The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-10-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] School Parade in Athens Honouring National Day

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET 105.8

Greece is celebrating the 28 October anniversary and "Oxi" (No) Day with pride and respect for the history of the nation. The anniversary celebrations culminated in Thessaloniki, with the military parade on the costal avenue of Megalou Alexandrou before the countrys political, state and military leadership. Earlier, at 10:30am, Karolos Papoulias laid a wreath at the monument of the Third Army Corps and a minutes silence was observed, which ended with a canon salute. In Athens, the school parade took place before Education Minister Marietta Giannakou, the leader of the Opposition, George Papandreou, and representatives of other political parties, the Armed Forces and the Church. "This day is strongly symbolic and elevates the significance of social cohesion in tough times. This sense of national pride and principles is significant in a globalised era," declared the Education Minister before laying a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier.

The Nation's Perennial Struggles

During the school parade in Athens, members of the Hellenic Nationalist Movement "Chrysi Avgi" tried to penetrate the procession holding banners, but were forced back by the police.

Immediately after, Ms Giannakou spoke of an anniversary full of symbolisms. "The schools students paraded today and demonstrated that they comprehend the significance of the Nations perennial struggles," she added.

The President of PASOK, George Papandreou said that Greece is serving the human values of peace, democracy and social solidarity. "Whenever Hellenism served these values, it achieved miracles and managed to emerge as an ecumenical force," he noted, while he concluded by saying, "We have to invest in human values and not waste the national capital in petty party disputes and wielding power for power."

The Holy Mass at the Athens Cathedral was officiated by Archbishop Christodoulos and ended a little before 11am. Mass was attended by Education Minister Marietta Giannakou, former Greek President Kostis Stefanopoulos, PASOK President George Papandreou, ND secretary Evangelos Meimarakis and the Armed Forces leadership.

The schools paraded in Thessaloniki yesterday morning, while members of the group Antiexousiastiki Kinisi (Anti-Authoritarian Movement) protested against the institution of school parades.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

School Parade in Thessaloniki

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[02] Against the Israeli Government Theofilos Filed an Appeal

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

Theofilos of Jerusalem filed an appeal against the Israeli government on the grounds of Israels refusal to recognize his title. Prior to the appeal, Theofilos had sent two letters to the Israeli PM Ariel Sharon urging him to speed up his recognition due to his enthronement scheduled for November 22. It is noted that Israel is the only out of the four involved countries, namely Greece, Jordan, Palestine and Israel, that has not recognized Theofilos so far.

Patriarchate in Stalemate

The office of the Israeli PM replied to Theofilos two day ago, claiming that Israels government does not wish to interfere with the Patriarchates domestic disputes fuelled by different groups, while it addressed Theofilos as the Archbishop of Tabor and Eirinaios as Patriarch.

Theofilos also said that his decision to file an appeal to Israels Supreme Court was triggered by the stalemate the Patriarchate has reached, due to the closure of its economic services as well as the majority of its services before he was elected to the post. The period of time that has elapsed and the failure to pay off third parties has significantly worsened the state of the Patriarchate.

Translated by Areti Christou

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