CYPRIOT
HIGH COMMISSIONER VISITS VANCOUVER
On November 14th the Honourary Consul of Cyprus,
Tasoula Berggren along with the Cyprus Community of British Columbia
welcomed the visit to Vancouver of the High Commissioner of Cyprus to
Vancouver, H.E. Mr. Andreas Kakouris.
At noon H.E.Mr.Kakouris
was at the Institute of European Studies at the University of British
Columbia. There he presented a talk entitled: The Cypriot experience as a
new member of the European Union. This was followed by a reception. He
then went on to Simon Fraser University where at 3:30pm he presented a
talk at the History Department titled: Efforts in Solving the Cyprus
Problem.
In the evening he enjoyed a dinner at the Simpatico Restaurant in Vancouver
with members of the Cyprus Community and others.
ETHNIC
PRESS COUNCIL –VISIT TO VANCOUVER
National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada members Mr. Thomas Saras
and Ms. Sharifa Khan made a quick visit to Vancouver
in November to meet with representatives of the Ethnic newspapers and
other publications of British Columbia. Thomas Saras is the president of
the Council as well as editor-in-chief of Patrides Greek Newspaper,
headquartered in Toronto. Sharifa Khan
is the marketing specialist for the Council.
They
arrived in Vancouver
late in the evening of Nov. 16th. On Saturday, Nov. 17th
at the Holiday Inn Select on Hastings Street in Vancouver they met
throughout the day with representatives of the Ethnic press and media of
British Columbia. The main focus of the visit was to inform the local
ethnic media on how to market their publications to government. They
explained the criteria and application process for the ethnic publications
to qualify for government funded advertisements.
Also
discussed during the afternoon was the purpose of the Council and how to
get the ethnic media of western Canada
more involved so that they can realize their full potential. Each ethnic
group might be small but together they can carry a lot of “clout” in
shaping the policies of this country.
As
this was Mr. Saras’ first visit to Vancouver
after the meeting he and Ms. Khan were shown some west coast hospitality
by being treated to dinner at the Rodos Kouzina
in Port Moody. Mr. Saras hopes to make a lengthier visit to Vancouver,
along with Victoria in the future.
NEW
DEACON ORDAINED IN VANCOUVER
His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop was again in Vancouver
in November, attending to business with the Greek Orthodox communities of
the area. During the visit it was his pleasure to officiate at the
ordination to the deaconate of another of the graduates of the Toronto
Orthodox Theological Academy.
The ceremony to accept Michael Michael
into the deaconate was performed at Sts. Nicholas and Dimitrios Orthodox
Church in east Vancouver
in the evening of Monday, November 12th.
Michael Michael, who is from Surrey
is presently serving as deacon at St. George Cathedral in Vancouver where
he will gain valuable experience before being ordained as a priest.
Another
former Surrey
resident who also is a graduate of the Academy, Rev. Konstantinos Kaltsidis
is now serving as priest at the Ypapanti Greek
Orthodox Church in Victoria, Vancouver Island. Rev. Konstantinos Tsolias,
the priest at Sts. Constantine & Helen Church in Surrey and Rev.
Evangelos Aravantinos at Sts. Nicholas & Dimitrios Church in east
Vancouver are also graduates of the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy.
PHILOPTOCHOS
BAZAAR
The Philoptochos of St. George Cathedral hosted a bazaar at the Hellenic
Community Center of Vancouver on Sunday Dec. 9th . The sale was
open to the public from 12
noon until 4 pm. Tables were set up around the perimeters of the hall.
Some featured “white elephant” sales, others featured books, icons,
arts and crafts, as well as a silent auction of various gift baskets.
There were also baked goods for sale. A continuous line formed as the
volunteer cooks worked hard to keep up with the demand for loukemathes,
the popular honey tokens.
The proceeds of the bazaar go towards the charity work of the Philoptochos
Society. A food drive was also launched at St. George Cathedral to benefit
the Food Bank of Vancouver.
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