THE GREAT MISSION TO THE COUNTRIES NEAR THE BLACK SEA

ROMANIA, UKRAINE, MOLDOVA

In places:

•      Where Hellenism has prospered

•      Where Greek Revolution began

•      Where Ipsilandis and Mavrokordatos lived

•      Where today thousands of Expatriate Greeks write their own history

•      In the house of Filiki Etaireia

During the mission, except of the tourist and historical tours, we will join Greeks Abroad and meet the heads of Orthodoxy.

In the mission of 50 travellers there will be representatives of the parliament and the press.

Departure: 04/07/2008, Friday

•      From Thessalonica with a deluxe coach

•      From Athens with AEGEAN AIRLINES

Return: 15/07/2008, Tuesday

   PROGRAM SUMMARY

The trip includes:

1 night in Bucharest (Romania)

2 nights in Odissos (Ukraine)

2 nights in Krimea (Ukraine)

1 night in Nikopolis or Krivoy Rog (Ukraine)

2 nights in Kiev (Ukraine)

2 nights in Kinishao (Moldova)

1 night in Braila (Romania)

11 nights in total

• HOTEL: The accommodation (11 nights) will be in 4 stats hotels.

• Transfers in the interior will be conducted by a deluxe coach.
• There will be a morning buffet and 1 meal daily
• Entrance in every museum
• Airport tax
• Civil liability insurance
• Guide and leader
• VAT

Participation cost:

From Athens by airplane

•        Price/person in a two-bed room 1,970 €

•        Price/person in a single-bed room 2,380 €

•        Children up to 12 years old 1,180 € (with their parents in the same room)

Form Thessalonica by bus (with an extra night)

•        Price/person in a two-bed room 1,770 €

•        Price/person in a single-bed room 2,180 €

•        Children up to 12 years old 1,000 € (with their parents in the same room)

For reservations and further information call : 210-8810109 (08:00-17:00 Monday-Friday) or visit http://www.gnl.gr/

Responsible for the journey: Mr. Nikitakou

There will be a strict priority order.

Cities and sights we will visit:

Odissos: The city-museum. Potemkin stairs. Marasli's house, where Filiki Etaireia was created. The Greek street and the Greek square. The national museum with the golden room, where findings of Greek cities, etc. are kept.

Krimea: Tavriki of Ancient Greeks. Olvia, founded by Greeks of Militos. Simferoupolis, the Greek Church, Odeskagia Street (Greek street), Sevastoupolis, the most well preserved street of Greeks in Tavriki. Yalta, Balaklava valley (former base of FYROM submarines), Church of Twelve Apostles, Bistis and Vatsikiotis houses, Livadia palace, where the famous conference of Yalta took place (Stalin, Churchill, Roosevelt).

Nikopolis: We will arrive by crossing Hersonska County and after passing by Dniperos River.

Kiev: The most spectacular city in Europe, the capital of Ukraine, the most ancient capital of Russia. Center of Orthodoxy. Mariinsky palace. Saint Vladimir's temple, Saint Lavra's monastery. The museum of historical treasures found in Scythian temples and are attributed to Greeks.

Kishinaou: The capital of Moldova. Stephan Tsel Mare's, a national hero, monument Greek Church of Saint Pandeleimonas, which for 50 years was a planetarium. The house of Filiki Etaireia

Vrela of Romania: The most beautiful city in Romania, inhabited by many Greeks. Greek church of Evaggelistria. Empeirikos museum, where the Art museum is located. Traianos square. Repoulitsi Avenue.

Bucharest: "Paris of Balkans". Centre of Hellenism during Turkish domination.

 THE PRESIDIUM OF 'ECUMENICAL HELLENISM PROGRAM' MEETS WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVES

The presidium of "Ecumenical Hellenism Program" conducted a series of meetings with state representatives. These meetings took place in the frame of informing about the second decade of the Program, which begins with the anniversary event organized by Ecumenical Hellenism Program in "Athinais" Multiplex in March 13, Monday. The meetings were conducted in a very friendly atmosphere.

1. Mr. Kiltidis Konstantinos, the State Secretary of Rural Development and Food in a commemorative photograph with the President of the Program, Mr. Stavros Panousopoulos, and the Scientific Supervisor of the Program, Mr. Athanasios Aggelopoulos. (from the State Secretary welcome in his office in 2, Aharnon Street) 2. The State Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Petros Doukas, received in his office (1, Vas. Sophias Avenue) by the presidium of the Program the book "Greek Treasures in the World"

3. The State Secretary of the Interior, Mr. Zois Christos, during his meeting in the Ministry (15, Vas. Sophias Avenue) with the presidium of the Program. 4. The former State Secretary of National Defence, member of Messinia Prefecture with Nea Dimokratia party, Mr. Labropoulos Ioannis, who, during his term as State Secretary, actively supported Ecumenical Hellenism Program.

