Nicosia, Aug. 10 (MPA) -- A new round of discussions on the Cyprus issue will commence on the 4th or 6th of September in New York, governmental sources in Nicosia said. The discussions will last for about ten days. Cypriot president Glafco Clerides said that the Greek Cypriot side is prepared to "participate constructively" in finding a solution to the issue. See Complete Story.

New Democracy Attacks PASOK over Hiring

Athens, Aug. 10 (Combined Reports) -- The opposition New Democracy party has begun a full-scale assault on the government over the issue of public sector hiring. At a meeting, party officials charged that PASOK is only pretending to modernize, while in reality tampering with employment records and using government jobs as a way of boosting its support. Dimitris Sioufas, who presided over the meeting, stated "we are not going to let the known governmental practices, that have dominated in many sectors of our country's public life with discriminations and differentiation in one direction, continue."

Meanwhile, PASOK is showing signs of mobilizing in response to its troubles, which include not only attacks from New Democracy but dissension from within. Greek Prime Minister Simitis has cancelled his planned trip to Sifnos, opting instead to review the new PASOK party statute at his summer home in St. Theodorous. A meeting with the party's government committee secretary, Kostas Skandalidis, is scheduled for August 20th.

"Olympic Truce" Proposed

Washington, July 20 -- The Olympic Truce initiative set in motion last year by the International Olympic Committee and the Greek government has received strong backing from the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA).  The Hellenic organization has made the initiative part of its four-tier Olympic plan, which also includes securing placement of the "Kyklos-Circle of Glory" wall mural at the new Athens Venizelos International Airport.

In a press release, AHEPA announced that it had sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle (D-SD), commending him him for introducing Senate Resolution126, which expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the observance of the Olympic Truce.

The "Olympic Truce" idea dates back to the ancient world. As early as 776 B.C., participants of the ancient Olympic Games observed a truce whereby all warring parties ceased hostilities and laid down their weapons for the duration of the games and during the travel period for athletes to get to and from the games.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate and a committee representing the Archdiocese of America have announced an agreement concerning the American church's new Charter. But sources from around the Orthodox community say that in fact the Patriarchate rejected key provisions of the proposed Charter, indicating it is not ready to allow more autonomy for the Church of America. By Robert Herschbach

Diocesan Awards 2001

Greek Orthodox faithful who have provided outstanding service to their parishes were honored at the fifteenth annual Diocesan Awards dinner.  The event, attended by more than 700 people, was held on June 10th in Randolph, MA.

What is the Divorce Rate
for Greek Orthodox Couples?

During a period of 23 years over which figures were compiled by the Archdiocese, there were 121,587 marriages and 16,981 divorces. Using these figures alone, the divorce rate would be 14% of the total Orthodox marriages, falling far below the US national average of approximately 43%. By Christos and Mary Papoutsy

Greek Laws dealing with purchase
of property in Greece

With patience, persistence and good legal advice, home-buying dreams of Greek-Americans can materialize, resulting in closer ties to ancestral lands and fine educational opportunities for youngsters. By Christos and Mary Papoutsy



Thea Halo in Boston

"You are to leave this place. You will have three days to gather your things. You will take only what you can carry." With an officer's shouts, the three-thousand-year history of Pontic Greeks in Turkey came to a violent end. Stripped of everything she had ever held dear, young Sano saw her family members perish, one after the other. By Nina Gatzoulis