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RE: SKOPJE WON'T PLAY BALL (http://www.helleniccomserve.com/skopjewontplayball.html)

May I just submit a simply response the the article about the refusal to cooperate with UN and Greece over the proposed name issue. I have no sympathy at all for the former republic of Yugoslavia. They say it is too high a Price for them to pay to negotiate the name " Republic Of Macedonia"? They were assimilated into the soviet consciousness and fed lies about their true heritage, now that they have broke off they want to use the same tactics to steal the heritage, and certainly in time the land itself, of the Greek people. I find it to be a tragedy for all people of Greek Tradition to teach and preserve the heritage and traditions of our for fathers, who fought and died for the right to be Free Greeks and to have their land of the Ancient Greeks.Now after the wars and deaths and struggles , they have a small portion of that and it is called Greece.In this debate it seems clear that the Greek government, and all Greeks of the Diaspora, and all who support the plight of Greece, need to be clear that the word Macedonia is Greek, has always been Greek, and should never , never be permitted to be part of the Former Yugoslavians country name. That is no matter how it is spelled. Please write,talk,do what you can and need to to convince all parties involved that we support the Former Yugoslavian Republic in protecting and preserving their heritage , but not in stealing ours.--Jeffrey Serfes, ME (26 November 2007)


HCS Readers Write about the HCS Website


I
came across the site when searching for “Hellenic” news. I want to thank you. . . for the many and generous philanthropic projects you have provided, begun, funded and brought to fruition.--Maria V., Miami, FL

BRAVO! Just wanted to say thank you. I was searching the web for info on Greek Citizenship and came upon your website. Please thank the Papoutsy's for their generosity, they sound like amazing people. The web site is a valuable link that does a fine job of servicing the needs of Greeks everywhere. How refreshing, professionally done and desperately needed--Dena Platis.

Like the site very very much. Wish you had more audio downloads of music. Perhaps even some video downloads..
Thanks for the great work and effort. Well worth it!--Stephen Kalivas

I heard for the first time a sample of Miserlou on your web site. Wow! It was fabulous.--Joanne Melachrinos, PA

. . . Your work is unique on the internet. Keep up the good work.--Catherine Tsounis, Ph.D.

. . . the best site of the Greek Diaspora in the web.--Christos D. Katsetos, M.D., Ph.D., FRCPath

. . . Keep up the good work.--Michael C. Geokas, M.D., Ph.D.

Love your focus and your website. . . .--Claire Mamakos, US

Thank you for the informative links to history and cultural heritage and more. . . .[they] have brought me even closer to the weave I share with many other Australian-, American-, Canadian- (among others) born Greeks. It interests me, the wealth of information that comes from this site.--Chris Ginis, Australia

I read with great interest your "Tribute to Greek Musicians." It's a wonderful and fitting tribute to these great musicians.--Steve Lemonakis, PA

You have linked our culture, geography, and history brilliantly with our spirituality.--Yvonne Montesantos, NY.

Thank you for playing such an important part in the Greek American Community--Anna Houghton, Esq., Athens, Greece

Thank you for your web site - long over due. It offers an excellent link to the past and present of anyone who seeks information about family ties to the land and history of Greece.--Despoina Spanos Ikaris, Ph.D., NY

I am very pleased to see the success of this website. As Bay State District Governor of the Daughters of Penelope, this website affords me the opportunity to stay abreast of regional events and issues. Thank you for your continued support.--Joanne Housianitis, DOP DG Bay State #8

Keep up the Hellenic Good Work.--Andreas Alexis

. . .great site! I already have you bookmarked to re-visit later!--Austin Boone, NY

Love this web, I'll be back soon to checek it again.--Danielle Rollman, NY

I am very impressed with the website. Keep it up.--Gabrielle Quint, NY

Great site! Regards: Thanks for the good info Way I'll be back very soon to see any update.--Sophia Darvin, NY

I bookmarked this site immediately!--Kaylee Chakotay, NY

Nice site!--Aidan Santos, NY

Nice site! Your hard work paid off.--Nathan Brown, NY

I bookmarked this site immediately!--Julia Rhodes, NY

Great site !!--Michael Alivisatos

Wahoo! It's gorgeous, easy to navigate, fun to look at, and I'll be ba-ack!--Jasmine Drazman, NY

I am a new visitor to your site and am amazed with the information and coverage. I learned about your site at the recent AHEPA Convention in Boston. Your scholarship list is fantastic and a wonderful resource. I never imagined that there were so many! . . . I have now book marked your site and look forward to reviewing it regularly.--Elaine Kerasiotes, DOP DG Michigan #10

A useful and informative site.--Apostolos Papageorgiou, Agii Anagyri, Greece

. . .
the re-designed Asia Minor/Smyrna section of your website is excellent. . .--Stavros T. Stavrides, Australia

