KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit Discussion Topic @ AdlandPro Community

KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:58:30 GMT

Bogdan John Pauline Peter Georgios

KALEIDOSCOPE
An AdLandPro Feature
© AdlandPro PHILOXENIA
March 25th, 2008 (Georgios Paraskevopoulos)

A Dedication to MOTHER HELLAS

Click above - Modern History of Greece with a mourning song
Our Modern history is filled of sorrow and wail

Who is the MOTHER who lose her Child
and pain doesn't languish her!
© Philoxenia March 25th, 2008 (Georgios Paraskevopoulos)

Greek Clepshydra History through the ages	EΛΛΑΣ HELLAS-GREECE 1821-2008	Hellenic National Anthem "I know you from your face"
MYTHOLOGY Titanomachy Gigantomachy The Olympians ANCIENT HISTORY Pelasgians Achaians Aeolians Ionians	INTRODUCTION HISTORY OF MODERN HELLAS ANCIENT HYMNS BYZANTINE HYMNS	RELIGION Pagan Byzantine Easter Christmas Carnibal Tragodies Comedies Spirit
No to fasicms and Nazism	Our secret Combination	Heroes

Western civilization began with the Greeks. From the highpoint of the 5th century BC through the cultural triumphs of the Alexandrian era to their impact on the developing Roman empire, the Greeks shaped the philosophy, art, architecture and literature of the Mediterranean world.

Beginning with the Homeric period, once believed to be a realm of myth, Mike Paine takes the reader on a journey through twelve centuries and more of Greek culture. He shows what archaeologists have revealed of the Trojan Wars and Mycenae, outlines the glories of Athens at its height and provides a gripping narrative of the struggle between the Greeks and the mighty Persian empire. The careers of great political and military leaders like Pericles and Alexander the Great are highlighted and the importance of the great philosophers like Plato and Aristotle is demonstrated. Dramatists and demagogues, stoics and epicureans, aristocrats and helots all take their place in the unfolding story of the Greek achievement.

GREEK ORTHODOXY
The of Annunciation Day

AGNI PARTHENA (Click for a Hymn)
Greek INDEPENDENCE Day
March 25th, 1821
Greek modern history goes parallel to Christianity and Orthodoxy
A new Forum topic will be posted during the Week End

HE IS RAISEN - HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREECE
Here is a shorth Introduction

HAPPY BIRHTDAY HELLAS
Mother of Culture, Spirit and Eternal Wisdom
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL

METHODEA - A Tribute to Zeus
MUSIC-VANGELIS

NOSTALGIA
MUSIC-YANNI

Antonis 1974
MUSIC
THEODORAKIS
Erchontai chronia Dyskola
MUSIC
KAZANTZIDIS

White Rose Of Athens
MUSIC
NANA MOUSKOURI
Carmen
MUSIC
MARIA KALLAS

OLYMPIC GAMES

GREECE IN ART

THE GOLDEN AGE
ATHENS and PERICLES

FROM GODS TO GOD
1000 YEARS EAST ROMAN EMPIRE
THE GLORY OF BYZANTINE EMPIRE

FREEDOM OR DEATH
The Oath for Freedom

40 fearless men from Leivadia
Song Irini Papa

click above

MORE UPDATES WILL BE PUT IN

HAPPY EASTER

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:59:22 GMT

REPUBLIK OF GREECE

General Information

Greece is situated in Southeastern Europe

Area: 131,957 sq.km. and a population of 10,964,020.
Capital Athens with a population of 3,192,606.
Local time is GMT +2 hours.
The Hellenic Republic is a Presidential Parliamentary Democracy.
President of the Hellenic Republic: Mr Karolos Papoulias.
Prime Minister: Mr Constantinos Karamanlis

Parliament: Three hundred elected members with elections held every four years

Greece is a member state of E.U. since 1981.
The currency is euro.

The Greek economy adopts the principles of free enterprise and is bound by the regulations of international organisations such as ECOFIN and WTO, of which it is a member.

LET THE DANCES TAKE OVER

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:59:47 GMT

POEMS, DANCE AND MUSIC IN ANCIENT GREECE

THE HYMN OF KOURITES
The oldest know hymn to Peace

From the welcoming of the Olympic Flame 2004 in Sitia Crete.
This is the oldest Hymn to PEACE.
Music set by Zachos Terzakis.

