according to previous estimates by the Hellenic Survey for Geology and Mineral Exploration (EAGME) there are metal reserves of at least 180 million tons with an estimated extraction potential of 720,000 tons of copper and over 160 tons of gold a Greek subsidiary of the small Canadian group of the same name secured – after applying in May – a three-year mining exploration permit for an area of ​​9.7 square kilometers in Kilkis several incomplete attempts were made to dig up the area’s hidden treasure Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew concluded a significant four-day visit to Kilkis following a joint invitation from Metropolitan Bartholomew of Polyana and Kilkis and Mayor Dimitris Kyriakidis The visit coincided with the centenary celebration of the elevation of the Diocese of Polyana to the Holy Metropolis of Polyana and Kilkis the Patriarch was welcomed at the Metropolitan Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior where a doxology was performed in the presence of Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens a special ceremony at City Hall saw Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew declared an honorary citizen of Kilkis the Patriarch reflected on the region’s rich history are inextricably linked and interwoven with our Church.” the Patriarch presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior where he described the elevation of the Diocese to the Metropolis as a “milestone” for the local Church His presence continued to inspire the community as he inaugurated the Ecclesiastical Relic Office and Youth Center at the Church of St marking a spiritual and communal milestone for the region In his address to the clergy and monastic brotherhoods of the Metropolis of Polyana and Kilkis Patriarch Bartholomew expressed deep gratitude for being among them He emphasized the sacred role of priestly ministry as a bridge between God and humanity and underscored the importance of humility and spiritual guidance in their service the Patriarch participated in the sanctification ceremony for the new courthouse in Kilkis Greek Minister of Justice Giorgos Floridis Patriarch Bartholomew stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law and human rights “No concept of justice can be understood if it is not dictated by love for our fellow man.” Further highlighting his commitment to global issues the Patriarch delivered a compelling speech at the opening of the Ecological Conference titled “The Vision of an Ecological Metropolis for the 21st Century: Church and Theology,” held at the Conference Center of the Regional Unity of Kilkis His message centered on the need for concerted global efforts to address the ecological crisis advocating for an integration of spiritual and ecological consciousness The Patriarch’s final public engagement in Kilkis was the inauguration of the Cultural Center at the Church of St where he delivered a profound message about the intersection of culture He emphasized the eternal values of the Church and the importance of fostering spiritual growth in a rapidly advancing technological world The Patriarch’s visit concluded with his departure to Lefkochori leaving a lasting impact on the Kilkis community and further solidifying his role as a global advocate for justice The Vatican announced on Monday that all telephone communication within its territory will be suspended during the upcoming conclave.. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew delivered the keynote address at the International Scientific Conference “Restarting from Nicaea:.. The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate approved on October 4th the canonization of Eldress Sophia Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew traveled by air to Antalya the Patriarchate of Jerusalem solemnly celebrated the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women... (function() { window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { listeners: [] cb) { window.mc4wp.listeners.push( { event : evt callback: cb } ); } } }})(); © 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website These cookies do not store any personal information Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website Metropolitan Bartholomew of Polyana and Kilkis in Greece arrived on Monday 1 2024 at Entebbe International Airport ahead of his 10 days visit to Uganda including his protosyngelos and Fr Epifanios the Abbott of St NEKTARIOS monastery by Archbishop Jeronymos of Kampala Metropolitan Bartholomew was received at St Nicholas Cathedral by faithful present and proceeded with the Doxology in which the Metropolitan of Sozusa He was led on a guided tour around the institutions at the center including Uganda Orthodox Church Mothers Union Center and later for lunch at the Metropolis Headquarters he is expected to visit different mission centers including Kikwatambogo in Kiboga District where he will lay a foundation Stone for the new temple dedicated to St Kyanuna where he will celebrate divine Liturgy and School opening; visit different monastic centers among others Jeronymos Muzeeyi wished the team a pleasant and a hospital stay in Uganda Source and photos: ugandaorthodoxchurch.org.ug A freight train derailed late Tuesday night in the Kilkis area of northern Greece while traveling on the Gevgelija-Thessaloniki route which connects Greece with North Macedonia No injuries were reported among the train’s personnel or any bystanders the private operator of Greece’s railway system the rear axle of the second locomotive was partially derailed The impact of the incident has caused significant damage to the railway over a stretch of approximately 4 kilometers The affected section is expected to remain closed for about two months for repairs cross-border routes will be redirected through Bulgaria Hellenic Train is under increasing legal and political pressure following the tragic Tempe train collision in February 2023 one of the darkest chapters in the company’s history which resulted in 57 fatalities and scores of injuries Hellenic Train was acquired by Italy’s Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane in 2017 This work, US and Greece demonstrate movement superiority through joint exercise, by SFC Kyle Larsen, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright GREECE — Most of the world watched from a distance last year as more than a million migrants arrived on Greece’s shores and began walking north The people of Greece had a closer vantage point Some ventured out to meet the streams of refugees walking along their highways and through their towns offering hot food or clothing for the journey They watched as tens of thousands of travelers piled up at the Macedonian border after it closed spilling over into informal camps near the village of Idomeni without sanitation or food sleeping on the ground in freezing rain and hoping for the border to reopen Watching the drama unfold in their own backyards was surreal Disturbed by the squalid conditions in their own towns and cities some Greeks decided they had to do more than watch and took the ultimate step of inviting refugees to live in their homes with them The Greek population as a whole has mixed feelings toward refugees. A recent Pew Research Center report found that 55 percent of Greeks say refugees will increase the likelihood of terrorism in their country and 72 percent say refugees are a burden because they take jobs and social benefits most Greeks (57 percent) say refugees are no more to blame for crime in their country than others some Greeks are reaching out to the refugees in their communities in the most personal of ways I visited several Greek families and other groups of people who have given shelter to refugees to find out what motivated them Some felt God calling them; for others it was political ideology or simple sense of human decency it was a deep empathy and desire to do something in the face of immediate human suffering Kostas Koutaliagas and his wife Vasiliki Dimarhopoulou pray about everything he prayed to find three things: the right woman good work and a place to live — and God helped him find them all So when the Thessaloniki couple saw news reports in March of refugees suffering in the rain and cold of the Idomeni camp and wanted to help asked God to send a boy his age from among the refugees so they could be like brothers determined to bring them back full of refugees to live in one of their two adjacent apartments simply that they wanted to host women with young children and were introduced to two Syrian women with four children — one of whom was a 10-year-old boy searches for a verse in the Bible to explain how faith motivated her family to take in two families of refugees at her home in Nikopolis “God answered his prayer,” Dimarhopoulou says And the boys really have become like brothers: “Everywhere my son goes “It will be difficult when it’s time for him to leave.” One of the refugee women was pregnant when they met her separated from her husband who had gone ahead to Germany They scheduled doctors’ appointments and took her to the hospital two months later for a successful C-section operation puts her hand on her heart as she quotes the Golden Rule from the book of Luke and describes weeping as she watched the news from Idomeni “I had this verse on my mind during those days,” she says if I were in their position with my young son the family is motivated by their family history They grew up hearing stories about their grandparents who came to Greece as refugees of the Greco-Turkish war in 1922 Friends say they’re “crazy” to take in refugees during hard economic times but Koutaliagas says they experience regular miracles a plumber knocked on the door and said an anonymous donor had paid for him to install a €1,000 solar system that reduces electricity costs and provides hot water for the refugees’ apartment A Greek Bible and an English Bible sit side by side on a table in Vasiliki Dimarhopoulou's home in Nikopolis He hands an English Bible to my translator and commands her to read from Matthew 25: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink I was sick and you looked after me … whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine “If you say you are a Christian and say you believe in Christ you cannot act any differently,” says Dimarhopoulou “It’s something that builds inside you and it’s part of you.” blows a horn in the center of the playground and kids crowd around him running and playing with them as they beg him to teach them how to roll the hoops Glantzis was a teacher for 15 years before starting this private kindergarten Refugee kids have always attended alongside Greek students and this year there are eight kids from Syria Glantzis was contacted in March to ask for help housing refugees during the harsh winter He and several other teachers took refugee families into their homes — Glantzis has nine people living with him — and enrolled their children in the school One of the boys who lives with Glantzis is Omar he was still in shock because his family had been bombed in Syria and he had a problem making it to the bathroom in time because of his trauma,” Glantzis said 48 hours he felt better and began to communicate and use the toilet and smile a lanky boy who is at first cautiously friendly but freezes when he sees a camera His younger sister Maryam smiles for the camera asks us to play memory cards with her and says a few words in English The kids communicate with the help of a Jordanian doctor in the school who speaks Arabic All the teachers carry pocket-size Arabic dictionaries some of the children speak a little English Glantzis is part of a network of around 40 teachers who collaborate with other refugee relief organizations in northern Greece they provide cultural activities and excursions for refugee kids including an outdoor evening of games and a clown performance where Greek and Syrian families mix I ask Glantzis about a sketch of literary hero Don Quixote and his sidekick It’s a rare print of a Picasso drawing given to Glantzis by a man who told him Glantzis does face an uphill battle that some would call unrealistic There are more than 55,000 refugees in Greece “The most important thing is to take people out of the camps and put them in real homes,” says Glantzis “This is better for children and families than going to the camp and spending a few hours playing with them They can’t live in a camp and have a normal life.” Stefanos Kamperis moved to the Kilkis region about an hour north of Thessaloniki through rolling green countryside he first describes himself as an anarchist then corrects himself — “I prefer the term autonomous,” he says with quick movements and dark eyes that give him a bird-like quality as he describes his idea for sheltering refugees: give them as much autonomy as possible He’s written a 25-page proposal on how to do that for less money than the Greek government is spending on refugee camps laughs with refugees in an apartment in Kilkis an organization that helps refugees find apartments to live in so they don't have to stay in camps He and other local volunteers have also set up The Housing Project which helps refugees through the legal process of obtaining a Greek social security number and VAT tax number so they can enter into housing contracts — something Kamperis says is better for the refugees and better for the Greek economy Kamperis and two other Housing Project volunteers took me around Kilkis a red-roofed village of less than 30,000 people to visit some of the people they’ve helped in recent months We stopped at a sparsely decorated apartment on a narrow street lined with apartment buildings where Yasim Alhashash After four months camping at a gas station rest stop with his pregnant wife and four kids “It was hard to keep track of the kids because the camp was so big,” he says The Housing Project grew out of a Facebook page “Volunteers of Kilkis,” where Kamperis and other volunteers first met and began coordinating relief efforts at the height of the cold and confusion in Idomeni When the Greek government finally set up a refugee camp it asked the locals to run it because they already knew the refugees and their needs It was several months before the Red Cross and other NGOs took over camp operations the humanitarian and political aspects of the refugee crisis are inseparable He wants policymakers to focus on integrating refugees into Greek society rather than keeping them in camps Greece isn’t like Third-World countries where tent camps were invented Kamperis goes so far as to predict that if the country continues its current approach it could contribute to the rise of far right or fascist candidates in the next election as resentment of spending on refugees grows If Greek people could interact with refugees as neighbors and see money going into the local economy instead of the black hole of a camp they would be less likely to view them as a threat the Housing Project has helped 73 families into homes Kamperis’ proposal calls for an eight-month pilot program to house 120 more people in rented apartments in local villages for eight months It includes a risk assessment and covers rent a mobile medical unit (which would serve Greeks and refugees alike) and social workers at a cost of 10 euros per refugee per day or 2,734 euros per person for the eight months Kamperis has presented the plan to the European Parliament and universities in Greece and the U.K. but so far no one has stepped up to fund and implement it He is looking for an NGO that would foot the bill and run the program with Volunteers of Kilkis serving as advisers He’s even identified which refugees and which apartments could be part of the pilot Kamperis dreams of meeting up with his refugee friends at a cafe rather than serving them as a volunteer Refugees need to be able to have a dignified life on an equal basis with us.” Email: apond@deseretnews.com are inextricably linked and interwoven with our Church,” during his visit to the Church of the Fifteen Hieromartyrs in Kilkis on the afternoon of Saturday “It is a great pleasure for us to be among you and to attend the festive program of the cultural associations of the city of Kilkis which we are