5. The Athens Mayor, Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis, in a commemorative photograph with the President of the Program and the Scientific Supervisor, from their meeting in the Municipal Building. The Mayor has promised to provide his unconditional sympathy in the evolution of the Program and he offered to help in every way he can. 6. LA.O.S. President, Mr. Karantzaferis, welcomed in his office the presidium of Ecumenical Hellenism Program. He expressed his desire not only to help, but also to cooperate, with his party, for the achievement of the national historical update the Program is engaged upon, by providing for free in the libraries of the centres of foreign powers the book "Greek Treasures in the World" (translated in nine languages).

 FESTIVE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

AN INTERNATIONAL HISTORICAL INFORMATION CAMPAIGN FOR THE RETURN OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES AND THE BEGINNING OF THE EFFORT TO CREATE  THE ECUMENICAL HELLENISM HOME

Five hundred (500) personalities attended the event organized by the Ecumenical Hellenism Programme at Athinaida, on Monday, March 31. In the filled to capacity hall, after all those present "traveled" across the planet by watching the projection of the Programme's missions to the centers of Hellenism abroad, the Programme's president, Mr. Stavros Panousopoulos, announced the programme for the next decade.

General view of the hall (photo 1)
The Programme΄s president, Mr. Stavros Panousopoulos (photo 2)

The international historical information campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles is one of the Programme΄s goals. With this purpose in mind 3000 volumes of the work "Greek Treasures in the World" will be distributed free of charge to the decision making centers of the world, translated into 9 languages, among them Chinese, Arabic and Russian. Ms. Xenia Arapogianni, director of the 28^th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of Kalamata and former Director of the Museum of Ancient Olympia, the author of the work, made the presentation and received particularly positive comments.

The director of the 28^th Ephorate of Antiquities of Kalamata, Ms. Xenia Arapogianni with the Programme΄s President (photo 3) Ms. Arapogianni with reporter Nikos Aliagas (photo 4)

The "Ecumenical Hellenism Home" is the Programme΄s second goal. Expressing the will of millions of Greeks Abroad for closer relations with Greece, but also with each other on a business level, on a level of dealing with personal issues - hereditary, pensions, investments, sales, etc - and on a cultural level, we start out to bring a great vision to life.

To build the "Ecumenical Hellenism Home". The meeting point, the place, the infrastructure for a bidirectional relationship between Hellenism Abroad and Greece. To open the way for strengthening relations, servicing them, facilitating them, supporting them, as well as expanding business activities. A place where every Diaspora Greek will be able take and give what he or she wants. But also a place which at the same time will provide the opportunity for young Greek children to learn about Diaspora Greeks.

The Mayor of Athens, Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis, the Prime Minister΄s representative, Mr. Theodoros Kassimis, the representative of his Holiness the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Mr. Hieronymus, the Bishop of Diavlia, Mr. Damaskinos, the representatives of PASOK, Mr. Grigoris Niotis, of SYRIZA Mr. Panos Trigazis, of LAOS, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, the President of  DIMOKRATIKI ANAGENNISI, Stelios Papathemelis, the Deputy Minister for Rural Development, Mr. Kosta Kiltidis, the Member of Parliament, Mr. Ioannis Lambropoulos, were only a few of the people the honored the event with their presence and addressed a greeting of support for the effort.

The Mayor of Athens, Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis with the Programme΄s President and the Scientific Supervisor of the Programme, Professor Athanasios Aggelopoulos.

The representative of his Holiness the Archbishop of Athens, his Beatitude Metropolitan of Diavlia Damaskinos with the representative of PASOK, Member of Parliament Mr. Grigoris Niotis (photo 7).
The Deputy Minister for of Rural Development, Mr. Konstantinos Kiltidis with the Programme's President. (photo 8)

The representative of LAOS, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, with the Programme΄s President. (photo 9)
The representative of Synaspismos, member of the central committee and responsible of the Foreign Policy Department, Mr. Panos Trigazis. (photo 10)

The President of "Dimokratiki Anagennisi", Mr. Stelios Papathemelis with the President of the Programme (photo 11). The MP of New Democracy of the Prefecture of Messinia, Mr. Ioannis Lambropoulos with the Programme΄s President (photo 12)

Messages were sent by the Parliament΄s President, Mr. Sioufas, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Dora Bakoyanni, the Minister for Economy and Finance, Mr. Alogoskoufis, the Minister for Tourism, Mr. Spiliotopoulos, the Minister for Justice, Mr. Hatzigakis, the Minister for Transport and Communications, Mr. Hatzidakis, the Minister for Macedonia and Thrace, Mr. Tzimias, the Minister for Development, Mr. Folias, the Deputy Minister for the Interior, Mr. Zois.