Bravo , Bravo , I commend the author what a wonderful paper.["The Meaning of OXI Day," by Litsa Stathacopoulos] True and to the point. How proud the hellenic society must be today and every day for this and many other great moments in our history. Raise the Greek flag and proclaim proudly , our forfathers were brave and thier blood flows today in our veins. Zito H Ellas.--Loukas Serfes, Maine

I really enjoyed my visit. A great site.--Eric Berlin, NY

Un emplacement charmant, des salutations a tous et jouissent du web--Jocelyn Ogawa, NY

Excellent website,keep up this great resource!--Brooke Wagner, NY

I have visited your site and. . .[found] it very well organized. Really good job!--Timothy Tannbaum

I enjoyed looking around your web site. It is very well done.--Audrey Manheim, NY

Hello, nice page and it downloads very fast. Enjoyed it very much.--Michelle Lang, USA

Hello: I am a 2nd generation Greek American/Canadian born in Boston and living in Vancouver, BC. Thank you for an extremely helpful and well organized website. With just one visit, I have been able to find about 2 concerts I can attend in the Pacific Northwest and join the Historical and Genealogical Association. I also enjoyed finding out about the painter in Vatoussa, as my family is from the island of Lesbos. I look forward to using your website in the future. Thanks again.--Dr. Elaine Day. Canada

. .
.best of luck to you on your very fascinating web sites.--Mike Korologos, UT



HCS Readers Write about Specific HCS Articles

RE: SKOPJE WON'T PLAY BALL (http://www.helleniccomserve.com/skopjewontplayball.html)

May I just submit a simply response the the article about the refusal to cooperate with UN and Greece over the proposed name issue. I have no sympathy at all for the former republic of Yugoslavia. They say it is too high a Price for them to pay to negotiate the name " Republic Of Macedonia"? They were assimilated into the soviet consciousness and fed lies about their true heritage, now that they have broke off they want to use the same tactics to steal the heritage, and certainly in time the land itself, of the Greek people. I find it to be a tragedy for all people of Greek Tradition to teach and preserve the heritage and traditions of our for fathers, who fought and died for the right to be Free Greeks and to have their land of the Ancient Greeks.Now after the wars and deaths and struggles , they have a small portion of that and it is called Greece.In this debate it seems clear that the Greek government, and all Greeks of the Diaspora, and all who support the plight of Greece, need to be clear that the word Macedonia is Greek, has always been Greek, and should never , never be permitted to be part of the Former Yugoslavians country name. That is no matter how it is spelled. Please write,talk,do what you can and need to to convince all parties involved that we support the Former Yugoslavian Republic in protecting and preserving their heritage , but not in stealing ours.--Jeffrey Serfes, ME (26 November 2007)

RE: ??

I am an Australian born Macedonian researching factual information about the heritage of Macedonia. What I found on your site was a biased article to which you have named "The History of Macedonia". What I cannot understand is that Greece, who named one of their states Macedonia in order to GAIN reference of any Ancient Macedonian related information history has now taken the responsibility to document the history of the country of Macedonia on a Greek website. Macedonia and its Macedonians does not need representation from a Greek site. We have plenty of Macedonian representation out their. It just shows how stupid and insecure Greeks are by posting a negative outlook on its neighbouring countries history.--Stoj

RE: THE MEANING OF OXI DAY (http://www.helleniccomserve.com/oxidaystathacopoulos.html)

Join me everyone in not only shouting Oxi today but in shouting Bravo to,Litsa Stathacopoulos, your article was outstanding. I could feel your pride and love for our shared heritage and it stoked the flames of my pride and love as well. Truly a major event and turning point in the history of Greece, Europe and WWII. A very well written article.--Jeffrey Serfes, ME (29 October 2006)

RE: FRENCH BILL OUTRAGES TURKEY (http://www.helleniccomserve.com/frenchbill.html)

It is clear that the French Bill crimanilizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide is a two-edged sword. Some proponents will argue that it attacks free speech. Maybe they are correct from that perspective. However I can accept such an argument because it allows us the opportunity to expose the fallacious, distorted and misinformed views of the deniers of the Armenian Genocide with historical works based on archival sources.

However when you have laws that punish those denying the Jewish Holocaust, then it is appropriate to apply the same criteria to the Armenian Genocide. The law has to be equally applied to both sides or not at all.

