The DaVinci Code - The Search for Achilles - The Impact of War Upon Cultural Heritage
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The DaVinci Code • The Search for Achilles The Impact of War Upon Cultural Heritage
Features 10
10 An Excursion To Remember
AHEPA’s Hellenic American Forum 2006
14 Debunking The DaVinci Code:
The X-Files Of Ancient Lies
16 War and Cultural Heritage:
Cyprus after the 1974 Turkish Invasion
The Impact of War Upon Cultural Heritage
18 The Search for Achilles is on:
Land of the Myrmidons in Thessaly
18
Departments
5 Presidents’ Messages 24 Housing
8 AHEPA Family News 28 Athletics
9 From the desk of . . . 30 Education
9 Our Mailbag 31 AHEPA Family Chapter News
22 Hellenic Cultural Commission 34 In Memoriam
On the Cover
Prime Minister of The Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Karamanlis addresses
the AHEPA Hellenic American Forum. Photo credit: AHEPA Headquarters
2005-2006 AHEPA Supreme Lodge
SUPREME PRESIDENT SUPREME ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Anthony Kouzounis
Gus J. James, II Dr. Monthe Kofos District Liaison: 15,16 & 17 SUMMER 2006 Volume 79, Number 2
1521 Chandon Crescent 180 Bolton St. 3736 Lake St.
Virginia Beach, VA 23454 Marlboro, MA 01752 Houston, TX 77098
H: 757-496-3102 H: 508-485-5626 H: 713-522-2300 The AHEPAN (ISSN 0746-133X) is
W: 757-624-3300 W: 713-522-2300
F: 713-522-2862 published quarterly, by the Order of AHEPA,
F: 757-624-3169 SONS NATIONAL ADVISOR
Jamesahepa@kaufcan.com Akouzounis@yahoo.com 1909 Q St., NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC
Dino Kostaridis
23-71 35th Street James G. Selimos 20009, Tel: (202)232-6300 Copyright © AHEPA,
SUPREME VICE-PRESIDENT Astoria, NY 11105 District Liaison: 18, 19 & 20
Ike Gulas H: 718-267-6841 4920 Lankershim Blvd. 2006. All rights reserved. In accordance with
2031 – 2nd Avenue N. F: 718-729-4298 N. Hollywood, CA 91601 the AHEPA Constitution, $1.50 of per capita
Birmingham, AL 35203 dkostaridis@yahoo.com H: 323-654-6167
H: 205-977-7101 W: 818-769-0662 tax is allocated as a subscription for The
W: 205-879-1234 SUPREME GOVERNORS F: 818-762-3718
F: 205-879-1247 Selimos@aol.com AHEPAN.
Ike@gulaslawfirm.com Paul J. Angelson
District Liaison: 3 & 4 Spiros Vasilakis
CANADIAN PRESIDENT 904 Duke of Suffolk Dr District Liaison: 5&6 Postmaster
District Liaison: 23, 24 & 26
Virginia Beach, VA 23454 401 Merrick Rd.
H: 757-481-0159 Oceanside, NY 11572 Send address changes to:
Nicholas G. Spillios W: 757-449-8458 H: 516-431-0042
8308 – 134th Street P.Angelson@cox.net
The AHEPAN
W: 516-764-6166
Edmonton, AB T5R 0B4 F: 516-678-8792 1909 Q Street, NW, Suite 500
Canada Anthony Capranica Cell: 516-532-5059
H: 780-483-5294 District Liaison: 10 & 11
Washington, DC 20009.
F: 780-483-5294 (call first) 1147 Guarnieri Drive NE
Nikos@telusplanet.net Warren, OH 44483 DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE
H: 330-372-1869 GRAND PRESIDENT Periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC
SUPREME SECRETARY Cell: 330-883-3368 Mary Filou, Ph.D. and additional mailing offices.
District Liaison: 2 F: 866-583-1318 399 Cedar Avenue
Gus Stefanadis Capranica1@earthlink.net Islip, NY 11751
460 Palm Island, SE H: 631-277-4627 Editorial Board
Clearwater, FL 33767 Gust N. Christofidis F: 631-277-4665
H/F: 727-447-2715 District Liaison: 12 & 13 Mfilou@erols.com George Anagnostos, Chair
Sgstef@aol.com 6 Enclave Court Anthony Petros
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
H: 630-734-0534 SONS OF PERICLES James Scofield, PSP,
SUPREME TREASURER Gnchrist@aol.com SUPREME PRESIDENT
District Liaison: 7,8 & 9 Mike Panayotou Dr. Spiro J. Macris, PSP
Cosmos E. Marandos Dr. John Grossomanides, Jr. 12 Wayfield Lane Andrew Kaffes
102 Peele Rd. District Liaison: 1 Cohoes, NY 12047
Nashua, NH 03062 153 High Street, #3 (C) 518-365-1360
H: 603-888-1010 Westerly, RI 02891 SonsPres@aol.com Design & Production
W: 603-882-9761 H: 401-596-7744
Marandos@cs.com W: 401-295-7660 MAIDS OF ATHENA Mercury Publishing Services
Jgrossomanides@cox.net
SUPREME COUNSELOR GRAND PRESIDENT
Arthur Dimopoulos Gus Hazifotis Maria Mastrokyriakos
District Liaison: 21 & 22 1570 Alemany Boulevard
4130 Teton Place 5875 Meander Drive San Francisco, CA 94112
Alexandria, VA 22312 San Jose, CA 95120 H: (415) 587-5309
W: 571-723-3621 H: 408-268-0503 C: (415) 859-1766 D E R OF
Supremecounselor@verizon.net OR
Cell: 408-806-6090 F: (415) 587-1404
F: 408-997-9701 MaidsGP@gmail.com
Ghazifotis@aol.com
AHEPA
2005-2006 Board of Trustees A
Headquarters
H E PA
CHAIRMAN George S. Demopoulos Alex Katsafanas
Lee Millas 179 – N. Kentucky Avenue 16018 Shadow Pass Trail
62 Hempstead Rd. N. Massapequa, NY 11758 Tomball, TX 77377
Trenton, NJ 08610 H: 516-249-9420 H: 832-717-4728 1909 Q St., NW, Washington, DC 20009
H: 609-585-3137 Cell: 516-984-9048 Alexkats5@sbcglobal.net Tel: 202-232-6300, Fax: 202-232-2140
F: 609-585-1150 Gdemopoulos@msn.com
LJMillas@msn.com Steven G. Tripodes e-mail: ahepa@ahepa.org
Vacilios “Likie” Beleos 1351 San Marino Ave.