Crete - In ancient Palaeokastro
Performance -Ancient Greek
Voice Greek

LYRICS STROPHE 2

Hail.! Greatest Kouros, Son of Kronos
Master of all gone below ground
return to Dikta for the changing year...
for here they took you from Rhea,
babe immortal, the shielded wards
and beat the dance with their feet.
(Literal translation: J.-A. Mac Gillivray)

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:09:13 GMT

What a wonderful display of your Greek Island Paradise and all that it represents. Thank you for the learning experience and all that you have shared with us.

Joe Buccheri

Created By: 303281

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:27:19 GMT

HAPPY EASTER JOE BUCCHERI!

Thank you for the support

THIS IS GREECE

Thank you for being first to greet HELLAS (GReece) the land of Gods and Eternal Spirit. A small see sight over greece special dedicated to you.

Nice Clip and known sounds

click Above

Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:54:35 GMT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER GREECE

English version of the official song of the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay.

Click above - Song Giannis Kotsiras

PASS THE FLAME
UNITE THE WORLD

The ancient Greeks revered the power and fire. In Greek mythology, the god Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and gave it to humans. To celebrate the passing of fire from Prometheus to man, the Greeks would hold relay races. Athletes would pass a lit torch to one another until the winner reached the finish line.

ΟΙ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΙ ΣΤΙΧΟΙ:

"Μια φωτιά
Γυρνάει τη γη
Το 'να χέρι στ' άλλο δίνει μια φλόγα ιερή
Μια φωτιά
Γύρω απ' τη γη
Φως που μας ενώνει
Ένα ωραίο στεφάνι
Από φύλλα της ελιάς
Στους αιώνες κάνει
Φωτεινό χορό
Χαίρε φλόγα παλιά Φέρε φως στη καρδιά
Να το φως
Γύρω απ' τη γη
Είναι μια φωτιά που καίει, μία φλόγα ιερή
Δεύτε φως
Όλοι οι λαοί
Φως που μας ενώνει
Δεύτε φως
Όλοι οι λαοί (χ3)
Unite the world
Χαίρε Φλόγα χρυσή Φέρε κόσμους μαζί
Δεύτε φως Όλοι οι λαοί
Δεύτε φως
Σ' όλη τη γη
Όλοι οι λαοί
Πάνω στη γη
Unite the world"...

ΟΙ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΟΙ ΣΤΙΧΟΙ: ENGLISH LYRICS

"Pass the Flame
Unite the World
It's time to celebrate let our voices be heard
Pass the Flame
Unite the world
Bring us all together
We can grow a forest
On a dried up river bed
We can build a mountain
From a grain sand
Reach out, hold out your hands Reach out, hold out your hands
Pass the Flame
Unite the World
It's time to celebrate let our voices be heard
Pass the Flame
Unite the world
Bring us all together
Pass the Flame Unite the World (x5)
Reach out, hold out your hands Reach out, hold out your hands
Pass the Flame
Unite the world
Pass the Flame
Unite the World (x5)"...

(lyrics: Lol Creme - "Pass the flame")

Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:18:29 GMT

Hello Georgios,

I'm glad you post here about our country. Wonderful images and information.You have done excellent work as always.

XRONIA POLLA!

Dimitra

Created By: 323854

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:02:26 GMT

Hello DIMITRA

Chronia Polla - ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ

HYMN TO ZEUS, SON OF CHRONOS

Click above
Hail.! Greatest Kouros, Son of Kronos
Master of all gone below ground
return to Dikta for the changing year...
for here they took you from Rhea,
babe immortal, the shielded wards
and beat the dance with their feet.

(Literal translation: J.-A. Mac Gillivray)

Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:25:08 GMT

Hello Georgios,

Thank you for reminding us of the beauty and rich culture of Greece. I see it as a great land too. I now see the roots of your lavish poetic style.

Charmen Watkis
http://www.trker.com/go/19755

Created By: Gingerlillies

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:41:24 GMT

Greetings, Georgios!

Happy Independence Day, Greece!

25-е МАРТА - ДЕНЬ НЕЗАВИСИМОСТИ ГРЕЦИИ

Статья Посла Греции в Москве
ДИМИТРИОСА ПАРАСКЕВУПОЛУСА
в газете "Коммерсант"

Греческая революция 1821 г. была и остаётся важным историческим событием не только для нас, греков. Помимо возрождения греческой нации, явившегося результатом национально-освободительного движения греков, следует отметить и его международные последствия, проистекающие из провозглашения первой после наполеоновских войн республики, не возглавляемой монархом, в Европе, и создание демократических парламентских институтов на основе принципов Французской революции, и намеченный им путь разрешения "Восточного вопроса". Греческая революция пробудила по всей Европе "мятежный дух", и его носители стали в один строй с греками в их борьбе.

