AEK Athens has won its first ever European trophy in handball, and Greece’s second in the men’s game, beating Swedish club Ystads in both legs of the home-and-away finals that were agreed to take place at Halkida, central Greece.
The EHF European Cup that AEK won on Sunday is Europe’s third-tier trophy in handball.
The Yellows won the first leg of the finals with a 30-26 result on Friday, so they had a four-goal advantage to defend in the return game, also at Halkida.
Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, on Sunday began his trip to Greece with an unofficial visit to the northeastern province of Thrace, where most of Greece’s Muslim minority resides.
The official part of Cavusoglu’s trip will take place Monday morning, when he will meet with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. He and Dendias will also have an informal dinner later Sunday.
Cavusoglu arrived by official plane at the Greek city of Alexandroupolis on Sunday and proceeded to the city of Komotini, where a large part of the Muslim minority resides.
“In #Greece to meet members of Turkish Minority in #WesternThrace and discuss our bilateral relations,” Cavusoglu tweeted.
The work of the Muftis contributes greatly to the preservation and strengthening of the unity and solidarity of the Turkish Minority. pic.twitter.com/3bFkIoUzx8
— Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (@MevlutCavusoglu) May 30, 2021
His mention of a “Turkish minority” is diplomatically sensitive, because Greece recognises the minority as a religious one, while Turkey refers to it as an ethnic Turkish minority. Greece has tried to promote the ethnic diversity of the minority, highlighting its Roma and Pomak components, in an effort to contain Turkish influence and possible secessionist sentiment.
Cavusoglu met with the two Turkish-approved muftis, of the cities of Komotini and Xanthi, whom Greece doesn’t recognise, having appointed its own. He also visited the grave of Dr. Sadik Ahmet, who was elected in the Greek parliament in 1989 as the head of the openly pro-Turkish Party of Friendship. Equality and Peace. It was Ahmet’s election that prompted Greece to change its electoral law to introduce a national vote threshold of 3% for parties to gain parliamentary seats.
Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, center, prays over the grave of Ahmet Sadik, who was an MP at the Greek parliament, at a muslim cemetery at Komotini town, in northeastern Greece, Sunday, May 30, 2021. Photo: AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos.
Cavusoglu also visited Komotini’s Bayar Minority Gymnasium and Lyceum, a junior and senior high school named after a former Turkish president.
He told media after the school visit that when he meets with Greek officials, he will “bring up the subject of the rights of the Turkish minority in western Thrace.”
In response, the Greek Foreign Ministry issued a statement blasting Cavusoglu’s repeated ‘Turkish minority’ statements and calling on Turkey to stop “distorting reality.”
Δήλωση του Εκπροσώπου του Υπουργείου Εξωτερικών Αλ.Παπαϊωάννου αναφορικά με τις δηλώσεις του Τούρκου ΥΠΕΞ κατά την διάρκεια της ιδιωτικής επίσκεψης στη Θράκη
“The Muslim Minority in Thrace has about 120,000 Greek inhabitants. Turkey’s constant attempts to distort this reality, as well as the allegations of alleged non-protection of the rights of these citizens, or of alleged discrimination, are unfounded and are rejected in their entirety,” the statement reads.
“Greece would like to improve relations with Turkey. Respect for international law is a prerequisite.
“We call on Turkey to respect these fundamental rules, including the Treaty of Lausanne, which it has also signed and is obliged to implement.”
Victorian attempts to veil the meanings of crude ancient Greek words are set to be brushed away by a new dictionary 23 years in the making. It is the first to take a fresh look at the language in almost 200 years and promises to “spare no blushes” for today’s classics students.
The late scholar John Chadwick first came up with the idea to update HG Liddell and Robert Scott’s 1889 dictionary, the Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon, in 1997. An abridged version of a lexicon published in 1843, the Liddell and Scott had never been revised, and is packed with antiquated terms and modestly Victorian translations of the more colourful ancient Greek words. Despite this, it remains the most commonly used reference work for students in English schools and universities.
