KPHTH. Holocaust of Arkadi. Profile: Mikis Theodorakis Interview: Archbishop Irinaeus of Crete. A symbol of freedom and heroism NOW.

Transcript

1 official publication of the pancretan association of america KPHTH NOVEMBER Register NOW 41 ST NATIONAL CONVENTION CRETE KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008 Holocaust of Arkadi A symbol of freedom and heroism Profile: Mikis Theodorakis Interview: Archbishop Irinaeus of Crete

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3 KPHTH (CRETE) USPS Published monthy except the combined issues of July/August and December/January for $20 per year by the: Pancretan Association of America (PAA) nd Street, East Elmhurst, NY NIKOS KATSANEVAKIS Editor in Chief - Business Manager Tel: / Fax: KPHTH@11211.COM KPHTH (CRETE) 917 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, NY GEORGE ZORBAS COM Publishing Advisor-Reporter Periodical Postage Paid at Flushing, NY and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send Address Change to: KPHTH c/o PAA 8530 Sharon Dr. White Lake, MI YEAR 79th - NO 792 NOVEMBER 2008 Send your letters, photos, advertisement, news, etc at: KPHTH MAGAZINE: PMB#387, Nassau Avenue, Brooklyn, NY OFFICERs OF PAA NATIONAL PRESIDENT: EMMANUEL E. velivasakis, P.E. 220 DELHI ROAD, SCARSDALE, NY Tel. (917) EVelivasakis@TheTTGroup.com FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: john S. sargetis, Esq. Tel. (916) j.sargetis@comcast.net SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: JOHN G. MANOS Tel. (630) jmanos@worldnet.att.net THIRD VICE PRESIDENT: LEFTERIS DRAMITINOS Tel. (714) edramitino@aol.com GENERAL SECRETARY: ERASMIA NOVOTNY 8530 Sharon Drive, White Lake, MI Tel: (248) Fax: Erasmia@aol.com TREASURER: Tom lantzourakis Tel: (909) toml@pancretan.org WOMEN S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: carol travayiakis Tel. (617) ctravayiakis@yahoo.com GENERAL SUPERVISOR: Dr. james saklas Tel. (202) jsaklas@verizon.net LEGAL ADVISOR: JOHN A. KOKOLAKIS, Esq. Tel. (718) john@kokolakis.com AUDITOR GENERAL: ANTONIOS DOGIAKIS Tel. (781) ergotelis@aol.com PYA PRESIDENT: MARIA KIAGIAS Tel. (630) ctngem00@sbcglobal.net YOUTH SUPERVISOR EAST COAST: GREG MANOUSELIS Tel. (718) gmanouselis@aol.com YOUTH SUPERVISOR WEST COAST: GEORGE LIODAKIS Tel. (801) georgeliodakis@aol.com DISTRICT GOVERNORS District 1: EMMANUEL SIFAKIS Tel. (401) emmanuel_sifakis@alumni.brown.edu District 2: VASILIS MARANGOUDAKIS Tel. (516) vmarangoudakis@aol.com District 3: JAMES DENNEY, Esq. Tel. (330) aroni@outdrs.net District 4: NICK VERIKAKIS Tel. (419) nverikakis@buckeye-express.com District 5: GEORGE TSOUTSOUNAKIS Tel. (801) gtsoutsounakis@aol.com District 6: STAMATIS ZOUMBERAKIS Tel. (562) stamatisz@aol.com District 7: JOHN DATSERIS Tel. (704) krete44@aol.com PAA FOUNDATION: THEODORE MANOUSAKIS (703) Theodore.Manousakis@breadandchocolate.net Culture & Education Chair: takis psarakis Tel. (908) ppsaraki@telcordia.com INVESTMENTS CHAIR: Dr. MANUEL G. RUSSON Tel. (914) mrusson@aol.com SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR: REMA MANOUSAKIS Tel. (703) rtmanousakis@comcast.net IT CHAIR: george kokonas Tel. (718) georgekokonas@gmail.com PANCRETAN ENDOWNMENT FUND CHAIR: MARY VASILAKIS Tel. (412) Pithari@aol.com PHILANTHROPIC FUND CHAIR: ROXANNE KOSTON Tel. (650) roxannekoston@hotmail.com STRATEGIC PLANNING: Dr. MARIA HNARAKIS Tel. (215) mh439@drexel.edu EXTERNAL PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR: KOSTANDIS LAMBRAKIS th Street Astoria, NY Tel. (718) PAA Convention Coordinator: kostas travayiakis Tel. (617) ktravayiakis@yahoo.com For more information please visit our site at: 3 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008 contents περιεχόμενα [President s Message] Message from the PAA President Manolis Velivasakis [Letters] Letters from our members [Convention 2009] Message from the 2nd Vice President [Cover Story] The sacrifice of Arkadi [Interview] Archbishop Irinaeus of Crete [Photo Section] Photos from our Chapters [KPI_KPI] News from PYA [Book Review] Olive oil soap made in Crete [Profile] Mikis Theodorakis [Mandinades] [Chapter News] News from our Chapters Arkadi: A symbol of freedom and heroism 12 The mystery of the Labyrinth 20 Register NOW for the 41 ST NATIONAL CONVENTION CRETE 2009 The University of Crete. A beacon of Knowledge