Греческая независимость смыкается многими своими гранями с русской историей и русским народом. Я имею в виду не только надежду порабощённых Турцией греков на освобождение "Московией"¹ , но и действительный вклад в дело освобождения греков - в подготовку Революции и в конечный успех борьбы царского министра иностранных дел, выходца с Керкиры², графа Иоанна Каподистрии. Не следует также забывать о создании греческого революционного общества в Одессе, о провозглашении Революции офицером царской армии князем Александром Ипсиланти, о содействии, предоставленном Декабристами и, конечно, об участии русского флота в морском сражении у Наварина, когда разгром турецкого флота объединённой эскадрой России, Англии и Франции привёл к независимости маленькой Греции в 1830 г. И, разумеется, мощной движущей силой, подвигнувшей Россию поддержать порабощённый Эллинизм, явились тысячелетние узы православия, связывающие два народа.

Сегодняшняя Греция вот уже 182 года после Революции остаётся верна принципам Свободы, Демократии и прав Человека и играет одну из первых ролей в деле упрочения мира и разрешения конфликтов мирным путём. Современная Греция сегодня черпает из источника своей древности и предлагает мировому сообществу те сигналы и пути для воскрешения институтов и традиций своей древней цивилизации, которые созвучны сложным реалиям нашей современности. Я имею в виду возвращение олимпийских игр в их историческую колыбель, Грецию, в 2004 г. и инициативу учреждения на международном уровне Олимпийского Перемирия, что открывает перспективу, приближающую мир во всём мире.

Современная Греция играет главную роль в деле установления стабильности и ускорения экономического развития в "горячей точке" на Юго-востоке Балкан и в Восточном Средиземноморье. Греция является страной-членом Европейского Союза и НАТО. Участие в этих организациях не только придаёт ей силы, но и налагает на неё ответственность по введению "пороховой бочки Балкан" в европейское русло стабильности, безопасности и развития.

Помимо собственного существенного вклада в развитие Балкан и оказания экономической помощи, Греция и Россия выдвигают инициативы по экономическому развитию и инвестициям на полуострове, такие как, например, нефтепровод Бургас-Алексадруполис и продление газопровода до Албании и Италии. Следует отметить, что Балканский п-ов представляет собой территорию, где Греция и Россия наладили реальное сотрудничество. Однако, мир и стабильность недостижимы без ликвидации очагов кризиса. В обширной акватории Восточного Средиземноморья, помимо чреватой потрясениями палестинской проблемы, сохраняется и проблема Кипра. В этом году есть надежда на успешное её разрешение на основе резолюций ООН, т. е. на прекращение оккупации северной части острова и восстановлении международной законности. Во всяком случае, международное сообщество полагает, что предстоящее вступление Кипра в ЕС, с одной стороны, и европейская ориентация Турции с другой, приведут к окончательному и справедливому разрешению этой проблемы сообразно духу нашего времени.

Времена изменились, и народы больше не должны сражаться непосредственно за свою независимость, как греки в 1821 г. Однако борьба за свободу продолжается вечно. В своём современном проявлении она означает сохранение национального самоуважения, обеспечение равенства и справедливости на земле и устранение тех явлений, которые угрожают нашей культуре и нашим обществам. То, что начала наша порабощённая Родина в далёком 1821 г., современная Греция продолжает в том же духе.

¹Как об этом говорит греческая народная песня - "Не тужи - Московия принесёт нам лето"
²Греческий остров, больше известный в России под итальянским названием Корфу.

БИОГРАФИЯ ПОСЛА ГРЕЦИИ В РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ ДИМИТРИОСА ПАРАСКЕВОПУЛОСА

Новому Послу Греции в Российской Федерации, Полномочному Министру Димитриосу Параскевопулосу, 50 лет и он является магистром юриспруденции, будучи выпускником Юридического Факультета Афинского Университете.

На дипломатическую службу поступил в 1979. Он служил в греческих дипломатических миссиях в Осло, Анкаре и Гааге. До назначения в Москву был начальником дипломатического отдела Министра Иностранных Дел Греции.

Владеет английским и французским языками.

Женат и имеет двоих детей.

Created By: 261150

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:22:15 GMT

DEAREST LYDIA (ΛΥΔΙΑ)

Thank you for all this nice information on HELLAS-GREECE. YOur work and support is very appreciated.

