Greek-born George Karlaftis won his second Super Bowl in as many seasons on Sunday as a defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs staged a comeback to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime, securing their third Super Bowl victory in five years on Sunday in Las Vegas.
The legal dispute in the case (4726/2023) between Archbishop Makarios of Australia and the Greek newspaper, Orthodoxos Typos, was recently finalised in the Greek courts.
Following the final verdict, both Orthodoxos Typos and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia released their version of events. In an era where the credibility of media worldwide is being eroded, The Greek Herald has since accessed the court decision and explored the case to present its own factual analysis for readers.
Defamation dispute begins:
The case began with publications by Orthodoxos Typos about four years ago. The reports were directed against Archbishop Makarios and led to the filing of a lawsuit against the newspaper.
In the court of first instance, Orthodoxos Typos was convicted and ordered to pay 10,000 euros in damages. An appeal was filled, which was heard in July 2023 in Greece’s Court of Appeal, with the decision not being handed down until January 2024.
The Greek Herald gained access to the appeal court’s decision.
The legal dispute in the case (4726/2023) between Archbishop Makarios of Australia and the Greek newspaper, Orthodoxos Typos, was recently finalised in the Greek courts.
The content published in both the printed and online versions of Orthodoxos Typos were considered to go beyond what is objectively necessary to protect legitimate interest and constitute an insult to the personality of the plaintiff Archbishop Makarios.
In more detail, the appellate court initially determined that the statements contained in the publications lacked the essential elements of the offence of defamation, since they are based on true facts.
Also included in the same publications are sharp criticisms, which are inherent in the press’s mission, but also anticipated given the plaintiff’s status as Archbishop.
Subsequently, however, the court pointed out that within the publications, there are judgments and expressions that were unnecessary to convey the criticism. These elements are what suggest that Archbishop Makarios was insulted, and his personality was diminished by Orthodoxos Typos.
The court found the use of vulgar and highly derogatory expressions and parallels against Archbishop Makarios – which were not objectively necessary – were chosen deliberately to insult the honour and reputation of the Archbishop. This was evident in the mocking style adopted by the author of the relevant publications. The court said they were not appropriate for an ecclesiastical, non-satirical newspaper whose purpose is the spiritual edification of its readers and not to ridicule and insult.
Moreover, it was determined that the publications, known to an unspecified but substantial audience, predominantly comprising readers of the mentioned newspaper, both in Greece and internationally, insulted the Archbishop’s character.
These publications caused significant distress and anxiety to the Archbishop, prompting him to become wary even of his simple statements, for fear they might be deliberately misinterpreted and used to degrade and insult him.
Considering the circumstances outlined, the court awarded an amount of EUR 5,000 to compensate the non-pecuniary harm endured by the Archbishop due to the aforementioned violation of his character. Archbishop Makarios had initially sought an amount of 260,000 euros.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia was seeking 260,000 euros in compensation.
The payment:
Looking deeper at the topic of financial compensation by the Orthodoxos Typos to Archbishop Makarios, the court of first instance originally awarded 10,000 euros. This decision was overturned by the appeals court and instead awarded the Archbishop 5,000 euros.
“In order to compensate for the non-pecuniary damage suffered by the applicant as a result of the abovementioned infringement of his personality, he must be awarded the sum of 5,000 euros,” the judgment said.
What did the Archbishop gain?
In addition to the 5,000 euros for compensation, Archbishop Makarios, through his legal action, managed to have Orthodoxos Typos remove the articles against him published on 3 February 2020, 14 February 2020, 21 February 2020, 2 March 2020, 13 March 2020, 3 April 2020 and 8 April 2020.
The newspaper was mandated to include a summary of the court’s ruling in the location where the articles were originally published. If it did not publish the decision summary, there was a penalty payment in favour of the applicant of EUR 100 for each day of delay.