certain will move us and evoke memories of the history and nostalgia of the homeland,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch showcasing the virtues and praise of our ancient ancestors — the earliest presences of our Nation — in lands sanctified by tears and sacrifices as evidenced by the monuments of our churches and schools Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized “the inseparable unity of continuity which is deeply reflected in their traditions He stressed that the events organized by the Metropolis of Polyani and Kilkis on the occasion of the centenary of its elevation “eloquently testify to your respect and love for the centuries-old institution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate like a temperate climate nurturing the vine.” He continued: We appreciate all efforts to preserve the traditions of the Nation are inextricably linked and interwoven with our Church.” The Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized that the faith of the refugees was the driving force behind the construction of monasteries as well as the creation of a “culture rooted in values”—values that are passed down from generation to generation “The spiritual life of the refugees was founded on the solid rock of faith and it is this Orthodox faith that sustains them,” said Bartholomew expressing his wish that “the eternal values of the Gospel” and the faith of the Nation “continue to guide the lives and thoughts of all.” “The persecutions our people endured due to their devotion to Christ and His ideals are countless,” the Ecumenical Patriarch added as the late academic Konstantinos Despotopoulos wrote about the region of Ionia all these persecutions ‘dissolved like a spider’s web and vanished like waves breaking on the seashore.'” the lessons and experiences remain alive and form our spiritual and cultural legacy which I safeguard and which we are all called to preserve intact.” The Ecumenical Patriarch was addressed by the head of the church Metropolitan Ignatios of Demetrias and Almyros Parliament Vice-President Georgios Georgantas former acting Prime Minister Ioannis Sarmas A concert of traditional music and a presentation of traditional dances by the cultural associations of Kilkis followed the event thousands of migrants have made their way to Greek islands via Turkey They get temporary papers from the Greek authorities: depending on their nationality others for six months before leaving the country or they are forbidden from travelling to some areas of Greece where they can escape to northern Europe One of these regions is Kilkis near the Greek-Macedonian border The journey to northern Europe usually starts from Africa Those who end up in Greece mostly arrive by small boat to Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast in the eastern Aegean Sea they get their temporary papers and catch a ferry to Athens Then on from Athens by train or bus to Thessaloniki in northern Greece before travelling the 70 km by foot to the border village of Idomeni in the forbidden Kilkis region so after driving for almost six hours I arrived at the border village of Idomeni late at night At one point the migrants thought I was driving a police patrol car and ran off in panic into the nearby forest I jumped out and explained in my poor Arabic that I was a Greek journalist and wanted to talk to them All in vain - they had disappeared in the darkness It was almost midnight and I decided to drive around the area At a deserted petrol station I found migrants sleeping outdoors Most of them were Syrians but there were also a few Afghans thanks to a colleague who had good contacts with Syrian refugees I managed to follow some as they moved by foot closer to the Macedonian border warm and wet and since the Axios River (also known as the Vardar River) runs near the border That day I shot plenty of pictures but I also made good contacts with the immigrants and the locals As part of that process I went to a field right on the border where hundreds of Afghan youths had set up a makeshift camp waiting for the opportunity to enter Macedonia then cross into Serbia Two colleagues and I followed a group of 45 Syrian migrants including Sahin Serko and Arianna Sahin and Arianna started walking through the fields near Polikastro constantly hiding from the Greek police who patrol the roads leading to the border Early in the afternoon they stopped under a bridge near train tracks before making their final dash to cross the main road by the river They walked keeping their heads low for fear of being seen by police A patrol van from the local police station drove over the road and the desperate migrants ducked for cover in the bushes by the roadside They walked into the forest and stopped to rest before the final 700 meters to the border They all looked excited but also tired and afraid About thirty minutes later they moved through a path next to the forest away from the main road then they ran for about 100 meters through a poppy field before finally crossing the border The light was fading so I had trouble focusing my camera When the Syrians stopped under two huge trees to call their friends and get their bearings Serko burst into tears next to his daughter My colleagues and I also struggled to stay cool: emotions were running very high The first part of this group’s long trip to what they called “paradise” had come to an end the adventure would move to its next stage Travelling through Macedonia was not going to be as easy with the honorary presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and all Greece will attend the opening of the celebratory events in Kilkis marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Holy Metropolis of Polyani and Kilkis Archbishop Ieronymos will travel to Kalamaria to participate in the anniversary events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Holy Metropolis of Nea Krini and Kalamaria as well as the Holy Metropolis of Neapolis and Stavroupoli Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew inaugurated the Ecclesiastical Relic Office and Youth Center at the Church of St marking a significant spiritual and community milestone The Patriarch’s presence brought great honor to the local metropolis underscoring the importance of the event for both the Church and the community the Ecumenical Patriarch attended a celebratory event organized by the youth of the metropolis in his honor The festivities included various activities highlighting the crucial role of young people in shaping the future of the Church Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his heartfelt joy and gratitude emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration and the empowerment of youth through spiritual growth He encouraged the young people to carry forward the Church’s legacy with enthusiasm and dedication ensuring that the spiritual and cultural heritage endures for generations to come Environment-friendly behavior is integral to Greek Orthodox identity Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said during a speech on Sunday at an event focused on the Church and the environment held at the Metropolis of Polyani and Kilkis in northern Greece The Patriarch said that the Orthodox Church opposes any ideology or action that harms nature or human relationships declaring it contrary to the Orthodox faith to reduce “human beings to objects and nature to mere resources.” Bartholomew also addressed the impacts of climate change urging that humanity must serve as guardians and protectors of nature he noted that preserving the environment requires peace among nations He made a special reference to the war in Ukraine saying that “Russia’s attack on Ukraine has caused not only human losses but also environmental disasters “Every act of war is also a war against nature and a humanitarian catastrophe,” he said Four artworks by Christophoros Katsadiotis vandalized by far-right MP Nikolaos Papadopoulos have been reinstated at Athens’ National Gallery under enhanced security part of “The Allure of the Strange” exhibition were targeted for being “blasphemous.” Their return