For over 27 days an independent crew discreetly shot a feature film set in a sex shop in the alleyways of Beijing. Photographers captured the crew’s trials and success, the fun and the zaniness, as well as the sheer work that went into making China’s first sex shop comedy.

The film’s director is a fellow Greek, Sam Voutas. The Greek-Australian who has lived half his life in Asia is an accomplished filmmaker and actor in China.

“Red Light Revolution” has gone on to play at film festivals such as Sao Paolo and Santa Barbara International, win an audience award in London, and garner theatrical release in the UK and Canada. But it all started in China, in the alleyways of Nanluoguxiang and old Beijing.

This revealing photo exhibition into the world behind “Red Light Revolution” also features an auction of the film’s original neon sign. The “Red Light Dreams” neon sign was designed by the film’s art director Yuan Feng, and the assistant art designer Tian Chunpeng. It has since gone on to become one of the film’s most symbolic and memorable images.

DATES: August 6-September 30th.
WHERE: Cafe Zarah, Nanluoguxiang’s favourite photography exhibition space. 42 Gulou Dong Dajie, Beijing, CHINA.

Christos Makiyama, a Greek-Japanese resident of Yokohama – a city about 15 miles south of Tokyo- talks about how he experienced the 8.9 magnitude earthquake. In our video call he also told us that most Greeks of Japan are in good health.

Fay Savaidis and Christos Makiyama have created a website for Greeks in Japan, www.GreeksofJapan.com, that this difficult time has helped the communication between its Greek members.

After an amazing fight for the phase of 16 that will stay in the mind of everyone who watched it, the Greek Champion accomplished a great victory over the Moroccan Chahid “The Pitbull” Oulad El Hadj and took his place among the 8 best fighters of the world.

From the beginning of the match, Zambidis started very aggressively and managed to knock down twice his opponent! But Chahid trying to justify his nickname, raised up and tried to start a counter attack.

The third round was a real war with both fighters continuously exchanging massive hits while the presenters of the event and the audience were watching breathless the great combat.

At the end of the fight the crowd stood up to cheer for both fighters for the amazing spectacle they offered, believing that Mike Zambidis was the clear winner. But the referees had a different opinion, declaring the fight should go an extra round!

During the extra round the superiority of Iron Mike was confirmed, knocking down his opponent with a massive blow for the third time. Chahid managed to avoid the KO because of the bell that rang for the last time.

When Zambidis was announced the winner, his team composing of Babis Papadopoulos (G. Mallios assistant coach), his gymnast Alexandros Papadionysiou and his manager Tonia Fouseki, rushed inside the ring to cheer for this spectacular victory.  TV presenters, experts and fans, stated that it was the best and most spectacular fight they had ever seen! With this win, Iron Mike reaches the impressive number of 143 successes in 160 fights, with 84 KO. His next fight will be on November the 8th in Tokyo, Japan for the final 8 of K-1 MAX.

The Greek Champion, satisfied from his performance and the result stated: “I am really glad that I won this strong and very important fight, and lived up to the expectations of the people who believe in me! My training payed off and now my attention is to the next phase with the 8 best fighters of the world”.

Church of Holy Sepulcher

By Antonia Patsidou / antonellapatsidou@hotmail.com

The “Holy Light” from the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem will be transferred to Athens on Bright Saturday (Orthodox Easter) with a government executive flight via Tel Aviv.

The aircraft will arrive at Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport at 18.30 and will be received with heads of state honors.

“The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem makes the historical existence of the oldest Christian church in Jerusalem, which was established there soon after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the year 33 AD, and for that reason it is called “Mother Churches of bass”. The first foundations of the church of Jerusalem are the Apostles who set consistently to accept the first persecutions of Christians and Jews. The first Martyr was Stephen who was stoned by his compatriots and Apostle James who was a victim of Jewish persecution against Christians. In “new ‘Church was the first meeting, known as the Meeting of the Apostles separated from Judaism to Christianity and of course the relations of Mosaic Law by the Gospel. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem divides the checkered history in three periods: Period A: From the establishment until the conquest of Jerusalem by the Arabs (33 – 638) Period B: From the Arab conquest by the Turkish (638 to 1517) and Period C: from the Turkish conquest to date. (1517 – present)”.