4 [president s message] A tribute to the Heroes and Martyrs of the Holocaust of the Arkadi Monastery 4 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008 Those who do not know, honor and respect their own History face a grim future! Ladies and Gentlemen, Those who do not know, honor and respect their own history face a grim future! Let us therefore make a serious effort to familiarize ourselves with and to honor our forefathers struggles for Freedom, as they were expressed through self sacrifices and their resistance to vicious conquerors as long as it was needed to change the course in history. We, Americans of Cretan descent, have a sacred duty to honor those Martyrs and Heroes, who participated in countless insurgencies, battles and other momentous events throughout the Cretan history for Freedom. A historically significant event which we commemorate in November, and which stands tall above all others, is the Holocaust of the Arkadi Monastery. On November 8, 1866 a handful of Cretan fighters and monks, along with several hundreds of women and children, fought an unequal battle against the barbarian Ottoman Turks. In a defiant and heroic act, the Cretan fighters chose voluntarily to self-sacrifice themselves at the altar of Freedom! It s our sacred obligation to remember and honor those Martyrs and Heroes every year in all our chapters with special gatherings and celebrations, and to offer Church memorials in their honor! Ladies and Gentlemen, Every time I visit the Arkadi Monastery, my heart and soul are filled with awe and pride! How can they not be filled with pride, when you can still smell the gunpowder in the powder magazine? How can they not be filled with owe, when you can still smell the bones of the Martyrs and the Fighters, who sacrificed themselves at the altar of Freedom? Αs I look at the blood-stained glass of Abbot Gabriel, I shiver and tremble at the presence of this Holy and Formidable vision! May the memory of all the Martyrs, the Heroes and the Fighters of the Arkadi Holocaust be blessed, those who with their heroic self-sacrifice, gained the precious Freedom they had been wishing for centuries, and passed it on to us, so that we can abundantly enjoy it today! Brothers and Sisters let us all pay tribute to the Arkadi Monastery Martyrs and the Fighters. Let us kneel in deference to those Heroes and Martyrs of Freedom! In closing, I offer the following Mandinada, apropos to this exceptional anniversary: In Arkadi they incense them, the Saints with gunpowder As they too covet this unique and special smell. Manolis Velivasakis President Pancretan Association of America