Web site: www.ahepa.org
VICE-CHAIRMAN 1017 Broad Street San Marino, CA 91108
Camden, SC 29020 H: 626-449-0966
E.P.Terry Mitchell H: 803-736-2956 F: 626-792-9400 Executive Director
17 Mitchell Drive W: 803-432-3428 Stripodes@aol.com
Niantic, CT 06357 F: 803-432-4676
Basil N. Mossaidis
H: 860-739-5184
W: 860-691-1976 James S. Scofield, PSP Controller
F: 860-691-2476 AHEPA BOARD OF AUDITORS Stanley M. Schwartz, CPA
6100 – 6th Avenue, South
Cell: 860-460-1286 St. Petersburg, FL 33707 2005–2006
Mitchellterm@aol.com H: 727-345-9452 Communications & Membership
F: 727-345-9452 (call first) Craig G. Clawson, CPA Programs Director
SECRETARY Chairman
Thomas C. Owens Nicholas A. Karacostas, Esq Craig@clawsoncpas.com Michael A. Zachariades, J.D., LLM
417 Olde Keswick Lane 29-10 212th Street
Petersburg, VA 23805 Bayside, NY 11360 Louis P. Peronis Director of Membership
H: 804-734-8727 H: 718-279-3275 1louper@comcast.net Rosalind Ofuokwu
W: 804-734-8780 F: 718-279-3276
F: 804-541-8129 Nakaraco@aol.com Vasilios Albanos, Ph.D. Programs Coordinator
Thomas.owens@deca.mil Meatsheet@aol.com
Rory Puckerin
Editorial Policy for The AHEPAN
1. To assure that The AHEPAN will be published on schedule, regular size paper (8 1/2 x 11), double-spaced with no smaller
deadlines for the submission of material must be rigorously than 12 pt type font and should not exceed 800 words in length
observed. With no exceptions, all items postmarked after those or approximately three and a half (3 1/2) pages.
dates will be held over to the next issue provided the contents All material submitted to The AHEPAN whether printed or
are still timely. not will be returned to the sender only if specifically requested
2. All items are subject to editing or revision by the Editorial and accompanied with self addressed return envelopes.
Board to assure that the contents are written in conformity with 4. From time to time, Book Reviews will be published on works
recognized standards of composition and grammar, verified for written by Hellenes (Members of the AHEPA family will be given
accuracy, and in compliance with the space available for each preferential consideration.) whose content is in keeping with the
issue. purposes of The AHEPAN.
3. The Editorial Board welcomes manuscripts on historical topics 5. Paid advertisements proposed for The AHEPAN magazine shall
related to Greece and Hellenism. They must be typewritten on be reviewed by the Editorial Board for suitability.
MESSAGE FROM GUS J. JAMES, II
AHEPA SUPREME PRESIDENT
Our Ceaseless Endeavor to Voice Hellenism
Abroad and at Home
s Supreme President, my goal has been to re-establish AHEPA as the lead-
A ing proponent and voice of Hellenism. Through the “Voice of Hellenism”
Campaign, the mission of our organization, which promotes Hellenism, educa-
tion, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence, has
received recognition both domestically and abroad.
Early in the year, we directed our effots on four regional conferences which
were held throughout the country in order to address a variety of topics that
affect our fraternity. These conferences were extremely successful and I want to
express my appreciation to all sponsors, hosts and participants for their efforts.
Furthermore, AHEPA was involved in various events and activities which
Gus J. James, II
highlighted our role as the leading organization of Hellenes and Philhellenes
throughout the world. In late July 2005, the U.S. Congress honored Constantino
Brumidi for his artistic contributions to the U.S. Capital. AHEPA was the only organization selected to
represent the Greek-American community at the various events honoring Brumidi.
On March 10, 2006, we hosted the largest Biennial Banquet of the last 20 years, in Washington, D.C.,
honoring two icons of the U.S. Congress: Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes and Rep. Michael Bilirakis, each receiv-
ing the 2006 AHEPA Public Service Award. George Stephanopoulos was the Master of Ceremonies and
Under Secretary of State R. Nicholas Burns was the keynote speaker.
More recently, AHEPA’s commitment and support of Hellenism was evident and our voice was clearly
heard during the recent Presidential Pilgrimage to Greece, Cyprus and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The
banquet hosted by AHEPA in Athens, in honor of the Hellenic Republic, loudly echoed the spirit of our
campaign for the year. We proudly presented the Socrates Award to Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis;
the Pericles Award to the President of the Hellenic Parliament Anna Psarouda-Benakis; and the AHEPA
Hellenism Award to the Hellenic Republic of Greece and its citizens, which was accepted by the President
of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias. Several days later, we hosted a similar event in Nicosia,
Cyprus, to honor the Republic of Cyprus and its citizens and to present the 2006 AHEPA Philanthropy
Award to George E. Paraskevaides, OBE. These historic events propelled AHEPA to a new level of inter-
national recognition.
However, despite our enormous successes, AHEPA must overcome a variety of issues if it is to con-
tinue to enjoy the favorable position that it has attained as the leading international organization of
Hellenes and Philhellenes. Our greatest challenge is to revamp our entire approach in it’s membership.
Greater effort must be exerted to motivate our members to become more involved with our national
agenda, as well as, to support the various events, activities and programs. For instance, Cooley’s Anemia
fund-raising initiatives; bone marrow registry drives; housing for the elderly; the charter school program;
grants and scholarships through our National Educational Foundation; and a plethora of other philan-
thropic and civic projects currently underway at the national and grassroots levels.
I am privileged to serve as Supreme President of AHEPA. I look forward to working with all of you
toward the fulfillment of our mission, the continued elevation of AHEPA and the preservation and pro-
motion of Hellenism, which was passed down to us by our forefathers.
In closing, I thank everyone for their enthusiastic support and for their continuing involvement and
look forward to seeing each of you at our upcoming National Convention in Hollywood, Florida.
www.ahepa.org Summer 2006 THE AHEPAN 5
MESSAGE FROM MARY B. FILOU, PH.D.
DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE GRAND PRESIDENT
The State of the Sisterhood
“I dreamed that life was joy…
I awoke and found that it was duty.
Duty done, I learned that duty became joy.”
Courtesy Nike Pavlou, Australia
e began the year with high hopes and vision for the Daughters of Penelope.
W The broad goals were motivated by a pledge to promote name recognition
for our organization. This arose from the realization that, in many ways, we have Mary B. Filou, Ph.D.
been invisible. We needed and implemented an expanded volunteer public rela-
tions committee and, more recently, hired a part time public relations consultant to work from headquar-
ters. We understood that our projects, both educational and philanthropic, should be remarkable and
touched by the theme “Together we rise by lifting others.” But, in all of this effort, came a stunning real-
ization. We, as women and as Daughters of Penelope, could not reach our full potential without some form
of conscious-raising or sense of empowerment. While many of our sisters recognize their potential, others
do not. The idea of empowerment has been a cornerstone of many Grand President’s talks this past year.
One article for the “Scroll” was entitled “We must write our own story….” There is tremendous power to be
gained when accomplished women support one another, in sisterhood, in the pursuit of worthy projects.
We have pursued our mandatory and voluntary national projects, and have reached beyond the cus-
tomary, as well. There has been renewed effort to support the Penelopean Day Care Center in Greece.
Especially notable is the enthusiastic and humane response from sisters to our own Katrina Relief Fund
Drive. We chose to promote our own drive so that we could designate where funds would go in our name.
