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The story of a friendship that formed alongside the Greek brides of Begoña

It was on the 21st of May, 1957 – The old Spanish ship “Begona” was about to embark on another voyage from the port of Peiraeus, in Athens to Australia. This trip, however, was not like the rest. It was unique and this is how history would record it. 

On board the ‘Begoña’ were 900 young Greek brides, immigrating to Australia to marry prospective grooms who they only knew from photographs, a few men and some Greek families, who were travelling in order to reunite with their loved ones, who have already left Greece in search of a better life. All of them with a one way ticket. 

Among the passengers, were eight-year-old Panagiotis Photakis and 22-year-old Maria Katsou. 

Little Panagiotis, along with his mother and two brothers, left Sianna, a village on the island of Rhodes and went to Piraeus, in Athens, to start the journey that almost a month later would reunite them with the father of the family, who had immigrated to Adelaide, two years earlier. 

Maria was travelling alone. She said bye to her parents and siblings and left Dyrrachio, a mountain village of less than a few hundred residents in Southwestern Arcadia, to take care  of her older brother who had already emigrated to Australia and was working in Melbourne. 

Sixty-three years later, Mr. Photakis – now a retired educator – and Mrs. Katsou, mother and grandmother, call each other “brother and sister” even though they were not in contact for six decades but reunited three years ago.

Friends and family farewelled Panagiotis Photaki, his mother and brothers. Sianna, Rhodes, May 1957

‘I’ll go now; but come and find me when you are older’

“It was the feast day of Saints Constantine and Helen. At the port of Piraeus, my mother and her brothers came to farewell me. The crew had already taken luggage aboard; I was about to get on to the ship too. Next to the stairs, was a little boy looking at me with his eyes full of tears. He didn’t want to get on board. I asked him what his name is and he didn’t answer. His mother told me his name is Panagiotis,” recalls Mrs. Katsou, 85.

Maria got aboard and from the top deck she could still see the little boy who reminded her of her little brother, whom she left behind. 

“Before I left my home in the village, I kissed my little brother who was asleep on his bed next to the fireplace. This is who I saw in Panagioti and I promised to give him all the love I was not able to give my brother,” Mrs. Katsou tells The Greek Herald.

But little Panagiotis was still refusing to get aboard the ‘Begona’ although his mother and his two brothers were walking up the stairs 

Maria, felt the need to help.  

Maria Katsos, with her friends on Begona. May 1957

“I grabbed my backpack, threw it over my shoulder and ran down to the dock. Some crew members saw me and thought I was trying to run away. I could hear them calling my name from the loudspeakers. But I had to pick up the boy. I promised to buy him ice cream, took his hand in mine and got on board again,” says Mrs Katsou. 

From then on, young ‘Mia’ as Panagiotis used to call Maria, became the sister he never had. She kept him entertained throughout the month-long journey and never left her side. 

“He would eat with his mum and return to the cabin I was sharing with another girl. He was well behaved and only once I had to tell him off but I didn’t tell his mother. We were crossing the Suez Canal and we had been instructed not to extend our hands out of the portholes. Of course, he did the opposite,” Mrs Katsou says. 

On June 16 1956, less than a month later, Begona reached Port Melbourne Pier. 

“I have to go now but when you grow up come and find me,” Maria told her little friend.

Maria Katsos with her brother in Melbourne, June 1957

‘Maria was my guardian angel’

Panagiotis Photakis, 71, recently retired after a 50 year long career as an educator. He taught the Greek language to hundreds of Greeks in South Australia and never forgot Maria and his journey with Begona’s Greek brides. 

“My family and I travelled together with 900 young girls. One could separate them into three categories. Those who were coming to be wed to grooms who they knew only from photos, the ones who were already engaged and the ones who were immigrating with their families or to visit family in Australia.” 

“I remember I didn’t want to leave my village. Although the journey turned out to be enjoyable for me, it was exactly the opposite for some of the brides,” Mr Photakis says, explaining how important Maria’s friendly presence was, during a journey that would have otherwise been difficult. 

“Maria was my guardian angel. She looked after me. She became my sister. Together we would go to English lessons on the ship – she never left my side. I lost her when the ship got to Melbourne,” he says.

