

unjust overtaking of the Northern part of Cyprus by Turkish troops.

The more chapters we can form and the stronger our membership becomes, the more our “voices” will be heard. We cannot allow this to continue. Our children and grandchildren should be able to visit the entire island of Cyprus and see its beauty and feel safe and free to travel to “other” side, as it is referred to by many.

Staten Island members are both confident and enthusiastic about the future success of a Staten Island Chapter of Cypriots and feel that this club is long overdue. One thing that all Cypriots have is pride for their homeland and the desire to show others the beauty of our traditions and culture as well as to preserve it amongst our present and future generations. The hope of this chapter is to bring out more Cypriots from the island that we have not even met yet. It is our hope to unite and make this a vibrant and successful club with as many members as possible.

We would like to become a diverse group from every part of Cyprus, especially those who became refugees and lost their homes in the invasion. It is important for the youth to hear their stories and understand the impact that the invasion had on families, perhaps being the reason that they migrated to the United States for a better life.

Eventually, the Staten Island Chapter hopes to become strong enough to be able to raise enough funds to be able to send Cypriot youth who desire to see the homeland and all its beauty but may not be able to afford such a luxury. We would also like to form a Cypriot dance group that can learn traditional dances and perform them not only for the club and any events we may have, but branch out to others to show them the beauty of the dance and its costumes. Another goal is to have a large group of Staten Island Cypriots represent Cyprus in the Greek Independence Day Parade that takes place in New York City every year.

Over the years, more and more people are becoming aware of where and what Cyprus is and it is our desire to continue this by bringing more and more awareness to the island of Cyprus. With the initiation of Stacey Anastos, who envisioned the formation of this group for many years, Philip Phytides (President) and Andrew Panayiotou ( Vice President), with the help of the Board Members consisting of Penny Phytides, Petros Gregoriou and Joanne Kouros, will take on the challenging task and leadership to make this group a strong and valuable asset to the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations. Any questions can be directed to Philip at pphytides@hotmail.com

by Katerina Athanasiou The Cypriot Young Professionals (CYP) of the CYPRUS-U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted their 3rd Leadership Dinner with Bareburger cofounder and Chief Operating Officer, Jimmy Pelekanos.

P HOTO S: ETA P RESS

The Cypriot Young Professionals Host 3rd Leadership Dinner

Cypriot-run business, stated that this type of event is at the core of what the Chamber stand for, which is to provide professional development opportunities to its members. He congratulated the Cypriot Young Professionals for organizing such a successful event.

The intimate, sold out evening took place at the KEO Room of the Cyprus Consulate in NYC and included a crowd of 20 CYP members and three Chamber Board members. Pelekanos shared his entrepreneurial story of Bareburgers' beginning an unlikely venture born between friends and family, at the start of the recession - and frank advice including, "Leave your ego at the door."

Today, Bareburger boasts over 30 locations, with restaurants opening everywhere from Santa Monica to Tokyo in the coming year.

CYP’s Leadership Dinner series is one of the Chamber’s core initiatives. These events function as an opportunity to bring together leaders from the Greek/Cypriot American community and young professionals for an exchange of ideas and experiences. The perfect platform for aspiring entrepreneurs and established professionals.

Leadership Dinners are among the events reserved for members of the CYPRUS-US Chamber of Commerce.

Bareburger co-founder and Chief Operating Officer,

To join CYP, visit cyprususchamber.com/.

Catered by CYP’s very own Elena Papageougiou’s Jimmy Pelekanos with Cypriot Young Professionals Facebook: family owned restaurant, Zenon Taverna, who has also been a long time supporter of the CYPRUS-U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the https://www.facebook.com/groups/CYPCUCC story of Pelekanos’ success was paralleled by the support of his wife, Instagram: https//www.instagram.com/CypriotYoungPros Chrystanthy, who joined the dinner to share stores about the business development and partnership. Newly elected Chamber Board Member, Katerina Athanasiou is an analyst with the NYC Parks Department Architect and Founder of Method Design, Demetrios Comodromos said, “I and the Vice President of the Cypriot Young Professionals (“CYP”) of think it said a lot that his wife came, and how integral she was to the narrative of the CYPRUS-U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Bareburger starting. She was so aware of all the details - clearly a life ‘partner’ and not just his wife.”

President Emeritus Stathis Theodoropoulos moderated the event. As an emerging entrepreneur who founded his own company, Firefly Lighting, just last year, he described the event as especially influential. "Being able to sit with Jimmy, have a meal together, hear his story and pick his brain about being a businessman is a tremendous opportunity that a lot of young professionals and entrepreneurs don't have. Being an entrepreneur and starting a company isn't easy, but listening to Jimmy reaffirmed the journey I am on and left me with lessons to apply to my own venture,” Theodoropoulos said.

