An Evzone from Moldova (!!), Valerios Antoniou stole the show last night at Stathakeion!! Not only is he a son of the Diaspora, but he also reminded us that Moldova and Wallachia are where the Greek Revolution of 1821 started!! Also, why did the Archbishop suddenly want to be a “peacemaker” at the Federation?
By Nick Stamatakis
The last Panomogeniaki meeting in Stathakeion was once again a “full house” event, marked this time with the presence of many representatives of the Greek political leadership. This was indeed not a welcome event for most of us: A few years ago we had decided to exclude ALL these politicians because of the defeatist stance they took for the “Name of Macedonia” issue. Why do we now accept them?
- Most of them still take a very submissive attitude towards Turkey and its illegal demands in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, while it still occupies half of Cyprus.
- Most have also voted to normalize same-sex marriage. Our communities are very traditionalist – we should never accept anyone who breaks our ties to our moral foundations!!
This year, chief among the political leaders from Greece was PASOK President Nikos Androulakis. His first duty in NY was visiting AB Elpidophoros, and our media criticized him sharply. Didn’t he realize that the community has moved away from Elpidophoros? Why didn’t he ask?
The Archbishop explained that he started a “new tradition” (Did he ask anyone from the Federation?), i.e. to invite one Church leader (Metropolitan) from Greece every year. The first was Met. Chrysostomos of Patras, someone who enjoys an excellent “outside good testimony” and is a good orator. His warm greeting to the crowd was applauded with heartfelt gratification.
AB Elpidophoros Suddenly Wants to Play Peacemaker at the Federation!
Just two months ago, I had an extensive talk with Father Evagoras regarding a possible intervention by the Archbishop in an effort to unite the Federation, which has been split into two factions for about 3 years, and these two factions are fighting a bitter court battle. The answer was an unwavering and loud “NO”: “As long as they are involved in a Court fight the Archbishop will NOT intervene”, I was told. I am sure the exact same message was sent to others because I have heard it from many directions.
Last night, however, as we were waiting for the Evzones to arrive, the Archbishop picked up the microphone and started his oratory about various issues, concluding, “Why are we, here at the Federation, fighting in court? We all believe in democracy, don’t we? Let’s come together, have elections, and start a new phase in this organization!”
Well, well, well… Just a few days ago, it was clear to all that the one of the two sides, the so-called “sidewalk” side, also known as “Nomiki and the Orangutans”, literally committed suicide by sending a disgraceful letter against Dimitris Kalamaras to the NYC Mayor’s Office. The unanimous feeling in our community was that we all now have to unite under the other side and have elections at Stathakeion. Dimos Siokis and Dimitris Kalamaras have arranged a general assembly on April 9. I am sure they will have serious announcements to make. As I have said, we only have one avenue at this moment: to reunite in the only Federation that is legal and worthy. And we will. The doors should be open for all to reunite. Those who disgraced themselves with unspeakable actions HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK for a couple of years. They have no place in the Federation’s leadership now.
ENTER THE EVZONES!! VALERIOS ANTONIOU FROM IASI AND MOLDOVA!!
What a fantastic moment as our national symbol, the Presidential Guard, entered the building!! An unbelievable thrill as they walked to their usual place at the front of the room. They were introduced by Peter Vlitas, who, once again, played a pivotal role in organizing and funding their participation (along with the Archdiocese – and we have repeatedly noted that it was inappropriate for the “Holy” Archdiocese to get mixed up with secular symbols). Their leader and ther commander also made a short introduction and then each started saying their names and their place of origin.
Then, suddenly, I heard something strange: “Valerios Antoniou, Moldova” (photo above) !! In several decades of participation in this event, nobody has ever heard “Moldova” or any foreign country as the place of origin of any of the Evzones… We usually hear Crete, Kastoria, Edessa, Athens, Thessaloniki. etc. Moldova? A few minutes later, I approached Valerios Antoniou and discovered that his family went to Moldova during the Cold War and that their hometown is near Iasi, a Romanian city known for its large and historic Greek community. The 1821 Greek Revolution started in Moldova and Wallachia, and Iasi was one of the places known to us since then!! At the same time, Valerios is a rare case of a “Diaspora Child” to be part of the Presidential Guard!
A Mustache Competition!!
Take a look at the photos!! All the “Leventia” of Greece in their mustaches!!
Friday morning in Saint Nicholas and Bowling Green
In this video below, you can see the whole morning’s events, from the Doxology in Saint Nicholas at Ground Zero to the procession and raising of the flag at Bowling Green.
Here are some impressive photos:
March 28, 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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You know the famous sonnet “How do I love thee, let me count the ways”?
In reverse I posit:
“How do I disdain thee, let me count the ways” in regard to disaster of St. Nicholas Shrine!
I cannot stand those pasty white walls + horrible sounding acoustics when anyone talks or sings; likewise the eyesore of
its outside architecture looking like army bunker or mausoleum + the tiny, unrecognizable copper cross on top of dome – as strangers ask is it a mosque?
To think this catastrophe cost a whopping hundred million dollars is obscene! And knowing that Fr. Karloutsos chose the non-Orthodox Calatrava to rip off GOA is just egg on their face pathetic.