The Greek government has made the decision to ban travel between the Greek islands, only allowing permanent residents of islands to access transport ferries. The decision comes as the Greek government recognises that the islanders require stronger protection from the coronavirus.
The measure to contain the spread of the pandemic goes into effect at 6:00 o’ clock Saturday morning, March 21, 2020.
Shipping Minister Giannis Plakiotakis stated that people from the mainland who are already on the islands will be allowed to return.
“The smaller the island where one believes they will travel to for protection, the more difficult, if not impossible, one’s care will be if this person becomes ill,” he said in a televised statement.
The measure had been requested by local authorities, especially on the Greek islands and in regions far from large urban centres, who have urged that non-locals to stay away in order to protect residents from the highly infections virus.
Despite local authorities calls to stay away, ferries rejected these warnings on Friday morning, with one ferry leaving the port of Piraeus with a very crowded group of people.
“The message is We Stay Home, we restrict our movements to the utmost necessary to protect ourselves and our fellow citizens. Some people still do not follow the instructions to Stay Home, so we have to do everything we can,” Giannis Plakiotakis said.
The ferries will supply the islands will resources, transport permanent residents and bring non-residents back to the mainland.
Local Greek Orthodox Parishes across Sydney are doing what they need to ensure their local community can participate with the Church services from the comfort of their own homes, in an era of ‘social distancing’.
Following His Eminence Archbishop Makarios’ announcement yesterday that all public worship in churches will be suspended, local parishes are offering Live Facebook streaming, and Live YouTube streaming, bringing the church into everyones home.
St Stylianos in Gymea, Sts Raphael, Nicholas & Irene in Liverpool and All Saints in Belmore, have all transferred their Sunday church services online to Facebook, live streaming them for public viewing.
Meanwhile, St Stephanos in Hurlstone Park and St Spyridon Parish in Kingsford are reaching out to the Greek Orthodox community for people to subscribe to their YouTube accounts, in an effort to go live from the video sharing platform, and ensuring that all services in the current environment can be followed in every home from their Smart TV.
PLEASE SHARE, CLICK & SUBSCRIBEWe need 1,000 subscribers on YouTube to go live.PLEASE Click the Link and Subscribe. Thank you.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-5bUqDwk2avFpbOiBmMzhg
PLEASE SHARE CLICK AND SUBSCRIBE We need 1000 subscribers on You Tube to go live.PLEASE Click the link and subscribehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3RTRabPZfTpZv7pDiQcBpA
As society moves towards the digital age, it is vital that the churches adapt and utilise new technology to keep historic traditions alive. Live Streaming on Facebook and YouTube ensures their local communities remain close to their local parish, and can participate in the service from their phone, tablet or T.V.
“COVID-19 is a pandemic. As such there are big questions facing the church communities and religious groups around the world. How should churches handle COVID-19? Should Churches continue Sunday service?” Steven Rafeletos, Chairman of the Board of Directors of All Saints Parish Belmore says.
“The Church always has a role to play when our communities are hurting, and church leaders need to be compassionate and creative as ways are identified to serve our community and meet their needs.”
Our Parish responds to COVID-19. Please read the attached document.
The Official Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Official Youtube account will likely live stream any service featuring His Eminence Archbishop Makarios and can be accessed through the link below:
One admirable aspect of the diversity of Greek businesses and their contribution to the Australian local, national and international markets is how they have become leaders in their respective areas. Over time, these entrepreneurs gain the expertise, experience and skills that sets them apart from their competitors. Moreover, their high-quality product and service are the strong foundations needed to withstand market changes and momentary fashions. And this is why customers seek out them out and returning for their products and services.
Step into so many Greek households and how many framed photographs could we count? Before everyone became a photographer, via their mobile phone, and our piles of physical photo albums disappeared into iClouds, we framed the memorable moments to decorate these snapshots of our lives. Whether they adorned our walls or our wall unit, framed photographs captured the bonds to the memorable past; how many of our parents decorate their homes with framed photographs of their parents, their own family, their children’s weddings and their grandchildren. Along the hallway, in the lounge and dining rooms… and even in the bedrooms! The need to frame our special moments was so important in our attempts to enrich our memories.
Remaining at the forefront of their respective field is Masterpiece Picture Framers at St Peters, which is run by the charismatic brothers, Kostas, Theodoros and Giorgo Lianos. If customers’ first impression upon entering the Masterpiece Picture Framers is the spacious and beautifully decked out showroom, then the second, and lasting, impression, is Kostas, Theodoros and Giorgos’ polite manner in dealing with their customers. They may have almost fifty years of experience in this business but observing their operation highlights how they have mastered their business; whether they are offering their expert advice to customers or making up the frames, the organisation of their business and work is a well-refined, smoothly-run machine. They are not just amazing at their work, they all have wonderful characters which compliment each other- and customers immediately realise this.