coincides with Papadopoulos’ suspension from the Niki party and a planned conference on art freedom a large crowd gathered for a solemn Guard of Honour Ceremony led by the Evzones at Martin Place Cenotaph on May 2 The wet surface prevented their march and guard swap honored Greek-Australian wartime sacrifices Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni plan to meet in Rome to discuss a €300 million investment in Hellenic Train to modernize Greece’s rail network alongside broader issues like migration and Italy’s growing ties with Turkey X post claiming pale-skinned Turks are “actually Greek” sparked debate touching on the sensitive history of the 1923 Greco-Turkish population exchange and the complex ethnic identities in the region with firms like LuxuryLiving cutting villa rates by 15% and competition from Turkey and Croatia threaten the island’s tourism SOS Méditerranée’s Ocean Viking rescued 108 people where nearly 500 migrants have perished or gone missing in 2025 International” for the fourth year and Santorini claimed “Best Island in Europe” for the 12th at the 2025 Leisure Lifestyle Awards highlight Greece’s enduring allure for American tourists blend Plato’s philosophy and mystical traditions like reincarnation in their secretive faith showcasing their resilience and influence in a turbulent region A man was arrested after crashing through the gates of Jennifer Aniston’s Beverly Hills home on May 6 Private security detained the suspect for LAPD with no injuries reported as police investigate the motive amid rising celebrity safety concerns is offering doctors a €700 monthly bonus for permanent roles and €400 for rural positions to address its critical shortage of medical professionals Mayor Angelos Tsirigotakis aims to bolster healthcare access on the island was identified via X-ray as part of Philodemus’ On Vices marks a milestone in decoding ancient Greek works from the Roman villa’s library Greece launched “Kids Wallet” on May 5 a state app enabling parents to monitor children’s screen time and verify their age online aligning with EU efforts to enhance digital safety amid rising concerns about online exposure The 2025 World’s 50 Best Beaches list features three Greek stunners: Fteri Beach (Kefalonia) these beaches highlight Greece’s coastal magic alongside global gems like Italy’s Cala Goloritze Cypriot President Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tatar faced setbacks in talks with Tatar rejecting proposals on crossing points and the Mia Milia water agreement Agreement was reached on cemetery restoration is pressing the EU to abolish PDO labels like Greek Feta’s claiming they block American dairy exports The USTR’s 2025 report targets GIs as trade barriers sparking concerns for Greece’s €785 million Feta market amid intensifying EU-U.S Greek cities Athens and Ioannina have ranked poorly in the latest Happy City Index highlights major urban challenges in Greece and economic conditions—while Copenhagen tops the list as the world’s happiest city A canteen manager was assaulted at Athens Polytechnic’s Zografou campus sparking a violent attack by a group of masked individuals who later beat two men in the school courtyard Authorities have identified the main suspect as police investigate the politically charged incident that has reignited concerns over campus safety in Greece In the shadow of Sikinos’ Episkopi Mausoleum a 3rd-century AD noblewoman named Neiko lay entombed her body bound and broken by the fears of her time Branded “possessed,” her tomb—sealed with sulfur and pitch—revealed a chilling blend of reverence and dread her legacy now celebrated in the Cycladic Women exhibition Greek-American star Maria Menounos has been named ambassador for the Hellenic Olympic Committee bringing Hollywood flair to Greece’s preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics Menounos will also serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Olympic Flame Lighting in Ancient Olympia “I’m proud to be Greek and help our athletes,” she said tearing up at the thought of the historic moment Greece’s representative for Eurovision 2025 delivered a captivating first technical rehearsal at St While many Greeks struggle with low wages and rising living costs new tax data from 2024 reveals a contrasting picture of widespread homeownership luxury spending on yachts and private schools and significant wealth held abroad—highlighting the deepening economic divide in Greek society Students from the Greek Community of Melbourne’s schools participated in a traditional dance workshop on Friday a distinguished instructor from Athens’ Dora Stratou Theatre President Donald Trump and Republican Party spokesperson has joined Antenna Group’s ANT1 as an exclusive commentator for news and informational programs known for her role in Trump’s campaigns and advocacy for Israel brings her political expertise to Greek audiences marking a significant international milestone for the station he served three terms as Foreign Minister and shaped diplomacy under Constantine Karamanlis Mike Manatos’ appointment brings decades of leadership in Greek-American advocacy to help expand THI’s mission of supporting economic development and humanitarian aid in Greece and Cyprus Celebrities like Rihanna and Dua Lipa are embracing plush toys as fashion accessories in 2025 Here’s why cutecore is everywhere right now a 29-year-old political candidate from Long Island has now been missing for nine days after disappearing from Long Beach Greece’s representative for Eurovision… Performing “Asteromata” in the Second Semi-Final on May 15 Klavdia aims to secure a spot in the Grand Final with public votes supported by an intensive rehearsal schedule starting May 5 expressed gratitude for the community’s love The family launched a website to sell their popular seasonings with plans for more products like olive caviar swapped the White House kitchen for hand-rolled purpose Greek cuisine offers an authentic glimpse into the country’s culture and seasonal rhythms through its diverse and flavorful dishes a family-run Melbourne CBD icon for over 40 years the restaurant’s closure follows the decline of Melbourne’s Greek precinct leaving a void in the city’s cultural and culinary landscape Euroleague Basketball fined Panathinaikos Aktor’s majority shareholder €100,000 for social media statements criticizing officiating and disparaging other clubs during the 2025 EuroLeague Playoff series against Anadolu Efes Olympiacos celebrated a historic milestone by securing their 48th Greek championship title with a 4–2 win over PAOK Club president Vangelis Marinakis hailed the club’s centenary triumph and the rise of academy stars and a sea of red lit up a night to remember in Piraeus Olympiakos overcame an early deficit to defeat PAOK 4-2 Olympiakos rallied with goals from Velde and El Kaabi celebrating with fans and the trophy in an action-packed match Olympiacos Piraeus stunned Real Madrid 86-84 in a thrilling Euroleague quarter-final clinching their fourth consecutive Final Four berth Led by Evan Fournier’s 23 points and clutch plays from Kostas Papanikolaou and Sasha Vezenkov the Greek giants overcame a fierce Madrid comeback to secure their spot in Abu Dhabi cementing their status as Euroleague titans NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and his wife celebrated the milestone with a joint Instagram post sparking heartfelt reactions from fans and peers Tennis stars Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa arrived in Greece after a Spanish tournament Tsitsipas addressed a recent blackout experience and marriage rumors saying he enjoyed the blackout and that wedding plans are still far off Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined 15 key employment reforms while setting ambitious targets for wage growth and labour rights by 2027 The Greek Ministry of Tourism has announced that campervan and trailer owners are now restricted to parking only in officially licensed campsites facilities that comply with strict health skip the crowded Greek islands and rediscover Kythnos These hidden gems are back with boutique