Tatiana Raftis, fashion designer, CYP member, and key organizer of the event, asked if Pelekanos’ family experience of being Greek-Cypriot refugees after the 1974 Turkish invasion had any influence on him. Raftis stated, “When I asked him at the dinner if seeing his family lose everything gave him more of a drive to succeed he got teary eyed and shared the story of how he always remembers watching his grandfather sitting at the table and saying ‘Ta exasa ola’ [I lost everything].” Pelekanos mentioned that he reflects on his grandfather’s experience of having to start over again whenever faced with obstacles.

Mrs. Pelekanos shared that “[she and Jimmy] found the evening to be warm, inviting, and overall very informative. There’s a wonderful mix of talent among [CYP].” CYP is grateful to the Pelekanos family for sharing their stories, and hopes to facilitate many more meaningful gatherings in the future.

Nicolas Nicolaou, CYPRUS-US Chamber President and CFO of Mana Products, a

Hercules, Prometheus and the Olympic Games ignite a flame in NYC’s Lincoln Center which relates well to ancient Greek tragedy due to the fact that they are both lyrical works and Greek The Olympic Flame by internationally, acclaimed tragic poetry is lyrical. composer Panagiotis Karousos saw its American premiere on Saturday, March 26th, 2016. This was a The opera World Premiered in Montreal’s Cathedral groundbreaking, historic production marking it as at Notre-Dame Basilica with soloists, choir and large the first time a Greek Opera sung in the Hellenic Symphony Orchestra conducted by maestro Andre language was presented at Lincoln Center of the Gauthier. In Greece the opera was presented at the Performing Arts’ Bruno Walter Auditorium. The Old Parliament House of Greece with costumes. The opera was a tribute to the summer Olympic Games bel-canto style of the arias and melancholic that will take place in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. It was romanticism raise the work as a major operatic also an official event of the Greek Independence masterpiece of the new era in opera, “an exaltation Parade that just took place in NYC on Sunday, April of lyricism never heard before.” Among with Prometheus and Alexander the Great, they 10th. contribute as the most important operatic works in the Greek history of classical music.

By Billy Chrissochos

The stars of the show were the singers of course who with operatic fervor enthralled the packed theatre. The part of Heracles was sung by tenor Demetrios John Tsinopoulos who Left to right : production manager Billy Chrissochos, composer Panagiotis starred in “Porphyra, A Grecian Rock Karousos, conductor Jestin Pieper, tenor Demetrios John Tsinopoulos, soprano Opera’s” Carnegie Hall debut last Stella Papatheodorou, bass Kofi Hayford, soprano Viktoriya Koreneva, May. The dynamic and tragic role of soprano Elisabeth Shoup, and stage director Elias Marko.

Deianeira was sung by the brilliant The Opera which debuted in Montreal in 2005 is an soprano Elisabeth Shoup. The roles of Hyllos & opera in two acts related to the legend of Heracles Prometheus by bass Kofi Hayford, the roles of and the founding of the Olympic Games. The Macaria and Iole by soprano Stella Papatheodorou, Olympic Flame is the second operatic work by and the role of Alcmene by mezzo-soprano Viktoriya Panagiotis Karousos. Along with “Prometheus” (first Koreneva. performed in Greek at the Place des Arts, in June of 1994 and subsequently in its French version in June of 1996) and “Alexander the Great” (Canada 2007) is part of a trilogy depicting the greatness of the human spirit and the humanism of the “Hellenes.” This is stated in the philosophical works of Greek antiquity and clearly indicates that we are all descendants of the culture and civilization of that era.

The opera in its entirety is based on the Olympic flame and as it unfolds gives us the fundamental meaning behind the ancient Greek religious ritual, "for that is what it is". The flame as we know it fueling the Olympics is basically a simple commemoration/re-enactment of the flame as was stolen from the Gods by Prometheus and brought to the people; The flame of knowledge, from which civilizations were born. In Greek antiquity it was a religious ritual, with the purpose of bringing of the people closer to the Gods.

Its second act is based on the tragedy “THE TRACHINIAE” ( The Women of Trachis) by Sophocles. In the Trachiniae, the sufferings of Heracles are described and the levity of Deianeira, atoned for by her death; “The Olympic Flame” is a presentation of a major work of Greek mythology and philosophy, and in turn its contribution to world civilization.