On that day, at the Port Melbourne Pier, were more than 4.000 young, single men, waiting to meet their prospective wives. Some of them were even climbing on to the balustrades to find the best partners first! 

“My father and family were there to pick us up. I remember hundreds of flowers and photos littering the dock. This meant that the photos of the grooms many brides were given in Greece, did not match the men they met upon arrival. At this point, I lost Maria.” 

Panagiotis Photakis with family and friends in Melbourne. Port Melbourne, June 1957

Four decades after he arrived in Australia, Photakis took the initiative to source an original passenger list of the ship and started looking for the brides and record their stories, to shed light on this important part of modern immigration history.

In 2017, he advertised in a Greek newspaper, the invitation for the celebration he organised in South Australia, for the 60 Years from the arrival of the Greek Brides of Begoña.

Maria’s late husband happened to see the advertisement and told her that someone called ‘Panagiotis Photakis’ was the organiser. 

“I asked around for his phone number. I found it, called him and I ended up going to Adelaide to see him,” Mrs Katsou said. 

Panagiotis (second from right) and Maria Katsos with other

Today, Panagioti’s family has one more member. Maria. He calls her “big sister”. 

Six decades were not enough to get in the way of their strong friendship, which began on the old Begona. 

“Every time I ring her, she lights-up,” says Photakis. Like time has stopped.

Australia’s Greek organisations denounce conversion of Hagia Sophia into mosque

Multiple Greek organisations across Australia have made public statements strongly condemning Turkey’s recent decision to reinstate World Heritage listed cultural icon, Hagia Sophia, back into a mosque.

Below is a list of associations that have released statements on the matter:

The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne & Victoria:

Read full statement in English: HERE

President of the Community, Bill Papastergiadis, has also recently sent a letter to the respective Prime Ministers of Greece and Australia outlining their position on Turkey’s decision.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia:

Read full statement in English and Greek: HERE

Greek Community of Canberra:

Read full statement in English: HERE

Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia:

Read full statement in English: HERE.

The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) strongly denounces Turkey’s decision to convert the World…

Posted by Greek Orthodox Community of SA inc. on Saturday, 11 July 2020

Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand:

THE CRETAN FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND CONDEMNS THE TURKISH GOVERNMENTS DECISION TO CONVERT AGIA SOPHIA INTO A…

Posted by Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand on Sunday, 12 July 2020

Greek Orthodox Community of NSW:

Read the full statement in Greek: HERE.

Greek Federation asks Scott Morrison to include dental care for pensioners in Medicare

The Federation of Greek Elderly Citizen Clubs of Melbourne and Victoria has sent a letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison asking to include “extremely expensive dental treatments” under the Medicare scheme.

“It is very difficult for an Australian pensioner to pay for dental care. Extremely expensive dental treatments are a luxury for many pensioners,” Chairman of the Federation, Giannis Kostoulias, wrote in the letter.

“This results in the creation of more health problems and the burden of public hospitals. Shouldn’t it be included in Medicare?”

Mr Kostoulias goes on to congratulate Mr Morrison for his assistance to pensioners during the COVID-19 crisis.

“We would like to thank you for the recent $1,500 allowance given to pensioners in two installments on March-April 2020 and July 2020,” Mr Kostoulias added.

The Federation offers its support to 111 Greek senior clubs with 22,000 members and is the largest in the Victoria area.

“Thank you for all that you do for pensioners and thank you for what you do for Australia,” the letter concludes.

NSW Labor calls for additional COVID-19 testing in south west Sydney

NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay is calling for the NSW Government to urgently establish additional pop-up testing clinics in south west Sydney, as the Crossroads Hotel cluster grows and long queues wait to get tested in Casula this morning.

“We need an all-out assault on what is a deadly enemy in Sydney’s south west. That means a major expansion of testing. The queues around the Crossroads Hotel today have been enormous. A single overwhelmed pop up clinic in the carpark at the site of the outbreak isn’t enough,” Ms McKay said.

“We know one of the biggest obstacles to increasing tests is convenience. That’s why the NSW Government must expand the hours of this pop-up clinic, and open more pop-ups in the area.”

A pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic has been set up at the Crossroads Hotel in Casula. Photo: ABC News / Jesse Dorsett.