stays offering crowd-free escapes with sustainable vibes and fresh adventures Greece has signed a preliminary deal with Emirates airline including a codeshare with Aegean Airlines The agreement enhances access to destinations like Santorini as Greece aims to sustain its €21.5 billion tourism industry despite climate challenges Read our exclusive interview with Mary Ajaka celebrity makeup artist behind some of TV’s most iconic faces Love Island Australia and Married at First Sight over the past 17 years Mary has made a name for herself as one of Australia’s most sought-after beauty experts After more than a decade of dominating the online fashion world with its breezy Australian label Sabo is finally putting down roots in Sydney Watch their exclusive message to Greek City Times readers here Mary Vitinaros is every bit as grounded as the place she calls home an Athens-based architectural firm known for integrating contemporary design with natural landscapes has completed Aimasia Residence in Mykonos ‘KUD’ functions on the philosophy that architects are artists and what underpins architecture is culture has won a £540 million project to expand Athens International Airport aiming to increase its capacity from 26 million to 40 million passengers by 2032 featuring a revamped main terminal with iconic north and south oculi a reconfigured Extra Schengen satellite terminal and sustainable design targeting LEED Gold certification Miss Polyplexi has redefined the art of handcrafted fashion once again with the launch of its latest resortwear crochet collection drawing inspiration from the vibrant culture and timeless beauty of Morocco Mary and Michael Jaharis are celebrated figures within the Greek-American community known for their profound contributions to both the pharmaceutical industry and philanthropic endeavors Their legacy includes a significant $50 million donation to The Met and support for the reconstruction of St epitomizing their dedication to cultural heritage and humanitarian efforts Mary Jaharis continues to uphold this legacy a Hierarchical Co-liturgy was performed at the Holy Metropolitan Church of St part of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa The Orthros and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy were presided over by the Metropolitan of Polyana and Kilkis joined by Metropolitan Ieronymos of Kampala and the priests of the local Holy Metropolis Metropolitan Bartholomew unveiled the Gospel translated from Greek to Luganda by Fr published by the Holy Metropolis of Kilkis Nicholas completed this translation during his stay in Kilkis with the assistance of the priests from the Holy Metropolis of Polyana and Kilkis the Shepherd of Kampala expressed profound gratitude to the Metropolitan of Kilkis for the many contributions his Metropolis has made to the Mission These contributions include the construction of the Church of the Holy Apostles scholarships for children’s education support for the Church’s soup kitchens assistance to the two Missionary Priests (Fr the donation of computers for the Mission’s Gymnasium and the publication of the Gospel in the local Luganda dialect He conveyed his joy that the Orthodox Christians of Uganda will now be able to learn the Gospel in their own language Metropolitan Bartholomew assured continued support for the Mission emphasizing the importance of prayer and commitment He pledged ongoing support for the two Missionary Priests who work tirelessly to sustain their Orthodox ecclesiastical communities both materially and spiritually Metropolitan Bartholomew of Polyana and Kilkis paid a visit to the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Monday who were warmly received by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew conveying the wishes of the pious people of Kilkis and their respect for the Mother Church of Constantinople extended an invitation to the Ecumenical Patriarch to visit their city in September to preside over the celebrations for the centenary of the founding of the Holy Metropolis of Polyana and Kilkis The Ecumenical Patriarch thanked Metropolitan Bartholomew and Mayor Kyriakides for their kind invitation and asked the Shepherd of this historic Metropolis to convey to his flock the Patriarchal blessing and his paternal wishes His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew departed from the Phanar the Patriarchate’s historic seat in Istanbul The Patriarch’s itinerary includes visits to several Metropolises reflecting the deep connection between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Orthodox faithful in Greece His All-Holiness will be welcomed in the Metropolises of Polyani and Kilkis the Patriarch will participate in and address the Panimbrian Conference He will also grace with his presence a concert at the prestigious Herodes Atticus Odeon organized to support schools in his native island of Imbros Accompanying the Ecumenical Patriarch on this visit are: A 45-year-old Norwegian man has been handed a mandatory life sentence after being found guilty by Kilkis Mixed Jury Court for the murder of a 32-year-old off-duty police officer in central Thessaloniki in December 2023 The defendant had been charged with willful murder while in a calm state of mind by stabbing Theoharis Kalathas during an altercation at a bar in the northern port city The defendant received an additional 19-year sentence for related offences with the court accepting there were no mitigating circumstances in the case the defendant expressed remorse and apologized to the victim’s parents The incident began when the 45-year-old got into an argument with one of the people in Kalathas’ group – his best man during which the Norwegian man pulled out a small palm knife he carried on his belt and stabbed the man in the chest and thigh The defendant then allegedly stabbed Kalathas in the neck when the off-duty police officer stepped in The incident took place in the early hours of December 28 as Kalathas and a group of his friends were having drinks at a well-known police hangout in eastern Thessaloniki Greece's "technocratic" prime minister Papademos is desperately trying to make the three parties supporting his government (PASOK ND and LAOS) agree to yet another round of brutal austerity cuts The enormous pressure created by the relentless attacks on the working people of Greece is reaching breaking point Health workers at a hospital in Kilkis have decide to take over their hospital and put it under workers' management There is a new epidemic of homeslesness affecting people whose lives have been shattered by the crisis and the austerity measures.  The "troika" is demanding a new round of measures which should be taken before any more money is given to Greece as part of the bail out package. A leaked German government proposal obtained by the Financial Times talks about Greece transfering "national budgetary soveriegnty" to a EU appointed commissioner German bankers and European capitalists in general have been dictating the terms of the Greek budget for some time through the mechanism of the terms of the bail out They even removed the Greek government of Papandreou when they thought he could not be trusted to implement their dictats Now they want to cut out the middle man and take control directly.  The measures demanded by the troika as a prior condition for disbursing the next tranche of the bail out are to be implemented immediately They include additional cuts in public spending equal to 1.5% of GDP (3 billion euro) a 25% reduction of the minimum wage for private sector workers the elimination of bonus pay for private sector workers (which would mean cuts of 20 to 30% in overall wages) a cut of 20-25% in supplementary pensions and the sacking of 150,000 public sector workers by 2015.  The leader of the extreme right wing party LAOS has correctly warned that these measures will provoke "economic collapse and a social explosion of a kind that Europe has not seen for decades" Of course the hypocritical Karatzaferis is part of the three party coalition supporting Papademos He is not worried about the suffering of Greek workers but about the fate of his own job in the forthcoming elections but when he talked about these measures provoking "revolution" he was not far off.  