Remains of the late Archbishop Stylianos of Australia’s father identified years after Nazi execution

·

For the first time in Greece’s history, DNA analysis was performed on victims of Nazi executions during World War II and among those remains identified was the father of the late Greek Orthodox Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis of Australia.

The father of Archbishop Stylianos was among 18 victims identified from a Nazi massacre that took place at a little town on the Greek island of Crete called Adele. Other victims included four relatives of the Alexandrakis family.

18 males ranging from age 67 to 16, were rounded up by Nazi forces in the town of Adele on June 2, 1941, marched to a secluded area amongst the olive groves, ordered to start digging, were shot on site, and buried in a mass grave. Their remains were found two weeks later and moved to another grave. In 1960, the remains were exhumed but they could not be individually identified until today.

The identification effort led and sponsored by the Alexandrakis family, is a collaboration between Dr George Alexandrakis, the University of Crete, and the Foundation of Technology and Research [HTE]. The effort not only hopes to bring closure to an 83 year old wound, but to also create awareness of many forgotten injustices that have taken place, not only in Greece, but worldwide.

Memorial at execution site
Memorial at execution site.

“I’ve been working on a family project for several years now, and hoped that one part of the project would be matching the massacre remains to surviving family members through DNA analysis, but the whole process was beyond me. Two years later my father had the idea to make it happen, and here we are,” two-time Grammy-nominated musician Eric Alexandrakis said.

Eric Alexandrakis holding one of the bullets found in one of the skulls
Eric Alexandrakis holding one of the bullets found in one of the skulls.

“It’s been an interesting journey watching the progress, holding the bullets, watching my father unknowingly looking at his grandfather’s wallet and the money in it, and even helping one of the scientists handle the remains.”

On leading, and sponsoring this effort, Dr Alexandrakis said: “Our most sacred oath in Crete is taken on the bonds of our ancestors. I object fundamentally to the inhumanity of mass executions, an act which denies people their identity.”

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

AHEPA Sydney & NSW marks OXI Day with tribute to Greece’s heroes of 1940

On Wednesday, October 29, AHEPA Sydney & NSW Inc proudly held a commemorative event in honour of OXI Day. Read more here.

Dean Kalymniou on Gough Whitlam and the 50-year legacy of the Racial Discrimination Act

Dean Kalymniou reflects on Whitlam’s legacy and 50 years of the Racial Discrimination Act - a milestone in Australia’s pursuit of justice.

Konstantinos Argiros meets NSW Premier after sold-out Opera House performances

At NSW Parliament on Friday, Premier Chris Minns and Ministers Courtney Houssos and Sophie Cotsis welcomed Konstantinos Argiros.

‘Love, care and respect’: Chris and Nikolitsa Bakopoulos share the key to 70 years of marriage

From Patras to Bexley, Chris and Nikolitsa Bakopoulos’ 70-year love story is a timeless testament to faith, resilience, and devotion.

Accused Easey St killer Perry Kouroumblis previously gave police an alibi, court hears

Accused Easey Street killer Perry Kouroumblis has told police he was with a friend on the night two women were brutally stabbed in 1977.

You May Also Like

Georgia Kehagias announced South Australia’s Student Citizen of the Year

Year 12 student Georgia Kehagias was announced SA's Student Citizen of the Year and was presented with an award by the Governor of SA.

Nick Politis’ company in court case with Sydney restaurant owners

Restaurateurs, Giovanna and Paola Toppi, are locked in a $1.5 million legal stoush with a company of which Nick Politis is a director.

George Kratopoulos hails new olive processing method as industry ‘game-changer’

SA olive grower George Kratopoulos says a new processing method has transformed his outlook on the struggling table olive industry.