Montreal Popular Concerts series in Montreal’s Maurice Richard Arena to an audience of 5000 people. The Olympic Flame choir was presented with the Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of Gunst wat'n Kunst at Hague, Holland, with maestro R. Pylarinos. The opera Alexander the Great was presented in Montreal at the Montreal Notre Dame Basilica and in Chicago, Illinois and conducted by David Stech. It was also presented in North Carolina Theatre under the direction of Grant Gilman, and in

The Hellenic American Orchestra with co-founders Mr. Panagiotis Karousos and Billy Chrissochos

Toronto at P.C. Ho Theater Cultural Center of Toronto with the Sneak Peak Symphony Orchestra of Toronto University and soloists under the direction of maestro Victor Cheng. The opera Prometheus performed in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington DC. From 2013, Mr. Karousos held major presentations of Prometheus in Ancient Greek Theaters like Epidaurus, Messina, and the Ancient Agora, and the National Archeological Museum of Greece. In 2014 Prometheus presented with bass Vasilis Asimakopoulos at United Nations in New York under the auspices of UNESCO. In Berlin he did a chamber music concert and Liederabend.

His Symphony No.4 “Earth” premiered with City of Athens Symphony Orchestra under maestro Eleftherios Kalkanis. His concerts broadcasted live from National Greek Radio and Attica TV.

The Olympic Flame was sponsored by the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater NY. The production team would like to thank Mr. Petros Galatoulas and the board as well as our co-sponsors Yeoryia Studios and Long Island City Academy of Music who granted the production free rehearsal The Hellenic American Orchestra space. This was a co-production of the Hellenic under conductor Jestin Pieper American Center of the Arts, which is the The brand new Hellenic American Orchestra that organization of Mr. Karousos and Mr. Chrissochos. was created for the Hellenic American Center of the You can read all about our future concerts in Europe Arts American branch was conducted by a rising star, and the US at the conductor Jestin Pieper, who was instrumental along with tenor Demetrios John Tsinopoulos, production manager Billy Chrissochos, and stage director Elias Markos in bringing all these talented musicians together.

About the Composer:

Panagiotis Karousos is a renowned Greek-Canadian composer who brings to his music the philosophy and spiritualism of the Greek classics. He has done numerous concerts in Canada and the US with his Symphony No.1 “Liberty,” and Symphony No.2 “Olympic” with the Astoria Symphony, the FACE Symphony Orchestra, the OSJL-L Symphony Orchestra and the Monteregie Symphony Orchestra; under the direction of maestros Silas Nathaniel Huff, Andre Gauthier, Theodora Stathopoulos and Luc Chaput.

Left to right : Conductor Jestin Pieper, soprano Viktoriya Koreneva, composer Panagiotis Karousos, tenor Demetrios John Tsinopoulos, soprano Elisabeth Shoup, and bass Kofi Hayford.

http://hellenicamericancenterofthearts.blogspot.co The composition and orchestration of the opera is m. This was also a co-production of Billy influenced by the post-romantic era in music and by Chrissochos’ musical, “Porphyra, A Grecian Rock other classical elements in Greek antiquity thus Opera. Anna and Vladimir: The love that ROCKED making it an avant-garde opera of the new the world,” which is debuting OFF Broadway at the millennium. Dominant in this work as in others by Panagiotis Karousos is the exaltation of lyricism, The Piano Concerto was presented with pianist Players Theatre May 13th, 14th, &15th. Get your Nathalie Joncas under UNESCO auspices in the tickets now at www.Porphyrarockopera.com.

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MAY 2016 NEWS & NOTES

NY Times #1 Best Seller author Reza Aslan of Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth (2013) writes: "Aphrodite Désirée Navab is a Greek, Iranian-born, New York-based artist whose work mines her Iranian, Greek and American cultural heritage asking questions of its competing histories and politics. Her art is the aching inquir y of an uprooted consciousness seeking new roots. It also serves as a site of critical dialogue and debate. Ultimately, Navab's art haunts our imagination with its beauty and complexity, inviting us to engage in a third space of transnational and cross-cultural initiations, leaving domination and demonization outside the picture.” A collector from her new series, he sets the tone of her latest inspirations. NEO had the change to interview Aphrodite and talk about her projects and how theyʼve developed over years of soul searching and artistic exercising.

What is your latest project?

My latest work is The Blind Owl Meets the Hunger Artist (2014-present). It is an ongoing series of ink drawings where I imagine an invented encounter between the protagonist in the Iranian writer Sadeq Hedayat's novella “The Blind Owl” and the protagonist of Czech writer Franz Kafka's short story, "The Hunger

by Dina Pinos

Aphrodite Navab,

the Greek Iranian American Artist Mines her Roots and ...Minds her Business!