I dedicate you a short trip over Greece.

With Love and Respect

Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:31:10 GMT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WONDERFUL GREECE !

Here you are some pictures of beauties that I took in your wonderful country :

God bless Greece and her people !

Created By: adel2u

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:46:55 GMT

ANNONCIATION DAY = REBIRTH OF GREECE
CROSS IS OUR FLAG SYMBOL
PHOENIX is the Rebirth

Because of the day but also for being Christians
Christendoom held the Greeks together.

SPECIAL DEDICATION TO MY SISTER IN SWEDEN
Happy Birthday my sister Ekaterine Paraskevopoulou

HAPPY EASTER TO WESTERN WORLD
GREECE WAITS FOR 5 WEEKS
Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:51:41 GMT

Thank you Georgios,

I always love your forums they are so educational

HAPPY INDEPENDANCE DAY
GREECE

Created By: 321095

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:51:11 GMT

Hello Georgios :-)

Wonderful thread dedicated to Greece's Independence Day!
I would love to add a bit about the Olympic Games which are so dear for me from Acient to Modern, as, soon the Olympic Flame will be brought to live and carried along to BeiJing, the next Festival of all the athlets!

The Greeks invented athletic contests and held them in honour of their gods. The Isthmos game were staged every two years at the Isthmos of Corinth. The Pythian games took place every four years near Delphi. The most famous games held at Olympia, South- West of Greece, which took place every four years. The ancient Olympics seem to have begun in the early 700 BC, in honour of Zeus. No women were allowed to watch the games and only Greek nationals could participate. One of the ancient wonders was a statue of Zeus at Olympia, made of gold and ivory by a Greek sculptor Pheidias. This was placed inside a Temple, although it was a towering 42 feet high.

The games at Olympia were greatly expanded from a one-day festival of athletics and wrestling to, in 472 BC, five days with many events. The order of the events is not precisely known, but the first day of the festival was devoted to sacrifices. On the Middle Day of the festival 100 oxen were sacrificed in honor of a God. Athletes also often prayed and made small sacrifices themselves..

On the second day, the foot-race, the main event of the games, took place in the stadium, an oblong area enclosed by sloping banks of earth.
At Olympia there were 4 different types of races; The first was stadion, the oldest event of the Games, where runners sprinted for 1 stade, the length of the stadium(192m). The other races were a 2-stade race (384 m.), and a long-distance run which ranged from 7 to 24 stades (1,344 m. to 4,608 m.).The fourth type of race involved runners wearing full amor, which was 2-4 stade race (384 m. to 768 m.), used to build up speed and stamina for military purposes.

On other days, wrestling, boxing, and the pancratium, a combination of the two, were held. In wrestling, the aim was to throw the opponent to the ground three times, on either his hip, back or shoulder. In ancient Greek wrestling biting and genital holds were illegal.

Boxing became more and more brutal; at first the pugilists wound straps of soft leather over their fingers as a means of deadening the blows, but in later times hard leather, sometimes weighted with metal, was used. In the pancratium, the most rigorous of the sports, the contest continued until one or the other of the participants acknowledged defeat.

Horse-racing, in which each entrant owned his horse, was confined to the wealthy but was nevertheless a popular attraction. The course was 6 laps of the track, with separate races for whereupon the rider would have no stirrups. It was only wealthy people that could pay for such training, equipment, and feed of both the rider and the horses. So whichever horse won it was not the rider who was awarded the Olive wreath but the owner. There were also Chariot races, that consisted of both 2-horse and 4-horse chariot races, with separate races for chariots drawn by foals. There was also a race was between carts drawn by a team of 2 mules, which was 12 laps of the stadium track.

Greek Chariot Racing

After the horse-racing came the pentathlon, a series of five events: sprinting, long-jumping, javelin-hurling, discus-throwing, and wrestling.
The ancient Greeks considered the rhythm and precision of an athlete throwing the discus as important as his strength.

The discus was a circle shaped stone, iron, bronze, or lead. There were different sizes according to age groups. The javelin was a long wooden stick shape with spear head, similar height to that of a person. In the middle was bound a thong for a hurler's fingers to grip and guide to the correct angle it was thrown.

To Jump long distances athletes used lead or stone weights to increase the length of the jump. These weights were known as 'halteres' were held in front of the athlete during his ascent, and then swung behind his back and dropped during his descent to help propel him.

Olympic Gymnasium 776 BC

I'm sure you're redy to post a full version of the Olympic Games History!

