Patrides
– Western Bureau April
2008
March 25 1821 –GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS
This day is a double celebration. It is a religious celebration as it is the Annunciation of the Theotokos as well as a national celebration marking the beginning of the revolt by the Greek people against their Ottoman oppressors.
The Hellenic Community of Vancouver commemorated both these events on Sunday, March 23rd. A special memorial service was held at St. George Cathedral in Vancouver, presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios. Representatives from the various Greek communities, Greek schools and other Greek organizations were invited to take part. Many of these came with their flags, banners and memorial wreaths. These were all arranged at the front of the church during the church service. At the end of the memorial service His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios spoke on the importance of the dual celebration of the Annunciation and the Greek Independence day. His Honour George Aravositas, the Consul of Greece then also addressed the people on the importance of this date not only for the people of Greece but for all those of Greek origin around the world. He read the proclamation from the president of the Hellenic Republic, Karolou Papoulia. The Troparion to the Theotokos and the national anthems of Greece and Canada were sung. .
It was at this point that the celebrations took a different turn than in previous years. It was announced that the hall doors would remain locked until the completion of the outdoor service. The various organizations were asked to take their banners and wreaths and to form a procession behind the clergy. The people were asked to wait until all the procession had passed before falling in behind them to exit the church. The clergy led the way outside where the flags and banners were placed around the cenotaph. Short prayers were said before the roll call began for the laying of the wreaths. First to lay the wreath on behalf of the Republic of Greece were the Consul of Greece, George Aravositas and the Maritime Attache Panagiotis Goufas. Then the various communities and organizations were called. Peter P. Kletas lay the wreath on behalf of the Hellenic Community of Vancouver. Maria Hamilton laid a wreath on behalf of the Hellenic Studies of Simon Fraser University. Others laying wreaths included the Hellenic Canadian Congress of BC, Order of AHEPA, Macedonian Association (Alexander the Great), Cretan Association, Roumeletion Association, Messinian Association, Laconian Association, Greek schools and many more. At the conclusion of the laying of the wreaths the Greek and Canadian national anthems were again sung. The hall doors were then opened so that people could enter for the free lunch provided jointly by the Hellenic Community of Vancouver (St. George) and the Consulate of Greece. There were plenty of seafood sandwiches, veggies and fruit. The cooks were kept on their feet keeping up with the demand for the most popular item, the deep fried prawns
A short program of speeches also took place in the hall. The president of the Hellenic Community of Vancouver, Peter P. Kletas thanked everyone for attending the festivities. He read the proclamation received from the city of Vancouver in regards to the Greek Independence Day. The Consul of Greece, George Aravositas also again addressed the people. His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios spoke on the importance of keeping alive the memory of all those who suffered through the long struggle of Independence. It is important that our children and grandchildren be taught the history. He also stated that it is very important that we encourage the younger generations to participate in the communities and to teach them the Orthodox faith. If we do not do so within a generation or two there will be no one to fill the churches. Without the churches and the communities what will be left to hand down to future generations? All the speeches were presented in both Greek and English so young and alike could understand the significance of the occasion.
FLAG- RAISING AT VANCOUVER CITY HALL
For many years the City of Vancouver has issued a special proclamation in regards to the Greek Independence Day. In return the Hellenic Community of Vancouver has presented the city of Vancouver with a Greek flag to be flown for the occasion. This event was started when the Hellenic Community of Vancouver was the only Greek community in the lower mainland, thereby representing all the Greeks of the area, not only those of Vancouver. Since that time other Greek communities have come into being. This flag presentation event is an occasion that could be turned into a major event through the participation of the various Greek organizations all over the lower mainland but instead the Hellenic Community has kept it very low-key, almost a secret event. This year only a handful of people participated in the flag presentation a few days prior to the official celebrations. None of the clergy of the various Greek communities were present and neither was the Consul of Greece or the Maritime Attache. Even the mayor was not there as filling in for Mayor Sam Sullivan was the deputy mayor Elizabeth Ball.