Finally, the Orthodoxos Typos was ordered to partially pay Archbishop Makarios’ legal costs of both instances, which were set at 1,000 euros.
What’s next?
This is not the first and won’t be the last defamation case Archbishop Makarios is taking to the courts. The Archbishop has also filed lawsuits in Greece and Australia against:
The ecclesiastical website Exapsalmos/exapsalmos.gr and its head Sotiris Tzoumas, also for “defamation” and “insult to personality” with a claim for compensation amounting to 250,000 euros.
The Greek Australian journalist Vasso Morali for posts on her personal Facebook profile with a claim for compensation amounting to one million euros.
Athens lawyer (and nephew of the late Archbishop Stylianos of Australia) Nikolaos D. Kalliouris, also for “defamation,” with a claim for compensation amounting to 300,000 euros.
Greek journalist Alkis Morelas for a series of publications about the works Archbishop Makarios and his associates.
Same-sex marriage in a civil, rather than religious context, is a bill due to be passed – or perhaps rejected – by Greek Parliament on February 15 this year.
‘New Democracy,’ Greece’s current ruling party, holds 158 of the 300 parliamentary seats. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is counting on pro same-sex marriage votes from much of his centre-right party, and from parties of the Left. And although the Greek Orthodox Church is vehemently opposed to the bill, it looks like Greece will be one of the first majority Orthodox Christian countries to adopt same-sex marriage.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Photo: Supplied.
Greece’s Prime Minister has stressed that same-sex marriage is a human rights issue. That is his reasoning in terms of not following Australia’s 2017 lead for example, on holding a referendum regarding this issue in Greece. He has subsequently stated that passing the bill is not a revolutionary act, believing Greece should be aligned with the other European Union countries who have legalised same-sex marriage, in accordance with 2020-2025 policy goals on LGBTIQA+ (which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer/Questioning, Asexual) rights.
Many LGBTIQA+ advocates see Greece as pursuing a conservative path insofar as children in same-sex marriage are concerned, as the pending legislation will allow adoption but not surrogacy and IVF means of pursuing parenthood.
Notwithstanding the stated, adamant perspectives of the LGBTIQA+ community, the Greek Government and the Greek Orthodox Church, what do the Greek people think of legislating same-sex marriage?
A plethora of latest polls suggest a roughly equal percentage of pro or against same-sex marriage. I spoke to a few people ‘on the ground’ in Greece, to gauge their opinions and views on this issue.
Education is key:
Maria E.A., a Masters student of International Relations who is in her late 20’s, is pro same-sex marriage.
Her scope is that a healthy same-sex marriage and family life is preferable to an unhappy heterosexual marriage.
Maria is pro same-sex marriage. Photo: Supplied.
She posits, “if only all those heterosexual families with abusive parents were replaced with healthy same-sex couples, how much better would that turn out for children?”
Maria adds that qualified and experienced counsellors, such as child psychologists for example, should be involved in educating same-sex couples if they want to raise children.
Maria stressed the importance in educating people on same-sex couples. Photo: Supplied.
Attesting to a belief in the balance of dualities of “male/female, yin yang energies of the universe” for a harmonious life, Maria purports, “I believe both parents can encapsulate and portray to the child both male and female energies in a healthy way.”
“I’ve met many gay and bisexual men who value women, understand them and have portrayed ‘masculine’ energy more than some ‘men’ out there… Behaviour, education and empathy matter, regardless of which gender you prefer to lay down in bed with at night,” she adds.
‘The bill shouldn’t be passed’:
Vasiliki M. is in her 50’s, single, and employed as a Customer Service, Greek representative for an international company. She told me she is against same-sex marriage.
“It shouldn’t be passed anywhere – worldwide. It seems like same-sex relationships are going to be the norm, like heterosexual relationships were 20 years ago,” she states.
“I don’t care what they do in their bedroom. But what I do care about is the example they’re giving future generations.”
Vasiliki is against same-sex marriage. Photo: Supplied.