With friendship,

Anamaria

Created By: anamaria

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:12:53 GMT

What a wonderful job you've done compiling past, present and future Greece for us Georgios. This is a fantastic forum. Thank you for posting this. I have a Greek friend here in my city and I'm going to tell her to come see what you've posted.

Happy Independence Day to Greece!

Your friend, Pat

Created By: 252171

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:12:22 GMT

Bonjour Georgios et al !

As per usual you have done a great job here, a wonderful work of art.

Happy Birthday to Hellas.

Happy Independence Day!

Many blessings and angel cuddles,

Sarah

I found this phoenix for you.

(Do you ever sleep?)

Created By: sarahp

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Sat, 10 May 2008 21:13:21 GMT

Two Mothers And Two Gods

RHEA-ZEUS, MARIA-JESUS
(the name Maria derives from from MaRhea)
Maria Was Born in Efesus where she also died.
Rhea was ancient Goddess of Efesus

WE HAIL YOU MOTHER RHEA

Mother of all gods
and Grandmother of humans

THE HYMN OF KOURITES
The oldest know hymn to Peace

From the welcoming of the Olympic Flame 2004 in Sitia Crete.
This is the oldest Hymn to PEACE.
Music set by Zachos Terzakis.

Crete - In anciant Palaeokastro
Performance -Ancient Greek
Voice Greek

LYRICS: STROPHE 2

Hail.! Greatest Kouros, Son of Kronos
Master of all gone below ground
return to Dikta for the changing year...
for here they took you from Rhea,
babe immortal, the shielded wards
and beat the dance with their feet.
(Literal translation: J.-A. Mac Gillivray)

MARIA - JESUS

Church of Axion Esti in Axioupolis Kilkis

Orthodox music: Axion Estin, Kyrie Eleison
Divna Ljubojevic
Manastir Ravanica, Crkva Svetog Vaznesenja, maj 2007.
Muzika: Axion Estin, Kyrie Eleison - Divna Ljubojevic

Monastery Ravanica, Orthodox Church -
The Ascension of Our Lord Church, may 2007.
This is a wonderful, peaceful holy place, more than 600y old.
Orthodox music: Axion Estin, Kyrie Eleison - Divna Ljubojevic
Autor: Dencic

Tomorrow is a Great Day.
Maybe the Greatest Event of the year.
Making use of the event I wanted to jump in and whish you.

Happy Mother's Day.
Enjoy Angelic Meditation

Click Above

My Secter Love at Philoxenia Community - Join us - Click the banner

Give us a support and Continue Reading The legend of Mother's Day in
Philoxenia AdlandPro Forum

Greetings from Greece
Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Sun, 11 May 2008 11:23:04 GMT

Bonjour Georgios!

I didn't know this. Thank you for sharing. I love to learn about such topics. I went and did some research for a while. One could spend hours delving into the mythology. But I must be strict with myself and feed my angels!

Happy Mother's Day to those celebrating today.

Madonna and child.

Rhea riding a lion (because I'm a Leo).

Angel cuddles,

Sarah

Created By: sarahp

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Sun, 18 May 2008 17:21:07 GMT

FROM GODS TO GOD
1000 YEARS EAST ROMAN EMPIRE
THE GLORY OF BYZANTINE EMPIRE

Edited Clips from "Byzantium — The Lost Empire"
ABTV/Ibis Films/The Learning Channel. 1997

John Romer tells of how pagan imagery was adopted by the early Christian church, and how these ancient symbols and icons were used by the empire's leaders to position themselves conveniently between the people they ruled and their God.

For example an image of Jesus in Constantinople was copied from a statue of Zeus (Jupiter) which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Sun, 18 May 2008 17:47:59 GMT

Hello Georgios,

I think it's common to empires to use symbols from other civilizations. But sometimes the symbols are used from those who believe that they are "the elder son" of a civilization. Like the two head eangle.

Dimitra

Created By: 323854

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Wed, 21 May 2008 21:49:33 GMT

Hello Dimitra!

Thank you for the Emlbem and Weapon of Byzantine Empire
We could write an articel on this symbol!

A journey in our mythology
The Olympians: Greek Gods & Goddesses
Click above

Kindly Regards
Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 05:47:01 GMT

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) Commemorates 185th Anniversary of Greek Independence on the House Floor

WASHINGTON, DC— On March 28, 2006, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
© Georgia Economou

Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the House in honor of Greek Independence Day that was celebrated on March 25. Greek freedom fighters brought sovereignty back to their country, 185 years ago, allowing the Greek people to decide their fate for themselves again.