JERUSALEM

Jerusalem is the largest city of Israel. It is an ancient city, which is Jewish, Christian and Islamic center of religious and historical significance. Probably this is the ancient city of Salim, whose king was the Melchizedek. The city later was called Ievous.
After the separation of the nation of Israel, Jerusalem became the capital and holy city of Jews and the southern kingdom of Judah. In this city King Solomon built his magnificent Jewish temple which was destroyed a few centuries later by the Babylonians. Now survives only part of the wall from the period of the Second Temple, the famous “Wailing Wall” or rather “Western Wall”.
The old city of Jerusalem is a world heritage monument, surrounded by a fortified wall and divided into four quarters: the Armenian, the Christian, Muslim and Jewish.
Because of the above the Holy Land is a major tourist attraction. Sights include the Castle (24 BC), the Cathedral of St James of the 12th century, the Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif), the Al-Aqsa mosque (705-715), the Dome (or Dome ) of the Rock, the Western Wall, the Antonia Fortress, Temple of the Holy Sepulcher, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Tomb of the Kings and the Mount of Olives.

Patriarchate of Jerusalem

The Jerusalem Patriarchate is the guardian of the Orthodox Church in the East and has received undiminished international interest from the time it was found until today. The whole story is driven by the continued struggles of “Agiotafitikis” (Holy tomb) Brotherhood to preserve and save the sacred shrines. The struggle reflects the heroic efforts of the guards-monks for the preservation of Greek identity and tradition of the Orthodox Patriarchate. This is because of the sacred shrines of the Holy Sepulcher. There was endless scope for conflict between Orthodox Christians and occasionally conquerors but also among Christians of other Bonds.

Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos C.

Theophilos III (born Elias Giannopoulos) is the patriarch of Jerusalem from August 22, 2005. Born in 1952 in Gargalianoi Messinia. At the age of 12 he went to Jerusalem and joined the Holy Sepulcher Brotherhood. He studied theology at the University of Athens, and holds a postgraduate degree from Durham University in England. He speaks Greek, English and Arabic. He became archdeacon of Patriarch Benedict A, and then he served as a priest in Cana of Galilee from 1991 to 1996. There, his flock was mostly Arab. He founded the association “Light of Christ» (Nour al Masih), for spreading the faith in the region. In 1996 he became the Exarch of the Holy Sepulcher in Qatar. In February 2005 he was elected Archbishop of Tabor. After the crisis that broke in the Patriarchate which resulted in the impeachment of Patriarch Irineos A, Theophilos was elected patriarch on August 22, 2005. He is the first Patriarch of Jerusalem who was elected unanimously.

Holy Land.

The term refers to the Holy Land area of Palestine and Israel. The Land has historical and religious value in Christianity in particular, but also in Judaism and in the Islamic Faith. The Land includes the places mentioned in the New Testament. Sights of Great Importance include the Holy Sepulcher and Golgotha in Jerusalem, the Cave and the manger at Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Mount of Olives where the Lord was taken, the Gethsemane where Theotokos slept, the Bethany where Lazarus was resurrected by the Nazareth, Tabor, Kana, the Jordan River and other towns and localities.

Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ in the year 33 AD

General Christendom called Resurrection, or Resurrection of Christ characterizes conviction for three days after the burial, resurrection – Corpus Christi. It is admitted in the sixth article of the Creed: “And resurrected Tuesday day at Scriptures, where the fact narrated at length by the four evangelists (Matthew, chapter 28, Marcus, chapter 16, Luke, chapter 24, and John. Cap. 20), as well as the Acts of the Apostles (3:36) “God lifted him from the dead” who claimed to validate what the Old Testament foretold that on the life of the Prophets.

The celebration of the Resurrection of Christ.

The Resurrection of Christ for the Orthodox Church is celebrated Easter Sunday (on the Jewish religion, which means exit and transferred to Christianity), and it is a movable feast, which occurs on the first full moon ( residue worship ancient lunar) after the first vernal equinox (the combination of ancient residue Solar worship).

The celebration is considered the largest and most important in Eastern Christianity . It is preceded by long and severe fasting. During the Holy Week or Passion Week, the Church performs funeral ceremonies to remember the humiliating tortures suffered by Christ before his death on the cross. * Please note that at that time crucifixion was considered an ignominious death, intended for the most despicable criminals.

Holy Light-Preparation of the Holy Sepulcher.

The term Holy Light refers to the light of the Orthodox Church, symbolizing the Resurrection. Also called Light of the Resurrection.

