NEW YORK – Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced on April 19 the unsealing of an indictment charging Peter Kalkanis, Bryan Duncan, Kerry Gordon, Robert Locust, and Ryan Rainford with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud in connection with a scheme to obtain fraudulent insurance reimbursement and other compensation for fraudulent slip-and-fall accidents, according to a new release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York. The indictment also charges Peter Kalkanis with one count of aggravated identity theft.

The five defendants were arrested on April 19 and were presented that day before United States Magistrate Stewart D. Aaron in Manhattan federal court. The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Laura Taylor Swain.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said, “As alleged, these defendants employed one of the oldest plays in the fraudster handbook – the fake slip-and-fall routine – to develop a network of ‘fall victims’ to obtain an astonishing $31 million in fraudulent insurance and compensation payouts. Allegedly, some of the ‘victims’ went as far as having unnecessary surgery to increase the likelihood of a higher settlement. Today, however, these defendants’ fraud careers are over, and they will be forced to answer for their alleged crimes.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “The intentional misrepresentation of an accidental slip and fall, and the subsequent defrauding of businesses and insurance companies, is a reprehensible crime in and of itself.  But perhaps the most shocking allegation revealed today is the fact that additional incentives were offered for participants to undergo surgery in order to receive payment for their involvement. One thing is for sure – the alleged activity carried out by Kalkanis and his co-conspirators was no accident, and neither are our charges today.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

Since 2013, the defendants have been engaged in a widespread fraud scheme through which the defendants defrauded businesses and insurance companies by staging slip-and-fall accidents and filing fraudulent lawsuits arising from those staged slip-and-fall accidents. The fraud scheme participants recruited individuals to stage slip-and-fall accidents at particular locations throughout New York City and to claim that they injured themselves as a result of their accidents. The recruited patients were directed to claim that they had injured themselves and to seek medical treatment.

After the staged slip-and-fall accidents, recruited patients were referred to specific attorneys who would file lawsuits against the owners of the accident sites and/or insurance companies of the owners of the accident sites (the “Victims”). The lawsuits did not disclose that the recruited patients had deliberately fallen at the accident sites or, in some cases, had not fallen at all. During the course of the fraud scheme, the defendants, together with others known and unknown, attempted to defraud the Victims of at least $31,791,000.

The recruited patients were also instructed to receive ongoing chiropractic and medical treatment from certain chiropractors and doctors. The fraud scheme participants advised the recruited patients that if they intended to continue with their lawsuits, they were required to undergo surgery. As an incentive to getting surgery, the recruited patients were offered a payment after they completed surgery as well as a percentage of any settlement payment from their lawsuit.

Kalkanis, a former chiropractor, was the organizer and leader of the scheme. As alleged in the indictment, Kalkanis paid his co-defendants to recruit patients into the scheme and transport the patients to medical and attorney appointments. Kalkanis also organized the recruited patients’ legal and medical appointments, and assisted in procuring the funding for the recruited patients’ medical treatment and lawsuits.

Duncan, Gordon, Locust, and Rainford helped recruit patients into the fraud scheme, transported patients to medical and legal appointments, identified potential accident sites, and coached recruited patients on faking their injuries.

Kalkanis, 70, Queens, NY, Duncan, 30, Queens, NY, Gordon, 34, Queens, NY, Locust, 52, Brooklyn, NY, and Rainford, 28, Queens, NY, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  Kalkanis is also charged with one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a two year mandatory prison sentence. The maximum potential sentences and minimum sentence in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD. He also thanked the National Insurance Crime Bureau for their assistance in the investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas Folly, Alexandra Rothman, and Nicholas Chiuchiolo are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment and Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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BOSTON – Mark Arey, Executive Director of the Hellenic Initiative Organization, posted an article on Facebook urging His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America to resign, noting that “his continuing presence at the helm of the Church of America is part of the problem.”

Arey was a close collaborator of Archbishop Demetrios. He was a priest for 34 years of the Greek-Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He served for seven years in different positions at the Archdiocese including as Director of the Department of Interchristian and Interorthodox Relations. He also served as spokesman for St. Nicholas church at Ground Zero and he had many times appeared in the American Press including the New York Times.

A few years ago Arey departed from the Archdiocese and left the priesthood. He was converted to Orthodoxy. He was an excellent student at Holy Cross Theological School and he is fluent in Greek.
In his article on Facebook he wrote among other things that “I do not intend to be unkind toward His Eminence nor ungrateful for the many opportunities of service that he gave to me. What I am trying to be here is honest, to speak the truth with love.” He also stated that “. For those of you who take offense, I ask your forgiveness beforehand.”

The National Herald communicated with Mark Arey and verified the authenticity of his post on Facebook. He expressed the wish if it will be published to be published in its entirety.

The entire article of Mark Arey is the following:

“Dear Facebook Friends;

I have thought a lot about posting these thoughts, and I certainly do not wish to scandalize anybody, but with the growing crisis in the GOA and the abysmal publicity about the Saint Nicholas National Shrine, I felt that I should. For those of you who take offense, I ask your forgiveness beforehand.

The last seven years of my life as a clergyman (2007 – 2014) were spent in service at the Archdiocese and to the Archbishop. The Archbishop is a good man who is truly impressive in his academic abilities. Nevertheless, with all of the managerial and financial problems swirling around the Archdiocese, and the fact that HIs Eminence is now over ninety years old, I feel it is unjust for the faithful of the Archdiocese to expect him to continue to serve. Indeed, it is as unreasonable as it is unjust. He clearly does not have — and should not be expected to have — the expertise, energy, and facility to restore the Archdiocese to its former stability.

There will be blame enough to spread around for the current sorry conditions, but what we should be seeking are solutions! His Eminence is no longer part of the solution; his continuing presence at the helm of the Church of America is part of the problem. I do not intend to be unkind toward His Eminence nor ungrateful for the many opportunities of service that he gave to me. What I am trying to be here is honest, to speak the truth with love.

It is time for a new captain to take the helm and help restore the Archdiocese to a position of trust and responsibility. The nineteen years of the Archiepiscopacy of His Eminence Demetrios deserve a better end than the continual unravelling of Archdiocesan affairs. The Saint Nicholas National Shrine is singularly the most important project in the history of the Archdiocese. After years of fighting to maintain our legal right and moral responsibility to rebuild, Archbishop Demetrios has led the project to exhaustion and an embarrassing mismanagement that in the corporate world, would demand the immediate resignation of the CEO. But we are not a corporation, we are the Body of Christ. And the member who has been our leader these last nineteen years is deserving of a dignified retirement and rest.

I understand that it is hard to give up a glorious position. But I was there at the last address to the clergy by the ever-memorable Archbishop Iakovos at the 1996 CLC. His voice quaked with emotion and my eyes filled with tears as he said, “I lost none of you….” Archbishop Demetrios may have only served half as long as Archbishop Iakovos, but he deserves just as as much. Let us pray that he makes the right decision sooner rather than later, and submits a grateful resignation to His All-Holiness and the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Then the Church can move on and his legacy of nineteen years of service will not be lost and can abide with dignity and grace.”