Asking her to elaborate, Vasiliki adds, “It’s the 2030 agenda – eat bugs and be happy, have no money of your own and be happy, marry the same-sex and be happy! Same-sex marriage leads to the breaking up of family values. It’s not OK even if they don’t have kids. Look, God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.”
“I’m not particularly pro-marriage in general, as it’s just a piece of paper at the end of the day, and I do understand that some people are born gay, but these days it seems to be becoming a trend,” she continues.
“Why do they want our ‘straight’ people’s institutions anyway, since they reject our way of life? Why don’t they just make their own ‘commitment’ ceremonies instead of mimicking our marriage event?”
Vasiliki attests to having many gay friends, “but I wouldn’t attend their weddings if they decided on this. They should not be accepted by the Orthodox Church or any church because these are ‘our’ values.”
Vasiliki shared she has many gay friends. Photo: Supplied.
I put it to Vasiliki as to whether she’d prefer a referendum, but she immediately responds with a firm “No,” adding, “we had a referendum on leaving the EU a few years back in 2015, when our ‘Yes’ was turned to ‘No.’ What a joke! I wouldn’t trust our government…”
Children and same-sex marriage:
Yiannis Thomadakis is a 36-year-old Law graduate and writer in Greece, living and working currently in Crete as a tour guide, in collaboration with local travel agencies. He is pro same-sex marriage, mainly in the context of its importance in having the choice to be a parent and raise children.
He states from the onset that although civil cohabitational agreements between same-sex couples have been legal in Greece since 2015, the current proposed bill regarding same-sex marriage is important because “it also solves an acute social demand by the LGBTIQA+ community and a complex legal issue for the recognition of the rights of same-sex families’ children, in order for them to be able to obtain benefits from both parents and in case something happens, to be recognised as their legitimate family and descendants.”
Yiannis Thomadakis is pro same-sex marriage. Photo: Supplied.
Yiannis stresses that same-sex couples follow the same process as heterosexual couples in terms of adopting children. Their “aptness” as parents is “assessed by specialised psychologists and social workers,” while he emphatically adds “the scientists agree that, in general, same sex families are equally able to raise children and the sexual orientation of their parents does not influence their own.”
As to the main objectors of this bill, Yiannis emphasises that the Church and “far right political entities” acted in a similar way towards a 1982 Greek government bill that did pass. This bill legislated women’s rights in Greece, such as “their liberation from the dowry, the establishment of their right to divorce, their right to abortion, the establishment of the civil (non-religious) marriage, as well as the decriminalisation of adultery.”
He is totally opposed to a same-sex marriage referendum, seeing it as an irrational thing to debate.
“It is a bill dealing with constitutionally recognised and strictly protected human rights of personal freedom, and freedom to make a family (as freedom of expression),” he said.
Yiannis said introducing same-sex marriage would benefit Greece. Photo: Supplied.
Yiannis concludes by stating his belief that the same-sex marriage law will also be of benefit to the Greek public.
“It will spread the message of an open, just, sensitive, progressive society, that includes everyone and teaches that what matters the most for a healthy family is love towards the children and not the private lives of their parents,” he said.
Traditional family unit:
Lefteris K. is a married 66-year-old Law Clerk. He and his wife have two adult children and also grandchildren. Lefteris is adamantly against same-sex marriage.
“God gave women a womb,” he says, continuing, “I don’t care what gays do, but don’t be an example of ‘family’ to my grandkids. No to civil marriage as well for homosexuals, and definitely no to them having children.”
He mentions the “2030 plan” and spiritedly continues, “…the WHO (World Health Organisation) want to destroy the family, to bring in the new order of things. It’s Bill Gates’ globalist plan to reduce the world’s population. That way, the powers that be have more control, as it’s easier to control less people. So this same-sex marriage agenda is to further reduce Greece’s already low birthrates.”
Lefteris K is also against same-sex marriage. Photo: Supplied.