Testing in parts of south west Sydney is well behind the eastern suburbs and inner city, with only 25 people per 1,000 tested in Fairfield and 39 people per 1,000 tested in Liverpool. While in Woollahra 63 people per 1,000 are tested and 66 people per 1,000 are tested in the Inner West. 

“The number of people connected to the Crossroads that need to be tested is not in hundreds but the thousands,” Ms McKay said.

“One pop-up clinic and testing at far away hospitals isn’t enough. The Government needs to urgently scale up testing in South West Sydney and open more local testing facilities.”

Ms McKay also noted that south west Sydney is one of Sydney’s most multicultural areas, with around 70 percent of residents in Liverpool born overseas, and with large communities of people from places such as Iraq, India, Vietnam, Lebanon and Fiji.

“Outreach and multilingual health advice is vital, particularly to older members of our multicultural communities. The NSW Government must make sure that health advice is accessible to people from non-English speaking families,” Ms McKay concluded.

Labor Shadow Minister for Better Public Services, Sophie Cotsis, called on the NSW Government to step up and support and ensure enforcement of venues’ COVID-safe plans. This follows recent reports of crowded venues and non-socially distanced queues. 

“The government has a responsibility to ensure the entire hospitality sector has a COVID-safe plan. That means staff distributing sanitiser, minding queues and ensure strict practice of people filling out forms,” Ms Cotsis said.

“The Berejiklian Government needs to provide better support to venues, and step up enforcement and compliance – if not, a second wave is the risk we face.”

RELATED: Website missing despite NSW Government planning border closure for weeks.

Fotis Kontoglou: The greatest icon painter of 20th century Greece

Fotis Kontoglou, the greatest icon painter of modern Greece and one of the most important theologians and literary writers, died in Athens on July 13, 1965. His death, during surgery, was deeply mourned throughout Greece.

Early Life:

Fotis Kontoglou was born on November 8, 1895, at Kydoniai (Aivali), on the west coast of Asia Minor, across from Mytilene. Kydoniai was a city consisting of about 30,000 Greeks and three Turks — the district governor, the judge, and the tax collector.

Fotis Kontoglou had a strong interest in Byzantine art.

Kontoglou came from a devout family. Many of his ancestors were monks, and an uncle, Stephanos Kontoglou, was abbot of the Monastery of Saint Paraskevi near Kydoniai. Stephanos was an important influence in Kontoglou’s life.

In his book Vasanta (1923), Kontoglou dedicates the chapter of translations from the Psalms of David “to the austere soul of the Hieromonk Stephanos Kontoglou, my uncle, whose virtue I perpetually have before me as a model and rule.”

After graduating from the famous Academy of Gymnasium of Kydoniai, Kontoglou spent several years in Europe, especially in France, studying art and acquiring painting techniques. He lived in Paris during the First World War, where he first gained attention, winning prizes for his paintings and his writings. His first book, a novel entitled Pedro Cazas, was written and published there in 1919.

After the armistice, Kontoglou returned to Kydoniai. But after being persecuted by the Turks, he and his family went to Thermi, Mytilene, in 1922. Later he resided in Athens, where he wrote and published a remarkable prologue for the second edition of Pedro Cazas, making him well-known in literary circles.

Literary Work:

His reputation as a writer grew with the appearance of two additional books: Vasanta (a Sanskrit word meaning “springtime”) in 1923, and Taxidia (“Travels”) in 1928, and the literary and art periodical Filikh Etairia (“Friendly Society”) which he founded in 1925.

Between 1942 and 1945, Kontoglou also wrote at least eight books. Most are rather short. The longest and important is Mystikos Kepos (“Mystical Garden”) in 1944. His chapters on Piety (Theosveia) and Saint Isaac the Syrian are masterpieces, full of deep religious feeling. He speaks of other remarkable ascetics of Syria and Mesopotamia, and stresses the virtues of faith, humility and purity.

In 1961, he published a long, luminous and spirited defense of Byzantine art in the monumental two-volume work entitled Ekphrasis (“Expression”) in which he teaches the theory and practice of Byzantine iconography.

Painting:

After leaving Europe, Kontoglou became increasingly impressed by the Byzantine traditions of painting and decided to master this style of painting. He did this by reading old manuscripts and visiting Byzantine monuments at the Holy Mountain of Athos and at Mystra, patiently studying the works of the old masters.