Artist." The artists' metaphors, allegories, and themes are explored in voluntary exile, in addition to the nature of performance art, the real and the ideal, rituals of insanity, the existential crises of the artists and their autobiographical narratives.

How were you selected by your latest gallery?

Marina Reiter of Studio 26 gallery in the East Village recruited me after hearing about my work through a curator. The gallery represents an impressive list of international artists and is in tune with current trends in the art world. They now represent me. My new series is on their website: studio26eastvillage.com/dsire-navab-portfolio. The gallery is active in promoting, exhibiting and selling its artists' work both within the gallery space, and at well known international art fairs. My work was exhibited at the following fairs: Art on Paper, Art Basel Miami, December 1-6, 2015, Context NYC, Armory Show, March 3-6, 2015, and Art Beijing April 27-May 1, 2016.

How does your yoga practice inspire your art?

Seven years ago, I asked a dear friend, writer Hooman Majd and bestselling author of “The Ayatollah Begs to Differ,” (2008), how he stayed so balanced, mentally and fit, physically? He shared with me that he practices Ashtanga yoga, that his wife Karri Jinkins is a yoga instructor and inquired if I would like to be introduced to his teacher, Eddie Stern of Ashtanga Yoga New York.

I was doubtful of my own ability at first, but over seven years, I have progressed from practicing three times a week, to every day, from primary to intermediate series. I have expanded in flexibility, strength, and discipline — slow but steady. As I wish to practice for the remainder of my life, there is no rush. I dedicate one hour a day, every day to myself, my body, spirit, mind, my breath, often in solitude and silence.

I now practice before making my art, before bringing out my Sumi ink, brushes, twigs and watercolor paper. I have a very active and tireless spirit.

Often the yoga instructors at Ashtanga Yoga New York call me a hummingbird, not only for my small size but also for my rapid movements, completing my practice in very little time, flying in and out of the room. Yoga calms me and clears my thoughts before I focus on releasing my imagination for my art. I do weeks of research for my art, collecting primary sources. For my new series, I re-read Hedayat's novella The Blind Owl, and I re-read Kafka's The Hunger Artist. I read secondary sources, examining and critiquing their art. I read historical sources on the Czech republic and Austria during Kafka's time and Iran during Hedayat's time, then researched the internet for photographs of the writers from birth until death. But one needs to make space inside to analyze so much data. The mind is intricately connected to the body. Yoga enables me to stare at a large blank watercolor paper, with clarity, faith, flexibility and strength.

Tell us more about the healing power of yoga and art?

On September 24, 2015 at the Rubin Museum, my teacher Eddie had a conversation on the subject of karma with his good friend and student of Ashtanga yoga, Chris Martin of Coldplay. Chris recited a poem by heart, by the 13th century Iranian Sufi mystic and poet, Rumi: “The Guesthouse,” translated by Coleman Barks.

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

I have read many translations of Rumi's poems. I knew parts of this poem by heart as well. As I heard a present day English artist recite the work of a 13thcentury Iranian artist, I already knew that profound art inspires new generations across time, culture, language and place, but what became more poignant to me then is that yoga and making art as a combined practice have the potential to clear out our beings, our “guest house” as Rumi pictures it, so as to be more open, receptive, present, and aware.

What do you hope to achieve through your art?

It is in the process of making my art that I dislocate and relocate my place between Greece, Iran and the United States. Each exhibition or installation provides a material reference for me after having left my first relatives, friends, home, language and culture. Each series places a foundation stone into a new home that I am building away from home, but always in critical dialogue with the memory of that first home. To be 'unhomed', as cultural studies theorist Homi Bhabha puts it, does not mean that I am 'homeless'.

Nor does it mean that I can be accommodated easily. By occupying two places at once, a cultural hybrid becomes difficult to place. It is within this 'third space' of working, contesting and reconstructing that the hybrid cultural identity creates an opening for other positions to emerge–a space of transnational and cross-cultural initiations.

Homeling was my Greek grandmother Efigenia's pronunciation for homeless. Neither homeless nor at home, homeling captures both the horror and the rapture, in re-locating home and world.

Dr. Aphrodite Désirée Navab website is: aphroditenavab.net

Mentis Estate Olive Oil A Taste of Greece The exquisite olive oil produced by Mentis Estate is hand picked and pressed carefully by local artisans. To preserve the integrity of this extra virgin olive oil, only limited quantities are available. A pure unblended olive oil, with an acidity of less than 0.5%, the Mentis Estate produces an aromatic and fruity nectar. Well-balanced characteristics described as pine, floral, nutty, buttery and pungent with a hint of artichoke make up this extra virgin oil.

