by John Faraclas
What a gathering that was earlier on today at the Oasis Hotel / Apartments hall in Glyfada – part of the Athens Riviera.
Nearly 150 members, guests and friends of EBAT (Union of Vrotadoussians in Attica) were there in a jovial mood to cut the traditional New Year’s Vasilopita (New Year’s cake so to speak, named after Saint Basil), a custom running for centuries in the Hellenic Orthodox World.
His Eminence Metropolitan Markos of Chios, Psara and Oinousses officiated, accompanied by a young Vrondadoussian chanter. He also gave a short and to the point speech on where society stands and what we have to do and alter / improve our lives and then he cut the traditional Vasilopita.
Sort speeches were delivered by the President and Secretary of EBAT, Dr. Yiannis Gialas and Stelios Voukounas respectively.
The gold sovereign (flouri) went to Mrs. Lemonia Pachnoudaki!
Excellent live music by Yioryos Stiros and Manos Vasilakis – harmonium and quitar including the Vrotadoussian New Year Carols.
Present to the event where the two MP’s of Chios to the Greek Parliament, Notis Mitarachi of ND and Vadm (HCG) Stavros Michaelidis of Pasok-Kinal, Mrs Mariela Varoni and Radm (HN) Yiannis Vorrias president and vice president respectively of OHSA (ΟΧΣΑ – Federation of Chian Associations in Attica), Dr. Tasos J. Tripolitis, a former president of EBAT with his wife, Antonis D. Faraklas with his wife and daughter Anthia, the president of the Chios Marine Club Capt Antonis Ch. Pitsilos and his wife Emily Papazi a BoD member of EBAT and other members of the CMC, including former president Markos J. Tripolitis and his wife, Dimitris Vourlidis, Manolis Karamanis and others.
We also spotted Yiannis Kotsanis and his wife, his daughter periodontist Dr. Angeliki Kotsani, Dr. Anthoula Malafi – a dermatologist, Capt Kostis Sarantis and his wife, Stratos Mastrantonis and his girlfriend Georgia Kosta, his sister Evelina Mastrantoni and a lot of young people, a good sign for EBAT’s future!
Worth noting that EBAT celebrates its 60th Anniversary and I was present in its launching back in 1960! We sincerely hope EBAT becomes a driving force for the Vrontadoussians all over Planet Ocean!
