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Βy Andreas Pagonis I first like to start off by wishing all of our readers and “patriotes” a very happy New Year, with good health, happiness, and peace to you and your families. I hope everyone had a great and safe holiday season and that everyone enjoyed the festivities, wherever you live. The first article that will be mentioned in this edition, will be some history about Kapetan Zaharias. From time to time, we will write historical articles pertaining to Kapetan Zaharias. There is a need to do this, so that we can educate the people about this great Greek hero and shed some light about the history behind him. Many Greeks, unfortunately, have not heard about Kapetan Zaharias, and those who have do not know much about the history. That is why we continue to do this, and we inform our readers about the history of Zaharias, along with other events pertaining to Zaharias (such as the memorial service held in Varvitsa this past October), and the important role he played in Greek modern history. There is still quite a bit that we do not know about or that we have not discovered about Zaharias. If anyone knows something about Zaharias, whether a relative told it to you, or whether you heard it from someone else, or you read about it in the past, we would appreciate if you could let us know. We could then write about it in this paper, in which case other individuals will be informed. By exchanging knowledge and information, everyone benefits, while at the same time, more light is shed on Kapetan Zaharias. The historical article mentioned below is about some of the major events pertaining to Kapetan Zaharias in the year of 1786. During this time, Zaharias was about 26 – 27 years of age, and he had already established the Klephto - Armatoloi Federation of the Peloponnese the year before. Also, the young Theodoros Kolokotronis had already paid a visit to Zaharias (1785) in the village of Varvitsa. Two years prior to this event, Zaharias had built two forts in the village of Varvitsa. He was becoming well known throughout the region, and was causing much havoc to the Turks, who tried many times to subdue him, but they never succeeded. The article starts off in the spring of 1786 with the battle of Malevi, and continues with the event of when Zaharias and his klephtic unit were able to trick the Turkish tax collectors into handing over the tax revenues, which they had collected.
In April 1786, Zaharias and his men went to the monastery in Malevi, located just east of Agio Petro (in the region of Kynoria in Arcadia). Some historians believe that the reason why Zaharias went to Malevi was so as to go against and punish Protopapa (who was not far away) for his role against Zaharias. The Turks found out about Zaharias position and immediately went out after him. When Zaharias saw the Turks approaching, he decided to leave the monastery so that not only would it not be damaged from the battle, but that the monks would not suffer any casualties. Zaharias took a position, not far from the monastery, which was named Darmiri. The Turks then, followed where Zaharias was positioned and a full-scale battle ensued. Zaharias was heavily outnumbered and outgunned, in which case he would run a great risk if he decided to counterattack or charge. His decision then, was to hold his position and keep fighting. The battle was entering a third day, when reinforcements arrived for Zaharias. Captain Thanasi Karabelas headed the reinforcement unit. With the reinforcements intact, Zaharias decided to counterattack, and charge against the Turks. Here is how the biographer of Zaharias describes the counterattack: Zaharias yelled out to his men to get ready to charge. The charge occurred and the Turks were broken up. Zaharias yells out in a powerful tone of voice; "Come back Turks and fight so that you may see the sword of a Greek, and the musket of a warrior." Some of the Turks threw away their arms, while the (Greek) klephtes