Aglaia Kyriakou: The modest benefactress of the children

·

By Marina Siskos.

The Background of Greece:

It is the August of the year 1938 and Greece struggles to recover from the repercussions of the Asia Minor Catastrophe. Children’s mortality rates are soaring high. A woman named Aglaia Kyriakou is driven by her love towards the ailing and destitute children.

Her Marriage with Panagiotis Kyriakos:

Aglaia Antoniades, as her family name was, married Panagiotis Kyriakos (1835-1900), a professor at the School of Medicine. They did not bear children of their own, and Panagiotis passed away at the premature age of 54.

The benefactor, Panagiotis Kyriakos.

Aglaia Kyriakou thereon devoted her time to reading and charity work. As she was touched by the raging childhood mortality rates of the time, and by means of her strong bonds with the medical community, Aglaia revealed her thoughts to the microbiologist Kyriakos Kyriazidis (1877-1933) who was one of the first to teach children pathology at a university hospital.

In a secret trust, she donated the entirety of her property, which amounted to 15.000.000 drachmas, for the foundation of a Paediatric Hospital, bearing the title “Aglaia Kyriakou & Sryridonos Antoniadis Children’s Hospital”, ever since located in Goudi, a district in Ampelokipoi, at the centre of Athens.

Aglaia’s Vision Incarnated:

The inauguration of the Children’s Hospital took effect within a surprisingly short time span-in light of the notoriously slow bureaucratic procedures of the Greek State. The land upon which the hospital was built was donated by the neighbouring paediatric hospital, “Hagia Sophia,” which was operating since 1900.

The architectural designs were commissioned to a three-member committee, made up of: Fokionas Kopanaris, Yeorgios Makkas and the architect and Aglaia’s brother, Ioannes Antoniades. Ioannes Antoniades was a prominent architect of his time. His fame was radiating both within and beyond the borders of Greece. He held an active role in the supervision of Parnitha’s Sanatorium, and was awarded with a prize for the exemplary and state-of-the-art technical plans by the Technical Chamber. On the 8th of November, 1844, the founding stone was set. The hospital was competed and fully equipped within the first months of 1938. Yet, the construction costs exceeded the donation. Therefore, the Greek State approved the covering of the remaining cost also passing a law that provisioned the annual granting of the construction form the government budget.

The inauguration ceremony took place on the 27th of April, 1938.

On the 15th of August, 1939, the hospital opened its gates to the public, equipped with 20 beds, 10 for each Paediatric Ward, the 1st and the 2nd ward respectively.

The Second World War:

The Second World War and the German occupation in Greece, among a host of crimes and atrocities, also severely disrupted the hospital’s operation. Part of the hospital’s facilities are forced out of the Athenian centre to the suburbs of Penteli. The Nazis commandeer the building of the hospital, forcing its relocation for a second time, this time to Chalandri, under the roof of the Rizareion Church Foundation. 

The liberation from the Nazis’ forces marked a new era of reconstructions and extension of the hospital’s facilities and services.

Antonios Antoniades and the Obstetrician Hospital:

Antonis Antoniades – Brother of Aglaya Kyriakou, Founder of Obstetrician Clinic.

Antonios Antoniades was the brother of Aglaia Kyriakou. He was a lawyer and an avid supporter of his sister’s vision. Beyond conferring substantial amounts for the completion of Children’s Hospital, he complemented her action for the protection of the children and women. The loss of his beloved wife, Irinoula, and that of his treasured sister, encouraged him to commission, post-mortem, the foundation of the Obstetrician Gynaecology Hospital of  “Emmanuel and Spryridon Antoniades”. Emmanuel was the name of the eldest Antoniades siblings, who had passed away many years prior to Aglaia and Ioannes.

The name of Antoniades’ family is tied to the most long-standing contributions during the fiercest struggles that befell on Greece. An everlasting light of hope in the midst of the Asia Minor Catastrophe and the Second World War.

Sources:

Σκιαδάς, Ε. (2018). Η Άγνωστη Ιστορία της Αγλαΐας Κυριακού και του Αδερφού της Αντώνη Αντωνιάδη. Τα Αθηναϊκά .https://www.taathinaika.gr/i-agnosti-istoria-tis-agla%CE%90as-kyriakou-kai-tou-adelfou-tis-antoni-sp-antoniadi/.

Στεργιόπουλος, Β. (2021).  Αγλαΐα Κυριακού. Η Ευεργέτιδα. https://www.in.gr/2021/08/07/life/stories/aglaia-kyriakou-eyergetida/.

Αρχείο Νοσοκομείου Παίδων Αθηνών  Παναγιώτη και ΑγλαΐαςΚυριακού. Προσβάσιμο μέσω:http://0317.syzefxis.gov.gr/?page_id=159.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

‘I will never forget you’: Emotional farewell for Greek Consul General in Sydney

An emotional Greek Consul General Yannis Mallikourtis delivered his farewell speech on Monday evening at Business Sydney’s Event Centre.

Adelaide’s St Sophrony Parish raises funds for hall construction

The newly established St Sophrony of Essex parish in Hectorville, Adelaide, held its first official fundraising dinner on Sunday, June 29.

From homelessness to homeowner: Kostas Papadimitropoulos shares his inspirational story

Melbourne man Kostas Papadimitropoulos has turned his life around after being scammed out of his life savings and forced to live in his car.

Sydney Dance Company shines at Athens Epidaurus Festival with ‘Impermanence’

The Sydney Dance Company captivated a crowd of 5,000 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus last week, performing 'Impermanence.'

Former ATO worker Paraskevi Vula Danassis convicted in $2 billion GST scam

Former Australian Taxation Office employee Paraskevi Vula Danassis has been convicted over her role in a $2 billion GST fraud scheme.

You May Also Like

Greece plans to purchase fourth frigate, cruise missiles from France

Greece's Defence Minister confirmed the country will start negotiations to buy a fourth Belharra frigate from France to strengthen its navy.

SA seafood heir Sarantis Parissos jailed over police hit-and-run

Former professional footballer and seafood heir Sarantis Parissos has been sentenced to over six years in jail after a series of offences.

Aaron Zerefos jets into Sydney for Bathurst 6 hour

Fresh from sampling a NASCAR in Texas, Porsche racer Aaron Zerefos has confirmed his place on Easter’s Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour.