Η Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Κοινότητα Νέας Νότιας Ουαλίας συμμεριζόμενη το πένθος για τον εκλιπόντα Μίκη Θεοδωράκη εκφράζει στην οικογένειά του τα βαθιά και ειλικρινή συλλυπητήρια της.

Έφυγε από την ζωή ένας εκ των μεγαλύτερων Ελλήνων της μεταπολεμικής περιόδου, ο παγκοσμίου φήμης Μίκης Θεοδωράκης.

Πάντοτε θα θυμόμαστε τον Μίκη Θεοδωράκη ως ένα από τους πιο δραστήριους αγωνιστές, τον ηγέτη τον μουσικοσυνθέτη, τον άνθρωπο που έκανε γνωστή την μικρή Ελλάδα ανά την υφήλιο. Το όνομά του είναι ταυτισμένο με τον «Ζορμπά» και όλοι μας έχουμε χορέψει το συρτάκι.

Η απώλειά του έχει βυθίσει στο πένθος όχι μόνο τους απανταχού Έλληνες αλλά και την παγκόσμια Κοινότητα.

Τα έργα του μεγάλα, απέραντα, και ο χώρος πολύ μικρός για να τα απαριθμήσουμε. Το κενό που άφησε με τον θάνατό του είναι μεγάλο και δυσβάσταχτο. Καλό ταξίδι Μίκη Θεοδωράκη, αιωνία η μνήμη σου.

Εκ του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίοu.

Με τις μελωδίες του άγγιξε τις ψυχές όλων των Ελλήνων και όλων των ανθρώπων ανά το παγκόσμιο. Με τους αγώνες του για τα δημοκρατικά και πατριωτικά ιδεώδη, ενέπνευσε και έγινε διαχρονικό πρότυπο για τους νέους, πολλών γενεών. Με θάρρος και ανιδιοτέλεια, υπερασπίστηκε μέχρι τέλους τη «μεγάλη ουτοπία της ζωής» του, την ενότητα του ελληνικού Έθνους. Και με βαθιά αφοσίωση στην Ορθόδοξη πίστη, μια «κορυφαία μορφή και λειτουργία της εθνικής μας συνείδησης», υπερασπίστηκε τα δίκαια του Οικουμενικού μας Πατριαρχείου και του Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίου, που αποτελούν «τα σύμβολα της Ελληνικής Ορθοδοξίας».

Ο σπουδαίος Μίκης Θεοδωράκης, ο «παγκόσμιος» Μίκης όπως τον έχουν χαρακτηρίσει πολλοί ή ο «Ουρανο-Μίκης» όπως τον είχε εύστοχα αποκαλέσει ο αοίδιμος Μητροπολίτης Κισάμου και Σελίνου Ειρηναίος, έφυγε σήμερα από την επίγεια ζωή για την επουράνια βασιλεία του Θεού, κληροδοτώντας στον Ελληνισμό και στην Οικουμένη ευρύτερα μια ανεκτίμητη καλλιτεχνική, αλλά και πνευματική παρακαταθήκη.

Είμαι βέβαιος ότι η παρακαταθήκη αυτή δε θα μείνει αναξιοποίητη. Οι απανταχού Έλληνες, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των ομογενών μας στην Αυστραλία που με απεριόριστο σεβασμό και αγάπη έχουν αγκαλιάσει τον σπουδαίο μουσικοσυνθέτη και το έργο του, θα συνεχίσουν να εμπνέονται, να καθοδηγούνται και να εμψυχώνονται από τους λόγους και από το παράδειγμά του.

Ας είναι ελαφρύ το χώμα της κρητικής γης που σε λίγο θα τον σκεπάσει.

Αιωνία αυτού η μνήμη.

Mikis of Resistance and Struggle, Mikis of creation and the great arts, is no longer with us. He passed away on Thursday 2 September at the age of 96.

The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia is deeply saddened and mourns the passing of Mikis Theodorakis, Greece’s most acclaimed composer whose name is directly associated with struggle, exile and music works that have been adored by millions around the world. Mikis’ love for the arts and his musical genius were inspired during the difficult years of exile where he composed music, representative of a whole era. An era during which Mikis Theodorakis not only was an active participant, he was the protagonist, leading a whole generation who shared the same ideals.

Because of his views and action, he was imprisoned, tortured and sent to exile, affecting his health which later led to further issues that followed him to the end of his life. 

Mikis Theodorakis was the composer who encapsulated the turbulent history of our homeland through his lyrics and notes, as he himself lived and experienced it for almost one full century.

It was the man who taught us how to sing the poetic lyrics of our great poets and he was content to see these works growing roots in the heart and mind of a whole nation.

For it is the struggles, deep history, desires and vision of the Greek people that echo in those lyrics.  His works resulted in the Renaissance of ‘Romiosini’ (Greekness).

His music and its impact went well beyond the Greek borders as Mikis created pure culture that touched millions around the world advocating justice and a better life for everyone.

He had a special bond with Cyprus and the Greeks of Diaspora because this is where he found refuge in order to gather his strength, organise and fuel the struggle against the Greek junta during an era known as ‘stone years’, stretching from the Civil War until the fall of the military junta in 1974.

His relationship with the pain-stricken people of Cyprus was particularly strong and this is why he gave numerous concerts there pushing for struggle towards freedom and independence.

Mikis Theodorakis as a fiery advocate of community ideals, was a close friend and ally of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia and we were honoured to welcome him at the Olympic Hall in two occasions, one was during the anti-dictatorship struggle in 1972 on behalf of the Patriotic Front and his second visit with his wife Mirto in 1995.

Honouring the great Greek composer, the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia has at times organised concerts featuring his works, with the last concert in his honour being in November 2018.

Memory eternal our dearest friend Miki. Your songs, your legacy and your struggle will remain alive with us for ever.

Our deepest and heart felt condolences to the family of Mikis Theodorakis.

VALE MIKIS THEODORAKIS

The whole of the Greek speaking and philhellene world is reeling from the death of the great composer Mikis Theodorakis who leaves behind him not only an enormous cultural legacy with his musical works, but also from his public life.

Theodorakis created masterpieces that spoke of individual and social struggle of the times in which he lived.   He freely imparted his political views and created music that spoke to the masses in his homeland of Greece and also to people around the world.

Whilst his music knows no borders, Theodorakis advocacy and public life in Greece and on behalf of the Greek people is well documented and eventually led to a stint in the Greek parliament.

He first visited Australia in 1972 touring with Maria Farantouri and Petros Pandis.  He toured once again in 1995 with both concert series heralded.

His music hwoever was a constant visitor to our shores with many visiting Greek artists including his music in their repertoire.

Most recently, his music featured heavily in the Songs of Liberation concerts paying tribute to the great Greek composers which toured Australia.

Our deepest condolences to those he has left behind.  

We will remember him and sing his songs forever.