On Saturday morning before the ceremony of Holy Light begins there is fastidious control of the Holy Sepulcher. The audit is to ascertain that there is nothing that the Holy Sepulcher is carrying on, which could light a fire.

The Touch of the Holy Light.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem is the Holy Sepulcher of Christ. Christians from all denominations gather in Jerusalem to receive the Holy Light .

The most common explanation to “Holy Fire” includes the spontaneous combustion of candles, however, the faithful, have another explanation. The Holy Light is a complex phenomenon that occurs within the dome of the Church of the Resurrection and according to others even out of it . It appears as a horizontal white and blue lightning, rotating or moving in flames. No one knows its origin. Electricity or lights do not exist in the temple. Testimonies indicate that many candles of the faithful and lamps light up by themselves, and the flame does not burn the first few minutes. Some videos show priests and believers to bring the candle near their beards or touching their hands with the fire and not suffer or get burned.

Immediately after he brings it outside of the temple, Patriarch of Jerusalem passes the Holy Light to representatives of other churches and believers who attend the ceremony. Then the legate of the Holy Sepulcher of Athens receives the sacred or unfading light and transfers it to Athens with a special flight. The light it is received in Athens as “a head of state” and a ceremony takes place at the Athens airport upon its arrival. Then it is transferred to different churches in Greece.

By NEOmagazine

Metropolitan Athenagoras of Mexico visited Haiti recently, in order to be on the side of the clergy and Orthodox faithful at the earthquake stricken island. He arrived to Port au Prince from Greece where he was visiting for official Church business, aboard a Greek Government plane, with the Assistant Foreign Minister of Greece and the Executive Director of the NGO “Solidarity” of the Church of Greece. The plane was carrying 50 tons of food, medicine and other aid, a gift from the Greek Government and the Church of Greece for the people of Haiti.

Metropolitan Athenagoras immediately visited the homes and schools of Greek Orthodox faithful in Haiti to assess the damage done by the earthquake. Deeply moved by what he saw, “this is a disaster of immense proportions” he noted. “All of the buildings where our Church and schools are presently housed, were seriously damaged and will need major repairs, or even worse will need to be demolished and rebuilt.” His Eminence further visited the property owned by the Holy Metropolis where plans to build a complete complex, comprised of a Church, a school, a clinic and housing for clergy, had been approved. “Since our property is presently vacant, families whose homes were destroyed and who had no place to live, are presently using our property for temporary living quarters,” he said. About 3000 people live on the Church property, 1000 of whom are children. Initially they lived out in the open until last week when the Metropolis received a donation of 500 tents, which were given to these families for more humane living conditions.

Along with two Haitian Greek Orthodox clergy, Metropolitan Athenagoras performed Divine Liturgy in a small open area of the property. The Liturgy was attended by many hundreds of Haitian Greek Orthodox faithful and by all of the families living there. Upon the completion of the Divine Liturgy His Eminence brought the people the blessings and concern of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and offered words of comfort to Haitian faithful and all those present, asking them to keep hope alive. “We will not abandon you, we are here and will remain with you, for as many years as it takes, until you can return to your homes or until new homes can be built. We will rebuild our Church, we will rebuild our schools and we will do everything possible to help you rebuild your lives and your future,” Metropolitan Athenagoras stated.

Following Liturgy, the clergy distributed rice, flour, raisins and other food aid, which was part of the aid given by the Greek Government and the Church of Greece, to the families present.

On his way to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Metropolitan Athenagoras passed through New York and visited with Archbishop Demetrios of America. Upon assessing the present situation, together they determined a plan of action which Metropolitan Athenagoras will present to Patriarch Bartholomew, so that, with the help of IOCC and the financial aid and assistance provided by the Church of America, positive measures can be pursued in helping the people of Haiti meet their immediate needs while working towards a long term and more permanent solution in rebuilding the lives and future of the Haitian Greek Orthodox Community.

Metropolitan Athenagoras was expected to return to Haiti the first weekend of March when he was to meet with President Rene Preval to discuss various options available for a cooperative effort with the Haitian Government for the benefit of the people of this devastated island nation.

