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Archbishop Makarios held memorial service for the victims of the pandemic in Australia

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios held a memorial service for coronavirus victims on Friday, 31 July, at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of our Lady Theotokos in Redfern, Sydney.

During the service, His Eminence commemorated the names of the Greek people who recently passed away and, in particular, those who were residents at the St Basil’s aged care facility in Melbourne.

“We have gathered here today, devastated by the events of recent weeks, to pray for the repose of the souls of all the victims of the pandemic, which has ravaged our country and all of humanity,” he said at the beginning of his service.

Read More: Victoria’s Greek community in tears – 16 deaths at St Basil’s, 22 Greek lives mourned

“We are specifically commemorating the names of our brethren who have fallen asleep and who were residents at St Basil’s in Melbourne and we wholeheartedly pray for strength and consolation to be granted from on high to their relatives and families who are undergoing this difficult trial with the loss of their loved ones.”

Archbishop Makarios reassured the relatives and friends of the victims that all of the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia is mourning with them and especially the staff who have worked with dedication at St Basil’s.

“Certainly, their pain is also our pain,” he emphasised.

“The anguish that they are experiencing, we are experiencing as well. My humble self, as your Archbishop and Shepherd, as well as the God-loving Bishops in Australia, all the clergy of our local Church, the co-workers and the members of our institutions, are co-suffering over the deaths of our brethren.

“Also suffering and mourning together with us, together with the relatives of the coronavirus victims are the people, who for so many years have served with dedication in the sacred mission with which they have been entrusted by St Basil’s.”

“All the management and staff of our facility in Melbourne, who for years have cared for our residents with much love as if they were their own parents, as if they were their own grandfathers and grandmothers, these days each of them, individually, is grieving heavily.

“It is as if they have lost members of their own family. It would be unjust to deny this; no matter how much sadness and pain, panic and resentment inevitably prevails during these difficult moments.”

Read More: 109 new coronavirus cases in Victorian aged care homes as state records deadliest day

His Eminence then appealed for patience and understanding, noting that “I, personally, like the entire Greek community, judging by the accumulated experience of the past, we cannot erase and ignore the long-lasting good testimony of this institution within Australian society.

“I ask all people to be patient and give us time,” he emphasised and added, “I am, personally, looking into the situation and will not hesitate, if necessary, to make tough decisions for the good of the organisation.”

“As for the relatives of the victims”, he continued, “I assure them that the Church will not wrong them, as it has not ever done so before. I plead that they show patience and understanding, bearing in mind that we are living in unprecedented times for humanity. No one can manage the pandemic unless a cure is found.”

The Archbishop stressed that he is in constant and close cooperation with the relevant government authorities of Victoria as well as the authorities of St Basil’s in order to deal with the current situation in the best way possible.

“I have spoken with the Minister for Health, Mr Greg Hunt and Minister for Aged Care, Mr Richard Colbeck” he noted.

“Often, daily, I am brought up to date by the relevant people at St Basil’s. Together and with all our strength, we continue to support the difficult effort that is evolving.”

“In order to overcome the current ordeal and to eliminate any danger to the residents of St Basil’s from now on. We similarly support the other eleven facilities of St Basil’s throughout Australia, in which not a single case of the coronavirus has been recorded,” he added.

His Eminence did not fail to mention the people with coronavirus who are currently in hospital, making special reference to the vulnerable group of the elderly and praying for their speedy recovery.

“At the same time, our thoughts are with all Greek people and all our fellow citizens who are hospitalised due to being infected with the coronavirus, as well as with their families who are in anguish”, he stressed.

“We pray for their speedy recovery so that neither the Greek community nor Australian society mourns any further deaths.

“We are particularly anxious and praying for our fellow humans who belong to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly given, as is well-known, that more than 60 aged care facilities in metropolitan Melbourne and in all of Victoria have outbreaks, with confirmed cases amounting to many hundreds.”

Exclusive: Basil Zempilas – ‘My heart beats true for Greece and Perth’

A proud Kastellorizian who wants nothing more than the people of Perth to be proud of their city. Nothing else could better describe the man who is running to become Perth’s next Lord Mayor this year.