In 1932, Kontoglou published a slender volume entitled Icones et Fresques d’Art Byzantine, with twenty plates of Byzantine panel icons and frescoes he copied. He continued to paint panel icons during this period.

Fotis Kontoglou was known as the greatest icon painter of 20th century Greece.

During the later thirties, Kontoglou decorated three large rooms of the City Hall of Athens with historical frescoes. This was his first large scale work as a fresco painter, and his only extensive secular one.

The most fruitful period for Kontoglou as a painter was the last twenty years of his life. He painted numerous panel icons in churches in many parts of Greece and the United States. Specifically, he painted fresco icons and wall paintings for Agia Varvara in Egaleo, the new Metropolitan Church of Evangelismos in Rhodes and the Church of Saint George at Stemnitsa, Arcadia.

Through these works, Kontoglou succeeded in making Byzantine art prevail in Greece.

Death:

Kontoglou died on July 13, 1965 due to the complications caused by a car accident. He is considered one of the most important visual artists, who opened new avenues in Greek painting. His rich literary work remained largely militarised for the Christian cause, but his early works and especially the novel “Pedro Kazas” remain popular to this day.

Pope Francis, Greek President condemn conversion of Hagia Sophia into mosque

Greece’s President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and Pope Francis, both condemned Turkey’s decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque over the weekend.

In a tweet on Saturday, Sakellaropoulou said the decision was “a profoundly provocative act against the international community” as it “brutally insults historical memory.”

Similarly, Pope Francis said on Sunday that he is “deeply pained” over the decision by Turkey to change the status of Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque.

RELATED: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia condemns conversion of Hagia Sophia into mosque.

In a very brief, improvised remark, Francis, speaking from his studio window overlooking St Peter’s Square, noted that the Catholic Church marked Sunday as the International Day of the Sea.

“And the sea brings me a little far away with my thought: to Istanbul,” the pontiff said. “I am thinking of Hagia Sophia and I am deeply pained.”

Francis said no more but was clearly referring to the move by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to formally convert the monumental building back into a mosque.

The Pope, who heads the Roman Catholic church, and President Sakellaropoulou are adding their voices to strong objections by Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and members of the Greek Australian community.

RELATED: Mitsotakis denounces Turkey’s decision to turn Hagia Sophia into mosque.

‘Sad but grateful’: Despina Savva on her elimination from The Voice Australia 2020

15-year-old singing sensation, Despina Savva, was eliminated from The Voice Australia 2020 last night but not before going out with a bang with her amazing rendition of Billie Eilish’s ‘Bellyache.’

“When your attitude and sass kicked in… you reminded me once again why I chose you as my Wildcard,” Despina’s coach, Kelly Rowland, said after her performance.

But sadly in the end, Kelly decided to take two other artists, Chris Sebastian and Mark Furze, through to the semi finals on Wednesday night.

“I’m feeling sad that I didn’t get in but so happy and grateful. I’ve had so much fun and have so much to offer to the world!” Despina tells The Greek Herald.

Despina’s journey on the show was somewhat of a rollercoaster ride after she was saved by Kelly during the Battle Rounds and then given a wildcard in last week’s playoffs.

But the Sydney girl never gave up and it’s this determination that the Greek Australian community can’t wait to see more of in the days and years to come!

Cyprus Community Club works to ‘save, revive and rebuild’ historic institution

A staple institution for Cypriots in NSW, The Cyprus Community Club has held its place as one of the most important parts of early Greek-Australian history.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the club’s doors to shut, the club’s board has been working to improve the club and ensure its longevity.

“We can say the virus has interrupted us but it has not derailed us,” Cyprus Capital Limited Chairman Sergio Argyrou says in a letter to members.

“As life returns to some normality our mission remains to save, revive and rebuild our Cyprus Community Club and all that this means for our Community.”

Cyprus Club treasurer Andrew Antoniou says that while the club has faced hurdles with COVID-19, it has allowed for them to consolidate and revisit their business model.

“…To help ensure we reach our ultimate goal that will not rely on club business income, but, that of passive income with no debt or borrowings.”

The Cyprus Club treasurer also wishes for the club to “central location for all people of Cypriot and Greek heritage.”

“It is the vision of the current board to finalise the re-zoning, maximise the value of our land and reach the full potential of our current location where our community events, traditions and history have always been.”