A first sign of this was the decision of the general assembly of workers at the Kilkis General Hospital to occupy the premises and put them under workers' control and management We reproduce here the full text of their statement issued on Sunday nursing and the rest of the staff that participated in the General Assembly concluded that: We recognize that the current and enduring problems of Ε.Σ.Υ (the national health system) and related organizations cannot be solved with specific and isolated demands or demands serving our special interests since these problems are a product of a more general anti-popular governmental policy and of the bold global neoliberalism that by insisting in the promotion of that kind of demands we essentially participate in the game of the ruthless authority wishes to prevent the creation of a universal labour and popular front on a national and global level with common interests and demands against the social impoverishment that the authority's policies bring we place our special interests inside a general framework of political and economic demands that are posed by a huge portion of the Greek people that today is under the most brutal capitalist attack; demands that in order to be fruitful must be promoted until the end in cooperation with the middle and lower classes of our society The only way to achieve this is to question but also the legality of the arbitrary authoritarian and anti-popular power and hierarchy which is moving towards totalitarianism with accelerating pace The workers at the General Hospital of Kilkis answer to this totalitarianism with democracy We occupy the public hospital and put it under our direct and absolute control will henceforth be self-governed and the only legitimate means of administrative decision making will be the General Assembly of its workers The government is not released of its economic obligations of staffing and supplying the hospital but if they continue to ignore these obligations we will be forced to inform the public of this and ask the local government but most importantly the society to support us in any way possible for: (a) the survival of our hospital (b) the overall support of the right for public and free healthcare (c) the overthrow of the current government and any other neoliberal policy no matter where it comes from (d) a deep and substantial democratization responsible for making decisions for its own future serving only emergency incidents in our hospital until the complete payment for the hours worked and the rise of our income to the levels it was before the arrival of the troika (EU-ECB-IMF) knowing full well what our social mission and moral obligations are we will protect the health of the citizens that come to the hospital by providing free healthcare to those in need accommodating and calling the government to finally accept its responsibilities overcoming even in the last minute its immoderate social ruthlessness We decide that a new general assembly will take place on Monday 13 February in the assembly hall of the new building of the hospital at 11 am in order to decide the procedures that are needed to efficiently implement the occupation of the administrative services and to successfully realise the self-governance of the hospital The general assemblies will take place daily and will be the paramount instrument for decision making regarding the employees and the operation of the hospital We ask for the solidarity of the people and workers from all fields the collaboration of all workers' unions and progressive organizations as well as the support from any media organization that chooses to tell the truth We are determined to continue until the traitors that sell out our country and our people leave The above decisions will be made public through a news conference to which all the Mass Media (local and national) will be invited on Wednesday 15/2/2012 at 12.30 We will inform the citizens about every important event taking place in our hospital by means of news releases and conferences we will use any means available to publicise these events in order to make this mobilization successful a) our fellow citizens to show solidarity to our effort b) every unfairly treated citizen of our country in contestation and opposition c) our fellow workers from other hospitals to make similar decisions after deduction of a 580 euro repayment on a loan.  Health workers have launched a campaign of protests (see VIDEO) and the occupation of the hospital in Kilkis is part of this.  A December 9 report from CNN showed another side of the impact of the massive attacks on working people: a whole new generation of homeless people kicked into the streets by the economic crisis the number of homeless people has gone up by 25% in Athens alone.  A report in the daily Eleftherios Typos explains how many of them take the shuttle buses to the airport where they spend the night pretending to be airline passangers waiting for a flight so that they can keep warm and use the toilet facilities at the airport.  The unions have called another 24-hour general strike tomorrow to protest against this latest round of attacks It is clear however that one more general strike will not make a difference What is needed is a clear plan to escalate the struggle towards an all out general strike against the government including factory and workplace occupations like the one at Kilkis combined with a united front of the left wing parties to offer a political way out of  the situation.  If you want more information about joining the RCI, fill in this form. We will get back to you as soon as possible.NameEmailPhone numberCountryState / provinceCityWhy do you want to join?Do you agree with our Privacy Policy?Send This website uses cookies, you can find out more and set your preferences here.By continuing to use this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy The Ladder of Divine Ascent has been read throughout the Great Lenten Fast the Archieratic Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Kilkis (Metropolis of Polyani and Kilkis) The Holy Icon of Panagia Elona was transferred from the Elona monastery in Arcadia so that the faithful can venerate it from Saturday April 6 On the feast of the Holy Father and the Divine Liturgy Bishop Theoklitos of Tegea and Protosyncellus of the Metropolis of Mantineia and Kynouria officiated the Matins service and the Divine Liturgy at the request of Metropolitan Emmanuel of Polyani and Kilkis The Metropolitan of Kilkis expressed his heartfelt thanks to Metropolitan Alexandros of Mantineia and Kynouria for his permission to transfer the Holy Icon have reached the highest coronavirus transmission alert level (red or Level 4) on the epidemiological map of Greece which was last updated on Tuesday while at Argolida in the Peloponnese remains at Leven 3 – orange Regions that go “red” impose an overnight curfew from 1 to 6 a.m – although this does not apply to people who have to travel for work or for health emergencies – and a 24-hour ban on music at all entertainment venues However no official announcements have been made yet by the authorities The director spoke to Neos Kosmos about the story and the challenging conditions during filming in frozen Kilkis and the warm reception she has had to date Greek film ‘Behind the Haystacks’ will premiere in Australia at the Sydney Film Festival this weekend The writer and director of the multi award wining film spoke to Neos Kosmos upon landing in Australia this week The film has won 6 awards at the Thessaloniki Film Festival the Best Debut award at the International Film Festival of India and is nominated for 17 ‘Iris’ awards from the Hellenic Film Academy which is a record for nominations in the history of the Academy The film takes place in 2015 on the border between Greece and North Macedonia at a time when many European countries had shut their borders leaving many refugees stranded on the northern borders of Greece It follows the