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NORRISTOWN, PA (AP) — Bill Cosby was convicted Thursday of drugging and molesting a woman in the first big celebrity trial of the #MeToo era, completing the spectacular late-life downfall of a comedian who broke racial barriers in Hollywood on his way to TV superstardom as America’s Dad.

Cosby, 80, could end up spending his final years in prison after a jury concluded he sexually violated Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. He claimed the encounter was consensual.

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The verdict came after a two-week retrial in which prosecutors put five other women on the stand who testified that Cosby, married for 54 years, drugged and violated them, too. One of those women asked him through her tears, “You remember, don’t you, Mr. Cosby?”

The panel of seven men and five women reached a verdict after deliberating 14 hours over two days, vindicating prosecutors’ decision to retry Cosby after his first trial ended with a hung jury less than a year ago.

Cosby could get up to 10 years in prison on each of the three counts of aggravated indecent assault. He is likely to get less than that under state sentencing guidelines, but given his age, even a modest term could mean he will die behind bars.

Constand, 45, a former Temple women’s basketball administrator, told jurors that Cosby knocked her out with three blue pills he called “your friends” and then penetrated her with his fingers as she lay immobilized, unable to resist or say no.

It was the only criminal case to arise from a barrage of allegations from more than 60 women who said the former TV star drugged and molested them over a span of five decades.

“The time for the defendant to escape justice is over,” prosecutor Stewart Ryan said in his closing argument. “It’s finally time for the defendant to dine on the banquet of his own consequences.”

Another prosecutor, Kristen Feden, said Cosby was “nothing like the image that he played on TV” as sweater-wearing, wisdom-dispensing father of five Dr. Cliff Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.”

Cosby’s retrial took place against the backdrop of #MeToo, the movement against sexual misconduct that has taken down powerful men in rapid succession, among them Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer, Kevin Spacey and Sen. Al Franken.

The jurors all indicated they were aware of #MeToo but said before the trial they could remain impartial. Cosby’s lawyers slammed #MeToo, calling Cosby its victim and likening it to a witch hunt or a lynching.

After failing to win a conviction last year, prosecutors had more courtroom weapons at their disposal for the retrial. The other accusers’ testimony helped move the case beyond a he-said, she-said, allowing prosecutors to argue that Cosby was a menace to women long before he met Constand. Only one other accuser was permitted to testify at Cosby’s first trial.

Cosby’s new defense team, led by Michael Jackson lawyer Tom Mesereau, launched a highly aggressive attack on Constand and the other women.

Their star witness, a longtime Temple employee, testified that Constand once spoke of setting up a prominent person and suing. Constand sued Cosby after prosecutors initially declined to file charges, settling with him for nearly $3.4 million over a decade ago.

“You’re dealing with a pathological liar,” Mesereau told the jury.

His colleague on the defense team, Katheen Bliss, derided the other accusers as home-wreckers and suggested they made up their stories in a bid for money and fame.

But Cosby himself had long ago confirmed sordid revelations about drugs and extramarital sex.

In a deposition he gave over a decade ago as part of Constand’s lawsuit, Cosby acknowledged he had obtained quaaludes to give to women he wanted to have sex with, “the same as a person would say, ‘Have a drink.'” The sedative was a popular party drug before the U.S. banned it more than 30 years ago.

Cosby also acknowledged giving pills to Constand before their sexual encounter. But he identified them as the over-the-counter cold and allergy medicine Benadryl and insisted they were meant to help her relax.

The entertainer broke racial barriers as the first black actor to star in a network show, “I Spy,” in the 1960s. He created the top-ranked “Cosby Show” two decades later. He also found success with his “Fat Albert” animated TV show and served as pitchman for Jello-O pudding.

Later in his career, he attracted controversy for lecturing about social dysfunction in poor black neighborhoods, railing against young people stealing things and wearing baggy pants.

It was Cosby’s reputation as a public moralist that prompted a federal judge, acting in response to a request from The Associated Press, to unseal portions of the deposition.

Its release helped destroy the “Cosby Show” star’s career and good-guy image. It also prompted authorities to reopen the criminal investigation, and he was charged in late 2015.

The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission. Constand has done so.

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YORK, PA – The members of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church are hosting a once in a lifetime Centennial Celebration Weekend Event on April 28-29, proudly honoring their 100 years of representation in York, PA.

The festivities will begin at 11 AM on Saturday at the Church, 2500 Pine Grove Rd., with an event open to the public, “A Day of Orthodoxy,” featuring two speakers- Father Andrew Damick, podcast host on Ancient Faith Radio (ancientfaith.com) and pastor of St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Emmaus, PA will present, “St. Ignatius of Antioch & the Spirit of Martyrdom.”

Additionally, “Culture Clash: How Eastern Orthodoxy Differs from Western Christianity,” will be presented by Father Alexander Goussetis, podcast host on Ancient Faith Radio, Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care and pastor of the Transfiguration Orthodox Church in Lititz, PA. Special guest for this event will be Archimandrite Fr. Christodoulos Papadeas from Denver, CO. His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh will also be in attendance. A Vespers service will conclude the afternoon together in prayer, ending by 2 PM. The local community is encouraged to attend this function to learn more about the Orthodox faith. All are welcome!

Saturday evening will include a Dinner/Dance Gala for parish members only with live Greek music by Zephyros, the Greek band from Baltimore, MD.

Commencing at 9:45 AM on Sunday, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be held at the Church, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh.

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BROCKTON, MA – The International Association of HealthCare Professionals welcomed Greek-American Dr. Nicolaos V. Athienites, MD, to their prestigious organization with his upcoming publication in The Leading Physicians of the World. Dr. Athienites is an established nephrologist who continues to provide exceptional care and support to his patients within Renal Medical Care in Brockton, MA. He is also affiliated with South Shore Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. With over three decades of experience in his field, Dr. Athienites is noted for his special expertise in acute kidney failure, amyloidosis, and acidosis.

Dr. Athienites’ acclaimed career in medicine began in 1986, when he graduated with his Medical Degree from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in Greece. After moving to the United States, he went on to complete his internship and residency at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, MA. Pursuing further medical training, Dr. Athienites undertook his fellowship training at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA.

He is board certified in Nephrology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and remains a distinguished member of the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Nephrology and the Massachusetts Medical Society. Having dedicated his life to providing the highest standard of quality care, Dr. Athienites is committed to enhancing his patients’ quality of life. Alongside his practice, he serves as an Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Athienites attributes his success to his Herculean powers of perseverance. When he is not assisting patients, he likes to stay fit by using calisthenics and ancient Greek exercises.

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BOSTON, MA – Under a blue sky and sunny day, Boston’s 23rd annual Greek Independence Parade took place on April 22.  It began at 1PM in front of the Prudential Tower near the Boston Public Library marched on Boylston Street and ended across of Four Seasons Hotel.

Hundreds of Greek School students dressed in colorful traditional Greek costumes holding Greek and American flags, accompanied by their teachers and parents, shouted “Long lives Greece!” while the bands were playing patriotic music.

Attending were Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, former Massachusetts Governor and 1988 Democratic Presidential Nominee Michael Dukakis with his wife, Kitty, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Lowell Mayor William Samaras, Consul General of Greece Stratos Ethimiou, Pylos-Nestor Mayor and VP of Central Union of Municipalities of Greece Dimitris Kafantaris, Vasilios Kafkas president of the Federation of Hellenic American Societies of New England.