captured 14 mules belonging to the enemy. The Turkish commander spoke from the monastery (the Turks retreated back to the monastery) in which he says, "Zaharias, cease the battle, cease firing, let us talk so that we can come to an agreement." Zaharias then orders his men to capture the monastery. The men set a "smoking screen" to the doors and stairs of the monastery so that they would be able to enter without being detected. The men were able to enter into the monastery in which they killed many Turks. The Turkish commander spoke to the monks in the hope that they can persuade Zaharias to cease the battle. The monks then spoke to Zaharias, "Zaharias cease the battle, cease firing, so that we may hold a dialogue and come to a resolution." Zaharias responds, "I do not like it, I will finish them (the Turks) all, and then I will have a dialogue and an agreement. Let them see the weapons, let them see my musket." The battle then continued and the Greeks captured many weapons, some of which were highly valued. Zaharias then decided to cease fire (to see what the Turks had to say) in which he ordered Kapetan Thanasi to cease-fire. Kapetan Thanasi was slightly injured in his hand during the battle. The reason why Zaharias decided to cease-fire was because the monks would find themselves in the middle of this battle, in which they would run the risk of being killed or injured by one or both sides of the warring factions. In addition, should Zaharias completely annihilate the Turks, the major Turkish leaders would want revenge in which they would attack and destroy the monastery and kill or imprison all of the monks. Zaharias knew the important role that the monks and the monastery played in Greek social life and Greek culture during this time period. The monks preserved the Greek Orthodox religion in many ways, including teaching young Greek children about the religion with its cannons and traditional customs. In addition, the monks would secretly (since it was against the law at that time which was enforced by the Turks) teach these same young children the Greek language, how to read and write, and the past glorious history of Greece. Also, the monastery was a traditional safe haven for the Greek klephtes who were either in trouble, running away from their enemies, or decided to "retire" from the klephtic life and take up residence in the monastery. When the cease-fire took into effect, the Turkish commander said to Zaharias that he should return back to the region he came from, and not to disrupt or cause havoc in the region that they were presently in (Agio Petro). Zaharias response to the Turkish commander was as follows: "All of the regions belong to me and my country. You're country is in Mecca, go back to Mecca where you belong. I will spill my blood for my enslaved country." The historian Takis Kandeloros mentions that this is the first time a Greek commander living under Turkish occupation, confronts his enemy and tells his enemy that his objective is to spill his blood for his enslaved country and that the natural place for the Turks is in Mecca. In the end the Turks were humiliated and Zaharias achieved another victory. Zaharias and his entire unit marched back to Varvitsa victorious just in time to celebrate the Greek Easter, in which at that year fell on the 12th of April. The Turks, who were still sore about their defeat in Malevi, decided to launch a military campaign against Zaharias and the federation. Zaharias received letters from members of his federation, in which they express their fears that the Turks will start attacking with the goal of breaking up the rebels and the federation. Zaharias advised them that they should stay put, and that they should always be ready to attack the Turks whenever and wherever they are seen. In addition, Zaharias stated that he will cause havoc on the Turks and that they (Greek rebels) should not be afraid. A few nights later, Zaharias and his unit marched from Varvitsa towards the