It was initially thought that Chadwick’s project would take five years, but Cambridge professor James Diggle, who was then chair of the advisory committee, said it soon became clear that the Intermediate Lexicon was “too antiquated in concept, design and content”, and the team would need to start afresh.
James Diggle and his fellow editors set out on the “Herculean task” of rereading most examples of ancient Greek literature, from Homer to the early second century AD. They then worked through the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet to create a modern guide for today’s students to the meanings of ancient Greek words and their development through the years. The lexicon is the first to be based on an entirely new reading of the Greek texts since 1843.
“At the outset of the project I undertook to read everything which the editors wrote. I soon realised that if we were ever to finish I had better start to write entries myself,” said Diggle.
“The moment of greatest relief and joy was when I was able to sign off the final proofs and say to the publisher, ‘It’s finished. You can print it.’ You can’t imagine what it was like, to realise that we had finally got there. I literally wept with joy.”
The completed Cambridge Greek Lexicon, which is being published by Cambridge University Press, runs to two volumes and features around 37,000 Greek words, drawn from 90 authors and set out across 1,500 pages.
Many who watch the Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) would recognise Jacob Jackomas as the assistant coach to the Illawarra Hawks.
On track to reach the play-offs, the Greek Australian has been helping guide his team to potential NBL glory. Additionally to his role in the NBL, however, Jackomas was recently made the International Scouting Coordinator for the Australian national basketball team, the Boomers.
“The two things: It tests your coaching and your experience, your past experience in certain situations, and the other thing is it’s an unbelievable learning curve as a coach,” Jackomas said to The Greek Herald.
“Basically your job is to figure out how to beat other coaches, whilst learning off other coaches and other and other teams.”
One of the best parts about Jackomas’ job is getting to see some of the best players in the world represent their country, which he says is a “different kind of passion”.
“They play differently than what they do with their clubs, some of them are different human beings.”
Boomers at 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifier.
“It’s just a great learning experience in that regard whilst obviously representing Australia.”
Jackomas references the incredible talents of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Two-time NBA MVP for the Bucks, Giannis was born in Greece and has enjoyed great success both with his national team and in the NBA, which is regarded as the world’s highest level of basketball.
“There is something different about him (Giannis) but I haven’t learned that yet,” Jackomas says light-heartedly.
“This is only new to me, but there are stories… Like when Manu played for Argentina, that’s where he played his best basketball.”
“They say about Giannis that when some of the Greek players that have come through, they’ve matched with some of the best players in the world but can’t play in the NBA.”
“It’s just when you put that jersey on… And I think that grows in the tournament rather than outside of the tournament.”
Jacob Jackomas. Photo: Illawarra Hawks
As International Scouting Coordinator, Jackomas’ role is to assist coaches in their preparation for the Olympics. Jackomas says presenting coaches with facts and statistics play a large part in this process, but there is certainly room for gut instinct.
“It’s funny because it changes in every experience, so obviously I was in China before this for 10 years, so I knew that league well after watching it for a while so I could go on my gut. Now, being at the NBL for a year I’ve had to rely on more facts because I don’t know it as well,” Jackomas explains.
“In the early stages of what you do, it’s more about what you see and then, as you start to see repetitions of stuff over years or over games, in the NBL it’s been over games, you can start going ‘well they do this stuff’.
“Because obviously you go with your fact and then you see it again and they beat you somewhere else that you can’t see when you’re doing something.”
The Hawks have a rich history in the NBL, joining for its inaugural season in 1979. Jackomas joined the side in July 2020 as assistant coach, with the Greek Australian having known Hawks Head Coach Brian Goorjian for 11 years, working together in Australia and China.
They’re currently in the run for the NBA play-offs, yet the team has had to deal with two of their best Australian players being unavailable.
“Brian Goorjian is one of the best coaches, he’s in the top 10 in the world, and then obviously in our country, his record is one of the best in all our sports.”
