Queens Gazette

Education As A Light Highlighted at Christmas Party of Greek American Education Organizations



Event

“School teachers have such powers that prime ministers can only dream about” – Plato1

A rich program of culture was featured at the December 15th, 2019 evening Christmas Celebration of the Federation of Hellenic American Educators and Cultural Associations of America, the “Hellenic Paideia” of America and The Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus,” at the Stathakion Cultural Center,  22-51 29th Street, Ditmars Boulvard and 23rd Avenue in Astoria, NY. Over 200 persons attended. His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophos, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, His Grace Bishop Ierotheos of Efkarpia, Abbot of the Sacred Patriarchal Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou, Cyprus Consul General Alexis Phedonos, George Hatzimarkos, Governor of the Hellenic Republic Region of South Aegean, Prof. Demosthenes Triantafillou of the Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” and prominent community members attended. Presentation of awards to Honorees was given. Musical, student participation, video film with refreshments made this an evening to remember. For detailed information, contact:  Mrs. Stella Kokolis, 718 491-2558; Mrs. Vasiliki Filiotis, 718 844-0902 and Mrs. Meropi Kyriakou 201 748-0161.

The program consisted of the following: M.C.Dr. Despina Afentouli, Reporter; Invocation, His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophos, Primate of the Greek

Archbishop Elpidophoros addressing audience with enthusiasm.

Orthodox Archdiocese of America; National Anthems of the USA and Greece; Mrs. Stella Kokolis, President of the Federation of Hellenic-American Educators and Cultural Associations of America; Mrs. Vassiliki Filiotis, President of the “Hellenic Paideia” of America; Mrs. Meropi Kyriakou, President of Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus”; Dr. Anastasios Koularmanis, Director of Hellenic Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; Mr. Kleanthis Meimaroglou, President of the Hellenic Societies of Greater NY; Musical interlude with seasonal songs by soprano Anna Tsoukalas and pianist Gregory Post; Twenty minute screening of the documentary film “Patmos”; Presentation of the Honorees awards and spiritual remarks by His eminence Archbishop Elpidophorus, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; Short program by students of our schools; Benediction by His Grace Bishop Ierotheos of Efkarpia, Abbot of the Sacred Patriarchal Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou.

His Eminence gave an emotional address. “I am a fellow educator, from the University of Thessaloniki,” he said. “I understand your problems. You are heroes. What you teach, you must understand the students’ characters. Educators have my respect and love. Greek Paideia is my soul. We cannot do anything without a love for Greek heritage and history. Christianity, Byzantium and Greek Orthodoxy is built on Greek Philosophy and civilization.”

Archbishop Elpidophoros passionately state “We will not lose Greek Civilization here in the United States of America that is a Democracy. We must not lose our Greek language, soul, roots and history. We will support Greek language, civilization and Greek Orthodoxy.” The audience responded with a standing ovation. His Eminence was born in Bakirköy, Istanbul. The primate understands the meaning of being a Greek Orthodox/Eastern Christian in Western Anatolia. As Aristotle said “The most perfect political community is one in which the middle class is in control, and outnumbers both of the other classes.

 

Youth with educators.

The planned charter schools of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese were discussed with Dr. Kourlamanis. “The Charter Schools Program Title V, Part B Non-Regulatory Guidance handbook states “As with other public schools, charter schools may not provide religious instruction, but they may teach about religion from a secular perspective. And though charter schools must be neutral with respect to religion, they may play an active role in teaching civic values.”3  Dr. Kourlamanis said “Opening charter schools in community buildings allows to offer children religion in aftercare programs. We need to bring our children closer to us no matter what avenues we take.” Charter schools are the wave of the present.4

President Christos Vournas and second Vice-President Dimitrios Filios  and Mrs. Angeliki Vournas educator/international artist of the Geros Tou Morea, New York Chapter #1 of the Pan Arcadian Federation of America attended for a purpose: promote the creation of the John Giannopoulos statue in St. Augustine, Florida. Mr. Vournas and Mr. Filios presented a donation of $1500 to Mrs. Stella Kokolis for the Gianopoulos statue project.