Anyone wishing to assist the efforts in bringing comfort and aid to the people of Haiti and the Haitian Orthodox Community may offer a donation either by making an automatic Bank deposit, or by writing a check addressed to “Haiti Christian Orthodox Relief Fund” and sending it to the following address:

CHASE BANK, ROUTING NUMBER #071000013 / SWIFT CODE CHASUS33

For the Account of: ORTHODOX MISSIONS MEXICO, HAITI ORTHODOX RELIEF FUND, 708 Hanbury Dr., Des Plaines, Ill. 60016

ACCOUNT # 867222986

The Holy Metropolis of Mexico, under the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, covers the Caribbean Islands, Central America, Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia. For more information the phone number is 011 52 55 5294 4460 and the email address metropolimexico@yahoo.com.mx

The Greek Center in Santiago

By Alex Billinis*

I spent the summer of 1996 studying and working in Chile, as part of a law school exchange program. As always in my world travels, I sought out the Greek community. I had heard stories from my father about his own sailor father’s travels to Chile, where he described a strong Greek community in the 1930s, centered, as usual, around shipping and mercantile activities, with the largest communities in the capital, Santiago, and the nearby Pacific port of Valparaiso (Valley of Paradise). The tragic events of the past weekend have brought my thoughts back to Chile, and to its small Greek community.
When compared to the Greek communities in North America, Australia, or parts of Europe, the Greek Chilean community is very small, and highly assimilated. This is a characteristic of Greek communities throughout Latin America. Most Greeks there are of the second or third generation, and at the Santiago Church, few could follow the liturgy in Greek, and often they would cross themselves the Catholic way, as children of mixed marriages. The priest at the time was from Pireaus, where my father grew up, and the psalti was from Salonika, so we became fast friends. I even found a distant cousin of mine, who recognized my uncommon surname, Billinis, from the Vatika region of Laconia. The Greek Chilean community had a high proportion of Asia Minor origins, who uprooted from their Constantinople and Anatolian homelands, continued their search for a home. Others were like my “cousin,” merchant seafarers who landed in Valparaiso and stayed. Santiago also has a small Greek Community Center, the Colectividad Helenica, which has a small membership in a lovely building struggling to keep cultural and linguistic heritage alive. I also found the Greek Embassy quite involved with supporting the small community.
Aside from the Santiago Church, there is a chapel in Valparaiso and the in coastal resort of Vina del Mar, and a small community in the northern mining town of Antofagasta. In the course of my work, I visited all of these cities, but I never was able to find the churches or communities. They had been absorbed, more of a cultural artifact. In this, I was reminded of my travels in Hungary and Austria, where Greek communities left impressive architectural and educational foundations, now assimilated.
Most Greek Chileans would not describe themselves as such, but rather as Chileans of Greek descent. Chile is quite nationalistic, and the absorptive power of Latin American culture, with roots in Spain, is less culturally distant than the Anglo-Saxon cultures of North America and Australia. Further, the North America and Australia are far more liberal and pluralistic societies, and the Greek communities there far larger and more dynamically in contact with Greece. The Greek Embassy and the internet are changing that, now, and in the “Facebook Era,” I have re-established many contacts with Chile. For anyone interested in learning more about the Chilean Greek community, please visit the following website (mostly in Spanish): http://www.asesoriasculturales.cl/colhelenica/
Culture and geography have always fascinated me, and in Chile the Greeks found a California in the southern hemisphere. Chile possesses the same beautiful climate, fantastic wines, olive oil, and steep mountains longingly recalling their Greek homeland. Like Greece, and California, fault lines lurk just beneath the surface, and Chile’s beauty is a fragile one that occasionally yields tragedy such as the events of February 27.

*Alexander Billinis has spent a decade in international banking in the US and Europe, most recently in London. He is particularly interested in Greece’s economic and cultural position in the Balkans. He has worked with companies invested in the Balkans, and is writing a travel-historical book about the post-Byzantine states of modern Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.

The Greek community in Chile is estimated to number around 100.000 people. Most reside either in the Santiago area or in the Antofagasta area. Chile is one of the 5 countries with the most descendants of Greeks in the world.

The first Greek immigrants arrived during the sixteenth century from Crete, so named “Candia” in honor of the island’s capital, the current Heraklion. The majority of Greek immigrants arrived in Chile at the beginning of century, some as part of their spirit of adventure and escape from the rigors of the World War and the catastrophe of Smyrna in Asia Minor, although many Greeks had already settled in Antofagasta.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece has activated the Crisis Management Unit to collect contact information from Greek citizens seeking any family members or other people who are in Chile.
The contact number is 210-3681912.