The Mentis Estate olive trees are located in Neapolis, Laconia which is a microclimate offering fertile soil and perfect Mediterranean weather.

Mentis Estate has produced olive oil for three generations harvesting the Athenolia olive variety. In mythology, the goddess Athena offered the gift of olives to the Athenians from the region of Laconia giving the name Athenolia to this variety of olives.

For over 5000 years, olive oil has been used medicinally and its health benefits includes: boosting the immune system, preventing heart disease, cancer, and strokes and helping to lower blood pressure.

The Mediterranean Diet is renowned throughout the world for its vital role in healthy living. According to numerous studies, olive oil should be incorporated in every meal.

Rich in history, Laconia formed part of the Byzantine Empire in medieval times and in ancient Greece it was the principal region of Sparta.

Maria’s Traditional Easter Soup (Magiritsa) As Greeks around the world assemble to celebrate the resurrection on Holy Saturday night, the traditional magiritsa soup is served to break the fast on Pascha. This is a traditional Easter dish, that Maria Zoitas, Executive Chef of Westside Markets in Manhattan NY, enjoys preparing and sharing with her family and friends year after year. This margiritsa recipe is her very own traditional family recipe, and will also be featured in her exciting new cookbook available later this year.

Maria has been the culinary force behind the hugely successful Westside Markets prepared foods and catering operation for over 30 years. Chef Maria's traditional and new american delights are available at five Westside market locations in Manhattan and one location in New Jersey. http://www.wmarketnyc.com/maria/ METHOD

1 head of lamb 1 lamb liver 1 lamb tripe 1 Lamb intestines 5 tongues of lamb 2 lamb hearts 1 lb of beef sweetbreads 1 large white onion chopped 2 cups Scallions chopped 1 cup Dill chopped 1 cup Parsley chopped 1 head of Boston leaf Lettuce shredded 1 Cup olive oil

1 Cup fytini (Greek butter, can be substituted with margarine or butter.)

1 Cup fresh lemon juice 3-4 Eggs 1-1/2 Tbsp. fresh ground black pepper 1 Tbsp. kosher sea salt 3 chicken bouillon cubes msg free 1 cup Uncle Ben’s Rice 1 cup of lemon juice for cleaning offal 4 tablespoons of kosher sea salt for cleaning offal Water

1.

Clean all lamb parts. Intestines and tripe should be cleaned with a mixture of ½ cup of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of kosher sea salt and 2 quarts of water.

2.

Intestines can be cleaned inside and out, using a wooden chopstick to turn the intestines inside out to thoroughly wash with the lemon, water and salt mixture.

3.

Let the intestines soak in a second fresh mixture of lemon juice, salt and water for 20-30 minutes until whitened.

4.

In a medium to large pot cover the tripe and intestines with water, add one teaspoon salt and bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes.

5.

In a separate pot place head, liver and tongues, and sweetbreads, cover with water, add a teaspoon of salt, and bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes.

6.

Drain both pots, discarding the water and set everything aside.

7.

Clean the tripe, intestines, head, tongue, and sweetbreads by rinsing well.

8.

Return the tripe and intestines to the cleaned pot and cover with fresh water, add 2 teaspoons of sea salt and return to a low boil.

9.

Return the head, tongues, liver, and sweetbreads to the cleaned pot and cover with fresh water, add 2 teaspoons of sea salt, and bring to a low boil.

10.

Boil both pots for 1-1/2 hours periodically skimming off any foam or impurities.

11.

Strain the both pots, reserving the broth for later, set aside all the offal to cool.

12.

When cooled sufficiently, Chop all the offal into 1/8 inch small pieces.

START ING T HE SO UP

1.

Heat 1 cup of olive oil and 1 cup of fytini in a large 10-12 Quart pot on medium to high heat for 3-4 minutes.

2.

Add the onions and scallions and saute for 5-7 minutes until the onions turn clear.

3.

Add the chopped offal, pepper, and continue saute with onion and oil for about 8-10 minutes.

4.

Add 4 quarts of the broth from the offal, the chopped herbs, and cover, turn heat to medium and cook covered for 3 hours. Add more broth or water as needed to maintain volume.

5.

Add rice, stir gently, and cook covered, an additional 30 minutes 6.

Strain out two cups of the broth.

7.

In a blender blend the eggs for one minute.

8.

With the blender running slowly add the lemon juice. Blend for one additional minute.