village of Kokla (located in Messinia) when they spotted a small Turkish unit travelling on the main road between the villages of Dirrahi and Poliani. These two villages are located in southern Arcadia and Messinia respectively. The Turkish unit consisted of 20 cavalry and it was primarily made up of tax collectors in which they just finished collecting taxes from the various villages in the region for the Turkish Pasha of Tripoli, known as Veziri. The Turkish Pasha, Veziri, was head governor for all 24 regions of the Peloponnese, in which his headquarters was based in the city of Tripoli, located in the region of Arcadia. Zaharias ordered the Albanian, Osman Bouloubasis (who spoke and wrote Turkish very well and did not pass as a Greek), to write a letter in Turkish saying that the Turkish Pasha, Veziri, has given full authority to Osman Bouloubasis to transport all of the tax money back to Tripoli and that the tax collectors will have to hand over the tax money to Osman. In addition, the letter stated that the tax collectors should go back to the route in which they came from and that they will rendezvous with Osman in the village of Androussa (located in Messinia) at a later date. The goal was to trick the Turks into believing this story for the sole purpose of having them hand over the tax money. The letter was written with such care so that the Turks wouldn't suspect that its contents were fabricated or believe that it was not bona fide. It must be mentioned here that it was not uncommon for Zaharias (as well as other klephtic units) to include in his unit Albanians, especially if they were of Christian faith. Most of the Albanians in the Peloponnese were of Muslim denomination, in which they would side with the Turks. After Osman wrote the letter, he went towards the Turkish tax collecting unit whereby, after showing them the letter, they gladly handed over all of the tax revenues since they believed that he was sent by the Turkish Pasha, Veziri. Osman took the money and went back to Zaharias fooling the Turks completely. Zaharias then, wrote to all of the Captains in the Peloponnese asking them to meet in "Hunters Mountain", whereby they would share the tax money among themselves. After this, he told his members and the other Captains that he was going to go to Corinth (a city located in the northeast section of the Peloponnese) for a few days. In the next issue of the newspaper “Kapetan Zaharias”, we will continue with the historical article about the events that occurred in 1786. Specifically, we will cover the important trip Zaharias made to the city of Corinth and the battles that occurred after that in Varvitsa and Vassara. In addition, we will mention about Zaharias relocating to Skoufomiti, and setting up his “central base” in Mani. “Evrotas” Annual Dinner Dance (From the Greek-American newspaper Proini, written by Demetri Tsaka, 12/1/2000, original text in Greek, translated into English) On Saturday (January 8), the Laconian society known as “Evrotas” (Laconian Progressive Association of United States and Canada “Evrotas” Inc.), successfully organized in the church of Agios Eleftherios, located in Manhattan, New York, their first event for the year 2000, in which they also cut their new year’s vasilopita. Mr. Demosthenis Vasileiou, president of “Evrotas”, said that the “goal for this event was to bring all the Laconians together in order to wish each other well for the third millennium, the first century, including “good month and a happy new year” and also to exchange ideas for the new year.” Also, Mr. Vasileiou stated that, “our festivities was honored by the presence of the vice-president for the Federation of the United Laconian Societies, Mr. Dimitroulakakos, including many members from the community of Agios Eleftherios.” In addition, Mr. Vasileiou added, “The party and the dance lasted well late in the afternoon. I want to express my gratitude not only to the parish for having us here, but also to the restaurant “Barba