He claims that the only salvation towards a dignified life is found within the traditional family unit.
“Don’t expect the schools to help, when here in Greece too they are referring to mothers or fathers as Parent 1 or Parent 2. What do you expect from a government who doesn’t really govern – who are a joke,” he said.
Lefteris K. Photo: Supplied.
In closing, he excitedly asserts, “I’m not a Marxist, nor a capitalist. I’m a patriot. If people don’t wake up to these new world order ideas – such as gay marriage – it’ll be too late. People should stay close to their families, converse with others, seek alternative forms of news and education online, and read books – like Orwell’s, 1984.”
Agree or disagree with same-sex marriage, there are also those here in Greece who state that they just don’t care about it, expressing that they see it as a diversion from the ‘real’ issues – such a waning quality of life due to economic hardship.
It’s that time of year again where florists are filled with fresh flowers and happy customers looking to buy their loved one’s roses.
With Valentine’s Day coming up, Anne Andrades from Waratah Florist in Earlwood, Sydney spoke with The Greek Herald about what goes on in the flower world in the lead up to the big day.
“It’s definitely a crazy time of year,” Anne said.
“[The orders] start trailing in a couple of weeks before, and then even up to the last minute, we have people ringing up and wanting flowers all over Sydney.
Red roses are a popular choice at Waratah. Photo: Waratah Florist.
“We’ve just always got to be ready as we don’t know what to expect yet, but there’s a lot of preparation taking place in the lead up.
Anne said they sell thousands of bunches of roses each year for Valentine’s Day, but other flowers are also popular at Waratah Florist.
“Roses and lilies are the most popular. In my area particularly, quite a few people opt for roses and lilies together,” she said.
“We also offer people add-ons like chocolates, candles and bottles of champagne which customers can purchase with the flowers too.”
Anne said the shop is always full of love for Valentine’s Day. Photo: Waratah Florist.
Anne said despite the current increase in prices for many things Australia-wide due to the cost-of-living crisis, Waratah Florist tries to remain reasonable.
“We’ve still got our regular customers that come in and support us,” she said.
“Even though the prices go up for us at the market, we still try and keep our prices as reasonable as we can. That’s one of the reasons as to how we maintain our business, because we have great, loyal customers who are constantly coming in.”
The florist said despite how stressful it can be to work during the Valentine’s Day period, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“The shop is full of love and people that are in the love, so everyone’s pretty happy during this time of year,” Anne explained.
“Our staff always seem extra happy and motivated for sales during this time. The shop is also full for the whole day and people are generally in a good mood and it’s just a really nice time to be working.
“It is stressful, but it’s lovely at the same time.”
Waratah Florist is open to the last minute for all your Valentine’s Day needs. Photo: Waratah Florist.
Anne thanked customers for all the support they receive.
“Our customers are the reason we are here and why we love it so much. They’re not only customers, but they’re our friends, and we couldn’t imagine life without them,” she said.
Waratah Florist deliver all over Sydney and Australia wide. Anne said they cater to everyone and will be open for Valentine’s Day until the last minute.
“It’s always good to get your orders in early just so we can prepare… but if it comes to the day and you’re not organised, we can still help you,” she said.
Waratah Florist is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6:30pm, Saturday 8 am to 5 pm and Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm. You can find it at 4/322 Homer Street in Earlwood, Sydney.
The official 2024 season launch for the National Premier Leagues NSW and Football NSW Leagues competitions took place on Saturday, February 10 in the presence of players, administrators, and media at Valentine Sports Park.
A total of 78 players from five of the senior men’s and women’s competitions came together and were announced to the media with the help of Master of Ceremonies and avid football media personality Adam Peacock.
“Demand and interest in the game is at an all-time high,” said Football NSW Chairman Gilbert Lorquet.
“We’re currently seeing a record numbers of community football registrations, while the reach of our NPL NSW and Leagues competitions reached new heights in 2023.