9.

Slowly add the hot strained broth to the running blender to create a smooth mixture.

10.

Stir the blended broth, egg, and lemon back into the soup and bring back to a boil for 1 inute, then remove from heat.

11.

Season to salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste and Serve the soup garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

NEWS & NOTES

MAY 2016

71

Chios Society of Washington DC arriving at NY Parade with President George Psillos, VicePresident Angela Costalas, Secretary Anastasia Orfanoudis, Treasurer Kay Matthews and members.

continued from page 20 reliably by observation since what sometimes appears to the eye as a full moon may not, in fact, be one. This is one of the reasons why after Nicaea different Churches in communion with one another developed a wide variety of scientific/mathematical calculations over the centuries to determine the vernal full moon needed to arrive at the date of Pascha. However, scientific methods have advanced significantly since the time of antiquity, as has our ability to reliably know the dates of the vernal equinox and the vernal full moon for any given year.

In 1920, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople raised the issue of all Churches employing a common calendar so that Eastern and Western Churches could celebrate major Christian feast days together throughout each year. Moreover, in 1923 a Pan-Orthodox Congress under the leadership of the Ecumenical Patriarchate advocated using a Revised Julian Calendar (very similar to the Gregorian Calendar) while also returning to the actual astronomical phenomena of the vernal equinox and the vernal full moon for the calculation of Pascha. However, divisive reactions against adoption of a new calendar and new Paschal calculations resulted in a compromise that allowed autocephalous Orthodox Churches to choose the Old Julian Calendar or the New (Revised Julian) Calendar to regulate the ecclesiastical year, but maintained the Old Julian Calendar and the scientific calculations based on it for the determination of Paschal dates.

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MAY 2016 NEWS & NOTES

Stelios Tsagris, Supreme President of the Chios Societies of Americas and Canada with Eva Katradis, Panayioti and Maria Stefanias and Georgia Vavas.

DC Chios members at the Xiotiko Spiti.

In light of the many calendrical and scientific advances today, Orthodox Christians must ask themselves if use of the inaccurate Julian Calendar, use of a “fixed” Julian Calendar date of March 21st (Gregorian April 3rd) for the vernal equinox, and use of a mathematically calculated approximation of the vernal full moon are still faithful to the spirit of the 1st Ecumenical Council at Nicaea. Nicaea issued its formula for the calculation of Pascha so that Christians everywhere would celebrate the most important Christian feast together in unity as a common witness to the world. Nicaea did not precisely regulate the technical details, methods, or calendar by which the vernal equinox and the vernal full moon should be determined, but expected the best available science to be used for the calculation of Pascha. The best available science is no longer being used for the calculation of Pascha.

A consultation on Pascha/Easter between representatives of the Orthodox Church and Western Churches within the World Council of Churches in 1997 resulted in an excellent statement on and thoughtful recommendations for a common celebration of Pascha, but unfortunately these recommendations were never implemented. It is time that Orthodox Christians again begin to discuss this important issue of Paschal calculation and celebration while also moving past widespread misperceptions among Orthodox Christians regarding the reasons why Pascha frequently occurs so much later than Western Easter.

During this 21st century, the Orthodox and Western Churches will share a common celebration of Pascha only 31 times. In subsequent centuries, the common celebration of Pascha will occur much less frequently as errors in the Julian Calendar become more pronounced. This will result in Orthodox Pascha occurring even later in the year and more severely out of relationship with the vernal equinox and vernal full moon. Unless action is taken, the year 2698 will be the final time that Orthodox Pascha and Western Easter will occur on the same day. There may eventually be generations of Christians who are sadly led to believe that Orthodox and Western Christians have never celebrated Pascha/Easter together.

To be sure, Western Christians do utilize the formula issued by Nicaea for the calculation of Pascha, while Orthodox Christians do not need to wait for the Jewish celebration of Passover before Orthodox Pascha can occur. Rather, use of a more accurate calendar as well as more accurate scientific calculations by the Orthodox Church are needed for Orthodox Pascha to occur once again each year on the first Sunday after the first full moon, after the vernal equinox—and again together with our Western Christian brothers and sisters.

John Fotopoulos is an Associate Professor of New Testament in the Department of Religious Studies at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana.