The event honored Mr. Nikos Hatzinikolaou and Lakis Lazopoulos, while Nikos Aliagas was present as a Diaspora Greek and received the "golden wreath" of Ecumenical Hellenism", and moved the large audience with his presence and the messages he conveyed from Hellenism of the Diaspora. The event was hosted by Grigoris Valtinos and Anna Andrianou, with the Philharmonic orchestra of the City of Athens greeting the guests.

The reporter and honored person of the evening, Mr. Nikos Aliagas with the
Programme΄s President and its scientific supervisor.

The evening΄s hosts, Anna Andrianou and Grigoris Valtinos. (photo 15)
The Philharmonic of the City of Athens (photo 16)

The evening΄s epilogue was particularly touching, with a television tribute for the two great men of Orthodoxy and the Nation, the Late Archbishops Iakovos and Christodoulos, with Professor of the Aristotle University, Athanassios Aggelopoulos, making special reference to them. Over forty representatives of the press and all the channels of Greek television recorded the event, while ANT1SATELLITE transmitted it via satellite to the whole world.

The event was realized with the kind sponsorship of the companies: KLEOS S.A., BERGMANN KORD, EMPORIKI BANK OF GREECE S.A., GIOXAS S.A., LARKO S.A., VEREMIS (OTIS), TEDKNA, VAGIONIS IOSIF, MYLHAN HELLAS S.A.

Media sponsors: ΑΝΤ1 SATELLITE, REAL FM, AIR 104,4 , AXIA NEWSPAPER.

During the event, the Ecumenical Hellenism golden wreath was also presented to:   the Mayor of Athens Nikitas Kaklamanis, the Honorary President of New Democracy Mr. Konstantinos Mitsotakis. Also companies KLEOS A.E., BERGMANN KORD, and Emporiki Bank of Greece S.A.

The "silver wreath" of Ecumenical Hellenism was presented to the companies: YOXAS, GENERAL MINING AND METALLOURGICAL COMPANY LARKO S.A., VEREMIS - OTIS, ELCO VAGIONIS S.A., MYLHAN HELLAS S.A.                                    

Honorary plaques were received by the companies: GENERAL PAPER RECYCLING, CASTALIA CLINIC, VOURLOUMI BROS S.A., E. PAIRIS AVEE, NI-THE LC, INTERKLARK, PUMA HELLAS S.A., ARMA FASHION,   RIGATOS PAVLOS LTD, GRAND SILVER, PEDACLEAN, AXIA NEWSPAPER, KARAVAS AVETE, "MELISSA" HOTEL, IOANNIS KALLERGIS LTD.                 

Also representatives of Local Administration: the Mayor of Egaleo, Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos, the Mayor of Ano Liossia, Christos Pappous, the Prefecture of Arkadia Konstantopoulos Dimitrios and the Mayor of Peristeri, Pahatouridis Andreas.

Of the Higher Educational Institutions of the country awards were given to: the UNIVERSITY OF LARISSA, the AIR FORCE SCHOOL, the SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS, the ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI, the UNIVERSITY OF PELOPONNESUS, the ATHENS UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS, the HAROKOPION UNIVERSITY, the UNIVERSITY OF THE AEGEAN, the UNIVERSITY OF IOANNINA, the UNIVERSITY OF CRETE, the NATIONAL KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS, the GREEK OPEN UNIVERSITY, the UNIVERSITY OF THESSALY, the UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS, the DIMOKRITION UNIVERSITY, the AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, the NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, the PANTEION UNIVERSITY, the WESTERN MACEDONIA    UNIVERSITY and the UNIVERSITY OF MACEDONIA. Also the Technological Institutes of WESTERN MACEDONIA, KAVALA, THESSALONIKI, SERRES, HALKIDA, LAMIA, KALAMATA, PATRAS, CRETE, MESOLOGGI AND PIRAEUS.

 FIRST MISSION JUNE 2008

In the same spirit and philosophy of providing historical information to the world and strengthening our national identity and heritage we decided...

To publish a luxury series of volumes under the general title "Greek Treasures in the World" where we will present the treasures of our homeland found all over the world in Museums or private collections (statues, pottery, murals, reliefs, mosaics, etc.).

The goal is on the one hand to highlight the ecumenical nature of Hellenism and on the other hand to preserve and popularize Greek history by presenting the ancient Greek treasures.