“Our Football NSW State Leagues continue to illustrate their vital role in the development of players, coaches, and referees, with many 2023 representatives going on to make debuts in the current A-Leagues season.
“We’re looking forward to seeing even more supporters getting behind their local Clubs in 2024.”
The NSW Minister for Sport, The Hon. Stephen Kamper, was also in attendance, speaking highly of Football NSW’s Clubs and Competitions, while wishing participants well for the season ahead.
A player’s panel of NPL NSW products featured APIA Leichhardt FC’s Ashlie Crofts, Blacktown City FC’s Travis Major, Sydney FC’s Joe Lacey and Western Sydney Wanderers’ Madison McComasky.
Photo: Football NSW.
The player’s panel was followed by a discussion with coaches and referees, speaking about the vital role the Football NSW competitions play in developing both player and non-player participants.
Hills United FC Men’s Coach and former Socceroos representative, Luke Casserly, was joined by Football NSW Institute Women’s Head Coach, Lisa Warriner and leading referee Stephen Lucas.
It’s set to be a busy year on the broadcast front with Football NSW’s competition live streaming returning to YouTube in 2024, with every NPL Men’s and Women’s NSW match set to be shown live, free and on demand.
Weekly Match of the Rounds for Football NSW League One Men’s and Women’s will continue to be broadcast in 2024, in addition to the NPL NSW Championship series’ and men’s promotion / relegation play-offs, all of which will feature expert commentary.
2024 NPL NSW and Football NSW Leagues Commencement Dates:
Four Pan-Thessalian associations from New South Wales came together on Friday, February 3, to raise funds for the flood victims of Thessaly, Greece.
The association raised $44,000 on the night.
The event had a great turnout. Photo: Supplied.
The fundraising event was held at the Greek Community Club in Lakemba and was a great success with a significant turnout from the community.
The four associations who organised the event were: Meteora Association of NSW (George Mpliokas); Elassonas Association of NSW (Ilias Katsidis); Hasion Association of NSW (Aspasia Rossides); and Pan Thessalian Federation of NSW “Karaiskakis” (Asterios Tsintzas); along with their respective Committees.
A dance performance took place at the fundraiser. Photo: Supplied.Photo: Supplied.
Present at the event were a number of official guests including Ioannis Hatzistergiou and his wife; George Lianos from AHEPA Australia; and numerous media representatives.
The night was emceed by Mr Mpliokas, and there were dancing performances by the Aristotelian Dance Academy. Aris Chatzigiorgiou provided the delicious food.
The Pan-Thessalian organisations thanked all donors and everyone for attending.
The Federal Government has included a “right to disconnect” in its industrial relations bill, which was rushed through the Senate last week in a last-minute deal with the Greens and crossbench.
According to News.com.au, the proposal is designed to prevent employees from being punished for refusing to answer unreasonable work calls or emails after they have finished work.
In a post on X, Greens leader Adam Band posted “If you’ve been asked to answer an email, take a call, or edit a doc on your day off, then this one’s for you.”
If you’ve been asked to answer an email, take a call, or edit a doc on your day off, then this one’s for you:
The Greens have just won you the Right to Disconnect.
Now, you’ll have the right to ignore your boss when you clock off.
“Is this the way to drive our country forward?” Mr Zempilas said.
“Is this the spirit with which we built our great nation? Is this the attitude which has meant good people can work hard and get ahead? I think not.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also backed the changes, which have already been introduced in several nations overseas.
“What we’re simply saying is someone who’s not being paid 24 hours a day shouldn’t be penalised if they’re not online and available 24 hours a day,” Mr Albanese said.
Stonebridge Property Group has announced the sale of IGA Sutherland for $18,000,000, via an on-market Expressions of Interest campaign.
The fully leased neighbourhood shopping centre enjoys excellent exposure from its corner location, flexible planning controls, and prime retail position in the heart of the Sutherland Village, situated 300 metres from Sutherland Station.