Antoniou also thanked the active support of the Cyprus Club members, who have been working hard to help build the wealth of the club.

“We all need to join and help show that our culture and traditions are alive and being passed on to the next generation,” the treasurer says.

Much of the effort in revitalising the Cyrus Community Club has been initiated by Cyprus Capital Ltd, raising the funds needed from the members to refinance the debt currently being faced.

Prior to COVID-19, Cyprus Capital Ltd offered a highly competitive investment opportunity to Community members, earning 3 percent per annum return plus a 30 percent uplift when the loan is repaid by the community. The loan is secured by a mortgage to be held over the Community houses.

“We believe it is a safe, secure, attractive investment, whilst helping the Community achieve its goals,” Mr Argyrou said.

“It is a first for members of any community organisation to be given this opportunity.”

The Chairman assured members that The Cyprus Capital Ltd share offer has not lost its” value or its logic”, encouraging members to help make the Community realise its cultural and economic ambitions.

“Cyprus Capital Ltd has opened the way for all members to save their Community, to have a direct financial stake in their Community.”

Bill Papastergiadis calls on Australian Prime Minister to condemn decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque

As the world watched Turkey’s highest administrative court renounce the decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a museum, religious leaders condemned the unforgivable actions of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne, who yesterday condemned the Turkish Republic’s decision, have sent a letter to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison requesting the world leader to similarly denounce the decision.

In the letter to the Australian Prime Minister, the Community emphasised the importance and symbolic role of Hagia Sophia, asking Mr Morrison to take appropriate action to ensure that the World Heritage Site is not turned into a mosque.

“As we are sure you are aware, the Turkish Republic have moved to reinstate the World Heritage listed Hagia Sofia monument back to being a mosque,” Mr Papastergiadis wrote to Scott Morrison.

Bill Papastergiadis with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholemew

“Hagia Sofia Is a significant cultural monument acknowledged by UNESCO to be of World significance. It plays a significant symbolic role in the life of many people around the world, including Australians of Greek background.

“The decision last week by the Turkish authorities to reinstate it as a mosque has been condemned worldwide and we now call on the Australian Government to add to the outcry.”

The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne also sent a letter to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who welcoming the immediate reaction of the Greek Government.

“Hagia Sophia is an important cultural monument recognised by UNESCO as of World Importance,” Mr Papastergiadis wrote to Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“Its complex history testifies to the symbolic role it plays in the lives of many people around the world, including Australians of Greek descent. Hagia Sophia belongs to all mankind and should not be used as a tool of political and nationalist exploitation.”

“Our Community welcomes the immediate response of the Greek Government and supports the efforts made to address this critical issue.”

Tom Hanks calls out ‘cruel whip-masters’ at Apple over film’s release to streaming platform

In a streaming vs. theatrical release battle, Tom Hanks has clearly taken the side of cinema as the American actor expressed his disappointment over the release of his film to Apple TV+.

In an interview with The Guardian, Hanks explained that Greyhound‘s straight-to-streaming release is “an absolute heartbreak,” as viewers will no longer be able to appreciate the film’s production and sound quality.

Intended to be released in cinemas in June 2020, the coronavirus pandemic caused the film creators to strike a $70 million deal with Apple for the films release.

While Hanks, Greyhound star, co-writer, and producer, is happy viewers will finally be able to see the WWII drama, he told The Guardian that the film deserves to be seen in theatres. “I don’t mean to make angry my Apple overlords, but there is a difference in picture and sound quality,” he said.

The honorary Greek citizen expressed his further disappointment at the “cruel whip-masters at Apple” for commanding the Greyhound PR tour.

Hanks told The Guardian that Apple’s PR team insisted he do interviews in front of a blank wall, making it look as if he’s in “a witness protection program.” Added Hanks, “But here I am, bowing to the needs of Apple TV.”

Read More: Everything you need to know about Tom Hanks’ new film ‘Greyhound’

Instead of appearing on the silver screen, people will be able to watch Greyhound exclusively on Apple TV+ on Friday 10th July.

Due to a temporary rule change, Greyhound will still be eligible for Academy Awards despite foregoing a theatrical release.

Read Tom Hanks’ entire interview with The Guardian here.