5 [μήνυμα προέδρου] Φόρος τιμής προς τους ήρωες και μάρτυρες του Ολοκαυτώματος του Αρκαδίου 5 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008 «Λαός που δεν σέβεται και τιμά τις ιστορικές μνήμες δεν έχει μέλλον!» Αγαπητοί φίλοι και φίλες, Λαός που δεν σέβεται και τιμά τις ιστορικές μνήμες δεν έχει μέλλον! Δεν πρέπει λοιπόν ποτέ να ξεχνάμε τους αγώνες των προγόνων μας για την ελευθερία, όπως εκφράστηκαν μέσα από πράξεις αυτοθυσίας και αντιστάθηκαν στους πάνοπλους κατακτητές όσο χρειάστηκε για να αλλάξει ο ρους της ιστορίας. Εμείς οι Αμερικανοί Κρητικής καταγωγής, έχουμε ιδιαίτερη ιερή υποχρέωση Τιμής στους δικούς μας Μάρτυρες και Ηρωες, που πήραν μέρος σε αμέτρητες επαναστάσεις, μάχες και σε άλλα γεγονότα σημαντικά για την Κρητική ιστορία και για τον αγώνα της Κρήτης προς την Ελευθερία. Ένα τέτοιο γεγονός βεβαίως, το οποίο τιμούμε κάθε Νοέμβριο, είναι ίσως το πιο σημαντικό από όλα τα άλλα και είναι το Ολοκαύτωμα του Αρκαδίου. Στις 8 Νοεμβρίου 1866, μια φουχτιά μαχητές και καλόγεροι μαζί με μερικές εκατοντάδες γυναικόπαιδα εστάθηκαν μπροστά στον Τούρκο και επολέμησαν μεχρι τελευταίας πνοής. Αντί να παραδωθούν, επροτίμισαν να πεθάνουν στον βωμό της Ελευθερίας! Αποτελεί ιερή υποχρέωση για εμάς, να θυμόμαστε και να τιμούμε αυτούς τους Μάρτυρες και τους Ήρωες κάθε χρόνο, σε όλους τους συλλόγους μας, και στις εκκλησίες μας, με μνημόσυνα και προσευχές! Αγαπητοί φίλοι και φίλες, κυρίες και κύριοι, Κάθε φορά που πάω στο Αρκάδι γεμίζει η ψυχή μου δέος και υπερηφάνεια. Πώς να μη γεμίσει υπερηφάνεια, που ακόμη μυρίζεις το μπαρούτι στην Μπαρουταποθήκη; Πώς να μη γεμίσει δέος, που ακόμη μυρίζεις τα κόκκαλα των Μαρτύρων και των Αγωνιστών που θυσιάστηκαν στον βωμό της Ελευθερίας; Σαν βλέπω το ματωμένο ποτήριο του Ηγουμένου Γαβριήλ, με πιάνει ρίγος και τρέμω ολόκληρος μπροστά στο Θείο και φοβερό αυτό όραμα! Ας είναι ευλογημένη η μνήμη όλων των Μαρτύρων, Ηρώων και Αγωνιστών του Ολοκαυτώματος του Αρκαδίου, που με την Ηρωική αυτοθυσία τους κατέκτησαν την πολύτιμη και πολυπόθητη Ελευθερία, την οποία εδώρησαν σ εμάς και την απολαμβάνουμε σήμερα. Η παρακάτω μαντινάδα είναι πολύ απροπό για την μεγάλη αυτή επέτειο: «Στ Αρκάδι τσι θυμιάζουνε τσ Αγίους με μπαρούτι γιατί κι αυτοί τη ρέγονται την μυρωδιά ετούτη.» Ελάτε όλοι μαζί αδέλφια, να αποδώσουμε φόρο τιμής στούς Μάρτυρες Αγωνιστές, και να κλίνωμε ευλαβικά το γόνυ σ αυτούς τους Ήρωες της Ελευθερίας. Μανώλης Βεληβασάκης Πρόεδρος ΠΕΑ