I speak here today to honor all persons and nations who have successfully fought for their right to live according to the rules of democracy and freedom, denying the rule of tyranny and autocracy. As the oldest democracy in the world, the Greek nation has passionately struggled to uphold democracy as its form of government.

The significance emanating from the year 1821 is outstanding, not only in the Greek context, but also as a strong symbol of the inspiration one brave nation can provide to the world.

When in 1821 the Greek people regained their independence, more than four centuries of occupation and oppression by the Ottoman Empire came to an end. The peoples of the Balkans were soon to follow the Greek example and sought freedom from the Ottoman rule.

The courage and vision of the Greek freedom fighters also transcended the borders of the former Ottoman Empire. The independence movement received broad support from intellectuals abroad, including English poet Lord Byron and U.S. Senator and Secretary of State Daniel Webster.

The Greek flag symbolizes the legacy of 1821. The cross in the upper left part of the flag stands for the Greek Orthodox Church, which significantly helped Greeks to preserve their ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage during the years of occupation. The cross is embedded by nine alternating blue and white stripes, each representing one letter of the Greek word for freedom. While the flag was developed in the early days of independence, it took more than 150 years before it became the official Greek flag.

After the end of the Ottoman occupation, Greeks had to struggle for another century before their land was truly freed. In the 1970s, Greeks once again fought for freedom and independence, stripping off a 7-year rule by a military junta. Shortly after democracy had been reestablished, the Greek nation finally adopted the cross-and-nine-stripe flag as its official flag.

The United States is a proud partner of the Greek nation, which has given the gift of democracy to the world, and which throughout history has fought to uphold this gift as its guiding principle. Greeks and Americans share a common vision to have everyone on this planet enjoy the gift of freedom and democracy. Greece is one of our strongest allies in the international war against terror.

The United States and Greece have consistently joined forces to fight the global threats of terrorism and state-sponsored terrorism, nuclear proliferation, illegal narcotics, and international crime. As a strong NATO ally, the Greek military has taken on a strong and abiding commitment in Afghanistan as well.

Greece has given the United States both military and financial support for Operation Enduring Freedom. It contributes to it is International Security Assistance Force and has pledged to fund educational programs.

Located on shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Greece is of the greatest geopolitical importance. Neighboring with the Balkans, it serves as a shining beacon of peace and stability in the region. Bordering with Turkey, it serves as the bridge to the Muslim world.

I commend Greece for its strong work in the Middle East Partnership Initiative, MEPI, and its strong participation in the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative.

However, many pressing issues in the region remain unresolved, Madam Speaker. The ongoing conflict over the final name of the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia causes grave concern, just as it grieves me to see the continued division of Cyprus and the unbalanced approach that has been taken to overcome this division.

I hope that we will soon be able to witness the end of the occupation and a reunification of Cyprus on fair and equitable terms. The emergence of a strong, vibrant and justly unified Cyprus would provide stability, both politically and economically, to the Mediterranean region.

I urge Congress remain engaged in the search for a just and lasting reunification that will promote peace and stability. Recalling the Greek routes of democracy, I am proud to represent the interests of my Greek American constituency. With currently 1.5 million members, the Greek American community contributes significantly to the prosperity of our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I am proud of the friendship that binds the United States, the land of freedom, and Greece, the country of freedom fighters.

Together, we can promote democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights worldwide.

###

Many people around the world recognized Greece and the Hellenic global heritage during the ages. I humbly expreess my gratitude to this Philhellenic . Ileana Ros Lehtinen, the Greeks will remember your for this speech and attitude.

Yours sincerely
Georgios Paraskevopoulos

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 10:11:12 GMT

White Rose Of Athens
MUSIC
NANA MOUSKOURI

Carmen
MUSIC
MARIA KALLAS

Listen to their voices and Enjoy
Click on the pictures

TWO AMOURABLE GLOBAL FAMOUS
HELLENIC MUSIC INTERPRETORS

ACTORS
OF THE VERY BEST
VOCAL PERFORMANCES

THIS IS HELLENIC GLOBAL HERITAGE

HAPPY SUNDAY
Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:33:04 GMT

Hi Georgios,

These are for sure two of the most famous Greek singers and of my favorites.

The following are two famous musicians too!

Regards,

Dimitra

Created By: 323854

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:15:29 GMT

Hello Dimitra

Thank ypou fro sharing two good songs. Both Yanni and Vangelis are fatrures in the fornt post. They are also my favorites. I will bring in everything in my mind that makes Greece Divine.

