The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-05-07

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Escalating developments in Jerusalem Eirinaios Ousted

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

The Patriarchy of Jerusalem is going through a historic trial. After being renounced by 13 members of the Synod, Patriarch Eirinaios has officially been declared removed from office by the Patriarchal Synod, which has appointed a three-member committee of Hierarchs to deal with affairs. Still to come is the final approval of the decision from the Jordanian government (the Patriarch operates under its law) in order for Eirinaios to be ousted. Eirinaios himself has not put in an appearance and through his lawyer stated that he would not resign. In the meantime, the situation in Jerusalem is explosive. Senior priests and Holy Sepulchre brethren took over the Patriarchy on Friday afternoon and they are not allowing any non-ecclesiastic people to enter, while there is a strong Israeli police presence outside the building. A delegation from Fanari arrived in the Holy Land on Friday evening, while the developments were discussed at the Greek Foreign Ministry, in a meeting attended by deputy minister Panagiotis Skandalakis.

Three-Member Committee Appointed

In a crucial Synod, a three-member committee was appointed, and it formally declared the removal of Eirinaios. It will undertake the management of Patriarchal affairs.

The Committee consists of the Metropolitan Bishops of Caesarea, Vasilios, Petra, Cornilios and Kapitoliada, Isichios. They have sent a letter detailing the developments to the governments of Jordan and Israel as well as to the Palestinian Authority.

Earlier on Friday afternoon, Eirinaios left for an unknown destination, accompanied by security forces, after the altercations with the Metropolitan Bishops who had signed the document ousting him.

After a verbal attack from the Patriarch, the clerics took over the Holy Sepulchre and closed the doors, refusing entrance to non-ecclesiastical persons.

In the meantime, Metropolitan Bishop Timotheos of Vostron harshly criticized Eirinaios on NET 105.8. Describing him as a "poison in the conscience of the flock," the bishop accused the Patriarch of "thuggish tactics," and noted that "the scandals have harmed the Patriarch as a person, and not the institution."

Fanari Delegation in Jerusalem

Late on Friday evening, a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchy arrived in Jerusalem. It consists of Metropolitan Bishops Melitonas of Filadelfia and of Chania, as well as the abbot of Iviron Monastery, Vasilios Gontikakis.

The delegation will examine the developments at first hand, despite the fact that Patriarch Eirinaios expressed objections, speaking of "unusual action," and "intervention in internal affairs of another Patriarchy."

Athens is watching the developments closely, as the thriller playing out in Jerusalem was the topic of discussion in a meeting at the Greek Foreign Ministry, on Friday evening.

Translated by Millie Williams

Related News:

Eirinaios Denounced

[02] Shipping Routes Performed As Per Normal

By Tina Valaoura

Despite gales, shipping routes from the ports of Piraeus and Rafina are performed as per normal. This morning however, three speedboat routes from Piraeus and three from Rafina were cancelled because of the wind.

The National Meteorological Service has forecast rains and storms for today, locally strong in most areas of Greece. However, the weather is expected to improve late in the afternoon from the west, while gales blowing in from the northwest will gradually prevail. Temperature will range in the north from 11 to 21oC, from 14 to 24oC in the Ionian sea and the rest of continental Greece, while in the Aegean from 17 to 25oC.

Attica will experience unstable weather with cloud cover and local rainfall or storms, which will gradually subside. Late in the afternoon, the weather will improve, while winds will be blowing in from the southwest medium to strong. Temperature will range from 17 to 24oC.

Thessaloniki will originally have cloud cover with rain and storms, locally strong. Winds will be blowing in from the southwest weak to medium, but will quickly turn to northwest medium to strong and locally very strong. Temperature will range from 16 to 20oC.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] At Least 2 Dead and Six Inured Blast Near Beirut

By Vagelis Theodorou

It seems that bloody attacks have no end in Beirut. Late on Friday night, at least two people were killed and six were injured after an attack in Junieh, 20km north of Beirut. The bombing, which aimed at the entrance of the old Christian city, resulted in the death of one woman from Sri Lanka and a man who has not been recognized yet, while six more people were injured, including three Egyptian workers. The Lebanese president Emil Lahoud condemned the attack and spoke of a "desperate attempt to scatter fear and instability," while he also reassured that these attempts are "convicted to fail." He went on to add that the blast occurred on the eve of an important development in Lebanon, the return of general Michel Aoun, leading figure of the Lebanese Christian Opposition.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] "As They Are: Faces, Things, Spaces, 1962-2005" Y. Valavanidis Exhibition at Frissiras Museum

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA - FRISSIRAS MUSEUM

As of May 11, the Frissiras Museum will present a big retrospective exhibition of professor and ex Vice-Rector of the Athens School of Fine Arts Yannis Valavanidis called "As They Are: Faces, Things, Spaces, 1962-2005". The exhibition, which includes about 100 figurative paintings, will be inaugurated by deputy government spokesperson Evangelos Antonaros.

From the time of ideological orientations and aesthetic quests of the Young Greek realists of the 60s until the present, Yiannis Valavanidis remains loyal to the clarity of the image of things.

The artist himself underlines: "I do not wish to copy reality as an object or illusion. I want to depict things as they are and project them as a theme, not a spectacle. Plastic elements are also elements of the theme and of painting in general."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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