The article appeared first in Public Orthodoxy (publixorthodoxy.org )

Erdogan was jailed for a poem and now he’s taking a comedian to court for a poem! the greater Middle East area and beyond. Turkey’s rapid economic development under the first years of Erdogan as Prime Minister proved the recipe successful and even non – not yet, that is – Muslim states like Greece started seeing religion as good for business, besides being good for votes.

of the locals who go out With my ad hoc Mexican of their way to help outfit, getting ready to be them. It was deported by Trump... the first time in A number of scandals, the Vatopedi Monastery case history that three top tier Christian leaders spoke so comes first to mind, shook the country after one highly of…Lesbians and their humanitarian minister after another went looking to establish contribution! connections with Mount Athos, where money-savvy monks were proving to be more entrepreneurial than Have a beautiful Pascha and may the soon to be most, mostly state subsidized Greek businessmen, Resurrected Christ lift our souls and spirits, same way and of course more efficient than the government, a Boeing 747 does it when it’s time for our summer It is kind of a bitter irony that President Recep Tayip good mainly to look out for new loans in order to pay trip to Greece!

Ergogan of Turkey wants to take to court a German salaries and pensions to its voters. comedian for reciting a poem that the Turkish leader found insulting beyond tolerance (as if there could be Elsewhere nearby, Arab Spring came and went prematurely as a result of the successful combination a bearable German joke!). @ of Islam and Western Capitalism that Ergogan applied.

Before becoming Prime Minister, Mr. Erdogan had The experiment failed throughout, including in been incarcerated for reciting a poem which the Turkey proper, where economic setbacks have come Turkish authorities then deemed provoking beyond hand in glove with the resurgence of authoritarianism 1) The primaries continue and I’m a registered tolerance! It was a poem extolling the military by Erdogan this time who seems to have lost it but Republican who values enormously the right to prowess of the devout Muslims and how their faith unfortunately his power is mostly unchallenged by a vote! So, dear candidates submit your offer (always could be used not only spiritually but militarily as discredited political system that feels nostalgic not of in US dollars) and let the best win …me! well. Minarets, for example, would be the spears of democracy but of the secular authoritarianism that 2) A leader and a demagogue are like a lover and a the faithful and other similar primary school preceded him! fucker. And depending on the choice made, it tells a metaphors for his mostly parochial – which in Turkey Turkey right now is in the verge of exploding and if lot about the voter ... is the majority – followers. that happens everybody in the wider area will be In my humble opinion, he was rightly jailed, not for affected, her neighbors first. It’s this fear combined 3) Regardless of what someone might think of the inciting religious violence, but for his poor taste in with the refugee problem, of which Turkey holds the refugees and the illegal immigrants trying to enter poetry! The all-powerful Kemalist regime at the time key that prompted Angela Merkel to go as far as to Europe through Greece, the fact that so many was allergic, for a lack of a better word, to anything allow Erdogan’s case against the comedian to proceed former Communist countries are eager to close Muslim with the exception of the faith being a key in the German courts. Freedom of expression and borders and build walls is particularly element in the state’s nationalist identity. Erdogan democracy are always secondary to politicians when disheartening, a deja vu so unlikely even a couple played the persecuted then, victim of an all powerful power, security and of course victory in the upcoming of years ago ... state apparatus and although a “devout” Muslim election are at stake. Moreover, Merkel grew up in himself, head of a Muslim party and movement, he communist East Germany and her democratic 4) Up to now we knew of the Panama hats (I have appeared to be pro-European, pro-Western and credentials notwithstanding she can feel Ergogan’s quiet a few, myself ). From now on we have the promising freedom from persecution for all the anxiety the same way she can be Putinesque where the Panama Papers! situation calls for a …kinkier recipe. Democracy peoples of Turkey, including Kurds! without stability is meaningless and that is something 5) The more I look at Ted Cruz the more I'm Europeans were thrilled, including many Greeks who most leaders, not just dictators and brutes, know very saw in him the possibility of a less-threatening well. And it’s also something most of nowadays convinced that he suffers from chronic neighbor in the Aegean and a more honest broker for Western consumers, aka citizens, have come to realize constipation... a just solution in Cyprus. President Barack Obama and appreciate equally well …

6) At this year’s year's Greek Parade in Montreal, came short of going to …bed with him! In fact, his first international visit as President was to Turkey, of all Speaking of refugees, Pope Francis, Ecumenical Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau showed up places! Erdogan was, in his mind, the Muslim leader Patriarch Bartholomew, and Archbishop Ieronymos and marched along. In New York we had who could reconcile traditional Islam and Western visited the Greek Island of Lesbos a few weeks ago and ...Mitsotakis (if you don’t know who he is, you don’t values, a bright example for the failed Muslim states in united their voices with those of the migrants and also know how lucky you are)!

by Demetrios Rhompotis

dondemetrio neomagazine.com P.S.