Kostas has been in the framing business since 1972; as Masterpiece Picture Framing continued to boom in the 1970s, he invited his brothers, Theodoros and Giorgos, to migrate to Australia and join the business. Having studied accounting and economics respectively, Theodoros and Giorgos brought their expertise and knowledge to the bureaucratic side of the business.
Masterpiece may have been based in Haymarket but all three brothers ran stall at various markets on weekends whether at Flemington, Fairfield or Bankstown- they even went down to the Wollongong and Canberra markets! In the late 1980s, the brothers separated the workshop from their retail business, and moved it to Sans Souci.
Over the years, Masterpiece Picture Framing had stores in the MLC building and Oxford Street, as well as Marrickville and Miranda. For a couple of decades, however, their flagship store was at Broadway; as the Lianos brothers believed it was important to have a strong presence in the city.
What was impressive about the Broadway store was its spacious premises; it provided the room for the brothers to display their high-quality and diverse work. As a consequence, we had all sorts of customers, whether politicians, sports stars, television stations, artists; with such high profile customers, they exposed Masterpiece Picture Framing to a broader client base.
And their experience and reputation culminated to do the framing of several art exhibitions, including one for the famous caricaturist, Tony Raftis, which was a great success.
Since 2006, Masterpiece Picture Framing relocated the current premises on King Street, opposite St Peters railway station. Prior to this relocation, Kostas, Theodoros and Giorgos worked in their respective showrooms; their King Street showroom brought them together and they have been working side by side ever since.
Asking Kosta about the close band among the brothers, he points out, ‘There is nothing greater than working with the people so dear to you. Theodoro and Giorgo, and I, work all day and then sit down at the end of the day and have a coffee together. We enjoy this strong sense of family within our business.
‘Over the years, I realised hard work is not enough for success in business; you also need co-operation. In ours case, the three of us worked as brothers and partners and we are lucky we succeeded together.’
The story of Masterpiece Picture Framing was featured in Vasilis’ book, ‘Beyond the Shop Windows and Counters.
As we bind together in this time of crisis, it is important that people celebrate International Day of Happiness on March 20th, which the United Nations NWO (UNNWO) have campaigned as #HappinessForAllTogether.
The International Day Of Happiness campaign theme is a call on all 7.8 billion members of the global human family, and all 206 nations and territories of planet earth, to unite in finding positive ways to look after ourselves and each other.
As the world bands together to fight back against the COVID 19 Coronavirus, the United Nations have developed the #TenStepsToGlobalHappiness challenge.
“A pandemic drives home the essential interconnectedness of our human family. I’m deeply moved by the acts of kindness, generosity, and solidarity happening around the world in the face of COVID 19. We are in this together – and we will get through this together,” said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres ahead of today’s 2020 International Day of Happiness celebration.
30-day Coping Calendar. Photo: Action For Happiness
“Global citizens, we are in this together. At this critical time, there is no greater case for collective action than our joint response to COVID 19. I join United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres in solidarity with all who are affected by COVID 19. We are in this together and we will get through this together,” said Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed.
“This year’s #TenStepsToGlobal Happiness challenge is a call upon our common humanity to unite and win against this global crisis, and, to get back on track to one day achieving the United Nations 2012 call for global happiness, wellbeing, and freedom of all life on earth,” said Luis Gallardo, founder of Happytalism, the United Nations Gross Global Happiness Executive Education program.
The Ten Steps To Global Happiness Challenge is an annual tradition, with this year’s steps focused on great global endeavour to #FlattenTheCurve.
Come together: the International Day of Happiness
Below is an outline of each step, which you can read more about on their website here:
1. Let’s stick together.
2. Follow the World Health Organization’s advice and guidance.
4. Stay social online and do what makes you happy!
5. Be kind to others, share with those in need, and say thank you.
6. Stay active and be mindful.
7. Be optimistic, positive, and resilient during these challenging times.
8. Stay informed about facts and news regarding the COVID 19 outbreak, and avoid myths.
9. Enjoy nature, and connect with the environment during this period.
10. Adopt Happytalism!
Happytalism is just one of several models which respond to the United Nations 2012 call for a New Economic Paradigm, taking a holistic approach to economic development and all life, and preventing sudden crises such as a global disease pandemic.
Greece have had a total of 464 confirmed coronavirus cases, announced this evening at the daily briefing by Sotiris Tsiodras, with 6 deaths being recorded.
The coronavirus outbreak has impacted all forms of life, including work, schools and church services. Strict measures are being applied for funerals, for both those who have died from the coronavirus and those who have died for other reasons.
All funerals in Greece are under strict quarantine management, which are held privately without a memorial meal. Funeral homes throughout the country have received instructions from the authorities regarding the procedure to be followed at the funeral of a person who dies from COVID-19.
Fanis Baboulas, the owner of funeral homes in several cities, including Thessaloniki, spoke with Sputnik News, who detailed the process of burying someone who passes as a result of the virus.
“If a person dies from the coronavirus infection, their body is first wrapped in a bag, and then placed in a closed coffin, which is not be opened. The funeral and burial should take place in the cemetery with no more than five close relatives present,” Mr Baboulas points out to Sputnik News.
Baboulas also states that funerals of people who died for other reasons are also held under strict conditions, under new laws brought by the government in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus.
“Only the closest relatives can enter the church, from five to 10 people; all the rest should be on the street. There’re no memorial meals or farewells to the deceased,” Mr Baboulas added.
“Two funerals took place yesterday and the day before yesterday. There were 9 people present at one funeral, and there were 14 relatives present at the other. The body of the deceased is not allowed to be in the house even for a short time. Everything is prohibited. The only thing that can be done is holding a ceremony (funeral service) in the church with a very small number of people present.”
With new 100 person limits placed for indoor gatherings, put in place by the Australian government, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios announced that all Greek Orthodox churches in Australia were to remain closed to the faithful.
“Sacraments and funerals will continue to take place but only in the presence of the immediate family members,” the statement reads.
His Eminence asked the faithful to show “understanding, unity and confidence” during this difficult time.
Footage has emerged on Thursday of migrants constructing and deploying makeshift bridges as they are repelled with tear gas at the Greek-Turkish border.
On social media, users posted videos of reportedly 500 migrants that are hauling what are supposedly bridges meant to lay across barbed wire fencing, allowing migrants to climb over quickly. The migrants faced resistance at the border in the form of Greek police, who used tear gas to stop the migrants.
According to idnes.cz, tear gas was also used by the Turkish police against the Greek security forces. Turkey has been accused by Greek media and European correspondents numerous times for trying to help migrants enter Greece.
#Evros border yesterday. Invaders with this makeshift bridge tried to pass and jump over the barbed wire but were repelled by the Greek-European forces. pic.twitter.com/dOfMpPHoVp
Footage was previously captured by Associated Press showcasing over a dozen Turkish police officers firing tear gas at Greek forces.
Riots on the Greek-Turkish border had experienced a few days of ease, before Wednesay morning where clashes continued to pursue.
During the clashes, Greek police used tear gas and water cannons against hundreds of migrants. Migrants then lit several fires on the Turkish side of the border.
According to the Associated Press, there are still about 2,000 migrants at the border in makeshift tents who believe they can still get into the EU.
Ekathimerini reported that members of the security forces from other European Union countries, sent by the EU border protection agency Frontex, remain active helping Greece protect its border.
Greece’s Tourism Ministry on Thursday announced the closure of Greece’s year-round hotels through to end-April, which will be effective as of midnight, March 23. The measure aims to protect the staff from the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry said in a statement.
The only hotel exceptions include:
One hotel per capital in each Regional Unit
Three hotels in Athens
Three in Thessaloniki
The Association of Hoteliers in Athens-Attica and Argosaronic sent a letter to the Tourism Ministry, expressing the need for the immediate establishment of a special “temporary” or “emergency” status.
“At the moment, however, we need the unequivocal support of the State against the total disaster that has occurred, turning Athens from one night to the next into a ghost city,” the Association noted.
All flights to and from Greece to be suspended
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to announce the suspension of all passenger flights to and from Greece, in a televised address.
Many airlines have already implemented drastic cuts to flight schedules, but as of Sunday Greece will also impose a lockdown to international flights.
Speaking to Skai TV, State minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said that the ban on international flights “is a measure under consideration.”
On Tuesday afternoon, Greece announced that all non-Greeks or EU citizens will not be allowed to enter Greece.
“Citizens of non-EU countries will not be allowed to enter our country from 6am tomorrow, except for an absolutely necessary condition related exclusively to emergency work or family,” Hardalias said, noting that foreigners would be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
The deputy minister did not specify how long the international border will be closed for. With Greece’s summer season approaching, being it’s most popular tourism period, it is unknown when or if Australian citizens will be able to visit Greece this summer.
Greek anti-terrorism police detained more than 20 people in raids in Athens Thursday and seized heavy weaponry including anti-tank arms, authorities said.
A police statement said the raids in two central Athens locations followed cooperation with Greece’s secret service. Press reports said the detainees were Kurds living in Greece, and there was no indication the operation was connected with Islamic extremism.
The statement said that in one of the locations raided police discovered a secret tunnel, but provided no further information.
Greece’s police have remained on constant patrol as people continue to violate social distancing measures and keep small businesses open.