6 [letters] A COMMENTARY ON THE RECENT US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Dear Members and Friends, Earlier this month, we witnessed a historic Presidential election! An election which proved beyond any reasonable doubt that not only is the American Dream alive and well, but at long last, the winds of change have reached the American shores! The election of Barack Obama has created a tremendous anticipation here in the US and abroad for new American policies towards global security, justice, peace, and above all respect for humanity. We warmly congratulate President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph Biden on their landslide victory. In addition, Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin should also be commended for running a vigorous campaign. The Hellenic American community looks forward to working with the new administration in Washington on issues of importance to our community: (1) strengthening U.S.-Greece relations, (2) a viable, just and peaceful solution to the Cyprus issue, (3) a quick and just resolution of the FYROM issue and (4) securing religious freedom and protection of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, including the facilitation of the re-opening of the Theological School in Halki. The already demonstrated interest and understanding of the Hellenic issues by both President-elect Obama and VP-elect Biden is extremely encouraging and presents a unique opportunity for progress on all fronts. All of us however must continue to work hard to keep our Hellenic issues at the forefront at all centers of power in Washington. We are elated that all Greek-American members of Congress were successful in their reelection bids and congratulate them all: U.S. Reps. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Zack Space (D-OH), Niki Tsongas (D-MA) and Shelley Berkley (D-NV). In addition, we welcome and congratulate Dina Titus (D-NV), who accomplished the difficult task of unseating an incumbent. Greetings Emmanuel, I recently read the special report you wrote in the July- August issue of KPHTH on Pioneer Greeks of the West and was very touched. My grandfather Michail Tsouroupakis was one of those Pioneers arriving on Ellis Island in 1910 and then travelling to Salt Lake City where he worked as a miner for 18 years before going back to Crete. He died when my father was very young and he remembers stories that he used to tell him about the conditions and how poorly they were treated. In fact my grandfather was stuck in one of the mines for three days during an explosion which cost him his hearing in one of his ears. I m truly pleased that you honored these amazing people in your article and that the next generation of Greeks and Cretans know what sacrifices were made by many. Regards Michael Tsouroupakis, President Cretans Association of Toronto Knossos Dear Scholarship Committee Members of the PAA, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for being selected as one of the scholarship recipients. I have always felt the support of the Pancretan Association in the furthering of my education and success as a young Cretan-American and this is another display of this support. The Pancretan Association has been very generous in awarding thousands of dollars each year in scholarships to help the youth afford to continue their studies to create a strong future generation. It is very evident that through these scholarships and the PYA, the Cretans are working diligently to help establish the knowledge and skills in the youth so we re prepared to lead the PAA in preserving the culture and heritage of Crete in the years to come. I hope that one day I have the opportunity to help others in the way you have demonstrated your support to me throughout the years. With gratitude, Asimina Boutzoukas Last but not least, the noble efforts of our fellow Greek-American challengers Jane Mitakides (D-OH) and Jim Trakas (R-OH) are to be commended. Challenging incumbents is never an easy task and thus both are to be applauded for their spirited efforts. It is imperative that we encourage more and more Greek-Americans to run for public office at all levels of government. Sincerely, Manolis Velivasakis 6 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008

7 [convention 2009] The Excitement is Building! I sent in my deposit for my family s reservation a few months ago and read in the September issue to call Homeric and follow up to complete my PAA 2009 Convention reservations. Within days, I called and spoke to Doug at Homeric, I advised him who I was and why I was calling and he was very receptive and eager to help. Within 15 minutes, I completed my reservations, and booked my cruise. I was able to reserve the cabins that I wanted and am eagerly awaiting the cruise!! I reserved 3 rooms, one for my wife and myself, one for my children, and one for my mother and aunt, all in a row so as to have the children s room in the middle. The earlier you book your room, the better the chances will be that you can obtain the accommodations that you will want. We are giving the cruise tickets to my mom and aunt as their Surprise Christmas present as they may never have an opportunity to do this again. I was excited to hear that there were over 300 reservations already made and that did not include at least 20 more from Chicago that I knew had not yet reserved their tickets. Our goal is to get as close to 1,000 people on the cruise as possible. It is a large commitment on the part of the Board; however, this is the PAA and the PAA is us! The success of this convention rests on our shoulders, on each individual member, on the PAA Board, and on the local Chapters. So Yes, NOW is the time to call! Call to make your reservation NOW! Have your family make their reservations, NOW! Call your fellow Cretans to reserve their cabins, NOW! Call your friends to make their reservations, NOW! This will go down in the record books as one of the greatest PAA Conventions ever Be a Part of It!! Pick up the phone and call Homeric; surprise your family, give them a Christmas present that they will never forget. Give them an opportunity to see Crete in ways they will never forget! Let them walk the limani at Chania, the palio poli in Rethymno, visit Knossos and Arkadi, visit the museum of Heraklion, visit Spinalonga Island. I encourage all of you to join us. The contract is signed, the ship is reserved, the itinerary is set, the convention committees are working and we are setting sail!! Call Homeric NOW to make your reservations: Homeric Tours: Press 7, then press 413 Or book online at We look forward to seeing you there!! John Manos 2nd Vice President, PAA President, Cretan Brotherhood of Chicago 7 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008

8 [special report] 8 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008

9 9 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008 [special report]