A case in point is the partnership we forged with Louisiana State University School of Social Work in
which we completely underwrote a pilot project group therapy program in the Baton Rouge Schools. This
program targeted the most damaged children displaced from New Orleans Ninth Ward in the hope to
empower them to deal with the crisis which befell them. Rosie O’Donnell’s Foundation is purportedly
interested in funding this program on a wider basis, but we are the original benefactors to be cited in the
evaluative literature.
In March, as a singular honor, we were awarded the Hellenic Heritage and Public Service Award by
the American Hellenic Institute, Inc. at their annual Banquet. The biennial Salute to Women reception
was held for the first time at the Greek Embassy and recognized the Honorable Dora Bakoyannis, first
woman mayor of Athens and first woman foreign minister of Greece.
Empowered women reach out to other women. This year, your Grand President made three trips to
Greece, our fastest growing district. Several new chapters are formed or are in the process of formation.
On the last brief visit in April, our Secretary and I visited Thessaloniki where we were met by a busload
of sisters and taken to a televised reception, where I was asked to address the group in Greek and where
we were called the “Daughters of Agape.” This was the lead story played on television for a complete day.
A trip to the Australasian national convention in Hobart, Tasmania in October was a revelation about
the need for sisters everywhere to support one another. At the request of the Australians, we arranged a
May friendship conference in Hawaii for support and to exchange ideas. Thirty five sisters, nineteen from
Australia, attended a most enlightening and enjoyable meeting in Honolulu, the first of meetings to come.
The voyage has been stormy but the eyes are always on the prize. From early November, we lost our
dear Helen Pappas at headquarters, the accountant resigned, and the lack of adequate support staff has
been a problem. I like to think that a ship and the captain’s merits are tested best in a storm. Have we
persevered and come through well? Only you and time can tell.
6 THE AHEPAN Summer 2006 www.ahepa.org
MESSAGE FROM MIKE PANAYOTOU
SONS OF PERICLES SUPREME PRESIDENT
Mentorship, Athletics Key to Our Future Development
s this year, and my tenure as Supreme President of the Sons of Pericles, comes to
A a close, I want to take this opportunity to offer my observations from this past
year. One of the most encouraging things that I have seen is an interest of Ahepans
at the local level in reactivating Sons chapters. This sort of grassroots effort is laud-
able – but I think it can (and should) be expanded. The more that the Sons and the
AHEPA work together in everyday endeavors, the stronger our Orders will be – and I
renew my call for every active AHEPA chapter to assist the Supreme Lodge of the Sons
of Pericles initiate a chapter in their hometown.
One thing that has led to a successful year for the Sons is the emphasis on
Athletics. The Sons held two very well-attended basketball tournaments and a suc-
Mike Panayotou
cessful dodgeball tournament. I would like to see basketball tournaments expanded
and cross-promoted on the chapter and district level and to involve AHEPA chapters
in the promotion and execution of these tournaments. By cross-promoting an athletic tournament, we can sign
up new brothers in both the Sons and the AHEPA.
Another area that is still being developed, but will be a very strong selling point of the Sons and the
AHEPA, is the Mentorship Program. This, combined with the many scholarships offered by the AHEPA
Educational Foundation, we certainly will meet our goals as an Order that focuses on Education.
I call on all AHEPANS to continue their strong support of the Junior Orders. We are not only the future –
we are the present. I am an active member of both the Sons of Pericles, and my local AHEPA Chapter, as are
many other members of the Sons of Pericles. Supporting the Sons is a great way to cultivate active members
for the AHEPA.
MESSAGE FROM MARIA MASTROKYRIAKOS
MAIDS OF ATHENA GRAND PRESIDENT
Our Potential for Personal, Community Growth Unlimited
s another year ends, so does my journey as Maids of Athena Grand President. I
A have reflected on my years of service and leadership and have been so fulfilled
with all the experiences and knowledge I have gained. I am also thankful for the won-
derful people I have met along the years, especially the close relationships that have
emerged with so many new brothers and sisters across the globe.
We have had a very successful year in the Maids of Athena. Not only has our
membership increased, but we have developed and implemented numerous programs
to benefit our membership. Our programs have been extensive and sisters have wel-
comed it. Interaction and unity are exemplary and sisters internationally have been
able to network closely together. Sisters have mentors to work with to further their Maria Mastrokyriakos
educational and career goals and our public relations campaign, especially with the
development of our Web site, is giving us the exposure we need. The goals that the
Grand Lodge set forth at the beginning of the year have been accomplished. I have great pride in our sister-
hood and congratulate you all for your hard work and dedication. I look forward to seeing the good works our
Order will continue to do.
Thank you for bestowing upon me the honor of serving as Grand President this year. This was an amazing
experience for me. I want to thank the Grand Lodge and our National Advisor, Dianna Rakus, for a superb job this
year. Thank you also to the whole AHEPA Family for your support. I look forward to working with you in the future.
www.ahepa.org Summer 2006 THE AHEPAN 7
AHEPA FAMILY NEWS
On The Approach To Mount Olympus
By Nicholas Spillios, Canadian President
Returning to one’s roots is always problem- government ministers. We were amazed at Pellas and Vergina on the mainland where
atic. And as we grow older, the search for the extent of medical facilities in the some of the most preserved artifacts from
bringing closure in finding our identity Evangelismos Hospital Wing in Athens, as the Ancient World are housed.
becomes paramount. well as, the AHEPA Hospital in Thessaloniki. Our attendance at the moving Easter
So it was for many of us as we accom- Our Supreme President presented a services by His Holiness in Constantinople
panied the Supreme President, Gus James, number of gifts to each dignitary, followed ended our pilgrimage as we headed home. Of
on the AHEPA Family Excursion to Greece, not far behind by the Canadian President course, His Holiness sported a laugh as I pre-
Cyprus and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, with wild Arctic salmon. Some were gen- sented him with my last salmon. It was a sad
with details handled most capably by our uinely amused. parting for many of us who had become part
Executive Director, Basil Mossaidis. I had The delegation moved on with visit of a closely knit and accepting family. If
been to Greece many times, but this jour- upon visit uncovering more aspects of there was one message, which had become
ney proved to be the most enriching, self- Hellenism, including visits to the more than obvious it was this - AHEPA is one
evaluating and invigorating of visits. Its monastery at Kykkos in Cyprus, dating back of the most respected organizations abroad.
aim was to strengthen ties between the to the 11th Century where Archbishop The challenge presented to us by both gov-
U.S. and Canada with Greece and Cyprus Makarios is buried. We were all touched by ernment and public officials remains in our
and pursue economic and cultural initia- the stop at President James' village in the court. It is a message that we must articulate
tives benefiting the two countries. But the north - a sad but necessary visit that and spread in this hemisphere.
personal spin-off for many of us proved to underscored the essence of the problem.
be even more rewarding. The cry for support for reunification was
In Athens, AHEPA honored the contri- reiterated several times. The sad state of Scholarship Luncheon
butions of the Hellenic Republic at the churches north of the “Green Line” struck
Grand Banquet, repeating this focus in the us with such fervor that many of us were
Cyprus Republic. Our hosts, AHEPA HELLAS determined to lend our support at home to
District #25, superbly looked after our the cause. Of course, food was a great
needs for the duration of our trip. As delight as we sampled haloumi and
events unspooled, the focus was prominent loukoomathes prepared in the unique
and visible - Hellenism was alive and well Cypriot way.