Mayor of Baltimore, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the Grand Marchasl Dr. Panayioti Baltatzis and Paul Kotrotsios with the local Evzones

The Organizing Committee

Greek Independence Day Parade in the Heart of Greektown Baltimore

by Joanne Trikoulis On a beautiful sunny yet windy 3rd day of April, spectators from across the Mid-Atlantic region gathered in celebration to honor their ancestors’ sacrifices in preserving the ideals of Freedom and Democracy, witnessing the pride of so many of the Greek youth marching to showcase their Greek Heritage, and its rich and ever so significant history and great ideals passed on and shared with the rest of the world.

our Greek Independence Day. And once again this year, the celebration of our heroic warriors of 1821 would not have been complete without the iconic figure of General Theodoros Kolokotronis, gallantly making his way along the parade route on his coveted horse.

Living history groups such as the Myrmidons from Pennsylvania illustrated the revered skills of the mighty warriors of Achilles as well as the Hellenic The Parade was led by this year’s Grand Marshals, Warriors who portrayed and reconstructed with Dr. Panayioti Baltatzis, past parade chairman and historical accuracy the clothing, equipment and Secretary of HALC and Paul Kotrotsios, Founder & fighting skills of the ancient Greeks oplites.

Publisher, Hellenic News of America and Hermes Expo International; along with other distinguished The epilogue of the Parade was the somber march of dignitaries including, retired U.S. Senator Paul a group of young men from Maryland, who trained Sarbanes, U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes, Aris for many months under the supervision of Stavros Melissaratos, former MD Secretary of Business and Katsas, who was a Sergeant of the Hellenic Economic Development, AHI president, Nick Presidential Guard to offer the spectators a Larigakis, the Mayor of Baltimore, Stephanie depiction of the ceremonies performed by the Rawlings-Blake and her Chief of Staff, Greek- historical elite light infantry, also known as the American, Kaliope Parthemos and other local and Evzones. The ceremony concluded with the Laying of the Wreaths by Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, Consul state officials. of the Embassy of Greece and Konstantinos The groups, which included the Greek Schools, Polykarpou, Consul of the Embassy of Cyprus, as Dance Troupes and parish members from the Greek well as Col. Panagiotis Kavidopoulos, Defense and Orthodox Churches of Maryland, Washington DC Military Attaché, Embassy of Greece, Captain and Virginia were dressed in their ethnic costumes Dimitrios Tzafos, Financial Officer, Naval Attaché and the coveted colors, blue and white, waving Office, Embassy of Greece and other distinguished Greek flags and marching to the beautiful sounds of dignitaries as well a members of the Greek Orthodox the Hellenic Philharmonic Society Band of New York Clergy and the Parade Committee. under the direction of Spiros Svolakos.

Representatives of chapters of the AHEPA and Special thanks to Stefanos Niktas and Angeliko Daughters of Penelope along with many societies Frangos who sang the Greek and English National representing various regions and islands of Greece Anthems. Also to be commended are George Stakias, also participated in displaying their pride in their the English Master of Ceremonies and Joanne Trikoulis, the Greek Master of Ceremonies. heritage.

Especially beautiful were the floats which included the “ΚΡΥΦΟ ΣΧΟΛΙΟ” paying homage to the underground secret schools that the children, enslaved under Ottoman rule, attended. Some of the most iconic female figures of our Greek History, the “Heroines of the Hellenic Revolution of 1821” were honored on another, while leading the parade of floats was the “Float of Regions,” with ethnically dressed girls from each region of Greece, alongside the beautiful young ladies representing “ΕΛΛΑΔΑ” (Hellas), “ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ” (Liberty), and Maryland, for it is a double celebration for Maryland on March 25 as it is Maryland Day as well as 82

MAY 2016 NEWS & NOTES

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Senator Paul Sarbanes, Deputy Mayor Kaliope Parthemos

Grand Marshals and Dignitaries marching at the parade

The AHEPA delegation

Congratulations to this year’s parade committee recipient of the “Paul Sarbanes Public Service Award,” Georgia Vavas, presented to her by Former US Senator Paul Sarbanes, who so eloquently also recalled the many years of her service in promoting Hellenism in a variety of events and on many other occasions that he had personally witnessed. Parade Chairmen, Emily Liadakis and George Stakias, and the other dedicated members of the Maryland Greek Independence Day Parade Committee are also to be commended for all their hard work and leadership in making this the 21st parade once again a huge success.

PHOTO: GEORGIA VAVAS, DINO FRANGOS

Committee Members Joanne Trikoulis, Georgia Vavas, Pitsa Balomas, and Irene Pappas