10 [cover story] The Sacrifice of Arkadi On November 9, 1866, the last defenders of the Monastery of Arkadi on Crete, besieged by Turkish forces, blew themselves up along with the Turkish troops that had just broken through their defenses. The event is considered the most heroic act of the Cretan Revolt of BY EFTHYMIOS TSILIOPOULOS The revolt was sparked by the island s Ottoman governor, Hakim Ishmael Pasha, taking the side of young Cretan scholars who wanted to divest the metropolitan of Crete, monastery abbots and other notables of proceeds from monasteries, and invest them directly in monastery-run schools. Ishmael Pasha also interfered with local elections, often annulling those that produced victors favored by Metropolitan Dionysios. The pasha s involvement backfired so badly that young scholars 10 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008 sided with the metropolitan in leading the revolt. But there were larger, underlying issues. The Cretans were tired of onerous taxation on agricultural produce. Above all, they wanted union with Greece, something omitted from a declaration sent to the sultan in Constantinople but included in a secret addendum circulated among the consuls of the Great Powers (Great Britain, France and Russia). At this time the island s population was divided among a small minority that viewed the Turkish involvement as beneficial, quite a few that wanted a semi-autonomous status, and the majority who believed that Crete was Greek and that the Turks were conspiring to deprive them of their education and ethnic rights. This last group was aided and abetted by antimonarchist officers from Athens, like Panos Koronaios, as well as foreigners. Cretan revolutionaries had begun gathering at the monastery on March 3, and by November the monastery housed 259 warriors and 705 women and children. On September 24, Colonel Koronaios arrived at Arkadi and was declared head of the military effort. Koronaios believed the site unsuitable for defence, but Abbot Gavriil refused to leave. After improving defences and appointing Lieutenant Ioannis Dimakopoulos as chief in his stead, Koronaios left to amass fighters from the provinces. The Ottoman garrison of Crete - with 6,000 infantry, 200 cavalry, 1,200 Albanian mercenaries and supported by 30 field guns - started for the monastery and sent messages requesting Gavriil surrender. The assault began on November 8. The following day, the Turkish forces broke through the outer defenses. Bitter hand-to-hand fighting ensued, during which many of the defenders were killed, including armed women and children. When

11 the Turkish troops began pouring into the monastery s enclosure, the women and children and wounded survivors gathered in the powder room. As the first Turks entered the room, one of the defenders shot a bullet into the kegs, which resulted in an explosion so thunderous and forceful it was heard in Iraklio. For many years, historians held on to the notion that Konstantinos Yamboudakis from the village of Adele was the one who fired the shot. Despite that some maintained that Abbott Gavriil was the one, this was easily disproved as he was found dead by the Turks outside the powder room in the northwest corner of the compound, where he had died three hours earlier. His corpse was identified, beheaded, mutilated and desecrated by the Ottoman forces. A more careful examination of historical data (especially by Eleftherios Prevelakis in 1966), however, suggests that the man behind the fated shot was schoolteacher Emanuel Skoulas from Mylopotamos. His deed was attributed to Yamboudakis, by no means a lesser man, because Skoulas was among the young scholars that wanted to deprive the clergy and gentry of their income, and also because of local rivalries. The revolt did not end, but left the rebels in charge of the hinterland and the Turks in the cities. The monastery was rebuilt and only the magazine, a charred chancel screen (templon) to the left of the Sacred Table and a cannonball embedded in an ageless cypress in the yard bear witness to the bloodshed. Crete revolted again in 1895, gaining semi-autonomy. This revolt brought to the fore the young Eleftherios Venizelos and precipitated the Greek-Turkish War of Crete was finally encompassed into the Greek state in 1912 at the beginning of the Balkan Wars. 11 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008 Source: ATHENS NEWS [cover story]