More than sixty units marched along with well-constructed floats, as thousands of spectators from Boston and all across New England enjoyed the parade.

The local group of Evzones added more enthusiasm and meaning to the parade depicting the braveness of the heroes of March 25, 1821. A cultural event with dances from six Greek-American Dance Groups took place at the Boston Common.

A doxology was offered in the morning after the Divine Liturgy at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Boston. A coffee reception followed offered by the Federation to the entire congregation.

On April 21, the annual parade dinner hosted by the Federation was a sold-out event. It took place at Boston Cathedral Community Center in Brookline. Konstantinos Travagiakis welcomed the attendees, Metropolitan Methodios offered the invocation, Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis was Emcee, and Vivian Douglas sang the Greek and American national anthems.

Renowned author and journalist Nicholas Gage was the keynote speaker; the theme was “Fulfilling the Promise of 1821.”

The Freedom Award was awarded to Boston University Medical School professors Vasilios Zannis. He was introduced by this former student and currently professors of Pharmacology at Temple University Konstantinos Drosados.

The Metropolis of Boston Dance Group performed traditional Greek dances under the direction of Dr. John Pappas. The Group is comprised of Chris Chronopoulos, Maria Theodore, Victoria Zahopoulos, Evangelia Vassiliades, Bostony Braoudakis, Paul Tsiomplikas, Nikos Potamitis, Thano Danas, Harry Theodore, Dimitra Danas, Evangelos Meltsakos, Angelika Kartsagoulis, Efthalia Pelekoudas, Maria Apostle and Thespina Hamos.

Four students received scholarships:The Federation’s scholarship was given in memory of its former president George Markakos to Marinos Blanas. The Harry Katis scholarship went to Nicole Maimonis and Marianna Tsoumbanos and the Dr. Cnstantinos Hionidis scholarship was given to Vasileios Papadopoulos.

On April 20 an event  took place at the Massachusetts State House in Boston, followed by a reception at the Consulate General of Greece which is located on short distance from the State House.

The post The 23rd Greek Independence Day Parade in Boston a Success (Photos) appeared first on The National Herald.

BROOKLYN – Nearly 2,500 years after Aristophanes wrote The Birds, political satire remains just as topical and divisive, prominent figures in the art world agreed at a panel discussion on April 25, presented by the Onassis Cultural Center New York at the Brooklyn Museum.

The event is part of the Onassis Culture Center New York Spring Festival- Birds: A Festival Inspired by Aristophanes which features, among many other events, an acclaimed Greek production of the play, directed by Nikos Karathanos, to be performed from May 2-13 at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn.

The panel was moderated by Alexandra Petri, the humor columnist for The Washington Post, along with True Blood actor Denis O’Hare, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Bruce Norris, Françoise Mouly- the art editor of The New Yorker, and Roberta Casagrande-Kim, an archeologist, Assistant Manager of Exhibitions and Publications at the Onassis Cultural Center New York. Casagrande-Kim explained the historical roots of Aristophanes and O’Hare shared part of a monologue inspired by The Iliad. Mouly explained some of The New Yorker’s more provocative cover cartoons that touched upon political satire. But Norris cautioned not to overestimate the power of satire which he said is ultimately about pleasure for the consumer and is quickly forgotten. “Nothing dies quicker than satire,” he said.

The Birds festival kicked off on April 22, and will continue through July 8 with events all over New York City. For more information,  visit www.onassisusa.org

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CHICAGO (AP) — There’s an extra bonus to marriage for melanoma patients: They tend to be diagnosed in earlier more treatable stages than patients who are unmarried, widowed or divorced, a new study says, the Associated Press reported.

Spouses may be apt to notice suspicious moles on their partners that could signal melanoma, the most dangerous type skin cancer. More importantly, they may also be more inclined to nag their partners to get those moles checked out, the researchers said.

The findings suggest that unmarried people should ask relatives or friends to do skin checks or seek frequent skin exams with dermatologists.

Why marriage might a difference in diagnosis isn’t clear since unmarried partners or observant friends might also notice skin changes. But maybe married people have more opportunities to notice or feel more of a responsibility to keep their partners healthy, said study co-authors Cimarron Sharon and Dr. Giorgos Karakousis of the University of Pennsylvania.

Researchers analyzed 52,000 melanoma patients in a U.S. government cancer database who were diagnosed from 2010 to 2014. Melanoma is more likely than other skin cancers to spread beyond the initial tumor site to other organs, but all the patients had localized disease.

Among married patients studied, almost 47 percent had the smallest, earliest-stage tumors compared with 43 percent of never-married patients, 39 percent of divorced patients and 32 percent of widowed patients.

Just 3 percent of married participants had the most ominous tumors compared with almost 10 percent of widowed patients. Married patients also were more likely than the others to receive biopsies of nearby lymph nodes, usually recommended to guide treatment.

The study, published April 25 in JAMA Dermatology, echoes previous research that found advanced melanoma that has spread is less common in married patients.

Melanoma often looks like a misshapen mole, with a diameter larger than a pencil eraser and can be a blend of black, brown, tan or even bluish pigment. It’s linked with too much exposure to sun or tanning beds. It’s also more common in fair-skinned people and those with lots of moles.

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 90,000 U.S. cases will be diagnosed this year.

Amanda Palmer, 37, was diagnosed with early-stage melanoma seven years ago after her husband noticed a suspicious mole on her right leg and kept pestering her about it.

“He wouldn’t let up until I finally agreed to go to the doctor,” said Palmer, who is from the Washington DC-area.

Palmer said surgery to remove her cancer and surrounding tissue left a 4-inch scar. She gets frequent skin exams, and she and her husband do mutual skin checks. He also reminds her to wear heavy-duty sunscreen every time she leaves the house.

“I nag him about plenty of things,” she said. “I figure he can have one thing he nags me about.”

Lindsey Tanner, Associated Press Medical Writer

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CONSTANTINOPLE – His Eminence Metropolitan Dimitrios of Sebasteia was elected unanimously as Metropolitan of the Prince Islands of Constantinople by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on April 19. The Metropolis itself was elevated to the rank of Gerontic Eparchy in the person of Metropolitan Dimitrios who from now on will be addressed as Metropolitan Dimitrios Geron of the Prince Islands.

Metropolitan Dimitrios is one of the most prominent and learned hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne. He is known to the Archdiocese and the Greek-American community. He has represented Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in many occasions, especially in Clergy Laity Congress.

His enthronement will be on April 28.