The flag presented to City Hall is not flown on one of the many flag poles on the grounds of the Vancouver City Hall but instead from an upper level window where few people notice it. Perhaps the City of Vancouver would deem the event important enough to actually fly the flag on a proper flagpole on the grounds if the various Greek organizations were encouraged to participate more fully, coming out in large numbers to a flag raising ceremony which could include folk dancing by the children of the Greek communities. It is not too late to organize such an event before the Winter Olympics of 2010. After all Greece is the birthplace of democracy and the Olympics so the flag of Greece should be proudly flown.
MARCH 25TH – OPEN HOUSE
The Consul of Greece, George Aravositas hosted an open house at the Hellenic Community centre on the evening of Tuesday, March 25th in honour of the Greek Independence Day. The Hellenic Community of Vancouver co-sponsored this annual event. Guests who arrived for the occasion were greeted at the door by the Consul George Aravositas and his wife Katie, the Maritime Attache, Panagiotis Goufas and the president of the Hellenic Community Peter P. Kletas.
The doors opened at five-thirty in the evening. The event was scheduled to end by seven but the last guests did not leave until after eight o’clock. The hall was decorated in the national colours of Greece. A huge flag draped the stage from ceiling to floor. Like always it was cocktail style with wine and other refreshments on tables at either end of the hall and other tables for food towards the center of the room. There was a steady supply of appetizers, so everyone could take their pick of either Lenten or non-Lenten.
Master of ceremony for the night was Dimitrios Zambos. Peter P. Kletas welcomed everyone on behalf of the Hellenic Community of Vancouver before turning the microphone over to the Consul of Greece, George Aravositas who spoke on the oppression of the Greeks by the Ottomans and how the Greeks rose up in revolt. Even today Greece has to continue to struggle to ensure the survival of democracy. Again all the speeches were in both English and Greek. The dancers of Dimitrios Kontogianis Greek Dance school gave a rousing performance of a number of popular Greek folk dances. That group consists of dancers from about 7 years of age to those who may be long in years but still light in steps. The Vancouver Hellenic Choir, directed by Angelo Pappas led everyone in the singing of the Troparion of the Theotokos and the national anthems of Greece and Canada, ending the program.
PHAROS –A BUSY SCHEDULE
Pharos – The Canadian Hellenic Cultural Society which usually holds six lectures from October to April at the upper hall of the Hellenic Community Centre in Vancouver this year has extended its lecture season. This year lectures will be extended into June.
On Monday March 30th the guest lecturer was Shelley Reid, MA of the UBC Department of Classics, Near East & Religious Studies who spoke on the topic “Not in Isolation: Medicine in Greek Culture”. To the Greeks of ancient times medicine had both a philosophical as well as a religious basis. In particular the Hippocratic theory was discussed.
On Monday April 28th the guest presenter will be Bill Maranda with “The Making of Raja Edepus in Bali”. He will show a documentary film and discuss the production of the theatre event.
The two extra lectures in May and June will be in collaboration with the Hellenic Canadian Congress of BC and will tie in with Greek Cultural Month 2008. On Monday, May 26th Prof Hector Williams (Langara College) will present “Greeks on the Nile: 3500 years of Greco-Egyptian History”. Then Prof. Andre Gerolymatos (Chair-Hellenic Studies-SFU) will present “The Battle for Kosovo & the Balkans: Past, Present and Future” on Wednesday, June 11th“
Pharos members and friends are also invited to attend the Rt. Hon. Sir Winston Churchill Society of British Columbia presentation on Wednesday, April 23rd at the main ballroom of the Vancouver Club, 915 Hastings Street West, Vancouver. Prof. Andre Gerolymatos will speak on Churchill and Greece. A wine and cheese reception starts at 5:15. The program will follow from 5:50 – 7:00 pm.
LANGLEY
COMMUNITY JOINS VANCOUVER MAR.25TH CELEBRATIONS
Greeks have been attending St. Nicholas Orthodox church in Murrayville, Langley for the past twenty-five years. At the end of last year the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) was approached to take the society under its jurisdiction. By the end of February the constitution and by-laws had been changed accordingly and accepted by the society registry of BC. English is the official language of the Church but Greek and other languages are used for special occasions. At the meeting with His Eminence on March 23rd the Board asked him to find a priest for the church.