Basil Zempilas has so far had a successful career as an Australian television host, radio presenter and sports commentator. Yet the Greek Australian wishes to take his career to the next step, or more appropriately, take the City of Perth into a new direction.

“Perth’s not broken but it can be improved. It can be better,” Basil Zempilas says exclusively to The Greek Herald.

“The city needs strong leadership at the moment and I see myself as a strong leader.

“Perth has been very good to me and my family and this is an opportunity for me and my family to give back to the city that’s been so good to us.”

The Perth radio breakfast host says he’s always been on the lookout to give back to the city and run for office, yet the time never seemed right until now. With no council or Lord Mayor for two and a half years, Basil says it’s the closest Perth is going to get to a “fresh start”.

Channel 7 personality Basil Zempilas at Elizabeth Quay. Basil Zempilas with wife Amy and their children Ava 9, Anthony 2, and Chloe 6. Picture Jackson Flindell /The West Australian

“I’ve always been very interested in local government, particularly the city of Perth. I had to assess if the time was right for me.

“Given it was a fresh start and there was no incumbent Lord Mayor, it did feel like it was the right time.”

The lack of leadership has seen the conversation around Perth have more of a negative approach, with Basil saying the city has an issue with “anti-social behaviour”. Seeing the protentional for a “better Perth”, Basil plans to use his resources to deliver the demands of the people of Perth.

“People continue to tell me they want a safer and cleaner Perth and there’s no doubt to me that’s not the first and most significant building block to a better Perth,” Basil says.

“We need to clean our city up. But we also need to attract and create compelling events and attractions and we need to make it a more people focused and people friendly city.”

A project that Basil recognises as the greatest step in the right direction is the construction of Australia’s first and pre-eminent Indigenous museum and cultural centre built in Perth. The Lord Mayor candidate plans to use the City of Perth’s “enthusiasm, state government finances and private sector funds” to make the opportunity become reality.

“I’m determined to play a lead role in that if I’m successful, bringing the various stakeholders together to make it happen for Perth.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for our city and I don’t want to see it wasted.”

With a passion for media, Basil enjoys his current role on breakfast radio and as an AFL commentator, as well as his former role on the popular breakfast show ‘Weekend Sunrise’. Asked if he would continue his media career if elected, Basil said he had no intention of pausing one dream to pursue another.

“My plan is to continue as a working mayor… I have a lot of flexibility with my employers, I’ve got a lot of energy as well, and I have a commitment to make it work.

“I can make it work and I wouldn’t of put my hand up if I didn’t think I had what it takes to give this everything.”

A beautiful city that has seen great development, particularly in the last ten years, the Western Australian capital has seen many migrant families call the city their home. Hailing from Kastellorizo at various stages in the 1900’s, Basil’s family has made a legacy in the City of Perth.

“My grandfathers both had businesses on Barrack Street…. My mum’s dad had the Olympia Café and my dad’s dad had a shop at the town hall just across the road, and that started a long association of the Zempilas family with the city of Perth.”

The Zempilas family’s legacy was permanently recognised by the City of Perth with a street in the cultural hub of Northbridge being named in honour of his family’s contribution.

“My family’s contribution to the area was acknowledged with one of the streets in Northbridge which is just next to Perth central. It was named Zempilas street in honour of my family’s contribution.”

Much of Basil’s family still lives in Greece, with his sister being married and living there since 1979. A proud member of the Greek community in Perth, the Lord Mayor candidate is honoured to call Greece and the City of Perth his home.

“My heart beats true for Greece and beats true for Perth,” Basil says proudly.

“I’ve been involved in many different levels of the Greek community here in Perth. In 2018 I was named Kastellorizian of the year by the Victorian Kastellorizian association.

“I’m very proud of my Greek heritage and it drives a lot of what I do and has driven a lot of what I’ve done throughout my career.”

Greece’s most beautiful ancient temples

They stand proud for centuries, reminding all humanity of the greatness of Greek culture. The ancient Greek architects were excellent craftsmen and built temples and monuments that impress people even today, a millennia later.

Despite the hardship, wars and disasters, many ancient temples managed to be maintained in good condition.

