Honorary Greek citizen, Tom Hanks, was rolling out the Vegemite jokes and an Australian accent as host of Saturday Night Live’s (SNL) first “remote version” in more than 40 years.
The Academy Award winning actor, who is now back in the US after being treated for coronavirus in Australia, boldly attempted the Australian accent as he imitated nurses telling him his temperature in hospital.
“Now the folks in Australia are fantastic in every way, but they use celsius instead of fahrenheit when they take your temperature,” Hanks began.
“So when they come in and they say, ‘you’re 36,’ which seemed very bad to me, but it turns out 36 is fine. 38 is bad.”
The verdict is still out on whether he nailed the accent or not.
Hanks, who said he and his wife Rita Wilson are now “doing fine,” then threw to questions from ‘audience members’ which were actually just himself in costumes.
In one of them, Hanks pretended to be an Australian man who asked: “I’ve got a question for Tommy Tim Tam, what’s the right proper way to get a daily dose of your Vegemite?”
The camera cut back to Hanks in his hosting role as he brushed off the question with a laugh before saying, “enough of that.”
If you missed the Vegemite drama, Hanks tweeted a photo of toast with a thick layer of Vegemite in mid-March, prompting warnings that he’d gone too far with the salty spread.
In the last monologue, Hanks thanked healthcare, delivery, grocery and other frontline workers who have been working tirelessly amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This Saturday Night Live was a little different. For one thing, it’s been filmed entirely by the SNL cast who are currently quarantined in their homes,” Hanks said.
“We hope it gave you something to do for a little while.”
The inventive episode, born of necessity, gave people much more than that. It gave them the opportunity and excuse to turn off the news and laugh — even if just for a bit.
The Greek government has asked a prosecutor to press charges against two priests who provided Holy Communion to the faithful on Sunday despite a ban on church attendance.
One of the priests, in the Athens neighborhood of Koukaki, was photographed from a nearby building secretly giving communion to people through the back door.
The other incident happened in Corfu at the St. Spyridon Church, where the priest invited more than 15 people to the Sunday liturgy.
Deputy Minister of Civil Protection, Nikos Hardalias, said the actions of the priests were a clear violation of the coronavirus lockdown.
“What happened today in churches in Koukaki and Corfu is a violation of the law and of the Holy Synod’s orders, and put the lives of citizens and public health in great danger,” Mr Hardalias said in a statement.
“I contacted the Minister of Justice so that he can ask the prosecuting authorities to intervene.”
Deputy Minister of Civil Protection, Nikos Hardalias, said the actions of the priests were unacceptable. Source: AFP.
The move comes after the Greek government banned the public from church, with only a maximum of five people allowed inside to conduct religious services. This includes the priest, chanters and assistants.
With Greek Orthodox Easter fast approaching, Greek authorities remain concerned that more people will flout strict quarantine measures by attending church and engaging in the customary exodus from the cities to the countryside.
On Sunday, 38 people were already fined 300 euros each for trying to leave cities.
NRL fans have slammed Sydney Roosters boss Nick Politis after he demanded all 16 clubs start on zero competition points when the 2020 season resumes on May 28.
A fired-up Politis told News Limited journalist Phil Rothfield all clubs must start on equal points unless the entire 24-round draw can be completed.
“The revised schedule is on par with changing the Melbourne Cup mid-race. It’s not possible,” Politis said.
Penrith Panthers star, Nathan Cleary, hit back at Politis. Source: Nine News.
In response, Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary said points should be kept as ‘wins were hard to come by in the NRL.’
“I don’t think it would be fair to lose points. We had a meeting with the RLPA and everyone was on board with keeping the points. I was pretty happy to hear that,” Cleary told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“Obviously I’m a little bit biased because we won our first two games. You work pretty hard to win games in the NRL so I couldn’t see the justification of taking the points off.”
The Panthers are among six clubs undefeated through the first two rounds, while the Roosters were one of six teams who remained winless after the season was suspended.
Politis’ comment comes in the wake of ARL Commission chairman, Peter V’landys, backtracking on his initial suggestion that points earned in the first two rounds could be stripped.
Peter V’landys was the first person to suggest points could be stripped. Source: Nine News.
The most likely scenario now appears to involve each team playing each other once, with a number of additional rounds for rivalry matches to boost television revenue.