HARIS LEMONOPOULOS
One of the best Greek Bouzouki players ever
He lived mostly in USA.

Kindly Regards
Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:41:55 GMT

Ups! Sorry Georgios, I've just discovered that I posted that in a wrong thread! Hope you won't mind! I've just found the other one!

I think at least this one deserves to be posted here too!

you know... CLICK! :-)

With friendship,
Anamaria

Created By: anamaria

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:35:17 GMT

Hello Ana Maria

What a nice post you made here. Thank you for the additional information and presentation. Greece is great and there is much to write and find.

I can only return my greafulness with a hymn.

POEMS, DANCE AND MUSIC IN ANCIENT GREECE

THE HYMN OF KOURITES
The oldest know hymn to Peace

From the welcoming of the Olympic Flame 2004 in Sitia Crete.
This is the oldest Hymn to PEACE.
Music set by Zachos Terzakis.

Crete - In anciant Palaeokastro
Performance -Ancient Greek
Voice Greek

LYRICS: STROPHE 2

Hail.! Greatest Kouros, Son of Kronos
Master of all gone below ground
return to Dikta for the changing year...
for here they took you from Rhea,
babe immortal, the shielded wards
and beat the dance with their feet.
(Literal translation: J.-A. Mac Gillivray)

Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:28:20 GMT

Greetings, Georgios!

Happy Independence Day, Greece!

Cross or a phoenix?

Since XV century Greece was under a turkish yoke. As traditional color of Greeks long since was considered dark blue. Therefore in Ottoman empire for private Greek courts the special flag - on red, as at a turkish flag, a background - a dark blue horizontal strip has been established. Sometimes, especially on island Crete, there were also flags a white horizontal strip. A traditional symbol of struggle of Christian Greece for clearing of authority of Muslim Turkey was a cross. Flags with a white cross appear at the Greek patriots in XVIII century. Flashed in 1821 and a national national-liberation revolt proceeded up to 1829 passed under various banners with complex images of crosses, the Virgin, sacred, birds a phoenix in a flame. Their color was red or dark blue more often. The most widespread flag of insurgents since 1821 was a red panel with a white cross, but there were also others, for example: with a red cross on a white or grey background. But, as red color traditionally was color of turkish flags, in Greece it has appeared is unpopular

In 1822 independence of Greece has been proclaimed, and as state the dark blue flag with a white cross has been accepted. About occurrence of a сине-white banner there is a legend according to which insurgents, protecting from the Turk one of monasteries, have lifted above it such banner made of a dark blue monastic cassock and a white soldier's skirt (by ancient tradition, the Greek soldiers, as well as Scottish, carried skirts). In 1832 a national flag became a flag from five white and four dark blue horizontal strips. When in 1833 Greece has been proclaimed by kingdom led by the Bavarian prince Otton, the flag of 1822, with a white cross has been restored. On coincidence of circumstances of color of the Greek flag almost completely coincided with white-blue colors of the Bavarian flag and the arms. The background of the Greek flag at king Otgon became blue.

Since 1863 representatives of Danish royal dynasty Gluksburg began to borrow the Greek throne. At them the shade of the Greek flags has changed on dark blue. From now on in the country for many years there were simultaneously some official flags. A national flag inside of the country was the traditional flag with a cross in which center the gold royal crown was located. On a national colours the crown was absent. Outside Greece, and also in its seaports and civil courts as a national symbol other flag consisted of five dark blue and four white strips with a white cross in dark blue крыже was used. This system of flags has existed before declaration of republic in 1923 when a unique flag for 12 years became девятиполосный a flag with a cross in крыже and has been again restored in 1935 after restoration of a monarchy.

Within fascist occupation when the former government ran to Egypt, struggle for national clearing was conducted with the Greek national-liberation front. Its flag was dark blue with a white cross in which center the contour of the red triangle entered in a red circle was represented. Under the same flag in 1945 - 1949 the Greek patriots battled against invaders and fascist proteges. The emigrant government of the Greece which has come back per 1944 in the released country, used former flags.

In 1970, in three years after an establishment in Greece dictatorships of " black colonels ", have been declared by a national colours девятиполосный a flag with a cross in крыже. The Same flag with a crown in the center of this cross became a national flag (before it within 107 years was used as военнно-sea). In 1973 Greece has been proclaimed by republic, but on a national flag there was a crown. In a year after overthrow of a mode in 1975 by the only thing state and a national colours has been declared dark blue with a white cross (more light, than flags of 1970). Nine strips the flag with a cross in крыже continued to be used only informally, as a trading flag. But in 1978 this flag has been accepted as the only thing (state and national) a flag.