The temple in Greek antiquity was the residence of the god, the building that housed the cult statue of one or more deities. The faithful gathered in the surrounding area outside the temple building, where the altar was located, for the offering of sacrifices and the practice of worship. 

Parthenon

The Parthenon is the most brilliant monument of the Athenian state and the colophon of the Doric style. Its construction began in 448/7 BC and its inauguration took place in 438 BC. According to ancient sources, the architects who worked were Iktinos, Kallikratis and probably Phidias, who was also responsible for the sculptural decoration. 

It is one of the few all-marble Greek temples and the only Doric one with all its metopes in relief. Many parts of the sculptural decoration, the entablature and the ceiling panels were painted in red, blue and gold.

Temple of Hephaestus

The Temple of Hephaestus is one of the most preserved ancient temples in Greece. It was dedicated to the god Hephaestus and to Athena Ergani . It is located in the area of Thiseio, which got its name because of the old temple of Theseus. The temple of Hephaestus is accessible to the public, as it is part of the archaeological site of the Ancient Agora. This temple is built on the hill of Agoraios Kolonos, in the western part of the Ancient Agora.

Poseidonia – Lower Italy

Poseidonia was an ancient Greek colony of Lower Italy in the region of Campania. It was located 85 kilometres southeast of Naples in the present-day province of Salerno, near the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The main feature of today’s archeological site is the three large temples of Doric style. They were dedicated to Hera and Athena. The Temple of Hera is the oldest surviving temple in Poseidonia (also called Basilica) and belongs to the 6th century BC.

Erechtheion

The area of ​​the Erechtheion was the holiest of the entire Acropolis. A complex marble building, it is a brilliant example of the mature Ionic style. The eastern part of the temple was dedicated to the Athena Polias, the patron goddess of the city, while the west was dedicated to Poseidon-Erechtheus, from where the temple was named. It was used as a multiple temple, where older and newer cults were co-located and where the Holy Martyrs were kept, with traces of the trident of Poseidon and the olive tree, the gift of Athena to the city ​​of Athens.

Temple of Zeus in Kyrenia

The Cyrene in ancient times was the Greek colony in North Africa. It was founded in 630 BC from the Thera , while it took its name from the source Kyri, which was dedicated to the god Apollo. It quickly developed and evolved into a centre of Greek culture in North Africa, while it was also a major commercial center. In the 3rd century BC, the philosophical School of Kyrenia was founded in the city by Aristippos, a student of Socrates. The Cyrene has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982. Ancient monuments are preserved in the city, such as the temple of Apollo (7th century BC), the temple of Demeter and a temple of Zeus, which was partially destroyed by order of Muammar Gaddafi in 1978.

The sanctuary of Poseidon

The sanctuary of Poseidon is located inside the fortress that protected the coasts of Attica and the mineral zone. Mining facilities, houses, farmhouses, roads and cemeteries have been found throughout the municipality. A large cemetery of geometric and classical times extends to the west coast of the cape.

Victoria’s Greek community in tears – 16 deaths at St Basil’s, 22 Greek lives mourned

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Victoria’s Greek community has suffered, and continues to suffer, from a deadly virus that has so far taken the lives of approximately 22 people of Greek background.

In the latest figures announced by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, the state recorded 627 new coronavirus cases and eight new deaths today. One of these deaths was a Greek man in his 80s from the St Basil’s nursing home in Fawkner, which has recorded 16 deaths alone. The mans death brings the total number of Greek Australian deaths to approximately 22.

Read More: Three Greek grandparents among the latest victims of the coronavirus outbreak in Melbourne

Greeks across Australia are left scared and confused at the dire situation in Australia’s south-east. During the first lockdown on the 28th of March, Australia recorded a total daily peak of 469 cases. Yesterday, Victoria recorded 723 cases.

With elderly people greatest at risk, there is increased worry for residents of nursing homes who have been gravely affected. Prime Minister Scott Morrison today identified 13 problem homes, although 80 or more aged-care residences have been hit.

Multiple news outlets have reported on the disorganised management of the nursing homes, with family members of residents claiming their parents were simply “left to die”.

