Athens News Agency: News in English, 04-01-06

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Epiphany Day celebrations take place around the country

[02] Greece, Cyprus donate funds for ancient Greek culture in Bulgaria

[03] Premier, party, gov't officials discuss upcoming elections

[04] Weather Forecast: Rain and sleet on Wednesday

[01] Epiphany Day celebrations take place around the country

One of Orthodox Christianity's most important days, that of the ''Epiphany'' was celebrated throughout the country on Tuesday, with the customary church services and the blessing of the waters, in memory of Christ's baptism in the River Jordan.

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, breaking with tradition officiated the ceremonies and doxology in Greece's second largest city Thessaloniki, replacing temporarily late bishop Pateleimon, who died six months ago.

Following a grand ceremony in the city's Cathedral of the Wisdom of God and with temperatures of close to 3 degrees centigrade, the archbishop led a litany to the waterfront of the port city and from a boat he cast a cross in the water, concluding the blessing, which customarily is also a call for youths to jump in the water and recover the cross.

Despite the cold weather a large number of people participated in the outdoors ceremonies, which were also attended by civic and political leaders, with Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos representing the government, along with Culture Minister Evengelos Venizelos and Macedonia Thrace Minister Haris Kastanidis

Similar ceremonies took place in Piraeus officiated by Metropolitan of the city Kallinikos, with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis and main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis in attendance.

The Piraeus ceremonies were also attended by Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) President Dimitris Tsovolas, Merchant Marine Minster George Paschalidis and local government leaders.

In Athens, the Epiphany Day celebration were focused in central Kolonaki plaza Water Reservoir, where the government was represented by Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and the Municipality by Mayor Dora Bakoyianni.

[02] Greece, Cyprus donate funds for ancient Greek culture in Bulgaria

SOFIA (ANA/B. Borisov) - Greece and Cyprus donated 20,000 euros and 6,000 dollars respectively for archaeological projects in Bulgaria, that are related to the ancient Greek and Byzantine antiquities in the country.

According to Bulgarian National History Museum director Bozidar Dimitrov, Greece donated the money for excavations in the necropolis of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia of Pontos, near the modern city of Sozopolis.

The ancient city, which was founded in the 6th century B.C., but was abandoned in the 1st century B.C., was one of the most important trade and culture centers of its day in the region.

The Cypriot donation was provided for restoration work done in the ''St. John'' Byzantine monastery also near Sozopolis.

Both donations are part of a project to maintain and promote ancient Greek cultural heritage in Europe, Dimitrov said, adding ''we are grateful for the donations, despite the fact that we are sad that our own state is not taking care of our heritage in Europe, in a similar fashion.''

[03] Premier, party, gov't officials discuss upcoming elections

Prime Minister Costas Simitis met on Tuesday in his home with PASOK party Secretary Michalis Chrysohoidis and Deputy Press and Media Minister Telemachos Hytiris to discuss developments within PASOK in light of the national elections.

Following the meeting Hytiris said that decisions will be announced on their ''own good time'', limiting his responses by saying that during the meeting they discussed all upcoming developments, including the date of the national elections.

He added that all relevant announcements will be made by Simitis, after his meeting with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and the decisions that will be made by the PASOK bodies.

[04] Weather Forecast: Rain and sleet on Wednesday

Rain or sleet is forecast, primarily in eastern and southern regions, and periodic snowfall in mountainous areas. Winds westerly, southwesterly light to moderate. Temperatures in Athens 0C to 5C and in Thessaloniki -2C to 2C.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article