12 [mythology] 12 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008

13 [mythology] Source: Crete Today No.0001 Name: Address:. Telephone:.. YOUTH RAFFLE PANCRETAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Drawing to be held Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 in Crete All proceeds are for the benefit of sending our Youth to the 2009 Convention in Crete 1st Prize: Round Trip Ticket to Greece (from NYC) Donated by Continental Airlines 2nd Prize: Round Trip Ticket to Greece (from NYC) Donated by Olympic Airlines 3rd Prize: Complete PAA 09 Convention Package Donated by the Pancretan Association 4th Prize: Complete PAA 09 Convention Package Donated by the Pancretan Association 5th Prize: 3-night stay in Boutique Hotel in Mykonos, Greece Donated by Homeric Tours 6th Prize: 3-night stay in Pearl Beach Hotel in Rethymno, Crete Donated by the Schoinas Family 7th Prize: 3-night stay in Pearl Beach Hotel in Rethymno, Crete Donated by the Schoinas Family 8th Prize: Two nights stay at the New York Casino Hotel in Las Vegas Donated by the NY-NY Casino Hotel, Las Vegas, NV 9th Prize: One weekend-stay in Vandaris Hotel in Georgioupolis, Chania Donated by the Vandaris Family 10th Prize: One weekend-stay in Costa-Mare Hotel in Cherissonisos Donated by Kostas Badouvas & Family 11th Prize: One weekend-stay in Costa-Mare Hotel in Cherissonisos Donated by Kostas Badouvas & Family 12th Prize: One weekend-stay in Costa-Mare Hotel in Cherrisonisos Donated by Kostas Badouvas & Family 13th Prize: One week-stay for 4-people at VENUS Apts - Cherissonisos Donated by Kostas Badouvas & Family 14th Prize: One week-stay at STUDIO Apartment in Cherissonisos Donated by Kostas Badouvas & Family 15th Prize: One-week Car Rental Donated by Kostas Badouvas & Family 16th Prize: 18 multi-strand semiprecious Pearl Necklace Donated by Erasmia Novotny/ Pearl craft mfg Valued at $500 17th Prize: Dinner for 6 at the Kalathakis Estate in Crete Donated by Mr & Mrs. Kalathakis 18th Prize: Dinner for 4 at S AGAPO Taverna in NYC Donated by Costadis & Barbara Lambrakis 19th Prize: One Amber authentic Comboloi Donated by Ippokratis Beladakis Valued at $500 20th Prize: 3 cases of NOSTOS wine Donated by the Ted & Rema Manousakis 21st Prize: 3 cases of famous Malvazia aromatic wine Donated by the Region of Crete (to be picked up in Crete) 22nd Prize: One case of Cretan Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Donated by the Semanderes Family 23rd Prize: 2 copies (Greek & English) of The Authentic Cooking of Crete Donated by the Nikos & Maria Psilakis 24th Prize: One copy of the Eleftherios Venizelos Historic Photo Album Donated by Manolis & Orsa Velivasakis 25th Prize: One copy of the T. Detorakis Historic Album KPHTH Donated by The Region of Crete 1 raffle for $25 5 for $100 Winners need not be present to win Prizes as donated. No cash value. No.0001 Youth Raffle Ticket If a youth sells 50 raffle tickets, he or she gets on the Boat for FREE! 13 PAA_RAFFLE_TICKET.indd 1 KPHTH NOVEMBER /14/ :25:10 AM

14 [Interview] Source: Crete Today

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16 16 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008 ANNUAL DINNER DANCE OF the Cretans Association Omonoia New York - OCTOBER 2008

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18 18 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008 Deputy Minister of Defense of Greece Mr. Ioannis Plakiotakis visit the Cretans Association New York Omonoia - OCTOBER 26, 2008

19 John Marakis and John Marakis Tony Kareotes, Chuck our guide, Manoli Marakis, John Marakis, John Manos, Hercules Manoukarakis. DISTRICT 4 HUNTING TRIP EVART MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 25, 2008 Seminar At Onnasis Center on Minoan Civilization Manolis Boutsikas with his two grandsons From the President s Dubai travels 19 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008 Our President with some Friends at his Village this summer from the paa president s officee november, 2008

20 [special report] 20 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008 Source: Crete Today

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22 PYA President s Message Dear Neolea-- We need your help! It comes that time where we need to put aside the fun part of being Cretan and reinforce what our youth organization is truly about; carrying on the cultural and traditional aspects of our beautiful Cretan heritage to the next generation. I find this to be a difficult time for the PYA, considering the economic crisis our country is enduring along with the generation gap that comes around every so often. Our youth members eventually grow up to become college alumni in search of careers; becoming young professionals with much less time on their hands. This eventually happens to a lot of our youth chapters, leaving them with less membership and involvement than usual. This tough transition is evident in my local Chicago chapter as well and we have taken measures to fix it. First, it is critical to reach out to your adult chapters and seek their advice; two heads are better than one. Find the few adults in the chapter than can relate to the youth and utilize their voice to get the message across; we all know that positive communication is not always what exists between local adult and youth chapters. Once you can communicate and establish the difficulty, the parent chapter can work together with the youth to plan events that will attract new and existing members who have been missing from the Cretan loop. The older youth members need to be part of this equation. You have been around and can effectively implement reaching out to the up-and-coming youth for this transition to be successful. The PYA has all the resources a youth chapter may need to execute this plan of action and you know how to reach us! We also look forward to your attendance at the Salt Lake City Winter Youth Conference this January 8 th -11 th. In addition to the information posted in Krhth Magazine and the <<pancretanyouth.com>> website, please contact Eva Sifantonakis for further questions and concerns. Eva Sifantonakis eva.sifantonakis@gmail.com Best, Maria Kiagias, PYA President 22 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008