Dimitrios was born in Tatavla, Constantinople on October 26, 1952, to Constantine and Zoe Kommata. He studied at the Great School of the Nation, the Holy Theological School of Halki, the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where he graduated in 1975, and the Theological College of Oak Hill in London (1980-1981). He was ordained deacon on July 14, 1974, by the late venerable Metropolitan Meliton of Chalcedon, thereafter serving the Mother Church from 1975 onward in various administrative capacities of the Patriarchal Court over more than thirty years and ministering to the needs of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in diverse ecclesiastical assignments throughout the world (such as in the United States of America, Australia, Greece and elsewhere). He was elevated to Metropolitan of Sevasteia from the position of Grand Archdeacon on October 2, 1990, ordained to the episcopate on November 4 of the same year by his spiritual elder, the late Patriarch Dimitrios, and the Holy and Sacred Synod. For over sixteen years he served as Director of the Personal Office of Patriarch Bartholomew (1991-2008), contributing – at the repeated recommendation of the leaders of the Holy Archdiocese of America and its information media – to the consolidation of the favorable interest of the Mother Church for the Archdiocese during the transitional period of its history, from the resignation of the late venerable Archbishop Iakovos to the completion of the composition of its new Constitution (1995-2003), assisting in the preservation therein of the crucial canonical boundaries related to its dependence on the Ecumenical Throne. More specifically, he participated in the Patriarchal Exarchy to the Archdiocese of America in 1995, the Clergy-Laity Congresses in Philadelphia (2000) and Nashville-Tennessee (2006), as well as in the special Mixed Council responsible for drafting the Constitution of the Holy Archdiocese.

During the arising crisis regarding the challenge of the canonical rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate over the Metropolitanates of the “New Lands” by the Church of Greece (2003-2004), he vehemently supported the rights defined by the Patriarchal and Synodal Act of 1928, authoring and consequently – following three years of research – publishing a critical and comparative study (in December 2006), entitled The Patriarchal and Synodal Act of 1928, with the Obscured Application of its Conditions, which received a positive response and favorable academic review and publicity from numerous specialist Professors of Church History and Canon Law. During 2005, he participated in the Patriarchal Exarchy to the Holy Mountain, which definitively and ecclesiastically resolved the problem troubling the Church for 30 years regarding the schismatic Esphigmenou Monastery by appointing a canonical brotherhood in its place. He also participated in two Inter-Orthodox Councils, the Pan-Orthodox Council of Constantinople (May 24, 2005) for the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Expanded Council of Geneva (May 17, 2006) for the Church of Cyprus. His addresses and articles have appeared periodically in different church publications and anniversary volumes, while he has also been honored with numerous ecclesiastical distinctions. Since the year 2000, he has regularly served as member of the Holy Synod as well as of many Synodic Committees.

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ATHENS – Noted Greek-American scientists Stamatios Krimigis has taken some parting shots at ruling Radical Left SYRIZA officials after he quit the Hellenic Space Agency because of what he called political interference – and as its Managing Director, Constantinos Pilaftsis has also walked away.

Krimigis, a former NASA scientist and head emeritus of the Space Department Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, gave up his post after indicating he was fed up with Telecommunications Minister Nikos Pappas trying to use the new agency to benefit the faltering SYRIZA.

His departure has set off a tempest, with the major rival New Democracy calling on Pappas, a former State Minister who worked for Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in trying to control private TV station licenses, to quit.

In his resignation letter, Krimigis, accused Pappas of making decisions that effectively annulled the HSA’s entire purpose and made it prone to political subservience instead of creating a meritocracy, a practice at odds with the Greek system of rewarding friends even if they aren’t qualified.

Krimigis said there was “an effort to manipulate HSA toward specific goals,” and also ripped the General Secretary for Telecommunications, Vassilis Manglaras who had accused the scientist of showing up for meetings only twice.

Krimigis, who had called Manglaras a “space czar,” said the secretary had a “selective memory” of events as the row got worse and set off debates about SYRIZA’s competence to govern.

Krimigis said that the board of directors met on three occasions, in sessions lasting seven hours each and added that, “It is obvious that the board and myself spent a lot time on understanding the founding charter, the law and the ministerial decision (establishing the agency,) which was only made public on March 15,” Kathimerini said.

“After the second meeting, the board, having seen that… we were at an impasse, authorized the Chairman and CEO to meet with Mr. Manglaras to discuss the issues, which the General Secretary refused to do. Instead, in violation of all rules and ethics, he asked for a meeting with the board in which I would not be present, and which took place unofficially with just four of the seven members after three refused to take part,” added Krimigis.

“The minister was cognizant of all this,” he added, an act he said was unacceptable although common in Greek politics to cut out critics and keep control. Krimigis said Manglaras had tried to undercut his position, typical of the country’s internecine and cutthroat politics.

Manglaras had accused Krimigis of “coming into work just twice and not spending a minute to understand the responsibilities of the ministry and the organization.”

Pappas dismissed Krimigis’ departure as insignificant, saying that “there are other Greek scientists abroad,” without asking if any would come given what happened to the renowned former NASA investigator.
Krimigis said “everything that was said at the board’s meetings is on the record and he (Pappas) can read it to see what he said or neglected to say.”

Pappas then picked Christodoulos Protopapas, former Chairman of the European Satellite Operators Association, as Krimigis’ replacement.

In a past Facebook post, Protopapas went on a nationalistic rant, attacking Greece’s European partners. “When we (the Greeks) were building temples and wrote tragedies and comedies you (Europeans) lived in the mud, ate raw meat, were unbathed and spoke in inarticulate grunts,” he said.

In a statement New Democracy said the post was a “characteristic sample” of the language used by Protopapas in public.

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EVANSTON, IL – A research team from Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory has developed a remarkable “next-generation” material for nuclear radiation detection that could significantly decrease the cost of detectors compared to those currently in commercial use.

“Specifically, the high-performance material is used in a device that can detect gamma rays, weak signals given off by nuclear materials, and can easily identify individual radioactive isotopes. It has been more than 30 years since a material with this performance was developed, with the new material having the advantage of inexpensive production,” Northwestern Now, the university’s newspaper, reported.

Among the potential uses for the new device could include more widespread detectors, such as handheld versions, for nuclear weapons and materials as well as applications in biomedical imaging, astronomy, and spectroscopy.

Mercouri G. Kanatzidis, the corresponding author of the paper which was published in the journal Nature Communications is a Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor of Chemistry in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and also has a joint appointment with Argonne.

He said, “Governments of the world want a quick, low-cost way to detect gamma rays and nuclear radiation to fight terrorist activities, such as smuggling and dirty bombs, and the proliferation of nuclear materials. This has been a very difficult problem for scientists to solve. Now we have an exciting new semiconductor device that is inexpensive to make and works well at room temperature,” Northwestern Now reported.

“In 2013, Argonne published a scientific study noting the promise of cesium lead bromide in the form of perovskite crystals for high-energy radiation detection. Since then, researchers led by Kanatzidis, Duck Young Chung of Argonne and Constantinos Stoumpos of Northwestern have worked to purify and improve the material,” Northwestern Now reported.

The step forward was when Yihui He, a postdoctoral fellow in Kanatzidis’ group and the paper’s first author, used the improved material and reconfigured the semiconductor device. “Instead of using the same electrode on either side of the crystal, he used two different electrodes,” Northwestern Now reported, adding that “with this asymmetrical design, the device only conducts electricity when gamma rays are present.”

In comparing the new new cesium lead bromide detector to a conventional cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detector, the research team found the results detecting gamma rays were the same.

“We achieved the same performance in two years of research and development as others did in 20 years with cadmium zinc telluride, the expensive material that is currently used,” Kanatzidis said, Northestern Now reported, adding that “it is important to know what the gamma-ray emitting material is, Kanatzidis stressed, because some materials are legal and some are illegal. Each radioactive isotope possesses its own ‘fingerprint’: a different decay behavior and a unique characteristic gamma-ray emission spectrum. The new cesium lead bromide detector can detect these fingerprints.”