story of a fisherman who smuggles refugees on his boat out of Greece The story is told from three different perspectives; That of the fisherman his wife who is heavily involved in the church and that of their daughter who is trying to pave her own path in an oppressive environment writer/director Assimina Proedrou examines family dynamics and the pressure that society puts upon families and the individual She completed her studies at the Athens University of Economics and Business she began her studies in film and during that time directed the short film ‘Red Hulk’ (2013) ‘Red Hulk’ received the first prize at the National Short Film Festival in Drama Whilst undertaking long distance postgraduate studies in film at Staffordshire University in collaboration with Raindance Film School she wrote the script for ‘Behind the Haystacks’ in 2014 Proedrou wanted to focus on how every day people are trapped in a system of corruption The director reveals that she found out about Lake Doirani through a friend of hers she decided to visit the location with the aim of making her film there she discovered that in the same hotel that she was staying That’s how she decided to incorporate the refugee crisis in her film The director admitted that she faced a lot of difficulties in the early stages of producing the film “A difficulty many directors and producers face in Greece let alone a debutant director,” Proedrou said She spoke with gratitude about the team who worked on the film time and put all their love into the film… “This is how we make films in Greece” The filming took place during the second Covid lockdown as it snowed heavily in the winter of 2021 most of the time took place in conditions of -10 degrees it snowed so much that the production were unable to transport the actors from Athens to Kilkis ‘Behind the Haystacks’ has found a dedicated audience in Greece with people who love the film It’s still being shown in cinemas five months after its release a major achievement in the era of streaming At the premiere of the film in Thessaloniki Proedrou reveals that she was very stressed since it was her first time a full audience had watched the film the audience began asking questions and exchanging warm comments towards the director and film that director along with the audience were asked to take the conversation outside ‘Behind the Haystacks’ is executed in such a way that the viewer is able to find similarities between themselves and the characters Proedrou has managed to ‘condemn society she began her studies in Film and during her studies she directed the short film ‘Red Hulk (2013)’ Whilst she was undertaking her Postgraduate studies in Film at a University in England she wrote the script for ‘Behind the Haystacks’ which will be screened at the Sydney Film Festival this coming weekend ‘Behind the Haystacks’ screens at the Sydney Film Festival on Saturday 10/6 at 6:30pm The management of the Sonoco Hellas paper mill announced to its 98 employees on Tuesday that it is closing its two factories in Greece definitively on June 1 The subsidiary of the American giant Sonoco Alcore is shutting down units in Thessaloniki and Kilkis 26 years after the acquisition of the old EVIEN textile factory in Thessaloniki Employees have been told that a voluntary exit program will be implemented High energy costs also seem to have played a role in the shutdown Although it had invested in self-generated electricity it was unable to connect to the grid due to a lack of grid capacity The decision to close the Sonoco Hellas paper mill comes less than a week since the shuttering of the Youla glassworks and after last year saw the closure of four more factories of Reckitt Benckiser near Halkida and the units of Crown Hellas Can Packaging in Patra and Corinth These are subsidiaries of multinational groups which take drastic decisions much more easily and pull the plug on factories whose operation is deemed unprofitable Greece’s Interior Minister Takis Theodorikakos represented the government in the commemoration of the Battle of Kilkis against Bulgarian forces The minister attended church service and laid a wreath for the 32 officers and 749 soldiers who died at the historic battle where another 57 officers and 3,811 soldiers were wounded He was then given a tour of the War Museum of Kilkis where he said that the city “was freed after a very tough and lethal battle of the Greek army We never forget our soldiers who gave their lives so we may be free today whenever we stood united we achieved great things we faced tragedies we had to then overcome.” He said that in the last few months the Greek people were more united than ever and Greece became a positive example for the world in fighting the coronavirus pandemic after ten years of a large economic crisis the Greek people have been more united than ever which has been tested in the last ten years by the great economic crisis has become a positive example for the whole world of how effectively it has been able to cope with the coronavirus crisis So united we must continue to face every problem we face Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government guarantees the unity of the Greeks It represents all Greeks without discrimination and moves with plan and efficiency,” Theodorikakos said “Today Greece is a strong European country with friendly relations and excellent economic relations with our neighbours But those who scheme against our national sovereignty and our territorial integrity know that Greeks have confidence in the strength and no one doubts that we can face any threat united,” he added Mitsotakis is moving us in the right direction by cracking down on mass illegal immigration and the so called “human rights’ NGOS (aka leftist fronts) supporting mass illegal immigration globally Narrating ourselves as strong is hubris that distracts us from the enormous amount of work that still needs to be done to save Greece Illegal immigration not only down to zero but the illegal immigrants and even some of the legimate refugees that shopped around for richer countries should be expelled Make it clear we are not going to turn ourselves into a giant refugee camp while the majority of countries in the world aren’t taking their fair share of refugees Rewire the Greek economy away from tourism to technology and science the tourist industry is primarily for incompetent bartenders and cleaning ladies has absolutely nothing to do with Hellenism Its a national disgrace that so much science came from ancient Greeks and today we have very little scientists of our own but by criticizing their foriegn apologists as antigreek bigots The Greek hating liars virtually all try to whitewash skopians ongoing flipflopping identity claims and irredentism They cliam to speak for the past but can’t even truthfully report the present Unless we call out thier bigotry they will try to narrate us out of ethnic existence to hide their shame of referencing skopians as “Macedonians” If you read Encyclopedia Britannica it lists “ethnic Macedonians” as a demographic of Skopje… and no ethnic Greeks in Greece There’s nothing like a sweet succulent watermelon to be enjoyed under the summer sun though the fruit is usually a bit heavy to carry which he jokes “fit into a woman’s evening bag since some are slightly larger than a lipstick” as they can range in size from a walnut to a tennis ball and weigh no heavier than 200 kg Grower Panagiotis Yiltidis first began to cultivate the pocket-sized watermelons after an older man in Israel sent him the seeds “The people there are devoted to cultivating watermelons and melons and I was initially doubtful when I tried it,” Mr Yiltidis told the Athens Macedonian News Agency radio station Praktoreio 104.9 FM but they are soft and juice on the inside with seeds found in the middle just as they are in regular-sized melons READ MORE: The taste of Greek summer: Watermelon, grapes and feta cheese salad “A few days ago I had collected nearly 20 mini melons and was delivering something else in a restaurant of Halkidiki peninsula I showed them to the owner and he became enthusiastic about them