The Hellenic Police (ELAS) have arrested a total of 167 people across Greece since Thursday for violating strict measures introduced by the government in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
According to ELAS, the arrests pertained to owners or managers of hair salons, cafes, restaurants and other food retail outlets, the operation of which have been temporarily suspended.
“We received more than 150 calls by citizens filing complaints about businesses defying the measures from the morning until 2pm,” a spokesperson for the ELAS said.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios has released a statement this afternoon stating that “all public worship in churches” will be suspended from today due to the “extraordinary measures taken by the Federal Government of Australia to restrict the spread of the coronavirus.”
Whilst this means that all churches will remain closed to the faithful until an unspecified time, His Eminence stresses that all services, feast days of the Saints and the Divine Liturgies will continue to be conducted by the Priest and chanter.
“Sacraments and funerals will continue to take place but only in the presence of the immediate family members,” the statement reads.
His Eminence also asks the faithful to show “understanding, unity and confidence” during this difficult time.
“I call upon you all to pray more. I ask that you place your trust in God. It is a trial that we are experiencing, but we Orthodox know very well that after the Crucifixion comes the Resurrection,” His Eminence added.
“There is need for patience, unity and collaboration. Resurrection will come soon.”
The move comes after The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople issued an announcement on Wednesday suspending all “religious ceremonies, events and rites” at churches globally and allowing only individual prayer, in a bid to contain the coronavirus epidemic.
Dynamic, imaginative and empathetic. The three words
Professor Maria Kavallaris AM uses to describe herself when we sit down for our
exclusive chat. She failed to add ‘award-winning’ to the list, even after she
won the NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year Award for 2020.
The prestigious award, announced at a ceremony in Sydney on March 5, recognises NSW women who have excelled in their chosen career, who have made significant contributions to NSW, and whose accomplishments make them a strong role model for other women.
Professor Kavallaris ticks all three boxes.
Professor Kavallaris and NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, at the 2020 NSW Women on the Year Awards. Source: Salty Dingo.
She dedicates much of her time to understanding not only how
childhood cancers grow and spread, but also which tumours develop resistance to
therapy. Using this knowledge, she then creates nanoparticles (very miniscule
“packages”) loaded with drugs, which target cancer cells in the body and reduce
toxicity to normal tissue cells.
When asked why she chose to have a career in such a
demanding yet rewarding research area, it becomes clear that she has a personal
journey with cancer. At the tender age of 21, she was diagnosed with the
insidious disease herself.
“I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 21 and I had to undergo surgery and high dose chemotherapy that made me very sick,” Professor Kavallaris says.
“During the same period, I took up a lab technician role in
the new research laboratories at the Children’s Cancer Institute and met many
children going through chemotherapy and experiencing toxic side effects from
their treatment. I knew then that I needed to make a difference.”
Professor Kavallaris in her element as she does research for children’s cancer. Source: The Daily Telegraph.
From this moment on, Professor Kavallaris’ interest in childhood cancer ignited. She entered remission and after completing both an undergraduate degree in biomedical science and a PhD in childhood cancer, she quickly became a qualified childhood cancer researcher.
“It’s a very highly interdisciplinary field where I am able to bring together clinicians, biologists, materials scientists and engineers with a common vision to develop diagnostic and therapeutic devices,” she describes.
“And to be able to make a difference to the lives of
children with cancer and their families by developing better treatments and
improving survival rates is very humbling. Even if you can save one child’s
life, that’s an incredible feat.”
When she’s not doing all the above as Head of Translational
Cancer Nanomedicine at the Children’s Cancer Institute and Founding Director of
the Australian Centre for Nanomedicine at UNSW Sydney, Professor Kavallaris
does make the most of her down time.
In fact, she has a surprising hobby. She is also an avid
scuba diver and underwater photographer.
Some underwater photographs taken by the Professor during her down time. Source: Professor Maria Kavallaris.
“It’s my escape. I started diving and underwater photography when I was 19 years old and have travelled to many places in Australia and overseas from coral reefs in the Coral Sea, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, to underwater caves in Mexico,” she remembers fondly.
Clearly someone who is always up for a challenge, she smiles
as she describes her next one as mentoring the next generation of talented
young scientists.
“I’m driven by trying to make a difference to people’s lives and I get enormous pleasure from mentoring the next generation of young research leaders,” she exclaims.
The next generation of talented young scientists being guided by the knowledgeable Professor Kavallaris. Source: The Kids’ Cancer Project.
“There really are amazing opportunities in medical research
and my one piece of advice to young researchers who are just starting out in
the field, is to find an area that interests you most and do a science or
medical degree and a PhD.
“It’s an exciting time for discovery and making an impact that can improve people’s lives.”
Something which Professor Kavallaris plans to continue doing
for many years to come.