and we were its messengers. The contribution, which AHEPA can
It would be difficult to give justice to make to the settlement of contemporary
every event and experience within this Greek issues, was underlined by visits with
short space. Suffice to say that at every several government officials in Athens,
stop certain aspects emerged, all tied to Cyprus and Thessaloniki. Minister after
the President’s mandate for the trip. minister appealed to us to assist in the Athena Economy, DOP, presents scholarship
Among the honorees at the banquet was renewal of economic, cultural and tourist recipient, Michael Hadjisimos, with his
Prime Minister Karamanlis. Archbishop support in our part of the world. award. District 1 awarded $30,000 in
Christodoulos graciously received us, as In Thessaloniki, we were honored to scholarships this year.
well as the mayor of Athens, and several make visits to many places, and the sites at
8 THE AHEPAN Summer 2006 www.ahepa.org
AHEPA FAMILY NEWS
From the desk of . . .
Basil N. Mossaidis, Executive Director, AHEPA
Greetings Brothers & Sisters. I hope you find this issue of proud to have worked with her. We wish her the best of
The AHEPAN magazine as brilliant as the recent issues. luck in her new position. We really miss her!
This year has been a very challenging one by far. We had Once in a while, you find employees that work more for
the departure of two critical employees, the loss of our their happiness than just work for the sake of making a liv-
dear friend Helen Pappas, and the eventual hiring and ing. When you find people like that you are lucky because
departure of the Daughters Executive Director. Certainly work seems to get done quicker and better. We had such a
we have had some obstacles this year! person in Andrew Kaffes. In 1995, Andrew joined the
I am proud to inform you that we have handled each AHEPA straight from graduating from Syracuse University.
challenge with determination and hard work, and hope- His service and devotion to our Order was unmatched. He
fully, it appeared seamless to the membership. I need to served our organization in many capacities, and each time
take this time to recognize and honor two individuals who he met the challenge with vigor. For a young man he has
devoted many hours to increase their work product and much wisdom. He is a member of AHEPA, and has been,
service to AHEPA. for over 13 years now and was a Son of Pericles when he
In August of last year we learned of the departure of was 14. He truly epitomizes what AHEPA stands for. He
Patrice Farish, our comptroller. Patrice was a wonderful was a joy to work with and a person who can never be
person; she worked far beyond anyone’s expectations, and replaced. Although others will fulfill his duties, his active
was really a person who made coming to work pleasura- participation on shaping the AHEPA, and its future mes-
ble. I always appreciated her because no matter what, she sage has certainly interwoven itself into the fabric of our
was at work with a smile on her face. We say thank you existence. He took an association of Greek Americans to
for people who have worked hard for us, but we cannot new heights. We thank him for his efforts and we look for-
say thank you enough to Patrice for her time, effort and ward to his active participation in AHEPA in the future.
vision. Patrice assisted in many ways and performed tasks In closing, I wish all of you the best and hope that we
she was not hired to perform. She really made a perma- will see each other in Hollywood, Florida. It promises to be
nent mark on the AHEPA and we are all very thankful and a great convention. Fraternally.
OUR MAILBAG
Assisting Katrina Victims
Dear Editor,
Dear Supreme President James and Chairman Millas, Thank you for keeping me updated. It is a crucial aspect of com-
munity work to have immediate and direct access to this kind of
My mother and I deply appreciate the donation from the information.
Hurricane Katrina Fund. This assistance along with your prayers It sounds like you have made a great deal of progress developing
has helped us rebuild our lives. and implementing services. Your recent grassroots philanthropic
and educational endeavors are very impressive.
With thanks and kindest regards,
Nicholas Lambron Sincerely,
Friendswood, Texas Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Member of Congress
www.ahepa.org Summer 2006 THE AHEPAN 9
An
Excursion
to
Remember
AHEPA’S HELLENIC AMERICAN FORUM 2006
By A. Steve Betzelos, Past Supreme President & Chairman
I
have been in the AHEPA for many years. Serving as lead-time to prepare. As chairman of the AHEPA excursion to
Supreme President (1988-89) was a personal accom- Greece, I want to begin my report with a heartfelt thanks to
plishment, which I will never forget. There have been a our President, Gus James and his Supreme Lodge for charg-
number of trips, tours and excursions in my lifetime, but ing me with this responsibility. In preparation of this event, I
none like the one which the AHEPA undertook April 7-24, worked closely with many people, but I would be remiss not
2006. to begin by recognizing our Headquarters staff, namely our
The birth of the AHEPA excursions began back in the Executive Director, for his assistance and perseverance in
1920’s with the origination of AHEPA. Originally, they were making this trip a success.
pilgrimages to assist the motherland of Greece economically, In October, we began to lay the foundation for the trip,
and to show support to her people. Our most recent trip brings which was to have members of Congress join us. After our
the AHEPA full circle. initial consultation with the American Ambassador in Greece,
I was asked by our Supreme President to coordinate events Ambassador Charles Ries, we began to create a program,
on the ground in Greece for the trip that was originally sched- which would honor the Hellenic Republic and AHEPA.
uled for May of this year. Events prohibited the AHEPA from The Hellas District 25 committee consisted of the following
traveling in May, which ultimately reduced the amount of Ahepans who outdid themselves. The committee included:
10 THE AHEPAN Summer 2006 www.ahepa.orgPrime Minister Karamanlis and President Papoulias look on as PSP Supreme President Gus J. James, II, and AHEPA member Nickolas Betzelos addresses audience. Greanias, present award and statue to President Papoulias. Prime Minister receives award and statue from Lee Millas, PSP Betzelos, with wife Irene and Cynthia Johnson. Chairman, Board of Trustees, Supreme President James and AHEPA member Greanias. District Governor Dr. Alfred Barich, George Dussias, George that date, the AHEPA had the President of Greece, the Prime Billios, Panos Liatsos, Tony Gremmos, Athanasios D. Minister of Greece, and the President of the Parliament all in Sarantopoulos, Ph.D, George J. Costas, Costas Economou, one room. This was a historic event, one that was unparalled Tassos Mastroyiannis, and many more persons who gave of in AHEPA history. I speak to you through this article that the their time and effort. Two most notable people who sacrificed AHEPA has not seen days like this for over 35 years. for the events success were Elizabeth Papageorgiou, who rep- When the President, Prime Minister and Parliament resented me while I was in the States and produced a wonder- President accepted their respective awards, I felt the hair on ful concert in Thessaloniki and Harry Doumas who is always the back of my neck stand up. The banquet hall was filled to in the forefront. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. capacity (over 600 people) with many Ahepans. Our delega- Our trip began and ended in New York. From the moment tion and guests, which represented AHEPA, numbered over we arrived in Greece, our time was committed to events, press 100 persons. It was a statement to the government of Greece conferences, tours, meetings and social gatherings. I can speak that we are committed to our Hellenic heritage. from experience when I tell you, the participants never had a After our time in Athens we moved to Cyprus for another dull moment. The most memorable part during the Athens por- banquet on April 14. This event was very classy and tion of our trip was the Grand Banquet on April 10, 2006. On extremely well attended. Members of Parliament and prior www.ahepa.org Summer 2006 THE AHEPAN 11
Supreme President James and District Governor 25 Alfred Barich, Supreme President James and District Governor Barich, welcome
greet Prime Minister Karamanlis. President Papoulias.