The Centre is anchored by a VicsFresh IGA Supermarket and is complemented by three supporting retailers including a butcher and green grocer. The Property drew very strong interest, attracting over 125 enquiries and 17 data room participants.
Photo: Supplied.
Set on a large 2,910 sqm landholding, the Property enjoys flexible E2 Commercial Centre zoning unlocking the potential for a future mixed-use development. All tenancies contain demolition clauses within their leases, ensuring access and unlocking optionality.
The K2 Property Development Group is a boutique developer with a track record of delivering high quality projects. Recently recognised by the industry by winning the 2023 HIA Apartment of the Year and 2022 HIANSW Home of the Year. K2 are preparing a development application for a landmark mixed-use scheme, capitalising on the current undersupply of residential accommodation and in line with the significant amount of residential development occurring in Sutherland and Cronulla.
Photo: Supplied.
Managing Director, Michael Koundouris stated, “It is a desirable property, and we are looking at various options for this development, part of the development will remain in our investment portfolio and the residences will be taken to market. We are excited to collaborate with exceptional engineers and architects to offer Sutherland residents more than just a home.”
Stonebridge’s Alex James-Elliott said, “Sydney metropolitan supermarket and neighbourhood shopping centres have always been strongly contested when offered to market due to their irreplaceable land holdings and defensive income stream. Private investors are aggressively targeting these assets, especially those located within close proximity to transports hubs, with significant unsatiated investor demand.”
A truck driver has been charged with dangerous driving which resulted in the death of Soula Catsaitis on Mangrove Mountain in January.
56-year-old Soula was killed on the scene after a truck crashed into her Landcruiser on Wisemans Ferry Road on January 19.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the truck driver, Jeffery Michael Sankey, was not injured at the time, but was taken to the hospital to undergo mandatory testing.
Soula Catsaitis’ funeral took place on Saturday, February 10. Photo: Deaths and Funerals.
The 69-year-old was granted conditional bail to appear before Gosford Local Court on Wednesday, February 7, but he provided the court with a medical certificate from a Woy Woy GP and was excused from attending.
Sankey will be required to appear in court on April 7, but will be able to be excused again if legally represented.
For Sankey’s case, police will be looking into documents containing “both physical evidence as well as dashcam footage” of the alleged offences.
Soula’s family held a funeral for her on Saturday, February 10 at St James Anglican Church in Wyong.
Aggeliki Nikolouli’s popular Greek TV show ‘Light in the Tunnel’ has joined the search to help police find one of Australia’s most wanted criminals, James Dalamangas.
Dalamangas has been wanted by police since April 1999 after allegedly murdering George Giannopoulos in Belmore, Sydney.
The case gained attention in Greece after the Australian Federal Police issued a global alert with a $200,000 reward for any information on Dalamangas’ whereabouts.
Australian authorities believe Dalamangas, now aged 53, is currently living in Greece and may be using different names including “James,” “Jim,” “Tim,” “Dimitrios,” “Dimitris,” “Mitsos,” “Takis” and “Kanis.”
He is described as being 1.82 metres tall, with brown eyes and hair, and a tattoo with Greek letters on his right arm.
James is one of Australia’s most wanted criminals.
The ‘Light in the Tunnel’ show visited the Greek village of Gorgomylos, where Dalamangas’ father comes from, and asked residents about the wanted man, but they said they had not seen or heard of anyone that could be him.
The Greek Herald journalist Panagiotis Dalatariof was also interviewed by Nikolouli during the show and commented on the sentiment within Australia’s Greek community at the time of the murders.
Australian authorities made a statement revealing the importance of finding Dalamangas.
“It is very important to find this man,” an Australian police officer said on the show.
“In Greece, this crime will soon be time-barred. We believe that someone there knows where Dalamangas is. We won’t stop until we find him. We urge the people of Greece to help us find him.”