“Being able to work with your one of your best friends and with a group of guys, it’s been an absolute blessing. I’ve just loved every minute of it.”
Currently ranked #3 in the world, the Boomers will head into Tokyo looking to claim their first-ever Olympic Games basketball medal.
“What the experts have said, it’s one of the best chances to medal,” Jackomas concluded.
An ancient Aboriginal-Australian method for memorisation is more effective than the ancient Greek ‘Mind Palace’ method, a Monash University study has found.
Both methods returned such positive results that they’re now being considered to be integrated into Monash University’s medical curriculum, says Monash Rural Health’s Dr. David Reser.
“Last year non essential teaching was put on hold, but this year we hope to offer this to students as a way to not only to facilitate their learning but to reduce the stress associated with a course that requires a lot of rote learning,” he said.
The trial, led by Dr. Reser and Deakin University’s Dr. Tyson Yunkaporta, compared the ‘Mind Place’ technique to an older Aboriginal technique using 76 medical students at Monash’s Rural Health Churchill campus.
Monash University.
The study split it’s participants in three: one group used the Greek “Mind Palace” technique and the other used the Aboriginal-Australian techique. The third group were given neither.
The ‘Mind Palace’ technique involves assigning images to information and then mentally placing them around a familiar location.
Roman statesman Cicero is credited with developing the technique.
The technique, known as the ‘Method of Ioci’, is claimed to have originated from Greek lyric poet Simonides of Ceos.
Memory Palace. Photo: Art of memory
The 50,000-year-old Aboriginal-Australian technique involves how Elders instruct young people, and the elements of place-based narrative, image, and metaphor.
The students were then tested on their ability to memorise a list of 20 butterfly names before and after training.
The students who used the Aboriginal-Australian method were almost three times more likely to accurately recall the entire list than they were prior to training.
The students who used the memory place technique were about twice as likely to get a perfect score after training.
A qualitiative survey found the students using the Aboriginal technique found it more enjoyable.
Looking to make a tasty, warm winter meal? Look no further than a nice okra dish with tomato sauce & chicken drumsticks.
Okra may not sound or look appetising, but it has incredible benefits. Okra is high in vitamins and minerals such as potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C, folic acid, and calcium.
Paired with the protein of chicken drumsticks, this dish is the perfect winter meal to keep your body strong.
Kali Orexi!
Ingredients:
1 kilo frozen okra 6 chicken drumsticks 1 chopped shallot 1 bunch of fresh onion 2 carrots 6 chopped fresh tomatoes 250 grams olive oil A small bunch parsley Salt & pepper A sprinkle of sugar
Method:
1. Put the frozen okra into a tin and add some vinegar. Put in the oven at 150 degrees for an hour so they dry (the reason we put a bit of vinegar on top is to get rid of the slime and dry them).
2. Prepare the drumsticks. Add salt and pepper and put it in the oven with the okra for an hour.
3. In the meantime, in a pan add the olive oil, carrots, chopped onion, fresh tomato, salt, parsley and a sprinkle of sugar to finish. Cook for a few minutes. Note: The sugar in the fresh tomato brings out the flavour and minimises the acidity.
4. Half-time in the oven, give the okra a stir and put back in the oven for the remaining 30’. Same with the chicken.
5. Next in the process is to bring everything together. Take the okra and the drumsticks out of the oven. Add some salt to the okra. Pour the tomato sauce on top of the okra and distribute evenly.
6. Put the drumsticks on top of the okra and pour the stock of the chicken into the okra for more taste.
7. Shake it a bit and then back into the oven for an hour.
Dr Nick Dallas will present a special lecture entitled Demystifying Professor Alan Finkel’s Getting to Zero Emissions Report, on Monday 7 June, 7.00pm, at the Greek Centre, as part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars, offered by the Greek Community of Melbourne.
Professor Alan Simon Finkel is an Australian neuroscientist, electrical engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He served as Chancellor of Monash University from 2008 to 2016, and held the office of Chief Scientist of Australia from 2016 to 2020.