Supreme President James, Supreme Vice President Ike Gulas and PSP Betzelos pictured with Dr. Scott Betzelos and Peter Betzelos.
AHEPA member Greanias, present awards to Anne Psarouda-
Benakis, President of Parliament.
Presidents of the Republic were in attendance to praise the In Constantinople, the group was pleased to participate
AHEPA and honor our award recipient George Paraskevaides, during Holy Week with His All Holiness the Ecumenical
a great philanthropist and a good friend. Patriarch at the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Our trip took us
Our travels took us to Thessaloniki next, where we met with to the theological school of Halki and around Istanbul.
many government officials and clergy. The highlight of Agia Sofia was an emotional trip down history. Our trip
Thessaloniki was a masterful production the AHEPA undertook was very eventful and so detailed to give you a brief syn-
at the Megaron Music facility of Thessaloniki. The Bulgarian opsis does not do it justice, but for times sake, I have kept
Symphony Orchestra accompanied with over 100 children; my remarks short.
Soloists; Opera singer, Dimitris Mpasis; Violoncello, Christos I wanted to write a report which highlighted how well
Gribas and Concert pianist Tatiana Pappageorgiou, entertained AHEPA was received and also thank the members of the
us during the 3-hour concert. This cultural event was entourage. I listed the members who were in the immediate
unmatched in AHEPA history. Thousands of audience members area when I wrote my notes and am certain I have left many
were pleased to hear concerto masterpieces, “Byzantine Traces names out, but I wanted to thank them for attending.
in the 20th Century Music” and AHEPA once again reined Our Group: Eleni Acheios, Kirk & Ann Andreopoulos, Past
Supreme. Supreme Governor Peter & Kathy Baltis, Past Supreme
12 THE AHEPAN Summer 2006 www.ahepa.orgAHEPA Delegation visits the “green line” in Nicosia, Cyprus, the AHEPA Delegation surround George Paraskevaides, OBE, philan- only divided European capital city. thropist and AHEPA award recipient, at Banquet in Cyprus. AHEPA Delegation visits with Bartholomew Archbishop of AHEPA delagation spend the afternoon at Athens City Hall. Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch. President A. Steve & Irene Betzelos, Jim Betzelos, Priscilla Canadian President Nicholas “ Paul” Spillios, Philip & Betzelos, Peter J. Betzelos, Dr. Scott J. Betzelos, Bessie Jacqueline Trahadias, Supreme Governor Sprio & Aphroditi Betzelos, Renee Betzelos, Dr. Ron & Sharon Demas, Ted Vassailakis, Joe Whatley, & Mrs. Afroditi Zaferes. Fanikos, Grand President DOP Mary Filou, Richard In closing, I would like to repeat that I was pleased to Frankowski, Supreme Vice President Ike Gulas, William serve AHEPA and thank our Supreme President for the Harvey, Supreme President Gus & Helen James, Cynthia opportunity. I thank all the persons who participated and Johnson, Nick Kallan, Peter & Olga Kaloudis, Board of worked so hard, especially, District Governor Dr. Barich, Trustees member Alex & Mary Katsafanas, Nick Larigakis, Harry Doumas, Elisavet Pappageorgiou and our Executive Daughters Executive Secretary Donna LaRue, Lona Liasatos, Director Basil Mossaidis, with whom I was in constant con- Supreme Treasurer Cosmos Marandos, Past Canadian sultation by phone and e-mail, promoting the Forum and President Tony Mavromaras, Chairman AHEPA Board of AHEPA. We all have wonderful memories of the wonderful Trustees Lee Millas, Executive Director Basil Mossaidis, Cary reception and warmth we received from so many as we V. Mossaidis, Carolyn Papafil, Dr. Peter Patukas, Past Supreme traveled through Greece, Cyprus and the Ecumenical Governor Alex & Jeanette Rigopoulos, Virginia Russell, Past Patriarchate. We appreciate the true Brotherhood of Canadian President Xenophon & Evangelina Scoufaras, Hellenism and AHEPA. www.ahepa.org Summer 2006 THE AHEPAN 13
The
DaVinci Code:
The X-Files of Ancient Lies
By Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos
T
he early Church spent much of its time debunked by theologians such as Irenaeus, Clement of
debunking heresies. Wrestling with the chaos Alexandria, Basil the Great, and Athanasius, who emphasized
of contending beliefs the Church was com- the apostolic exposition of revealed truth. For these great
pelled to differentiate itself between defenders of the Faith, the truth of the gospel was not a mat-
Marcionism, Arianism, Nestorianism and ter of a secret but of a sacred tradition that centered on the
other ancient lies by legitimately formulating Incarnation, Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
its theological views through the gathering of both clergy Transmitted by a legitimate apostolic succession of bishops
and laity in Ecumenical Councils. While most scholars agree that verified the authentic and continuous voice of the apos-
that these doctrinal battles culminated in the development tles, this sacred truth X-posed the illogical doctrines of the
of the non-negotiable tenets of the Nicene Creed (4th Gnostics as ridiculous . . . as worthless X-Files.