It is the time for the Greek diaspora to started lobbying for the international recognition of our Genocide. We have nothing to fear because there is abundant archival documents proving that such an event did occur. I have attempted through my historical research and writing to show the various angles in which the Hellenic Genocide can be approached.--Stavros Stavridis, Australia (28 October 2006)

RE: BETRAYAL AND BARBARITY: ASIA MINOR 1922 (http://www.helleniccomserve.com/makredesgeorgespeech.html)

Can this be an example of the well known saying, "money is the root of all evil" ? I have read so many stories of the barbaric treatment of the Turks on Greeks and other Christian citizens of the land they had invaded. And this publication is so very important. As with the Martyrdom of Christians in ancient times and in Communist Russia, these stories need to be told, sung . . ., shouted in the streets. We can not afford to forget. If we become silent and if we allow this to somehow vanish in time, then we too have become the victims. Let Smyrna forever live in our hearts and our minds, and the Catastrophe kept before us and the world as a constant reminder of just how far one race will go to destroy another. Is this only history? Was it not only a month ago or so that the Ambassador from Turkey was talking to Secretary Rice and openly denied this ever happened? If we remain silent will history repeat itself? Thank you Hellenic Communication Services for your continual dedication.--Jeffrey S., Maine

RE: RICE RAISES PATRIARCHATE'S UNOBSTRUCTED OPERATION, HALKI SEMINARY REOPENING, WITH TURKISH PM IN WASHINGTON TALKS (http://www.hellenccomserve.com/riceraisespatriarchate.html)

Read the article of the visit from the FM of Turkey and his comments, frankly seems like the same old thing. How tragic to finish by denying the catastrophy and saying no genocide of Armenians ever took place. Saddened but not really surprised.--Jeffrey S., Maine (03 August 2006)

RE: PETITION EU FOR AGIA SOPHIA (http://www.helleniccomserve.com/petitionagiasophia.html)

Hi; I tried to vote for the petition to preserve 'St. Sophia Cathedral'. But, you are telling me that I have voted too many times already. This not true. I have never voted. If you want to say that you already have the 1000 signatures.That that would more appropiate. Thank you, and good luck.--Anonymous

[HCS Editors: We reviewed the petition page and found it working properly on 11 March 2006.

For another opinion on the status of Agia Sophia, read on for the remarks by Dr. Anthony Limberakis of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate sent to the Greek News site in October 2005 (http://www.greeknewsonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3801&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0):


Your readers may have received an email requesting them to sign a petition supporting the “restoration and reopening” of Hagia Sophia. The email states that this petition would oppose Turkey’s entry into the European Union unless or until the Turkish government “restored” Hagia Sophia (currently a museum) to a church. To my mind, Hagia Sophia is the most magnificient edifice in the world. I believe that its mosaics – particularly the 14th century Deisis - is the greatest work of art ever conceived! However, this campaign is misguided and lamentable. It demeans the current survival struggle that is unfolding before us regarding the life of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to which the world community and the Orthodox faithful have barely awaken. The call to action to which all women and men of conscience should respond is the call to protect the living institution of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.

For the greater part of eighteen centuries, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has preserved and passed on the Christian message. Through countless and unimaginable hardships it has remained as a testament to faith and the enlightment of all mankind. Over the course of the last several decades, elements in the Turkish government have systematically moved to extinguish the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Not only has an environment of religious intolerance been fomented, certain members of the Turkish state have persecuted the Orthodox clergy and laity, closed down its only theological school, and confiscated its properties. The litany of aggressive persecutions is vast and ghastly.

Instead of being beguiled in the comfortable click of an email signature endorsing a petition to “restore and reopen” Hagia Sophia, let us all commit to taking profound action to ensure the perpetual health of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Here are some of the many things you can do:

1. Make a donation to the Order of Saint Andrew for its Patriarchal Defense Initiatives. These initiatives will support legal actions in seeking governmental intervention against the repression of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the courts and governments of the United States, Europe and the Middle East;

2. Write President George W. Bush, copying Secretary of State Rice and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, and your Senators and Congressmen, your state, city and local representatives stating something like the following: America was established, in part, because of the desire for religious freedom. The First Amendment makes it very clear that freedom of worship is a fundamental human right recognized by the Founding Fathers and the framers of the United States Constitution. Turkey, as an ally of the United States, ought to recognize legally the Ecumenical Patriarchate; return its confiscated properties back to the Mother Church; not interfere in Patriarchal elections or in the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s canonical governance; and immediately open Halki Theological School which has been closed since 1971. For Turkey to join the European Union it must act like Europeans and Americans; i.e. recognize fundamental religious freedom and inalienable human rights.

3. Contact our brothers and sisters of all faith and creeds, whether they be Orthodox, Catholic or Protestant – Muslim or Jewish and ask them to join in a united stance for religious tolerance and freedom of faith.

These are the true calls to action to which we must respond. Let us resolve to ourselves and the world that a true tragedy of our generation – the extinguishment of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – must be averted.