The Herald Sun spoke with the daughter of Fotini Atzarakis, a St Basil’s resident who died on Wednesday, who said her mother lived in a “hellhole” and her death was “preventable”.

Spiros Dimitriou described the nursing home as a “war zone”, seeing his 75-year-old father, John, on Saturday. He was allowed to see him a week after his family was told he had tested positive. They were warned to brace for the worst news.

Mr Andrews himself said, speaking about some of the private aged care facilities hit by COVID-19 outbreaks, “I would not let my mum be in some of these places, I just wouldn’t.”

Residents of nursing homes, along with people across Victoria, are being asked to brace for the impending rise in cases and the tragic loss of life in the next few days.

Demetris Syllouris calls out Turkish President as a ‘conqueror’ in open letter

The President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Syllouris, wrote an open letter to the Turkish President, demanding that Turkey ‘show respect’ to Hagia Sophia.

Following the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, formerly being a museum, there was international uproar from many world leaders, denouncing Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s decision. Mr Syllouris proceeded to compose a letter directed at the Turkish President, calling him nothing but a ‘conqueror’ who shows complete disrespect to monuments of the Christian religion.

Read More:

You can read the full open letter below:

I am writing this brief open letter tο you as a European citizen. But also as the President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, whose existence and continuity you had also guaranteed through treaties, although today – you alone – refuse to recognise despite the fact that the Republic of Cyprus is a member of both the United Nations and the European union. It is this treaty of guarantee which you obsessionally and incessantly invoked, to justify your unlawful actions and your illegal occupying presence in Cyprus beyond any political moral as well as the horrible and horrendous acts you have committed against the Republic of Cyprus and the Cypriot citizens. However, with the invasion of your country in Cyprus in 1974, invoking the alleged implementation of the Constitution, and the subsequent occupation of a significant part of the Republic of Cyprus, you have ceased to be guarantors and you are in fact conquerors.

We have been living under the threat of Turkish troops for years now. But I should remind you of what our poet Costas MonIis testifies:

“Chrόnίa sklavkies ateleiotes Ιόπ patson tziai Ιοπ klόtsοn tous: Emeis tziamai: elies tziai teratsies pano sΙόn rόΙsοn tous.”

(“Years of endless slavery at their beck and call ; We stay put; olive and carob trees on their rock.”)

This is the “Cyprus History”. This is the memory we carry through the centuries. It is on these pillars that we have placed our patience, endurance and perseverance over the years.

As a European politician, but also as a Greek and Orthodox Christian, I have followed these days the shouts and chants, the celebrations and reviling and all the exultations for the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Along with your own statements and decisions. Ι should remind you that over the centuries we have always respected everything deemed sacred and holy by the peoples we came across or lived with. And you should know that. You shall not find a mosque converted by us into a church, even if dozens of mosques in Cyprus were for centuries in the past Christian temples, with frescoes and paintings still surviving on their plaster-covered walls.

I do not have a deep knowledge of the Qur’an, but I know from dear Muslim friends that a basic principle is to show respect to the monuments of other religions.

You, οn the other hand, in defiance of the agreements and treaties, in defiance of the rule of law, in defiance of the principles that govern monuments of humanity and world heritage according to the United Nations and UNESCO, have proceeded to transform the most sacred monument of Orthodoxy and of Christians, the Hagia Sophia, an achievement of art, the most important and greatest in history, into a mosque. All this, however, suggests only one thing. Your conquering obsession. And that none of what you have conquered belongs to you. And even more, the lack of any respect for the cultural tradition of all mankind. You could go down in history as the man who led the Hagia Sophia to an even better status, as a place of meeting and coexistence of religions. Instead, you chose to go down in history as desecrator of a historical global symbol, a world heritage site, a masterpiece of art and a symbol of the coexistence of cultures and religions.

All this rhetoric of hatred and the emergence of passions, certainly do not lead to peace which you invoke and which peoples search out and seek. What we all expect is to be able to coexist respecting each other’s memory and history and each other’s personality. Through your attempts and methods, you show contempt to the basic rights of all people and especially of us Christians. The right to respect our sanctuaries and to respect our memory.