23 Annual picnic Youth selling PYA raffle tickets. Billy Kostakis DJ the picnic Pics from NY dance of Clearwater youth that attended Clearwater Youth Visiting Omonia, New York: Fall KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008

24 GET READY TO PARTY ON THE WEST COAST! SAVE THE DATE FOR THE SALT LAKE CITY YOUTH CONFERENCE JANUARY 8th-11th FOR MORE INFO 24 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008

25 25 KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008

26 [Book review] The Paitakis s Family Genealogy A rather interesting book The Paitakis Family Genealogy has been written and recently published by our compatriot Stephen Paitakis of Tarpon Springs FL. I congratulate Mr. Paitakis for his meticulous treatment of subjects, events and brief biographies of his family members. Many photos and other important family documents and mementos are laid out in the book, in a logical and clear manner. Chapter after chapter are devoted to his family s accomplishments, triumphs and tribulations! All of us can learn several important lessons from Mr. Paitakis s book, the most important being hat he actually took the time to sit and record his family s history! That he meticulously researched and recorded the lives of both of his ancestors and other subsequent relatives! It is important for all of us to do exactly what Mr. Paitakis did, to record that is our own family history for the future generations! After all, the more knowledge we and our children have about our roots, the more connected we feel with our religion, culture and heritage. Congratulations to Mr. Stephen Paitakis for a job well done! Manolis Velivasakis, National President Wooden Mary Folk-tales from the Island of Crete, by Aristophanes Khourdakis In this book the reader will be transported into the world of Cretan folk culture through tales that will appeal to adults as much as to young people. Here is Wooden Mary, who makes herself a wooden costume to win the heart of a man she loves, and Hairy Jack, who is raised on bear milk to be strong and wise. The reader will meet fishermen, shepherds and sailors and, of course, princes and princesses. The sixteen folk-tales in the collection, some of which echo ancient Greek myths, all contain elements of magic and reflect qualities of Cretan people and landscape. Recorded by the editor form the lips of the few remaining storytellers on the island, they form part of the living folk culture of Crete. One hundred copies of this book have been donated by the author to the Pancretan Association for distribution to our members on the first come first serve basis. We will distribute one per family to all those who ask for it. To cover the mailing cost, please send us a check for $5.00 along with your request to: Erasmia Vlastos Novotny, 8530 Sharon Drive, White Lake, MI Elisabeth s Gift by Dr. John Psarouthakis This book chronicles the story of an orphan raised by a wise, loving and caring lady called Elisabeth, who recognized his talent and developed in him the essential qualities of discipline and character that turned virtue into accomplishment. Even though she could not read or write, readers will find Elisabeth a uniquely wise woman whose guidance and influences created the foundations that helped the author overcome challenges and adversity in life and live up to changes as they happened. Right up to the last page this volume shows that change and opportunity can be dealt with wisely. In a touching, inspirational memoir, Psarouthakis looks back at his unforgettable journey and pays tribute to this extraordinary woman his Aunt Elizabeth. Elisabeth s Gift Reader Reviews First, (the) book is extraordinary. I got it primarily to learn about a time in Crete that I have only heard in broad generalities. You do that very well and I can now better understand and visualize what actually happened at that time. I had no idea what you personally went through. Your descriptions make the moment come alive and they are emotional for the reader. It is an exceptional experience. --Andrew Manatos President, Manatos and Manatos, Washington D.C. Elisabeth s Gift is a book that one does not leaf through it easily. Every page requires your attention. It wants to talk to you, to narrate an entire life --Archbishop (late) of North and South American Iakovos This book tells the story of his (John Psarouthakis) early life. It is the chronicle of an orphan raised by a wise and loving Aunt Elisabeth who recognized his great ability-and developed in him the qualities of disciple and character that turned nobility into accomplishment. --Professor Paul E. Gray President and Chairman (ret), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Note: The Publisher s web page for the book can be accessed by clicking here: bookdisplay.asp?bookid= KPHTH NOVEMBER 2008