ΓΙΑ ΜΕΤΑΦΡΑΣΗ ΧΡΗΣΙΜΟΠΟΙΗΣΤΕ ΤΙΣ ΣΗΜΑΙΕΣ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ ΣΑΣ
By Nick Stamatakis
It was another disappointing night yesterday at Stathakeion, as we witnessed the disintegration of our community’s traditional institutions in the annual ritual of organizing the Greek Independence Parade on 5th Avenue…
The Parade Committee irrationally insisted on the invitation of Vangelis Marinakis, CURRENTLY under criminal investigation for racketeering. Any decent “honoree” would withdraw his participation after such controversy that has divided our community. The fact that Marinakis has not withdrawn reflects on his character: He is someone without dignity, whose only goal is to come to New York and show his middle finger to the NY Times and those of us who have expressed their common sense objections: “No person under criminal investigation should be honored by our Parade until he is cleared – period”. Yesterday, things got even worse, and Philip Christopher stressed that Marinakis would arrange a live streaming of our parade with the TV channel he owns, MEGA. Question to Mr. Christopher: How much is our community’s honor worth? Apparently, you have put a number on it…
But isn’t the Parade done primarily for our children? What are we teaching our children? That everything can be bought with money? What does AB Elpidophoros think? How about Metropolitan Apostolos? Fr. Evagoras? Silence… They are all hiding behind their finger!! What kind of “Christian” leaders are you? Shame on you!!
Then, there was no serious talk about Maria Karystianou‘s participation: The Parade Committee offered to invite her later, after the Parade. Unlike Marinakis, “Karystianou has decency and would never accept such a demeaning invitation after the controversy that has filled the news media for weeks”, Kostas Katehis, the organizer of the group of supporters for the Tempi victims, explained to me. The fact is that the Parade Committee decided against the will of our Community.
According to Article 20 of the Charter of the Federation (the same for both sides), Grand Marshalls must “symbolize and revive our primary national and moral obligations”… The Charter further declares that “…the Chairman of the Parade Committee must submit the written proposals for Grand Marshal to the Board of Directors, who shall proceed with the final selection during a special meeting”. Since there is no unified Board of Directors, who will decide for the Grand Marshalls? The best way is for Panomogeneiaki to decide… In the previous meeting, Philip Christopher had the right idea when he asked the Panomogeneiaki assembly, “Raise your hand if you want Karystianou to be honored”. The people, 9 out of 10, voted for her… But Mr. Christopher later decided to go against the will of the people…
Helleniscope raised the question of why the Parade Committee invited Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, given that Netflix has recently taken orders from Turkey to cancel the series “Famagusta,” among many anti-Hellenic policies (like portraying Alexander the Great as gay). Mr. Argyros also loudly presented a good argument in the same direction. Philip Christopher was forced to back off. “I am not for him. Someone else proposed him. He is not coming!”… Great! But why the chaotic decision-making? Was it ever acceptable for Netflix and its CEO to be proposed? Who will we propose next time to be honored? “Sultan” Erdogan? Where are our standards?
Do you realize how many ethics rules the Parade Committee has violated in inviting Marinakis? Did anyone check the NY State’s AG’s ethics rules for non-profit organizations? How many ethics rules (and plain common sense) did they violate by improperly inviting Yiannis Smaragdis and Maria Karystianou? Why were “Nomiki and the Orangutans” allowed to play their games? One of them, Tassos Karagounis, had the gall to call me and threaten me with violence!! Because I pointed out their mistakes! No, he did not have the decency to apologize!!…
Finally, I can tell you that we have not seen the end of the problems. Those who thought inviting Marinakis was an “achievement”, have ignored the “Eye Of Justice” high above that watches everything… Remember this phrase two months from now…
PS 1. Philip Christopher failed to allow a very experienced leader of our community, Mr. Theodore Pavlakos, former President of the Pan-Laconian Federation, to express his views. Mr. Pavlakos raised his hand in vain as he sat in the two front rows!… Unjustified and unfair behavior by Mr. Christopher, who recently seems out of touch…
PS 2. Fr. Evagoras expressed his annoyance with our use of the phrase “Priests and Evzones” (“Παπάδες και Τσολιάδες”), pointing out that Mr. Vlitas is in charge of the Evzones… Thankfully, he added that the Archbishop is “just writing the invitation to the President of Greece”. Let’s get things straight: For many decades, the Federation has asked the President of Greece in writing about the Evzones’ participation. No Archbishop was needed!! And none is needed now!! The Archbishop does not need to get involved with the details of the Parade – period!… When he was asked to use his status to bring peace to the Federation, he refused. But he is always ready to create more friction and problems!..
February 11, 2025, n.stamatakis@aol.com www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
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