as did a store owner selling organic products next door,” the farmer said also known for cultivating crops to the sounds of classical music and has also become the focus of researchers from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki said he enjoys experimenting with his produce while looking for new seeds he said that they are not profitable due to the crops needs of extensive foliage to produce a tiny melon of around 150 grams Greeks are particularly fond of watermelon There are 204.45 million kilos of watermelon produced in the country per annum which corresponds to 5.6 per cent of total exports READ MORE: The accidental chef who is transforming Greek food therefore have been strengthened by the arrivals of Giorgos Karamberis from PAOD Nikolaos Tolios from Asteras Tripoli and the Under-16 (2007) squad have been bolstered by the arrivals of Efthymios Dimou from Champions of Pefkon There were many additions made to the Under-15 (2008) squad Manolis Anastasopoulos from PAOK Karpenisiou who was forced to leave his homeland for a better future while in the Under-14s Panagiotis Maganielos is added by Alexandros Kilkis Of ourse some younger players have also joined the PAOK Academy the new arrivals are Clydi Kandriou from Ioniko Diavaton Christoforos Vatsos from Alexandros Kilkis Anthimos Samson from Paphos FC and Georgios Toliopoulos from Football King Verias The Under-12 (2011) side welcomes Ioannis Chrysoulakis from Ak Fotis Solomidis from Atromitos Ptolemaidas and Alexandros Papageorgiou from Playzone Katerinis for the Under-11s (2012) the new arrivals are: Orpheas Lazaridis from AS Mygdonas Letis for the Under-10s (2013) Michael Papaslanis from Hefaistos Giorgos Liotis from Keravnos Oreokastro and Sarantis Tzelalis from Proteas Evosmos The Under-9s (2014) have brought in Athanasios Giannopoulos from Mantoulidis Yiannis Batakas from Pro Soccer and Mario-Taxiarchis Lazaridis from Keravnos Oreokastro The Under-8s (2015) have taken on Georgios Rousetis from the Eagles where a dense forest of chestnut trees spans approximately 4,500 acres crystal-clear waters renowned for their purity emerge From this atmospheric and beautiful region straddling the borders of Pella and Kilkis Originating from the rich Vale­ratsi and Gardinia springs in Kilkis reach our glasses under the Paiko Waters Macedonia label offering all the benefits needed for balanced and proper hydration The exceptional quality of Paiko Waters is attributed to their unique physicochemical composition confirmed by studies from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Hellenic Geological and Mining Authority the company stands out for another reason: its bottling and packaging occur at Greece’s first carbon-neutral plant To ensure the water’s quality remains unchanged Paiko Waters has established a cutting-edge facility in Kilkis that adheres to all international quality and innovation standards Strict protocols and management standards are followed to bottle and package water of superior quality The company invests in state-of-the-art equipment and a specialized scientific and labor force continuously upgrading its infrastructure to keep pace with technological advancements Committed to keeping the environment as pristine as the water in its elegant bottles Paiko Waters Macedonia employs recycling and waste management systems and implements measures to ensure excellent working conditions Sustainability and environmental protection are at the core of the brand’s philosophy sustainable regional development and local heritage These efforts have earned the brand’s facility the prestigious Carbon Neutral certification making it the first carbon-neutral industrial plant in Greece representing a shift towards an environmentally friendly approach in the country’s industrial sector Understanding Carbon Neutral and ClimatePartner The Carbon Neutral certification proves that a company’s or event’s carbon footprint has been measured according to the ClimatePartner protocol To balance the environmental impact of a given activity the responsible party funds a certified environmental project thus offsetting the “damage” caused Paiko Waters Macedonia has reduced its factory’s emissions in Kilkis through ecological practices including solar panels and reduced transportation emissions Any unavoidable emissions have been counterbalanced by funding projects that reduce or eliminate global emissions This achievement positions Paiko Waters as the first in Greece to obtain carbon-neutral certification making its water the first to be bottled and packaged in a zero-carbon footprint facility This significant certification is the result of a comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility strategy that prioritizes both people and the environment Paiko Waters Macedonia contributes to local development through evolving investment programs and supports local sports events their bottles not only contain pure water but also embody a perfect balance between the natural environment and humanity Paiko Waters’ success in international markets is no accident with a strong presence in 25 countries worldwide where quality and taste are recognized by consumers the company lays a solid foundation for its activities to not only avoid harming the planet but to actively contribute to its sustainability ensuring a safe future for generations to come Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr The young man was on vacation with his mother and two siblings when he got on a ride with rotating chairs According to the forensic examination, the 19-year-old died instantly from the fall His funeral is scheduled for tomorrow at 11:00 AM in Veria The plastic chair he was sitting on detached from the ride who was seated next to him and witnessed the tragedy unfold The 19-year-old sustained fatal injuries to his neck and head The luna park owner was immediately arrested and is expected to testify before a prosecutor “I’m going to take it to the max,” fled the scene and was sought by authorities under the emergency arrest law he eventually turned himself in at the Kilkis Police Department and is being transferred to Kassandra A preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Kassandra Police Department and an expert evaluation will be carried out to determine the exact cause of the accident revealed that the luna park was operating without a license from the municipality Speaking to protothema.gr after the tragic accident she emphasized that the luna park had illegally opened this year “This amusement park had opened illegally this year and that’s why the municipality had initiated sanction procedures I am shocked by the death of the young man; it was a horrific death and I want to express my deepest condolences to his family,” she added Speaking to Proto Programma 91.6 and 105.8 Chalkia stated that the luna park must have its equipment certified and licensed by the Ministry of Development and the municipality had already begun imposing financial penalties “The Ministry of Development is responsible for checking the certifications That’s where the equipment gets its licenses from How is the municipality supposed to know if the equipment is up to standard HACCP certifications; there are certain procedures The municipality simply checks if the notification has been made so we were in the process of imposing financial penalties There’s a Joint Ministerial Decision from 2022 that outlines the exact responsibilities of each municipality,” she explained the business owner is then called to explain “The issue is that these need to be certified What mechanism does the municipality need to check if these machines were certified The Ministry of Development checks if the Joint Ministerial Decision’s requirements are met,” she reiterated there have been three consecutive incidents in recent days including the death of a young girl in a summer camp pool “I want to speak not as a mayor but as a mother A family has been destroyed; they lost their child today and I want to express my deepest sympathy from the bottom of my heart The real tragedy is that we should focus on prevention