Mr. President, on a personal note, Ι would like to tell you that Ι come from Potamia, a small mixed village in Cyprus, where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots lived harmoniously together for many years. Every time Bayram came, we wished the Turkish Cypriots ”Happy Bayram”. And, every time Easter came, the Turkish Cypriots wished us ”Happy Easter”. It is in such a climate of mutual respect and coexistence of religions and cultures that we would like your contribution to be and not, unfortunately, in the opposite direction.

The temple of Hagia Sophia is a symbol for all humanity. Α point of reference for all of us Christians. A place of sanctity. And all that you attempt will only indicate your pettiness, when you bend down to pray under the Holy Dome of Hagia Sophia, under the gaze of Virgin Mary.

But you should know that anything you impose by force cannot reverse or erase the truth of history. The temple of Hagia Sophia remains an eternal symbol and point of reference for all humanity, an achievement of art, an insurmountable monument of civilisation that shall always be called and be Hagia Sophia.

DEMETRIS SYLLOURIS

PRESIDENT OF ΤΗΕ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF ΤΗΕ REPUBLlC OF CYPRUS

Nicosia, 12 July 2020

Billy Magoulias reportedly on the move due to little play time at Sharks

Sharkies young gun Billy Magoulias has reportedly been given permission to speak with rival clubs regarding a potential move as a result of him receiving little play time at the Cronulla Sharks.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the Greek international was granted permission to look elsewhere for next year and beyond, despite a year remaining on his contract.

Magoulias, 23, has struggled to find a spot at the Sharks this year despite a growing injury toll for the club. He played the last of his two games in round three and only in recent weeks has he again been part of the 21-man squad.

Billy Magoulias is set to move on from the Sharks. Photo: The Daily Telegraph

The Greek-Australian has been hailed as one of the NRL’s greatest upcoming talents, with Blue’s coach Brad Fittler reportedly being a big fan of the young player’s talents.

“I know the one person who absolutely loves him is Brad Fittler…not just because of his Greek heritage but because he can play the game, which I absolutely love,” NRL commentator Peter Psaltis previously said to The Greek Herald.

“He plays in such a positive manner, good ball runner, and I can see him being a really good lock-forward or second-rower for many years to come.”

Magoulias has proved in his youth career that he has what it takes to bring home a trophy, bringing Newtown a NSW Cup and National Championship victory, yet is still waiting for the opportunity to prove himself in the NRL.

Pizza Hut shuts down all stores in Greece

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The Pizza Hut restaurant chain announced its decision to cease operating in Greece and shut down all 16 of its restaurants as of Thursday, saying that the chain’s activities were no longer sustainable in the wake of the pandemic.

“The company made great efforts in previous years to return the stores to positive operation and growth rates,” sources at the company told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.

“In the last 12 years and despite continued years of financial losses, it invested 23 million euros in the development of the chain in Greece, while over the last decade it created and secured more than 450 jobs.

“Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic, which created an unprecedented crisis for our country and worldwide, has placed a heavy toll on the restaurant sector and led to a worsening of existing difficulties and an inability to turn the bad climate around,” the sources said.

It is estimated that at least 180 people will lose their job.

Pizza Hut had incurred significant losses as a result of the lockdown, which multiplied the already difficult challenges and making the endeavour unsustainable, they added, noting that this was not confined to Greece.

“A few days ago, NPC International, one of the largest franchisees of Pizza Hut in the United States went bankrupt due to the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic,” the sources pointed out.

Sourced By: ANA-MPA

On this day in 1801, Lord Elgin removed and stole the Parthenon Marbles from Greece

In the early morning light on July 31, 1801, a ship-carpenter, five crew members, and twenty Athenian labourers “mounted the walls” of the Parthenon and removed one of Greece’s most important pieces of history.

The Elgin Marbles formed part of the Parthenon, built under the supervision of the architect and sculptor Phidias and his assistants. The marbles accompanied the Parthenon, atop of the Acropolis, for over 2,200 years. Following the Ottoman occupation in Greece, Greeks would see the priceless artefacts sold off to various bidders in Europe.