The research team also tested radioactive isotopes which were successfully identified by the new detector and “also produced larger crystal samples to demonstrate the material can be scaled up,” Northwestern Now reported.

The Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development (contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357, Argonne National Laboratory) and the Department of Homeland Security ARI program (grant 2014-DN-077-ARI086-01) supported the research.

The paper, entitled “High spectral resolution of gamma-rays at room temperature by perovskite CsPbBr single crystals,” is available online at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04073-3.

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NEW YORK – AHEPA has been included in B’nai B’rith International’s 175th commemorative anniversary video.

“Check out AHEPA Executive Director Basil Mossaidis’ remarks and please join us in saluting & commending”, AHEPA said via Twitter.

B’nai B’rith International is the oldest Jewish service organization in the world. B’nai B’rith states that it is committed to the security and continuity of the Jewish people and the State of Israel and combating antisemitism and bigotry.

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NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America has appointed Nicholas Anton as the interim director of the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Archdiocese announced on Thursday via its website goarch.org.

“Mr. Anton has been the Coordinator of UN Programs as well as the Special Assistant to the Director of the Department since 2014.

“A Chicago native, Nicholas earned a BA from Hellenic College, a M.Div. from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and a MA in Pastoral Ministry (Faith-based Diplomacy) from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He represents the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on the board of Creation Justice Ministries, the Secretariat of the Assembly of Bishops USA, and as a delegate to the National Council of Churches and Church World Service. Having served the Archdiocese as Coordinator of United Nations Programs since 2014, he is an elected member of the Steering Committee of the NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons at the UN and Chairs the sub-committee on the Human Right to Water and Sanitation for the NGO Mining Working Group at the UN.

“He helped organize the first Halki Summit in Turkey, was a member of the press team of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, and is currently the Secretary of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s upcoming symposium entitled “Toward a Green Attica: Preserving the Planet and Protecting its People.” While serving the Ecumenical Patriarchate from 2011-2012, Nicholas realized the need for cross-sector collaboration towards achieving a peaceful and sustainable world. Inspired by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s ability to bridge these demographics, he has dedicated his life to faith-based diplomacy and advocacy.”

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NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) — After decades of whispers, lawsuits, investigations and close calls, Bill Cosby could be headed to prison at age 80 for sexual assault for the rest of his life, vindicating a multitude of women who doubted anyone would ever believe their word against that of America’s Dad.

The comedian was convicted Thursday of drugging and molesting Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia mansion in January 2004. Women’s advocates called the verdict a turning point in the #MeToo movement that proved what Cosby’s accusers had been saying all along: his nice-guy image was a sham.

Lili Bernard, who said Cosby sexually assaulted her before giving her a one-time role on “The Cosby Show” in 1992, became so emotional in the courtroom gallery that she accidentally banged her forehead on the bench in front of her.

“I’m overcome with gratitude,” Bernard, sobbing, said outside the courthouse. “I feel like I have to pinch myself. Am I awake? It’s a miracle.”

The verdict, in the first big celebrity trial of the #MeToo era, sealed the spectacular late-in-life downfall of an entertainer who broke racial barriers in Hollywood on his way to TV superstardom as sweater-wearing, wisdom-dispensing Dr. Cliff Huxtable.

It was the only criminal case to arise from a barrage of allegations from more than 60 women who said Cosby drugged and molested them over five decades but whose stories were often disbelieved or ignored years before #MeToo put a spotlight on sexual misconduct by powerful men.

Cosby stared straight ahead as the verdict was read but moments later lashed out loudly at District Attorney Kevin Steele after the prosecutor demanded Cosby be sent immediately to jail. Steele told the judge they’d learned through the trial that Cosby has an airplane, and feared he could flee.

Cosby angrily denied he has a plane and called Steele an “a–hole,” shouting, “I’m sick of him!”

Judge Steven O’Neill decided Cosby can remain free on $1 million bail while he awaits sentencing but restricted him to Montgomery County and the mansion where the encounter with Constand occurred.

Cosby was convicted of three counts of aggravated indecent assault, each carrying a standard sentence of five to 10 years in prison. The counts are likely to be merged for sentencing purposes, but given Cosby’s age even a modest term could mean he will die behind bars.

Sentencing will likely be held within three months. Before that, Cosby must face assessment to determine if he is a sexually violent predator. He will also be required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law.

The jury of seven men and five women deliberated 14 hours over two days before convicting Cosby.

Constand, a 45-year-old Temple University women’s basketball administrator, said Cosby knocked her out with three blue pills he called “your friends” and then penetrated her with his fingers as she lay immobilized, unable to resist or say no. Cosby claimed the encounter was consensual, saying he gave her the cold and allergy medicine Benadryl to relax.

Cosby waved to the crowd outside the courthouse, got into an SUV and left without saying anything. His lawyer Tom Mesereau declared “the fight is not over” and said he will appeal.

Shrieks erupted in the courtroom when the verdict was announced, and some of Cosby’s accusers whimpered and cried. Constand remained stoic, then hugged her lawyer and members of the prosecution team.

The verdict came after a two-week retrial in which prosecutors had more courtroom weapons at their disposal than they did the first time: They put on the stand five other women who testified that Cosby, married for 54 years, drugged and violated them, too.

At Cosby’s first trial, which ended in a deadlocked jury less than a year ago, only one additional accuser was allowed to testify.

“Justice has been done!” celebrity attorney Gloria Allred, who represented some of Cosby’s accusers, said on the courthouse steps. “We are so happy that finally we can say women are believed.”

The district attorney became teary-eyed as he commended Constand for what he said was courage in coming forward. As Constand stood silently behind him, Steele apologized to her for a previous DA’s decision in 2005 not to charge Cosby.

Cosby “was a man who had evaded this moment for far too long,” Steele said. “He used his celebrity, he used his wealth, he used his network of supporters to help him conceal his crimes.”

He added: “Now, we really know today who was really behind that act, who the real Bill Cosby was.”

Since Cosby’s first trial, the #MeToo movement has taken down powerful men in rapid succession, among them Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer, Kevin Spacey and Sen. Al Franken. During closing arguments, Cosby’s lawyers slammed #MeToo, calling Cosby its victim and likening it to a witch hunt or a lynching.

Cosby’s new defense team, led by Mesereau, the celebrity attorney who won an acquittal for Michael Jackson on child-molestation charges, launched a ferocious attack on Constand during the trial, calling her a “con artist” and “pathological liar” who framed Cosby to get rich.

Cosby’s defense team derided the other accusers as home-wreckers and suggested they made up their stories in a bid for money and fame.

But Cosby had long ago confirmed some of the rumors about drugs and extramarital sex. In a deposition he gave more than a decade ago as part of Constand’s lawsuit, he acknowledged he had obtained quaaludes to give to women he wanted to have sex with.

A federal judge, acting on a request from The Associated Press, unsealed portions of Cosby’s deposition about quaaludes and sexual conquests in 2015, citing the disconnect between Cosby’s private behavior and his reputation as a public moralist.

That prompted authorities to reopen the criminal investigation, and they eventually brought charges.