Century), the recent emergence of heretically based novels, For nearly two millennia the X-ed Files of Gnosticism
films and magazine articles attest that the X-Files of ancient remained buried in the arid sands of ancient history. In 1945,
defeated voices are as much a temptation today as they were however, a number of early Christian Gnostic papyri manu-
in the second, third and fourth centuries. scripts, translated from Greek into Coptic, were discovered by
In the age of the early Christian world, X-Files might be local peasants near the Egyptian town of Nag Hammadi. Since
described as exotic religious texts that claimed to express the discovery of these documents, there has been a resurgence
truths about Jesus, his mother, the content and interpretation of interest in Gnostic doctrines throughout the world. In fact,
of the scriptures, and the nature of the church. An amalgama- numerous social scholars (Armstrong, H; Bloom, H; Pagels, E.;
tion of Greek Philosophy, magic and eastern ideas, these man- Hitchcock, J) have all noted a strong Gnostic trend in contem-
uscripts coalesced into a sectarian heresy that came to be porary media. The vogue of mystical and exotically charged
known as Gnosticism. Based on the Greek word for knowl- books such as the Da Vinci Code and the Jesus Papers are the
edge (gnosis), Gnostics held the central belief that salvation direct result of the re-emergence of these ancient worn-out
was not accomplished through the Church that was founded debates. The appearance of Gnostic creedal tenants such as:
on the mystery of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ (a) the suspicion of authority, (b) private spirituality, (c) the
but rather on an individual’s ability to discover true knowl- rejection of external forms of worship, (d) the distortion of
edge and wisdom on his or her own. Whereas Orthodox sexuality, (e) the rejection of bodily Incarnation of God, and
Christianity preaches salvation to all that will accept it, (f) the refutation of absolute truths, attest to the Old
Gnosticism espouses the belief that only an elite will be able Testament exhortation quoted above . . . indeed, “what has
to comprehend the breadth of hidden truth. been will be again, what has been done will be done again;
Fortunately, the false teachings of Gnosticism and those there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
that pertained to the other heresies of early Christianity were According to Dan Brown, the Jesus Seminar and Good
14 THE AHEPAN Summer 2006 www.ahepa.org“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9 Morning America, the traditional gospels written by of the Gospel in the past. In so doing, we will begin to devel- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John can no longer be trusted. op our understanding of an Orthodox Christian World-View Instead, we are asked to discard 2,000 years of reliable wit- that will provide the intellectual scaffolding and filter for ness and scholarship and replace it with the message con- successfully distinguishing truth from perversion of sugar- veyed in “new gospels.” We are encouraged to look to archi- coded falsehood. tectural symbols, secret rituals and previously discarded Although there are many variants, at its core Gnosticism apocryphal texts such as the Gospels of Thomas and Judas asserts the belief that the world in which we now live is our for the reliable and authentic understanding of the nature of prison. Having rejected the notion that God is the Creator of the Church and the Person of Jesus Christ. Confronted with the cosmos with all its potential sacramental elements, the such an irrational invitation from a frenzied media to discard life-goal of the Gnostic is to escape the created order through what is valid for what is spurious one cannot but recall Saint the knowledge (gnosis) of deep self-illumination. By aban- Paul’s admonition to the Galatians concerning the Gnostic doning the search for God, however, humanity is destined to pretense of new knowledge: rummage blindly through life, running from one “clue” to “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one another, like Langdon, the pathetic character in Dan Brown’s who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a dif- novel, trying in vain to discover the cipher to the code . . . the ferent gospel which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some grail of our existence once. people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to per- G. K. Chesterton once said that when people cease believ- vert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from ing in Christianity, it is not that they will believe in nothing, heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we but rather, they will believe in anything. The apocryphal preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have myths contained in the X-Files of early heretical texts have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to once again emerged as the protagonists against the Sacred you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eter- Tradition of Orthodox Christianity seeking to lead the cate- nally condemned!” (Galatians 1:6-9) chetically uninformed and spiritually fickle into a hollow pur- What can be done to guard the authentic Christian mes- suit whose ultimate destination is death and destruction. Let sage from those that would once again attempt to de-con- future generations find us, as we found our forebears, worthy struct it? What can we do to help our children differentiate of defending the apostolic creedal truths of Orthodox fact from the fantasy articulated in a novel like The Da Vinci Christianity against historical revisionists who base their con- Code that has sold over 46 million copies in 35 languages? I spiratorial accounts on the X-Files of ancient lies. would suggest that we turn our collective attention to the prayerful study of the theological writings of the early Copyright: Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, Executive Director of Church Fathers . . . the ramparts that sustained the orthodoxy Communications, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America www.ahepa.org Summer 2006 THE AHEPAN 15
Ms. Michael Jansen addresses the audience at AHEPA’s Guest lecture and luncheon series at the U.S. Capitol, Rayburn building. The
event topic was “War and Cultural Heritage”. Also pictured, Basil Mossaidis, Executive Director, AHEPA, and moderator of the event.
AHEPA Guest Lecture and Luncheon Series
War and Cultural Heritage:
Cyprus after the 1974 Turkish Invasion
By LaCreda Drummond, C-SPAN Book TV Contributor
A
uthor Michael Jansen spoke about her book, “War churches that were ravaged and destroyed due to cultural
and Cultural Heritage: Cyprus after the 1974 Turkish looting. The pictures showed in graphic detail the destruction
Invasion,” on May 16th at Rayburn House Office of historical landmarks representing Greek heritage.
Building in Washington, DC. The event, sponsored by AHEPA, According to Jansen, who covers Middle East issues for
highlighted the loss of cultural treasures in “occupied” Cyprus various news services including the Irish Times, various
following the 1974 Turkish invasion. irreplaceable artifacts and mosaics have found there way to
AHEPA Executive Director Basil Mossaidis, and moderator being sold on the international black market, in spite of
for the event, stated “as a the largest association of American efforts by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to stop
citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, we must do every- such activities.
thing possible to put an end to cultural looting or risk losing She further stated “…thieves have access to certain people
major documentation of Greek heritage.” who will buy (the antiquities) - there are always collectors
Jansen displayed pictures of sixth-century temples and who want objects at any cost.” This, she states, has been well
16 THE AHEPAN Summer 2006 www.ahepa.orgdocumented and that private collectors and major museums Middle East. Her writings have appeared in the Irish Times are willing “to pay handsomely for objects they covet.” [Dublin], Middle East International [London], the Deccan Jansen expressed concern over the intrinsic need to return Herald [Banglagore, India] and the Jordan Times [Amman]. and protect historical artifacts. She encouraged the audience She is the author of The United States and the Palestinian to support legislation that would assist international authori- People [1970], The Battle of Beirut [1982 and 1983], The ties to recover and return missing antiquities back to their Aphrodite Plot [1983], which deals with the 1974 invasion rightful countries. of Cyprus by Turkey, and Dissonance in Zion [1986]. She Jansen wrote in the preface of her book that one day we graduated from Mount Holyoke College and the American will be able to assemble proper authorities to conduct “a com- University of Beirut with specialization in the Middle East prehensive study of the fate of the relics of (the) many civi- politics. lizations which flourished in the northern part of Cyprus…”. Following the outbreak of the Lebanon civil war in 1976, Jansen has written several articles on politics and the Jansen took refuge in Cyprus, where she now lives. www.ahepa.org Summer 2006 THE AHEPAN 17
HOMER’S
ACHILLES:
Land of the Myrmidons in Thessaly
By Dr. James Brianas, Professor and Historical Researcher
With Achilles Goundopoulos, Mayor of Pharsala, Greece
EVIDENCE FOR THE SITE OF THE PALACE son, has now been vindicated. Artifactual, archeological evi-
OF ACHILLES dence now remains through excavations to be directed by the
The scene: The Thessalian plains in Achilles’ district of Phthia, Hellenic Ministry of Culture. Discussions by the authors of
near the city of ancient Pharsalus, Greece. Andromache (wid- this article, with support from other local and regional offi-
owed wife of the Trojan Hector) is at the shrine of the god- cials, with the Governor of the Larisa region, Lukas Katsaros,
dess Thetis, placed not far from the dwelling of Neoptolemus, has led to his approval of the Achilles Project. Planning with
Achilles’s son, (by whom she was taken as a trophy of war). the Ministry of Culture has begun with scheduled excavations
Andromache speaks: to commence at Pharsala during the summer of 2007. (See
“Phthia is my home now, these fields surrounding the city Exhibits 1a and 1b)
of Pharsalia. Seaborn Thetis lived here with Peleus. The peo- Additional ancient sources cite Pharsala as Homer’s Phthia.