During this time, he led a number of reviews on the national electricity market, developing a national hydrogen strategy and developing a low emissions technology roadmap. The most recent issue of the magazine Quarterly Essay contains his strategic roadmap on how Australia can transition to zero emissions by 2050.
Achieving net zero emissions is an extremely difficult task but not an impossible one. Australia cannot wean itself off fossil fuels overnight but by embracing renewables along with other technological developments, fossil fuels can be made obsolete. This presentation will demystify the reports main recommendations and the strategies proposed to reach a net zero target.
Nick Dallas studied at the University of Melbourne and has a multi-discipline background which spans chemistry, political science and economics. Presently he is the sales director for Vocational Education and Schools divisions at McGraw-Hill Education, a global learning science company. He has been on the Greek Community of Melbourne’s Board of Management since 2012 and takes an active interest in all the Community’s education initiatives. As the author of Climate Change Basics (2008, McGraw-Hill Australia) he has had a long-term interest in the challenges involved addressing climate change.
When: Monday 7 June 2021, 7pm
Where: Greek Centre (Mezzanine Level, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne).
‘Freedom or death’ rang out over the Agia Lavra Monastery in the Peloponnese on March 25, 1821. Thousands attended, but there was one figure in particular who led the charge that day. His name was Bishop Germanos III of Old Patras. The Greek Herald discusses why Bishop Germanos was one of the most important figures in the Greek Revolution.
Early life
Georgios Gozias, known today as Bishop Germanos III of Old Patras, was born on March 25, 1771, in Dimitsana, Arcadia, in the Peloponnese.
His mother was Kanela Koukouzi and his father, Ionnis Gozias, was a goldsmith and farmer. A few uncertainties shroud his lineage. Historian Minas Hamoudopoulos wrote in 1880 that Gozias was “a Cypriot in his homeland”. The Gozias’ were a lower-class family whose real surnames and heritage are speculated.
Gozias went to school in his hometown but furthered his studies with his teacher Agapio Leonardo at the School of Dimitsana, Argos, and later the School of Smyrna.
It is said that his intelligence attracted the attention of the Bishop of Argos and Nafplio, Iakovos, who took on Gozias as his secretary, named him a monk, gave him the name ‘Germanos’ and ordained him as a deacon.
Bishop-hood
He arrived in Smyrna in 1797 to serve as priest and protosyncellus, alongisde his uncle Bishop Gregory V. Gregory V, the son of Archdeacon Iliodos, was his close compatriot. They travelled to monasteries in Constantinople and Mount Athos together, the former as Ecumenical Patriach. Gregory V would consecrate Germanos as Bishop of Patras in May 1806, succeeding Makarios of Patras.
Germanos was a Synod in the Patriarchal Synod of Constantinope in Patras in 1815-17 when he first learned of the Filiki Eteria. He was initiated into the group by Antonios Pelopidas in November, 1818, and took on a leading role in the revolution.
Germanos begins pioneering the Greek Revolution
Plans for a revolt against the Ottoman Empire began 400 years after they laid seige on Constantinople (present-day Instanbul, Turkey).
The Bishops, or ’primates’, of the Peloponnesus were torn on the idea of a revolt. After all, they held positions of power and connections with the Empire. They had the most at stake when it came to a revolt. They were called to Tripolis by Kemal Bey, Turkish governor, to help plot a defense against the simmering revolt.
Bishop Germanos had other plans. Germanos had been appointed to the Pampeloponnesian Society and had been preparing an uprising as early as January, 1821, but the time to fight back had arrived and he began leading a delegation on 18 March, 1821. At least 5,000 Greeks had rallied in a matter of weeks. Here, twenty-four priests together held liturgies.
“Never was a solemn service of the Orthodox Church celebrated with greater fervor, never did hearts overflow with sincerer devotion to Heaven, nor with warmer gratitute to their church and their God”.