The final format will be discussed with broadcasters this week.
This year, Greek Orthodox Easter is occurring during unprecedented times and as a result, we will not have the opportunity to celebrate the Anastasi in our churches.
Thus, The Greek Herald wants to participate in the mystagogy of Easter by offering you online access to the hymns of Holy Week every day.
Holy Monday is the next day of the celebration of Palm Sunday, where the week of the Passion of Jesus Christ begins. Today’s hymn is dedicated to the memory of Joseph, the son of Jacob, and the cursing of the barren fig tree by Christ.
You can listen to the hymn here:
#KeepItGreek:
Αυτές τις πρωτοφανείς ημέρες, που βιώνουμε όλοι, αρχίζει η εβδομάδα των Θείων Παθών. Δυστυχώς δεν θα έχουμε την ευκαιρία να βρεθούμε στις εκκλησίες σε ένα διαφορετικό Πάσχα, που θα βιώσουμε όλοι μας. Έτσι, ο «Ελληνικός Κήρυκας» θέλει να συμμετάσχει στη μυσταγωγία των ημερών προσφέροντας σας καθημερινά τους ύμνους της Μεγάλης Εβδομάδας.
Η Μεγάλη Δευτέρα είναι η επόμενη ημέρα του εορτασμού της Κυριακής των Βαΐων όπου και ξεκινά η εβδομάδα των Παθών του Ιησού Χριστού. Η Μεγάλη Δευτέρα είναι αφιερωμένη στη μνήμη του Ιωσήφ, του γιου του Ιακώβ, που αναφέρεται στη Παλαιά Διαθήκη και στην άκαρπη συκιά, που την καταράστηκε ο Χριστός και ξεράθηκε μ’ ένα του λόγο.
Italian opera singer, Andrea Bocelli, has sung in Milan’s Duomo Cathedral without an audience, in an effort to bring people together during the global coronavirus lockdown.
The solo concert, Andrea Bocelli: Music for Hope, was streamed live on YouTube and left 3.4 million viewers around the world in tears as Bocelli’s famous tenor rang out in an otherwise eerily quiet Milan on Easter Sunday.
Bocelli performed a repertoire of sacred works including “Ave Maria,” “Sancta Maria” and “Domine Deus,” and he was accompanied by the cathedral organist, Emanuele Vianelli, playing one of the world’s largest pipe organs.
Andrea Bocelli performed live from the empty Duomo Cathedral on Easter Sunday. Source: AFP via Getty Images.
In a statement before the performance, Bocelli said the event would hopefully send ‘love, healing and hope’ to Italy amid the COVID-19 crisis.
“This won’t be a concert and it won’t be a performance, it will be a prayer and as a consequence, it will not be important who is present physically but rather who wants to be with me spiritually in that moment,” Bocelli wrote.
“I believe in the strength of praying together. I believe in the Christian Easter, a universal symbol of rebirth that everyone, whether they are believers or not, truly needs right now.
“Thanks to music, streamed live, bringing together millions of clasped hands everywhere in the world, we will hug this wounded Earth’s pulsing heart, this wonderful international forge that is reason for Italian pride.”
Bocelli, through the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, is also raising funds to provide hospitals with important resources such as instruments and protective equipment for medical staff.
Watch Bocelli’s performance during Music for Hope: Live from Duomo di Milano below:
Greek forces are on heightened alert as reports have surfaced that Turkey is preparing to push through a fresh wave of migrants into Greece, with many infected by COVID-19 among them.
According to Greek government officials, the heightened alert follows intelligence reports showing Turkish authorities moving refugee groups from remote inland areas to Turkey’s western shores, where smugglers could secretly ferry them to Greek islands less than a few kilometers away.
Minister for Alternate Migration, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, said migrants will be quarantined. Source: AP News.
In response, Greece’s coastguard, Air Force and Navy are increasing patrols along the Aegean waterway that divides Greece and Turkey.
“The political blackmail attempt at Evros did not work out. Just as the pressure on Greece and the blackmailing of Europe failed there, any such attempt in the Aegean Sea will also fail,” Minister for Alternate Migration, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, said on public television.
“And with the possibility that migrants arriving in Greece might be carriers of COVID-19, every migrant will go into quarantine.”