The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission. Constand has done so.

—
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and CLAUDIA LAUER , Associated Press

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NEW YORK – The Hellenic-American Cultural Foundation (HACF), with the support of the Benaki Museum, welcomed a presentation by renowned art historian Evita Arapoglou on the exhibition currently at The British Museum, Charmed Lives in Greece: Ghika, Craxton, Leigh Fermor. Ms. Arapoglou helped create and served as co-curator for the exhibition, which was previously on display at the Benaki Museum in Athens and the A. G. Leventis Gallery in Nicosia.

As Arapoglou noted, the Greek painter Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas, the British painter John Craxton and the British writer Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor first met at the end of World War II. Their close friendship endured for more than fifty years, and their shared love of the Greek world deeply influenced their respective works. Images of Ghikas’ glorious landscape paintings and of Craxton’s vividly evocative scenes from everyday life, and excerpts from Leigh Fermor’s eloquent texts, are combined in a narrative of this trio’s remarkable friendship and of the unforgettable charm of life in Greece. The presentation was a vivid stroll through these artists’ intertwined lives in Mani, Crete, Hydra, and Corfu.

HACF Chairman Nicholas Kourides gave the welcoming remarks, noting that this is the first event of the year for the Foundation. Upcoming events include a presentation about the Dangerous Beauty exhibition by the Metropolitan Museum curator, and a concert at Merkin Hall later on in the year. The free events are made possible by contributions, Kourides noted.

At the reception which followed the presentation, Kourides told The National Herald about how the event came together through the efforts of Board members Peter Bazos and Christina Hioureas and that it happened that Arapoglou would be in town at the perfect time. “She’s wonderful,” Kourides said of the art historian and her presentation.

The audience was fascinated by Arapoglou’s lecture which included slides with photos of Ghikas, Craxton, and Leigh Fermor, and their famous guests from the literary and art world of the time. Images of the artwork by these extraordinary artists, inspired by Greece, highlighted their love of the country, its traditions, and people.

Among those present at the event were Consul of Greece Lana Zochiou, Ambassador Andrew Jacovides and his wife Pamela, Atlantic Bank President Nancy Papaioannou, Aris and Marilena Christodoulou, Dr. Ioannis Hatzaras, Evan Michailides, Effie Streida, and many members of the community.

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NEW YORK – Kehila Kedosha Janina screens a fascinating new documentary, Journey from Tunisia, by Sephardic filmmaker Jonathan Maimon on Sunday, April 29 at 2 PM.

In this film, Maimon examines the journey of his family from Tunisia to Israel. It explores a personal history, the upheaval of centuries of roots for Jews and their Arab neighbors in North Africa, and the forming of new roots in a newly created Israel. Through his film, Maimon entrusts us with the spell-binding story of his Sephardic grandparents from emigration to immigration, encompassing loss, disappointment, and adaptation.

Tickets are $5, available at the door.

Sephardic desserts, coffee, and tea will be served.

​Please RSVP to museum@kkjsm.org.

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A Greek-Spanish co-production completed its first filming in Greece in some of the most beautiful places in the country. It is a road movie, Vassilis Papatheocharis, co-director of ‘Pacman The Movie’ said in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency’s radio station Praktoreio 104.9 FM.

It is estimated that the film will be featured at various festivals shortly before the end of 2018.

The two directors, Papatheoharis and David Valero, decided to make the movie during their meeting in Greece in 2017. ‘We got an idea to create a road movie that will link the cultures of Spain and Greece and show customs like the Orthodox Easter in Greece,’ explained Papatheocharis.

‘It is a personal production with the consent and assistance of production companies mainly based in Alicante, Spain,’ said the young Greek artist, who lives and works in the field of audiovisual productions in Spain as assistant director and screenwriter in various projects over the last ten years. He added it’s a story of a trip with a background of the two countries and a story of human relations and soul-searching, and a story that promotes unique beauties of Greece, such as Meteora.

“Two foreigners in Spain, a Greek man and a Spanish woman, who meet under strange circumstances and have to travel together,” is how he summarizes the story behind the film production, explaining that the story will end in Greece.

In Greece, the shooting took 12 days, mainly in the prefecture of Karditsa. “We filmed at Lake Plastira, Meteora, Karditsa, and various other places along the drive, as it is a road movie. We wanted to capture the beauty of Greece,” the Greek producer said.

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GARDEN CITY, NY – The renowned Dr. Kimon Bekelis was honored by the American Heart Association (AHA) on April 26 at the Garden City Hotel at the Association’s Annual Heart & Stroke Ball. Dr. Bekelis is Chairman, Neurointerventional Services at Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHSLI); Director, Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center of Excellence at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center; Co-Director, Neuro ICU at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center; Director, Population Health Research Institute of New York at CHSLI; and Assistant Professor at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice.

The event raises funds for the AHA and the American Stroke Association (ASA), its many programs, education and research efforts that have helped develop so many advances in the treatment and understanding of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Jorge L. Gardyn was also honored at the event for his efforts in heart disease intervention for members of the fire services of Long Island. Co-chairs of the 2018 Long Island Heart & Stroke Ball Renee Pope and Todd Fabricant presented the awards to the honorees.

George Lizourezos, Esq., Partner, Intellectual Property Counsel for Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt LLP was also in attendance with his daughters, Katherine and Vicky. He told The National Herald, “As a member of the Executive Leadership Team of the Heart & Stroke Ball, I am very pleased that our honoree this year was Dr. Kimon Bekelis, a renowned Greek-American heart and brain surgeon. It was a great event which raised thousands of dollars for cardiovascular research and educational programs. My law firm is proud to have been the entertainment sponsor.”

He took time out of his busy schedule to speak with The National Herald about the honor and his background.

Dr. Bekelis said, “It is very humbling to be the first neurosurgeon on Long Island to be honored with this award by the American Heart Association. This solidifies my team’s commitment to be a major part of transforming the care of stroke and brain aneurysm patients in the South Shore of Long Island and Suffolk County in general.”

Of his background, he told TNH, “My parents grew up in the town of Edessa in Northern Greece. They moved to Athens and the suburb of Glyfada, where I was born. I attended medical school at the University of Athens, from where I graduated summa cum laude. Subsequently, I completed a year-long postdoctoral fellowship in neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, before starting my neurosurgery residency at Dartmouth in New Hampshire, where I served as the chief resident. Lastly, I obtained additional sub-specialty training by completing a fellowship in endovascular neurosurgery, and neuro-critical care at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, one of the busiest stroke centers in the country.”

Dr. Bekelis attended the event with his fiancée Hillary Deguire whom he thanked in his acceptance speech along with his team and all those who have helped him throughout his career. Deguire told TNH that the couple met when he was a resident and she a nurse at Dartmouth. When asked if they visit Greece often, Dr. Bekelis told TNH, they visited every year, but will probably skip this year due to his latest research project.

Strokes are a leading cause of disability in the United States and account for millions of deaths each year, globally. The need for the fastest possible treatment is vital for saving lives and preventing disability. As noted on the AHA/ASA website, strokes were once the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, but thanks to extraordinary advances and the dynamic efforts of doctors like Dr. Bekelis, strokes have gone down to the fifth leading cause of death.