Shade of its dark blue color still светлее, than on a flag of 1975.
Dark blue color of the Greek flags symbolizes the cloudless sky above Greece and washing its Mediterranean, Эгейское, Ионическое and the seas Kritskoe, white - cleanliness of intentions of the Greek patriots. Under other version, dark blue color designates hope and mercy, and white - belief, justice, beauty and validity, on the third, dark blue color is a truth and fidelity, and white - the world. The cross symbolizes Christian religion and reminds of a role of the Greek orthodox church in struggle for clearing of the country. Nine strips of a flag have the greatest quantity of interpretation. On one of versions, they designate историко-geographical areas of Greece: the Central Greece with island Euboea, Thessaly, Epirus, Thrace, Peloponnese, Macedonia, Crete, Эгейские and Ionian islands. On another, they correspond to nine syllables of the national motto of times of struggle for independence " Freedom or death! " (which it is Greek sounds " Элефтерия and танатос! "). On the third, the number of strips reminds of nine years of the armed struggle for national independence (1821 - 1829) Besides is versions, that nine strips on a flag remind of nine strips which ostensibly were on a gold board of the hero of ancient greek epos Ахилла and even... About nine muses.

The arms of Greece also repeatedly varied, but basically two emblems alternated: a phoenix reviving from a flame, and a white cross corresponding a flag on a dark blue board (which shade varied with change of a shade of flags). A phoenix a symbol of eternal updating. In 1827 - 1831, in board of first Greek president I.Kapodistrii, as the arms the phoenix served in a flame above which rays of light and a cross were represented. In 1832-1862, at king Ottone, the arms was a board with a cross which ends did not reach edges of a board, and in the center of a cross was represented crowned щиток from blue and white rhombuses - the small arms of Bavaria. With 1863 till 1973 (with a break in 1923 - 1935), That is during board of royal dynasty Глюксбургов, the same board with a cross, topped by a crown (in the center of a cross instead of Bavarian щитка 3 Danish lions all over again were represented, and later they have disappeared), was located in the center of the complex arms similar to the big arms of Denmark: on a background of a cloak with a crown in an environment of two giants with палицами. A stamp board surrounded also a circuit of an award of the Savior and written it is Greek the motto " My force - in love of people ".

After an establishment of dictatorship of a junta till 1973 formally royal arms, but was kept by the actual emblem of the state represented on documents, establishments, coins, there was an ominous figure of the soldier in a helmet with a rifle and a bayonet on a background of a phoenix in a flame and dates of revolution on April, 21st, 1967. In 1973 with liquidation of a monarchy the royal arms has been excellent, and the arms of republic became simply a phoenix in a flame with rays of light above it. The modern arms of Greece is accepted in 1975. Its dark blue color symbolizes the seas washing Greece, a cross which ends now reach edges of a board, designates christianity. The laurel wreath around of a board symbolizes ancient glory of Greece.

(from http://www.vokrugsveta.ru/publishing/vs/archives/?item_id=1728 )

Created By: 261150

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:46:14 GMT

Thank you Georgios.

I found your presentation very interesting. Have a wonderful celebration!

Kevin

"Helping others, to help others"

Created By: kevind2

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:29:10 GMT

Hello Gorgios,
Even though I cannot view all of your links because I cannot access speed dialup where I live, I wanted to say I think your presentation on your beloved Greece is wonderful.
Happy birthday to your sister too.
Blessings, Gerri

"Venus Triumphant"
by Andrew Annenberg

Created By: Gerri

Re: KALEIDOSCOPE 5#: GREECE The Land of Gods and Spirit

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:59:10 GMT

Hi Georgios,

Thank you for the invitation to join in on your celebration. I am having trouble keeping up with all your wonderful forums, they are all so wonderful I don't want to miss one thing. So on with the party.

Myrna

((youtube id="qzUlb4a4qio"))((/youtube))

Created By: ernamay

METHODEA - A Tribute to Zeus MUSIC-VANGELIS	NOSTALGIA MUSIC-YANNI
Antonis 1974 MUSIC THEODORAKIS	Erchontai chronia Dyskola MUSIC KAZANTZIDIS
White Rose Of Athens MUSIC NANA MOUSKOURI	Carmen MUSIC MARIA KALLAS