ple of Thessaly call it the altar of Thetis for that reason. That Lucanius, a Roman historian (39-65AD) writes of the civil war
roof you see belongs to Achilles son by whose permission within the Roman Empire between Generals Caesar and
Peleus (father of Achilles) rules Pharsalia. Within that house Pompey which occurred in 48BC, the decisive battle which
I’ve given birth to a boy (Molossos) bred to that same Achilles’ took place at ancient Pharsalus: “—then on the shore–Seaborn
son, my master.” Achilles’ home of Pharsalus rose.” At about the same period
And so an ancient Greek playwright, Euripedis, clarifies in (2000 years ago) an unknown author of that great battle
430BC the current mystery of Phthia, home of Homer’s wrote in his book Cath Cartharda: “A land – fit to have The
Achilles, hero of the Trojan War of 1200BC. Today, in modern Great Battle fought in it. There are many cities in that same
Greece, several towns lay claim to Achilles and Phthia. land, namely the city of Pharsalus, where was Achilles son of
Through several years of in-depth research – onsite, textual, Peleus.” Modern historians, Henry Westlake (Britain 1935) and
factual, epoch and oral tradition – Dr. Brianas has identified Friedrich Stahlin (Germany 1924) provide further evidence
modern Pharsala, in southeastern Thessaly, in central Greece citing Pharsala as Homer’s Phthia.
and its magnificent acropolis, as ancient Phthia, the home of Note: For background information on the search for
Achilles and the location of his palace. Mayor Goundopoulos’ Achilles, see article by Dr. Brianas, “In Search of Homer’s
knowledge of his hometown as Homer’s Phthia, carried down Achilles: His Kingdom, His People, His Palace,” January 19
through centuries of tradition from grandfather, to father and and 26, 2005, Hellenic Voice, Boston.
18 THE AHEPAN Summer 2006 www.ahepa.orgExhibit 2 Exhibit 1a Exhibit 1b PHARSALA – YESTERDAY AND TODAY Kalambaka where for centuries Greek monasteries have stood The acropolis of Pharsala is magnificent (Exhibit 2). With its built on magnificent cliffs overlooking the westernmost part saddle-shaped rims it dominates the southeastern valley of of the Thessalian plain. This entire area is cradled by huge Thessaly, which historically, has been divided into four tetra- mountain ranges from the Pindus to the far west extending to chs (regions): Hestiaeotis to the northwest, centered around the Othrys beyond Pharsala and to the north Mount Olympus, the city of Trikala, Thessaliotis to the southwest, centered itself home of the ancient Greek gods. around the city of Karditsa, Pelasgiotis to the northeast, at the Before the rise of Athens and Sparta (prior to 500BC), the city of Larisa, and Phthiotis to the southeast, at the city of four regions of Thessaly were often united, militarily the Pharsala, extending in ancient times south to Lamia and the strongest in all of Greece, as well as, the wealthiest. It was the Sperchios River. Beyond the valley to the east bordering the bread basket of Greece, and through its isolation by mountain Aegean Sea is the famous region of Mt. Pelion home of the ranges, it was known to be thriving during Greece’s dark age legendary centaurs – half man half horse. Here is the city of (1100BC to 800BC). Thessalians would journey on an annual Volos (ancient Iolkos) from where Jason and his Argonauts pilgrimage to Troy to honor their hero Achilles. And sailed to find the golden fleece. All these regions comprise Pharsala’s, Olympic games were held annually in honor of Thessaly including the Meteora to the far west at the city of Achilles and Patroklas (games like Achilles held for his fallen www.ahepa.org Summer 2006 THE AHEPAN 19
Exhibit 3
comrade Patroklas at Troy). Today, most of the streets of were then called. And
Pharsala (current population of 15,000) are named after their only Achilles, his
historical ancestors: Achilles Street, Patroklas Street, Thetis Myrmidon troops, and
Street, etc. with their football team called “The Myrmidons.” Thessalian allies were
As Homer stated in the Iliad, the palace of Achilles, locat- called “Hellenes,” from
ed on the acropolis, was “strong and sturdy” and had “a “Hellas.”
high, vaulting roof.” Today, an impressive site, the highest Homer speaking of the
on the acropolis, could be the location of that palace. great gathering of the
Foundation ruins remain with a 360 degree view of the val- Greek armies said: There
ley and plains of Thessaly below. Magnificent, cyclopean were “men of Phthia and
walls also abound around the acropolis eventually encir- Hellas, where women are
cling the city below (Exhibit 3). a wonder and the fighters
called Achaeans, Hellenes,
ACHILLES: HIS PERSONA AND INFLUENCE and Myrmidons ranked in
With Phthia as the center of Achilles’ kingdom and Pharsala as fifty ships, and Achilles Exhibit 4
the location of his palace, the rule of this king, hero of the was their leader.” There at
Trojan War, plus his father Peleus and son Neoptolemos, was the shore of Troy the mighty hero with “a fiery spirit, awesome
far-reaching. It extended throughout the vast region of Phthiotis and quick to anger,” would “delight his heart” by “plucking
and bordered the Aegean Sea. Homer, several times in the Iliad, strong and clear on (his) fine lyre.” He was a god-like figure
called Achilles “brilliant,” “prince,” “god-like,” and “swift run- with immense feelings of honor and trust, yet a man who was
ner.” He had “fiery hair and burly hands.” (See Exhibit 4.) His also extremely aggressive when provoked.
weapons included a “silver handled” sword with a “huge blade’ Another great hero, Alexander the Great, idolized Achilles.
and a “scepter studded bright with golden nails.” He was the Through his mother Olympia, a princess of Epirus in north-
greatest warrior, the “rugged bulwark” as King Nester called western Greece, where Achilles’ grandson Molossos ruled,
him, of the Achaeans (“long haired Achaeans”), as the Greeks Alexander was related to Achilles. His battlefield horse,
20 THE AHEPAN Summer 2006 www.ahepa.orgExhibit 5 Exhibit 6 Exhibit 7
Bucephalus, was from the famous stables of ancient to be discovered at Pharsala. A key exception occurred in
Pharsalos. Throughout his 10 year campaign against the May 2006. While exploring the site of a fallen tree on the
Persian Empire, Alexander kept under his pillow a version of acropolis, bone and skull fragments were found by Gregory,
the Iliad annotated by his tutor Aristotle. At Achilles’ tomb son of the city’s mayor. The following day, with shovel in
at Troy, 870 years after the Trojan War, Alexander paid hom- hand, attempts were made by this author to examine the
age and made sacrifices in honor of his great ancestor and reason for the tree’s demise. There, about two feet down a
emulated his heroic qualities never losing a battle during his spherical object about 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 1 1/2
long campaign. inches in thickness was noticed (Exhibit 7). Closer observa-
Homer states that Achilles’ “breast plate (was) brighter tion showed it was ceramic. Research revealed that it was
than gleaming fire,” and had “a sturdy helmet, beautiful, bur- used either as part of a necklace or more likely for weaving
nished work, (with) a raised golden crest.” Although it was carpets or tapestry like Penelope did until her husband,
prophesized he would die at Troy and become a legendary Odysseus, returned to Ithaca. Critical, though, is the fact that
hero, he desired to leave the battlefield and return to his the same designs have been found at Mycenean sites in
home at Phthia. He had no desire to fight King Agamemnon’s Greece as well as treasures from Troy now in the National
war, a man Achilles found deceitful. He wanted to return to Archeological Museum of Athens.