Giorgis O Xenichtis” and especially to its owner Maria Giorgiou Polimenakou and their families for providing the catering, (also thanks) to “Esperides” and the jewelry and cosmetics store “Thessaloniki” for providing the raffle prize, and everyone else who has been helping stay alive for the past 20 years.” Asked what goals they have for the new millennium, Mr. Vasileiou stated that all of the Laconian Societies, who for now belong to the Federation of Laconian Societies and the United Laconian Societies, must get together as one. “After 14 years of disagreements, the right time has come now to make a serious and decisive move for the unity of the Laconian Societies of New York. I believe with this issue “Evrotas” will set the example and promote specific initiatives.” “Every organization, added Mr. Vasileiou, must return to their environment, whether they are small or large. In (year) 2000, we must return to our roots, and also our young generation must be educated in culture and in the past causes our people fought for.” Logastra New Years Event The Association of Logastra, also located in Astoria, New York, has been in existence for over 24 years. The president of this great organization is Takis Nikolopoulos, whom I had the pleasure and honor of meeting that evening. Takis Nikolopoulos made a fantastic speech during the event, and he wished everyone a great and happy New Year. Takis Nikolopoulos is from the Nikolopoulos family from Logastra, which was considered one of the most famous and powerful families in the region during the 18th century. The roots of the Nikolopoulos family are from Pigadia, located in Mani. There is a significant connection between Kapetan Zaharias and the Nikolopoulos family. The first wife of Kapetan Zaharias, Pagona, was from the Nikolopoulos family, in which their marriage took place in Logastra. In addition, one of Kapetan Zaharias daughters, named Katerina, married Nikolas Nikolopoulos, who was the son of Antonis Nikolopoulos. Antonis took part in the Greek War of Independence of 1821, in which he was killed in battle in April of that year. He was a hero who died for freedom, like many other Greeks. It turns out that Takis Nikolopoulos is a descendant of Antonis Nikolopoulos (and also Nikolas Nikolopoulos), therefore connecting him with the family of Kapetan Zaharias. I like to thank Takis Nikolopoulos for inviting me and my wife to the vasilopita party for the Association of Logastra. We had a fantastic evening and a great time with everyone who was there. Pan-Laconian Convention ΜΙΧΑΛΗΣ ΛΕΚΑΚΗΣ. - ΕΝΑΣ ΜΑΝΙΑΤΗΣ ΠΟΙΗΤΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΙΚΑΣΤΙΚΟΣ Ο Νικόλαος Λεκάκης και η γυναίκα του Σοφία έφθασαν από τη Μάνη στη Νέα Υόρκη το 1888. Εκεί, στην ξενιτιά, απέκτησαν επτά παιδιά σύμφωνα με τη Μανιάτικη νοοτροπία που ούτε εδώ στον "νέο κόσμο" απέβαλαν σε όλη τους τη ζωή. Μία νοοτροπία την οποία "πέρασαν" σε όλα τους τα παιδιά και μεταξύ αυτών τον Μιχάλη, Ο Μιχάλης Λεκάκης γεννήθηκε το 1907 στην Νέα Υόρκη. Από τη μάνα του είχε στενή συγγένεια με τον Γιάννη Ρίτσο καθώς η μάνα του ποιητή Ελευθερία ήταν αδελφή της Σοφίας Λεκάκη. Υπήρξε ένα από τα πιο δραστήρια μέλη της οικογένειας καθώς καλλιέργησε το ταλέντο του στο χορό, στη μουσική και στην ποίηση και στις δύο γλώσσες την αγγλική και την ελληνική τις οποίες γνώριζε και χειριζόταν καλά. Οι γονείς του Μιχάλη μετέδωσαν αρκετά στοιχεία από τις ικανότητές τους στα παιδιά τους. Ο Νικόλαος ήταν δραστήριος στο επάγγελμα του ανθοπώλη και ήταν πολύ δραστήριος στα κοινωνικά της ομογένειας καθώς είχε συντελέσει στην ίδρυση εκκλησιών, συμπεριλαμβανομένης και της Μητρόπολης Αγίας Τριάδας στους 74 δρόμους, ενώ προηγουμένως είχε πρωτοστατήσει στην ίδρυση του Ευαγγελισμού στους 54 δρόμους που αργότερα μεταφέρθηκε στους 91 δρόμους. Από την άποψη αυτή ο Μιχάλης μπήκε στον κόσμο της εκκλησίας και του Βυζαντίου πράγμα που τον ώθησε έχοντας και την κλίση προς την μουσική, να μάθει Βυζαντινή μουσική και να συνθέτει μελωδίες για χορικά αρχαίων