Elgin claimed to have obtained in 1801 an official decree from the Sublime Porte, which approved his removal of the marbles. However, this firman has not been found in the Ottoman archives despite its wealth of documents from the same period and its veracity is disputed.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MLENNY/GETTY IMAGES

With the aid of ropes and pulleys, Elgin and his men detached and lowered a sculptured marble block depicting a youth and centaur in combat. The next day the group lowered a second sculptured marble from the Greek temple.

Within months, the workers had lowered dozens of additional marble sculptures, and within a few years, majority of the Parthenon’ priceless marbles were removed and sent to England.

The Parthenon Marbles acquired by Elgin include some 21 figures from the statuary from the east and west pediments, 15 of an original 92 metope panels depicting battles between the Lapiths and the Centaurs, as well as 75 meters of the Parthenon Frieze which decorated the horizontal course set above the interior architrave of the temple.

Photo: The Independent

The legality of the removal of the marbles continues to be discussed today, with the Greek government demanding they be returned to their home in Athens.

In 2014, UNESCO offered to mediate between Greece and the United Kingdom to resolve the dispute, although this was later turned down by the British Museum on the basis that UNESCO works with government bodies, not trustees of museums.

The two countries ongoing dispute continues to impede Greece’s attempt to save the authenticity of their ancient history.

Erdogan says Turkey to continue exercising ‘sovereign rights’ in Aegean, ‘as we did with Hagia Sophia’

The Turkish President has continued to increase tensions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, saying on Thursday that that Ankara intends to carry on with the “work it has started in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean.”

According to the state-run Anadolu Agency, his comments came hours after the Turkish seismic survey vessel Barbaros sailed toward Cyprus.

Read More: Turkey withdraws Oruc Reis navy ship, sends Barbaros to Cypriot waters instead

“We will not hesitate to exercise our sovereign rights, as in the example of Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, which we reopened for worship,” Erdogan reportedly added.

Turkish seismic survey vessel Barbaros sailed toward Cyprus under new orders under Erdogan.

The Barbaros was called in only hours after Turkish officials called off gas exploration activities near the Greek island of Kastellorizo with the Oruc Reis. It was sent in response to a NAVTEX message issued by Ankara, reserving an area inside Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone to conduct hydrocarbon research until September 18, Kathimerini Cyprus reported.

Read More: Greece says tension easing in East Med dispute with Turkey but remain alert

Earlier this week, Erdogan’s spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said at the time he was prepared to sit at the negotiation table with counterparts in Athens.

“In line with the instructions of our president, we are ready to discuss all issues; the Aegean, continental shelf, islands, airspace, research and screening efforts, and Eastern Mediterranean along with other bilateral matters with Greece without any precondition,” Kalin said.

Young gun Mitch Georgiades shines for Port Adelaide as they crush Melbourne to become ladder leaders

An abysmal performance by Melbourne has allowed young Greek Australian Mitch Georgiades to shine for Port Adelaide as they defeat the Victorian club 12.11 (83) to 4.8 (32).

The Greek young gun kicked the opening goal of the match, with teammate Justin Westhoff following a few minutes later in a promising start.

Port Adelaide continued the match in stunning form, with Melbourne’s attack left in shambles and unable to create any organised movement. The Demons hit the change rooms trailing 1.3 (9) to 6.6 (42) at half time.

Second half wasn’t much better for the boys in blue and red, as The Power continued to dominate both defensively and in their deadly attack.

A free kick allowed Adelaide’s Ollie Wines to secure the opening goal of the third quarter, yet the Demons managed to pull in a late effort with two goals in the final 90 seconds.

Read More: Sky’s the limit for Greek young gun Mitch Georgiades

The attack wasn’t enough though, as Port Adelaide managed to take home the victory by an impressive 51 points.

Georgiades, playing power forward, went on to score three goals during the match, the most by any player in the night.

Following the victory, Port Adelaide were made AFL ladder leaders. They are currently two points ahead of Brisbane Lions, who face seventh place Essendon tomorrow night.

All AFL matches this season are being played with shortened quarters of 16 minutes (plus time on), down from 20 minutes (plus time on).