Phthia “where the women are a wonder, where the dark soil
breeds strong men – where stallions roam.” (Achilles had a EPILOGUE
magnificent chariot lead by his great purebred stallions, The ancient Greeks were indeed highly intelligent and
Xanthus and Balius.) He stated, “There lies my wealth, hoards resourceful people with technological expertise unimagin-
of it, all I left behind when I sailed to Troy – and still more able to us today. All of Greece is itself an archaeological
hoards from here, gold, ruddy bronze, women sashed and goldmine. Unfortunately, its treasures have been ravaged by
lovely, and I will haul it home, all I won as plunder.” He fur- time, countless foreign invaders, and often ruthless smug-
ther states in the Iliad, “Plenty of Argive women wait in glers, who under the cover of darkness, excavate for ancient
Hellas. Time and again my fiery spirit drove me to win a treasures. The Hellenic Ministry of Culture has an awesome
wife, a fine partner to please my heart, to enjoy with her the job to preserve, protect, and enhance the wonder of its
treasures my old father Peleus piled high.” ancient civilization. Upon completion of the Ministry of
No doubt treasures whether of jewelry, pottery, swords, or Culture’s current effort of restoring the beautiful marble the-
other artifacts abound at this ancient site of Pharsala and its atre discovered in the city of Larisa, focus in that region will
environs under layers of earth as they do throughout most of be on the city Pharsala, 30 miles to the south, with excava-
Greece. Burial grounds, particularly of royalty, often yield tions on the acropolis of Homer’s Phthia targeted to begin
astounding treasures. the summer of 2007.
With a research effort driven by an American’s desire to
ARCHEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE AT PHARSALA understand the roots of his heritage, the birthplace of his par-
Up to this time the only major find in Pharsala occurred in ents (Dr. Brianas’), and a local mayor’s desire (Mayor
1954 at an ancient tholos tomb (Exhibit 5). Here a black Goundopoulos) to uncover the foundational remains and
amphoric vase, dated to 450BC, was discovered. It depicted treasures of his city’s and the western world’s greatest war
Patroklas, slain by Hector, lying face up on the ground with hero, the ACHILLES PROJECT has taken root. Praise must be
Greek and Trojan warriors fighting to claim his body (Exhibit bestowed on all Pharsalians, Thessalians and all modern day
6). This major find of Patroklas, childhood companion and “Myrmidons,” who for over 3200 years have kept the memo-
closest confidant of Achilles, is critical evidence for the city ry of their hero Achilles alive.
of Pharsala as Homer’s Phthia.
Mycenaean artifacts, of significanceo clearly linking Jim Brianas joined AHEPA in 1962 as a member of AHEPA’s
Pharsala to Achilles’ Bronze Age of 3200 years ago, have yet first university chapter, UJ1, in Florida.
www.ahepa.org Summer 2006 THE AHEPAN 21HELLENIC CULTURAL COMMISSION
Book Review: Claiming Macedonia:
The Struggle for the Heritage, Territory and Name
of the Historic Hellenic Land, 1862–2004
Reviewed by: Dr. James F. Dimitriou, Past Supreme President
“This Government considers talk of Macedonian ‘nation’, Macedonian ‘Fatherland’, or of Hellenic heritage. The poet, Odysseus
Macedonian ‘national consciousness’ to be unjustified demagoguery representing no eth- Elytis reminds us that “Our name is our soul,”
nic nor political reality, and sees in its present revival a possible cloak for aggressive inten- and therefore, who can give up their soul?
tions against Greece. The approved policy of this Government is to oppose any revival of the What becomes necessary, is a clear, candid,
Macedonian issue as related to Greece.” historical analysis of the “Macedonian
Question,” through its unique Hellenic char-
Secretary of Edward R. Stettinius, Jr., U.S. Secretary of State, December 26, 1944 acter. This detailed argument from a Greek
perspective is given by author George C.
““The Macedonian Question” is an interna- do-state, the administrations of Presidents Papavisas in his “Capturing Macedonia.”
tional problem that presents many puzzling Roosevelt and Truman categorically Papavisas has written a thoughtful
historical and political problems. Originally, denounced the apparent land grab and his- account of the Macedonian issue, unlike any
the problem dates back to the era immediate- torical fraud at the expense of Greece and other publication to date. He examines the
ly following the Greek War of Independence Hellenism. nature of Hellenic Macedonia and traces
and the ill-fated attempt of Bulgaria to annex The current political problem has come Macedonia’s Hellenic past. He focuses on the
the former Ottoman region. about with the breakup of Yugoslavia in deliberate creation of a fraudulent history to
The modern fabrication of the so-called 1991, when the United Nations, NATO, the promote wholesale misconceptions about
“Macedonian Question,” however, is one of European Union and most nations recog- Macedonia’s past and present. The author
the greatest cases of historical revisionism nized the new state as the “Former gives us a clear insight to the evolution of
and fraud that was fabricated by Josip Broz Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,” or the problem from its beginnings as a
Tito, Communist leader of Yugoslavia in “FYROM.” Successive governments of Bulgarian land grab, through a Communist
1944. The Communist government of Greece have clearly stated that they have historical hoax to the present dispute with
Yugoslavia, invented the pseudo-state by no territorial designs on this area, but do the Skopje, FYROM, government. He gives us
changing the name of “South Serbia,” (or not want to relinquish the Hellenic charac- a very comprehensive study of the issue from
“Vardar Macedonia”) to “Macedonia.” To go ter, history and heritage of Greek an accurate historical, cultural and political
along with the new name, came an attempt Macedonia. With strong historical evidence perspective. To those wishing to understand
to create a new cultural-historical heritage: of this Hellenic character, references to the Hellenic viewpoint, the author’s compre-
A new language from the South Slavic Macedonia are found in both Herodotus hensive study covers the conflict from initial
dialect of the region was officially and Thucydides. Further, Mt. Olympus was stages to the present challenges.
“declared,” A new, self-proclaimed the home of gods in Greek mythology.
“Macedonian Orthodox Church,” not recog- The struggle for Macedonia is one that George Papavisas states his intentions
nized by any other Orthodox churches; and a has perplexed and agonized Hellenes. This is clearly in his Preface:
fabricated history that denies the Hellenic a problem of more than just geo-politics, it “It is not my intent to add another histor-
character of the land of Alexander the Great. is the wholesale distortion of history to pro- ical book on Macedonia. It is to add a dif-
Seeing the creation of the Skopje pseu- mote the creation of a state at the expense ferent book, one with uniquely interpret-
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