Relations between Athens and Ankara have been strained since Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, announced earlier this year that he would no longer block migrants and refugees from seeking entry to Europe.
Turkey has since recorded a total of 56,956 coronavirus cases, with the country’s death toll currently sitting at 1,198.
Beginning on the evening of Palm Sunday and continuing through the evening of Holy Tuesday, the Greek Orthodox Church observes a special service known as the Service of the Bridegroom. Each evening service is the Matins or Orthros service of the following day (e.g. the service held on Sunday evening is the Orthros service for Holy Monday). The service presents the faithful with an array of themes based chiefly on the last days of Jesus’ earthly life.
On Holy Monday, there are two specific events which are commemorated, each with an important lesson to learn:
Joseph the Patriarch:
Joseph the Patriarch. Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Joseph the Patriarch, the beloved son of Jacob, is commemorated on Holy Monday for his virtue, nobleness and innocence. He is typically seen as a “prototype” of Christ as his life closely resembles that of the Lord’s son.
Told in the final section of the Book of Genesis, Joseph’s story is one of extreme hardship. Sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, he ended up in prison after being falsely accused of raping the wife of Potiphar, the captain of the Pharaoh’s guard in Egypt.
However, Joseph was able to leave prison after interpreting one of Potiphar’s dreams and predicted Egypt would experience seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. He advised the Pharaoh to store surplus grain against the coming famine and by doing so, he saved the people of Egypt.
Following the fulfillment of the prediction, Joseph became one of the most powerful men in Egypt, responsible for food distribution in the kingdom. His brothers, on the verge of starving to death, travelled to Egypt and presented themselves to him asking for his help. Although the brothers did not recognise Joseph, he realised who they were and helped them, showing the greatness of his soul.
The lesson to be learned from Joseph’s life:
Set your heart to forgive those around you. This will not only heal your relationship but it will also keep your heart free from bitterness and deep rooted resentment from the past. This forgiveness is especially clear when Joseph addressed his brothers:
“’Fear not … As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ Thus he reassured them and comforted them” (Genesis 50:19-21).
The Cursing of the Fig Tree:
The Gospel reading for Holy Monday focuses on the parable of the barren fig. Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
The Gospel reading for Holy Monday is about the barren fig, which Christ cursed and withered because it bore no fruit.
The fig tree is a Parable of those who have heard God’s word, but who fail to bear fruit of obedience and repentance. Originally the withering of the fig tree was a testimony against those Jews who rejected God’s word and His Messiah. However, it is also a warning to all people, in all times, of the importance of not only hearing God’s word, but putting it into action.
Those who belong to Christ ought to live and walk in the Spirit; and the Spirit will bear fruit in them: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-25).
Do you like wine? Do you want to take advantage of your time and learn everything about Greek wine?
Take a virtual tour of the Greek vineyard by the Master of Wine, Konstantinos Lazarakis.
The Greek Herald highlights the initiative of the Hellenic Wine Association, which presents all regions of the country, giving information about the place, the vine varieties and the styles of wines they produce.
Σας αρέσει το κρασί; Θέλετε να εκμεταλλευτείτε το χρόνο
σας και να μάθετε τα πάντα για το ελληνικό κρασί;
Κάντε μια virtual ξενάγηση στον ελληνικό αμπελώνα από τον Master of Wine Κωνσταντίνο Λαζαράκη.
Ο Ελληνικός Κήρυκας αναδεικνύει την πρωτοβουλία του Συνδέσμου Ελληνικού Οίνου, που παρουσιάζει όλες τις περιοχές της χώρας, δίνοντας βασικές πληροφορίες για τον τόπο, τις ποικιλίες αμπέλου και τα στιλ κρασιών που αυτές παράγουν.
Greek man of Cretan origin and founding member of the Cretan Association of New Zealand, Christos Tzanoudakis, is one of the two latest victims of the COVID-19 in New Zealand, bringing the total death toll to four.
According
to a statement from the New Zealand Ministry of Health, both victims were
elderly, had underlying health conditions, and could be linked to existing
clusters.
The
Honorary Consulate of Greece in New Zealand expressed their condolences for the
loss of the member of the Greek Community of Wellington, with a message on
Facebook:
“It is with great sadness and
a heavy heart that I would like to confirm that the 3rd victim of the
coronavirus in New Zealand is a member of the Greek Community here in
Wellington and it is Mr. Christos Tzanoudakis.