The moving story of heart transplant recipient John Sperzel was also shared at the event in a video presentation and with the man himself present only 9 months after receiving the life-saving transplant. He had no history of heart disease in his family and no symptoms when his heart went into ventricular tachycardia while on vacation in Aruba. He was taken to the hospital in a taxi, then transferred to a hospital in Florida, and from there to Boston where he was told he needed a heart transplant after all other options were exhausted. Sperzel faced another challenge as he was placed on the waiting list for a donor heart, his blood type is O negative, the rarest type. He said, out of 2,000, only about 130 could be a match. Then he faced a blood clot which further threatened his life. About to be treated for the clot, he was told a donor heart had been found. Sperzel said he felt sad that someone had to die in order for him to live, but he was also grateful to the donor and the family for saving his life. His experience highlighted the importance of supporting the AHA/ASA which has helped researchers develop so many since life-saving procedures, treatments, and medications over the years without which Sperzel and many others in attendance at the event would not have been there.

More information is available online at: www.heart.org and www.strokeassociation.org, and on: strokecarelongisland.com and www.kimonbekelis.com.

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VANCOUVER – The unveiling of the bust of Kefalonian explorer Ioannis Apostolos Fokas, best known by the Spanish version of his name Juan de Fuca, was held on April 24 at the Museum of Vancouver (MOV), Vanier Park, in Joyce Walley Room.

The bust, a work by the famous Greek sculptor Ioannis Bardis, bears the Greek flag and is now permanently on display at the Museum.

The event was organized by the World Federation of Cephalonian & Ithacan Societies “Odysseus”, the Ionian Cultural Federation of America, and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies at Simon Fraser University.

Ioannis Fokas, one of the symbols of Hellenism’s perpetual odyssey, is, to date, the first European to arrive in the north west of Canada. In 1592, serving Spain, he discovered the strait between the island of Vancouver and the Olympic Peninsula, now part of the United States. These narrows are today the natural boundary between Canada and the U.S.

The event was attended by the Consul General of Greece in Vancouver Thanos Ioannou, the Member of the Canadian Parliament Peter Fragiskatos, Vasilis Mataragas President of the Hellenic-American National Council, the Ionian Deputy Governor on Tourism Spyros Galiatsatos, the president of the Cephalonian Society of NY “Kefalos” Nick Alysandratos, Greek community members, as well as Greek residents of Canada and the USA.

The event was co-ordinated by Cephalonian Dr. Eirini Kotsovili, Professor at Simon Fraser University. The bust was covered with Greek and Canadian flags and was unveiled jointly by Amb. Ioannou, Fragiskatos, Professor Andre Gerolymatos and the President of the Federation “Odysseus” Dionysios Vlachos.

The Director of MOV, Dr. Mauro Vescera welcomed everyone and spoke of the fact that the bust was placed inside the Museum.

Ioannou referred to the placement of the bust in the main port of Argostoli, which took place in August 2017, emphasizing the national importance of placing the twin bust as a permanent exhibit at the Museum in Vancouver. He also conveyed the greetings of Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and Deputy Foreign Minister Terence Quick.

The MP of the Canadian Parliament Fragiskatos noted the importance of the knowledge of history, but also the strength can transfer the values ​​of the nation of the Greeks. “The story of seafarer Ioannis Fokas reminds us of who we are,” he said. “We can be Greeks and Canadians at the same time. Today is a great day for all Greeks.” He then expressed his warm congratulations to all those who struggled to achieve this work.

Federation President Vlachos said, “Our goal became a reality. We have achieved a dream of years. Positioning the bust will decorate Vancouver after so many centuries and will return this compatriot to his country. What we have achieved is a national achievement.”

Secretary General of the Federation Kostas Vangelatos referred to the efforts of the Federation to promote and highlight the issue of the great seafarer and to the efforts made so far for this matter. He announced four scholarships with the name of Ioannis Fokas (Exploring Kefallonia Prize), which will be given to students at Simon Fraser. Vangelatos closed by saying, “We are not stopping here. But we will continue our efforts.”

Mataragas identified Juan de Fuca with every expatriate who leaves, works, and always holds dear his home country.

The Ambassador of the Ionian Islands, Galiatsatos, conveyed the greetings of the Ionian Islands. He said: “I warmly congratulate the World Federation of Cephalonian & Ithacan Societies Odysseus, the Ionian Cultural Federation of America, and the Center for Hellenic Studies of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation at Simon Fraser University, which continues the effort to preserve the Greek language and history” the importance of the Fokas exhibit at the Museum.

The sculptor  Ioannis Bardis thanked everyone for their contribution and gave gifts to those who contributed to the creation of this work.

Professor Gerolymatos said that this great event was due to the “excellent Kefalonians” and thanked all who helped to place this exhibit at the Museum.

This event would not have taken place without the historical research by the writer Eurydice Livada Duca which began in 1992 and continues. This research revealed so much evidence that Ioannis Fokas and his discovery were indisputable, elements that were challenged by historians to this day. These data were fully presented by the author and researcher in her keynote speech. Apart from the already known facts mentioned by the old historians, data included only in what Samuel Purchas mentions, the latest information on the seafarer is his marriage to Palos de la Frontera, his exams to become a pilot, the charge against and his request for justice in his face, some of his journeys between Spain and New Spain, with the Armando of Tiera Frème and that of New Spain, his participation in the Battle of Nafpaktos, his descendants in the 19th century, the probable residence and possible location of burial, and an important point that connects him with the Tsar of Russia and will be announced in a forthcoming international conference next month.

All the speakers spoke at Leivada’s contribution. “This event would not have taken place without support for the author’s research,” she said, while she thanked the Maria Tsakos and Kostas and Eleni Ouranis Foundations for their sponsorship of the English and Spanish translations as well and the two award-winning translators Mrs. Ourania Kremmyda and Pedro Olalla. She thanked many others as well for their efforts, including the Odysseus Federation, Mrs. A. Hionis, Vangelatos and Vlachos, the Ionian Cultural Association of America and Mr. N. Bardis, the Museum’s Director Vescera, and Prof. Gerolymatos for promoting Greek culture.

Finally, the Consul General Ioannou presented the Museum of Vancouver, the Federation, and Gerolymatos with commemorative boxes with the de Fuca stamp.