John Giannopoulos, also known as Juan Genopoly, was one of the three “Minorcans” who fled the New Smyrna Colony in 1777 to plead the case of freedom for all the colony survivors to Gov. Patrick Tonyn in St. Augustine. Tonyn granted them freedom and a place to stay. Originally from Mani, Greece, Genopoly adhered to Orthodox tradition. He married Antonia Rosella, of Minorca, and was a carpenter by trade and a teacher to children. Genopoly went on to build what we know today as the “Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse.” He promoted knowledge through education and is regarded in high esteem by the Greek community.5

“Plato said education is the second sun of man” explained Mrs. Meropi Kyriakou, President of Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus”. “Education centers around the well being of the student. The Greek School instills Greek education in the Greek American youth, instilling a positive self-image. We sincerely thank the parents and grandparents who bring their children and grandchildren to Greek school with dedication.”

Mrs. Meropi Kyriakou

“We have the responsibility to preserve the Greek legacy in education,” President Filiotis explained. Parents and grandparents must encourage children from an early age of the spiritual heritage of Greek civilization. We support Modern Greek language studies and urge all youth to enroll. The Hellenic Paideia Organization’s goal is to encourage Greek-Americans and their friends to speak Greek. We must leave an inheritance to the next generation. “We must survive as a nation by inspiring the study of our Greek language and history. We must transmit the sacred flame of the study of Greek to the next generation. It is an eternal symbol of Western  civilization. Plutarch said, ‘the very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education.’”

“Let us reflect on the admirable work that the teachers have devoted to their students through the decades,” President Stella Kokolis said. “With courage and

Mrs. Stella Kokolis, legendary educator/community leader
of America.

perseverance, let us continue to kindle the light of Hellenic education. With the assistance of parents and grandparents.” As a single parent, the educator understands the voices of the Greek-American people. She is not a transplanted intellectual from Greece. She feels it is her duty to nurture the values of the Greek language and culture that are rapidly disappearing in the United States. An intellectual with multiple degrees, she has kept our Greek legacy to the west alive.

                

Dr. John Siolas (left to right) with Cyprus Consul General Alexis Phedonos and Dr. Anastasios Koularmanis, Director of Hellenic Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

The Honorees were Nikos Anagnostopoulos, Maria Aspras, Mary Vasilakou, Vassiliki Georgiou, Tom Georgiou, Angie Yanas; Voula Gallianou, Jennifer Gounis, Katerina Drosou, Theodora Efthimiadis, Fanny Zikopoulou Nikos Katsanevakis, Dean Katsaros, Anthi Koulouroudi – Dimidou, Calliope Kountourakis,  Christina Konstantinis, Calliope Makridis, Maria Markogiannis, Dr. Dimitrios Markouizos, Joanna Mentzelopoulou, Aphrodite Mikroutsikou, Diana Misantonis, Ourania Bountounis, Stella Moustakas, George Pampafikos, Marietta Pilarinou – Giannopoulou, Alexandra Roubous, Aginsilaos Triantafyllopoulos, Mary Trianou and Zacharias and Angeliki Fesara, Kalliopi Tsopelas – Kokkinou, Zachrias and Aggeliki Fessara. The event was co-ordinated and presented by sociologist-journalist Dr. Despina Afentouli who did an outstanding broadcast of the Event on Cosmos FM.

 

 

References:

  1. www.golfian.com/102-inspirational-plato-quotes-and-sayings/popular-power-quotes-and-sayings-by-plato/

1.2. www.azquotes.com/author/524-Aristotle/tag/middle-class

3.www2.ed.gov › policy › elsec › guid › cspguidance032

4.heatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/02/does-religion-have-a-place-in-public-schools/516189/

  1. www.staugustine.com/article/20181130/ENTERTAINMENTLIFE/181139958

 

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