They reached the battered Agia Lávra (“Holy Lávra”) monastery at the foothills of Mount Velia/Chelmos, which was then used as a retreat by priests, chiefs, and clergy. Agia Lávra was built in 961 AD and is considered the birthplace of modern Greece.
It was here that Germanos famously blessed the Greek revolutionaries and proclaimed the national uprising against the Ottoman Empire by raising the flag of the revolution over the monastery; on March 22 and March 25, 1821, respectively. March 25 is now commemorated as Greek Independence Day.
The delegation gave rise to Christians throughout Greece to join the revolution. He attended the first National Assemblies and began touring Italy in 1822 to garner support for Greece’s crippling economic situation.
Later life
He pioneered the Greek Revolution and exerted great influence over the Peloponnese. While Germanos’ lifting of the flag isn’t substantiated by any evidence, Germanos undoubtedly advanced the Philhellenism movement in Europe.
He is known today as a prominent figure and eminent clergyman.
He lived out his days in the Peloponnese, including Nafplio and Gastouni, from 1818 until his death on May 30, 1826. He was fifty-five years old when he died.
The vestments of Germanos, as well as other sacred and historic items, are preserved in the Agia Lávra’s museum in Patras. A monument of Greek Revolution heroes sits across the museum.
Last night the Cretan Association held a successful lecture evening to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Greek Independence and the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
The event was held in conjunction with the Joint Committee for the Commemoration of the Battle of Crete and Greek Campaign and was also part of the National program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese national committee for the Bicentenary of the Greek Revolution.
The Master of Ceremonies, Steve Siganakis, welcomed everyone to the night, followed by a welcome by the President of the Cretan Association, Terry Saviolakis, and the Secretary of the Joint Committee for the Commemoration for the Battle of Crete, Nick Andriotakis.
Of the 100 attendees were many leaders and presidents of Greek Australian Associations and communities. In attendance were Mr Konstantinos Yiannakodimos, Head of the Office of Public Diplomacy of the Consulate General of Greece to Sydney, and Councillor Claire Raffan, representing the Mayor of the City of Canterbury Bankstown.
Dr Alfred Vincent, a widely acclaimed philhellene, presented a talk on Crete’s involvement in the 1821 Greek Revolution and outlined the decades of struggles and turmoil until Crete’s final union with Greece in 1913.
Dr Michael Bendon presented a very interactive talk on the lasting impact of the Battle of Crete in WW2 and the continued underwater archaeological work and research being conducted to this day. He also presented many first hand accounts from ANZACs and Cretan locals who fought in the Battle.
Kelvin Bourke also gave a personal touch by giving an account of his father’s involvement in the Battle of Crete. Kelvin’s Father, Nick Bourke, was a runner for the 22nd Battalion.
After the talks, the 100 attendees were treated to dinner, including some traditional Cretan delicacies, made by the the Cretan Association’s Executive Committee. Then commemorative gifts and plaques were given to the guest speakers and guests who attended.
Former Socceroos boss and Greek Australian footballer Ange Postecoglou is lined up to take over as Celtic FC’s new manager.
The Telegraph’s John Percy reports that Celtic are “in advanced talks” with Postecoglou after former English Premier League manager Eddie Howe turned the job down.
Postecoglou,55, has had success with every job he has taken, having previously managed Australia, Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar – winning two A-League championships with the latter.
The appointment would be huge for the Australian and Socceroos star Tom Rogic who still plays for the Scottish team.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 04: Socceroos head coach Ange Postecoglou (R) reacts during an Australian Socceroos training session at AAMI Park on September 4, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
In a recent interview with the Fox Football Podcast, Postecoglou said he planned to remain overseas for the rest of his career.
“As a family we’ve made a decision we’re going to stay overseas for the rest of my career and see where else we can make an impact. Maybe it’s here [Japan], maybe I stay awhile and build something special, or it could be somewhere else.
“I want to produce teams that play a certain way that gets people talking and have success obviously, because if I don’t have success, I’m not going to have a job.”