Sincerely,

Anthony J. Limberakis, MD
Archon Akoutarios
National Commander]


RE: IMMIGRANT 'REGISTRATION' BY JUNE (http://www.helleniccomserve.com/immigrantregistration.html)

[Regarding] the article "Immigrant 'registration' by June" in your page (November 15 ?), it is very annoying to read articles without a date. A lot of serious sites like yours are doing this, on a consistent basis. You see, events without a date can be from misleading to useless. Please *do an effort* to date your articles. Thank you. Kind regards--Anton Tempos, Greece (12 March 2006)

[HCS Publishers and Editors agree with Mr. Tempos and have decided to place posting dates visible to readers at the foot of each piece on HCS. Many thanks to Mr. Tempos for kindly contacting us with his excellent suggestion. (12 March 2006)]

RE: TAXIARCHIS OF LESVOS (http://www.helleniccomserve.com/taxiarchis.html)

I would like to thank Christos and Mary Papoutsy for publishing a wonderful article on the Hellenic Communication Service site (http://www.helleniccomserve.com/taxiarchis.html) about my blog. It is very kind of them especially because they give to all of us valuable information about the Saint. Thank you so much to both of you!--Manos (http://sainttaxiarchis.blogspot.com/)

RE: FYROM Must Join Greece in Name Compromise: No Historical Basis for "Republic of Macedonia"(http://www.helleniccomserve.com/fyromlomis.html)

Hello , this article about the name controversy of FYROM is a very interesting article. I was surprised to know that Kissinger would have said anything in the defense of Greece, as he only helped to make things difficult for Cyprus in 1974. It was very helpful to include the stamp as a physical image of the country's heritage. The compromise I was not in favor of, although I see the author's point. I have and still believe that it would be in the best interest of Greece noy yo allow the word "Macedonia" or a Slavic spelling thereof, to be used by another country to define their own heritage. And I believe that goes for . . .[naming] a province or county as well. It would be akin to naming Aroostook County [northern Maine] "Canadian County," to reflect the possible ethnic group we may think dominates that county. Of course I don't want to take away the true heritage of anyone that is Hellenic and living in Southern Yugoslavia. However, the country is Serb/Slav and NOT Greek. Greece should not allow it's heritage to be taken from them in one fell swoop or in small victories; remember it was the small victories that Stalin and Tito saw as the way to change the consciousness of the people and win the rights to the land. I do support the country reclaiming it's own true heritage, for the people mostly, and also for the government. This would heal the country, would help to build their heritage and history in the name of truth. And they could move into the future proudly, . . .[but] would need to accept the ethnic diversity in their land as any other country would.--Jeffrey S., Maine


RE: HCS Lodges Complaint with National Radio Broadcaster Paul Harvey over Remarks about Cyprus (http://www.helleniccomserve.com/cypruspaulharvey.html)

Bravo, Bravo ! I have tried to keep myself informed over the last couple of years on the issues of Cyprus and FYROM. Most of the current info available to us come[s] from either your wonderful, informative site or from the American Hellenic Institute. Oh, the Pan Macedonian site is very informative regarding the FYROM matter. I have been very disappointed with our current government's treatment of both issues, [but I'm] not really surprised, however, [since] this administration seems to care nothing about the actual people involved in these very serious matters or the Hellenic constituents. Your resp
onse to the Paul Harvey broadcast is outstanding. Let's see if he is made of the right metal. Will he stand up and apologize and attempt to set the record straight? I am not taking this matter lightly. I feel it is very serious and his comments are harmful in many ways, but let me end this e-mail with a small joke poked at Harvey, using his own famous line 'Now from the Hellenic Communication Services, that's the rest of the story.--Jeffrey S., Maine

RE: Caveat Emptor: World Stock Markets May Be Rising Again On the Back of 'Irrational Exuberance' (http://www.helleniccomserve.com/caveatemptor.html)

I read your wonderful article and agree with you in all respects. Since the late 1980's, successive Australian governments have encouraged workers to put their surplus money into superannuation investment accounts. . . .Many people . . . don't understand or have very little knowledge of how the stock market and financial investment systems work. All I can say is that some people who will invest their superannuation with these new financial companies may in the end lose everything.[Read entire response.] --Stavros Stavrides, Australia

RE: Caveat Emptor: World Stock Markets May Be Rising Again On the Back of 'Irrational Exuberance' (http://www.helleniccomserve.com/caveatemptor.html)

You are quite right in your article. But the situation seems to be the result of four things . . . . On top of that, the CEO's of corporations receive almost obscene salaraies and fringe benefits, which do not really reflect their achievements. I agree that CEO and top management should be well-paid, but look at the earnings in the financial community: those people were NOT worth their money. They have gambled away many a person's future, retirement, home and education.[Read entire response.]--Rudi Neumann, Austria



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