Mr. Tzanoudakis has been a
resident of Wellington for over 50 years. He was a founding member of the
Cretan Association of New Zealand and a valuable member of the Greek Community.
He passed away peacefully at the Wellington Hospital at 5.30 pm yesterday
afternoon. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with his children Vasiliki and
Emmanouel, their spouses, and his grandchild.
May he Rest in Peace”
Members
of the Greek Community of Wellington describe Tzanoudakis as a vibrant,
respected member who was always smiling.
On the Sunday before the Feast of Great and Holy Pascha and at the beginning of Holy Week, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates one of its most joyous feasts of the year. Palm Sunday is the commemoration of the Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem following His glorious miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead.
Having anticipated His arrival and having heard of the miracle, the people went out to meet the Lord and welcomed Him with displays of honour and shouts of praise. On this day, we receive and worship Christ in this same manner, acknowledging Him as our King and Lord.
Palm Sunday Traditions
Photo: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus return to Jerusalem, with his followers waving palms in celebration, shouting “Hosanna!” Today, we mirror Jesus’ follower’s actions by carrying with us small woven palm crosses.
Typically given out in church, the woven palm crosses symbolise the Lord’s presence with the faithful, and are typically carried around by the faithful throughout the day.
While Palm Sunday still occurs during the Sarakosti (40 days of Lent), the Greek Orthodox Church typically allow people to consume fish, oil, and wine but not dairy products, eggs, chicken and red meat.
Biblical Story Summary
The biblical story of Palm Sunday is recorded in all four of the Gospels (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-38; and John 12:12-18). Five days before the Passover, Jesus came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Having sent two of His disciples to bring Him a colt of a donkey, Jesus sat upon it and entered the city.
People had gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover and were looking for Jesus, both because of His great works and teaching and because they had heard of the miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus. When they heard that Christ was entering the city, they went out to meet Him with palm branches, laying their garments on the ground before Him, and shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”
At the outset of His public ministry Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God and announced that the powers of the age to come were already active in the present age (Luke 7:18-22). His words and mighty works were performed “to produce repentance as the response to His call, a call to an inward change of mind and heart which would result in concrete changes in one’s life, a call to follow Him and accept His messianic destiny. The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is a messianic event, through which His divine authority was declared.
Photo: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Palm Sunday summons us to behold our king: the Word of God made flesh. We are called to behold Him not simply as the One who came to us once riding on a colt, but as the One who is always present in His Church, coming ceaselessly to us in power and glory at every Eucharist, in every prayer and sacrament, and in every act of love, kindness and mercy. He comes to free us from all our fears and insecurities, “to take solemn possession of our soul, and to be enthroned in our heart,” as someone has said. He comes not only to deliver us from our deaths by His death and Resurrection, but also to make us capable of attaining the most perfect fellowship or union with Him. He is the King, who liberates us from the darkness of sin and the bondage of death. Palm Sunday summons us to behold our King: the vanquisher of death and the giver of life.
Palm Sunday summons us to accept both the rule and the kingdom of God as the goal and content of our Christian life. We draw our identity from Christ and His kingdom. The kingdom is Christ – His indescribable power, boundless mercy and incomprehensible abundance given freely to man. The kingdom does not lie at some point or place in the distant future. In the words of the Scripture, the kingdom of God is not only at hand (Matthew 3:2; 4:17), it is within us (Luke 17:21). The kingdom is a present reality as well as a future realization (Matthew 6:10). Theophan the Recluse wrote the following words about the inward rule of Christ the King:
“The Kingdom of God is within us when God reigns in us, when the soul in its depths confesses God as its Master, and is obedient to Him in all its powers. Then God acts within it as master ‘both to will and to do of his good pleasure’ (Philippians 2:13). This reign begins as soon as we resolve to serve God in our Lord Jesus Christ, by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Then the Christian hands over to God his consciousness and freedom, which comprises the essential substance of our human life, and God accepts the sacrifice; and in this way the alliance of man with God and God with man is achieved, and the covenant with God, which was severed by the Fall and continues to be severed by our willful sins, is re-established.”