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ALEXOPOULOS, CHRISTOS

RANDOLPH, MA (from The Canton Journal, published on Apr. 20) –Christos V. Alexopoulos, of Randolph, formerly of Greece, passed away surrounded by his family on April 18, 2018 at the age of 90. Christos was the son of the late Vasileios and Aspasia (Papageorgakis) Alexopoulos. He was born in 1928 in Syrna, Greece, where he lived until he moved to Athens, Greece to pursue an apprenticeship at his uncles automotive repair garage. He dealt with many hardships during his time in Athens, something that shaped him for the rest of his life. In 1955, he immigrated to Boston, Mass. with the desire for a better life, and caught the eye of the young Georgia Lampropoulos, the love of his life. They married in 1957 and their marriage lasted nearly 61 years. In 1963, Christos along with his business partner Eli Kravitz opened Randolph Automotive Servicenter, or more commonly known as Eli and Chris. The two became a staple in the community, and their business continues to serve the community today. His hard work, and immense work ethic grew a single location station, to a successful business. Chris was a devoted member of the Shriners and Masons where he dedicated his time visiting and helping burn victims. His devotion to his family was paramount, having brought over relatives from Greece to help give them better lives; and ensured that his children and grandchildren were given every opportunity to succeed. Chris also served the Town of Randolph as a member of Town Meeting and the then Personnel Board for many years. His dedicated service will not be forgotten. He was a keen outdoorsman, a passion which he passed down to his grandsons. Christos is survived by his loving wife Georgia, his son William and his wife Alexandra, his daughter Evangeline Zervos and her husband Diamantis; his four grandchildren Anastasia Scrivanos and her husband George, Michael Zervos and his fianceMeeghanMercurio, Christos Alexopoulos and Nicole Alexopoulos. His is survived by his sisters, Stavroula, Maria, Aristea, Eleni and Angeliki and predeceased by his brothers Panagiotis and John. He will be sorely missed by all, everyone who has ever interacted with him has a story to tell. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend a visitation period on Saturday, April 21, from 8:30 | 11 a.m. in the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 457 Oak St., Brockton. A funeral service followed at 11 a.m. in the Church. Burial in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. Arrangements under the direction of the Cartwright Funeral Home, 419 No. Main St., Randolph. Donations in his memory may be made to: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Brockton, 457 Oak Street, Brockton, MA 02301. To leave a sympathy message for the family, please visit www.cartwrightfuneral.com.

ANDREWS,GEORGE

CHICAGO, IL (from the Chicago Tribune,published on Apr. 13) – George G. Andrews, 84, Born in Pikerni, Greece; Beloved husband of Tasia (nee Mylonas); Loving father of Dean (Maria) and Frances Andrews; Cherished son of the late George and the late Fotini Andrews; Loving brother of Kostas and the late Voula (the late Nikitas) Makris; Dearest brother-in-law of Aleka (Nikos) Lykourgou, Panos Gotsis, Stathis (Maria) Gotsis; Antonia (Louis) Zouzias, the late Ioanna (Andrea) Geroulias and the late Stella Gotsis; Dear uncle, cousin and friend to many, Visitation Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. until time of Funeral service 9:30 a.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Church 2701 N. Sheffield Ave. Chicago, IL. 60614. Interment will follow to Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to St. George Church appreciated. Arrangements by Nicholas M. Pishos Funeral Director, Ltd. 773-889-1700.

DEMETRE, GEORGE

LOUIS, MO (from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch,published on Apr. 19) – George Demetre passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 17, 2018. Loving husband for 34 years of Frances Karakas Demetre. Dear father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, godfather and friend. Born in Nestorio, Greece. U.S. Air Force Korean War Veteran. Retired from HUD after 38 years of dedicated employment. Spent remaining years volunteering at Missouri Baptist Hospital. Awarded Lifetime Achievement by AHEPA Chapter 53; dedicated parishioner of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, St. Louis. Will be missed by all. Services: The Funeral Service will be conducted at St. Nicholas Parish Life Center, 12550 South Forty Drive, Town & Country, 63141 on Monday, April 23 at 12:30 p.m. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. The family will receive friends at THE LUPTON CHAPEL, 7233 Delmar Blvd., University City on Sunday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Trisagion, 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St.Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. A service of the Lupton Chapel, 7233 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63130, 314-721-1870.

KALOMIRIS,EVAN

PORTLAND, OR (from The Oregonian, published on Apr. 13) – Evan George Kalomiris Jan. 5, 1934 – April 12, 2018. Evan Kalomiris passed away Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the age of 84. He was born Jan. 5, 1934 in Chiliomodi, Korinthos, Greece to Anastasia Maletis and George Kalomiris. Evan immigrated to the United States at the age of 26 and lived here until his passing. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his beloved wife, Helen; his four children, Anastasia, George, Mag and Demetri; and 10 grandchildren. Evan was a proud and loyal man who loved his family deeply. His sense of humor and loving character will be missed immensely. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3131 N.E. Glisan Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children’s Cancer Association: https://joyrx.org/. Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits.

KITIXIS,OLGA

READING, PA (from the Reading Eagle, published on Apr. 20) –Olga (Vasiliadis) Kitixis, 79, of Reading, passed away on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at the Reading Hospital. She was the loving wife of PavlosKitixis; they were married for 54 years. Born in Akropotamos, Greece, Olga was the daughter of the late Spyridon and Maria Vasiliadis. Olga worked for over 30 years as a seamstress at the H. Oritsky Inc., clothing manufacturing firm in Reading. She was a faithful member of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Reading. Family was paramount to Olga, and she particularly loved to gather the family for the many wonderful dinners she prepared with a great passion. Her loving family and friends will miss her dearly. In addition to her husband, Olga is survived by their two sons, Ioannis, Reading, and Spyridon, husband of Michele, Blandon; and two grandchildren, Alexander, a student of the University of Alabama, and Morgan, an eighth-grade student at Fleetwood. She is also survived by two siblings, Europi and ChistosVasiliadis. She was predeceased by siblings: Stellios, Savas and ThelposVasiliadis. Services will be Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 1001 E. Wyomissing Blvd., Reading, PA 19611, with burial to follow at Charles Evans Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service. Contributions may be made in Olga’s memory to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church at the address above. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading, Pa., is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.

KUTULAS, ANGELINE

CHICAGO, IL (from the Chicago Tribune, published on Apr. 18) – Angeline Kutulas, nee Vlahos, Presbytera, Beloved wife of the late Rev. John G. Kutulas. Loving mother of George (Frances) Kutulas and Kiki Bartholomew. Proud grandmother of Jonathan (Demetria West, fiancee) Kutulas, Stacy (Bryan) Usher, James and John Bartholomew and Paula (Jonathan) Mueller. Great grandmother of Addison and Brittany. Devoted daughter of the late Peter and Vasiliki “Bessie” Vlahos. Daughter-in-law of the late George and Angelike Kutulas. Dear sister of George Vlahos and Christine Liarakos. Fond aunt of Nicholas (Lisa) Liarakos. Special cousin to many and their families both here and in Greece. Visitation Thursday from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm with Trisagion Service at 7:00 pm at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Ave, Chicago. Family and friends will meet Friday morning from 9:30 am – 10:30 am for Visitation, then 10:30 am, for Funeral Service at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church. Interment Elmwood Cemetery. Kindly omit flowers. Memorial donations may be made to St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660. Arrangements by John G. Adinamis Funeral Directors, Ltd. (847) 375-0095.

POLITIS, GEORGE

CHARLOTTE, NC (from the Charlotte Observer, published on Apr. 17) – George Politis, 71, of Charlotte, NC, passed away Saturday, the 14th of April 2018 at his residence. “Papaandreou”, as he was affectionately known, was born the 28th of July 1946 in AgiaVlaherna, Greece, to the late John and Fotini Politis. The family will greet friends 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, Tuesday, the 17th of April 2018 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM in the Cathedral. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery. He is survived by his two daughters: Fotini Politis and Nickoleta Politis; two sisters: Georgia Tsumas and Niki Poulos and the mother of his two children, Stavroula Politis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Anna Leris. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Agia Elpis Philoptochos Society, 600 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. May His Memory Be Eternal.

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