τραγωδιών. Από τους γονείς του επίσης διδάχτηκε και τους ελληνικούς χορούς, μια εμπειρία και επίδοση που ενισχύθηκε από την Ισιδώρα Ντάνκαν και της Εύα Πάλμερ - Σικελιανού. Αυτοδίδακτος λοιπόν σε όλα συμπεριλαμβανομένης και της κλασικής φιλοσοφίας καθώς μόνος του παρακολουθούσε μαθήματα στο Πανεπιστήμιο Κολούμπια και Πρίνστον, όπου εκτέθηκε στον κόσμο και στις ιδέες του Πλάτωνα, πράγμα που θα τον βοηθήσει να γράψει και "φιλοσοφική" ποίηση στα ελληνικά, τα οποία διδάχτηκε συστηματικά στο Ελληνοαμερικανικό σχολείο του Μπρονξ. Τα Ελληνικά όπως είπαμε στην αρχή έμαθε ο Λεκάκης από τη μάνα του η οποία μετά την άφιξή της στην Αμερική το 1888, αρνήθηκε να μάθει αγγλικά για να αναγκαστούν έτσι τα παιδιά της να μάθουν αυτά τα Ελληνικά και να συνεννοούνται. Αλλά η μάνα τους Σοφία, πέραν της Μανιάτικης επιμονής για τη γλώσσα, μέσα της έρεε αίμα ποιητικό από τα μοιρολόγια, όπως και το ότι ο ανιψιός της Γιάννης Ρίτσος ήταν από τους σημαντικούς ποιητές της Ελλάδας. Ο Μιχάλης μαθήτευσε στην ολοκλήρωση των μαθημάτων στη Βυζαντινή μουσική, στο σωματείο "Ρωμανός ο Μελωδός" που είχε ιδρύσει ο Αριστείδης Ανθής στη Νέα Υόρκη. Η στροφή του στην αρχαία ελληνική φιλοσοφία, τη δραματουργία και το Βυζάντιο φανερώθηκε τόσο από το εικαστικό του έργο - ζωγραφική και γλυπτική - όσο στο ποιητικό του και στις δύο γλώσσες, και στη μουσική για τις Τραχίνιες του Σοφοκλή. Το 1952 που τελικά πείστηκε να επισκεφθεί την Ελλάδα, συνόδευσε την Εύα Σικελιανού και βρέθηκε κοντά της μέχρι τις τελευταίες στιγμές της. Ο ίδιος έχει συνεισφέρει ένα ωραιότατο ποιητικό κομμάτι σε χειρόγραφη αρχαιοελληνική μορφή στο περιοδικό Ηώς (1966,1967,1968) που είναι αφιερωμένο στην Εύα. Η αφοσίωση, η λατρεία του προς την Ελληνική γλώσσα και γενικά τον Ελληνικό κόσμο εκδηλωνότανε παντοιοτρόπως. Πρώτα απ όλα πολλά από τα έργα του - γλυπτά και ζωγραφική - έχουν Ελληνικούς τίτλους, όπως: "Ηφαιστος", "Σφίνξ", "Κίρκη", "Μεταμόρφωσις", "Ισομέτρης", "Εκτύπωσις", "Εξώστης", "Ηλιόπολις", "Κεραυνός", "Φύτρωμα", "Τροχεία", "Αστραπή", "Ρύθμισις", "Αποθέωσις", κ.α. Τα πιο πολλά από τα ζωγραφιστά έργα του που βρίσκονται στα πιο μεγάλα μουσεία της Αμερικής και της Ευρώπης, τα υπέγραφε με το Ελληνικό όνομα "Λεκάκης", ενώ η μοναδική ποιητική του συλλογή που πρόλαβε να δημοσιεύσει ήταν η Ελληνικότατη σύνδεση "Ερως ψυχή". Ο Μιχάλης Λεκάκης πέθανε το 1987 και γα όλη του τη ζωή υπήρξε Έλληνας δημιουργός με Μανιάτικο πείσμα που γεννήθηκε, μεγάλωσε και έζησε στην Αμερική. ΛΑΚΩΝΙΚΗ ΦΡΟΥΡΑ Λάβαμε πρόσφατα την εφημερίδα "ΛΑΚΩΝΙΚΗ ΦΡΟΥΡΑ - LACONIAN GUARD" δια ευγενικής αποστολής του Γυθεάτη Γρηγόρη Δημητρουλάκου που εκδίδεται από την Ομοσπονδία Ενωμένων Λακωνικών Σωματείων. Με βουλιμία ξεφυλλίσαμε την 20σέλιδη εφημερίδα μαζί με τις 52 σελίδες ευχών, που "φανφαρόνικα" αναγράφει στην πρώτη της σελίδα το έτος που διανύουμε, δηλ. το Ελληνικόν Έτος 2775 (η εφημερίδα αναφέρεται στο δίμηνο Νοε/Δεκ 1999). Από την δεύτερη σελίδα της εφημερίδας αντιγράφουμε το Δ.Σ. της Ομοσπονδίας ενώ παρακάτω παραθέτουμε τα θέματα της εφημερίδας (20 σελίδες) και τις ευχές που αναφέρονται επ ευκαιρία των Χριστουγέννων και του Νέου Χρόνου/αιώνα/χιλιετηρίας. Δ.Σ. της Ομοσπονδίας Ενωμένων Λακωνικών Σωματείων Officers Board of Directors Θέματα και άρθρα εφημερίδας
ΠΑΛΛΑΚΩΝΙΚΟΣ ΣΥΛΛΟΓΟΣ Ν.Α. "Ο ΛΕΩΝΙΔΑΣ" Ο Παλλακωνικός Σύλλογος είναι παρών σε κάθε εθνικό προσκλητήριο. Πρόσφατα, με το σεισμό της Αθήνας, οι Λάκωνες κινητοποιήθηκαν αμέσως και σε συνεργασία με την Ελληνική Κοινότητα βρέθηκαν από τους πρώτους στο πλευρό των σεισμοπαθών. Πέρα όμως από τις έκτακτες δραστηριότητες του Συλλόγου, κάθε χρόνο στις 26 Νοεμβρίου τιμάται η Μνήμη των 118 που σφαγιάστηκαν το 1943 από τους Γερμανούς κατακτητές. Ετσι και φέτος, στο ιδιόκτητο κτήμα του Συλλόγου στο Aldridge Ave, Plymouth, πρώην εκκλησία που με επέκταση στο πίσω μέρος έγινε μια θαυμάσια αίθουσα για εκδηλώσεις, συγκεντρώθηκαν οι Λάκωνες και διαβάστηκε το ιστορικό της ημέρας από την Αντιπρόεδρο Κατερίνα Ροζακλή. Την παρουσίαση έκανε ο Γραμματέας του Συλλόγου Δημήτρης Κατσάμπης. Μέσα στις δραστηριότητες του Συλλόγου συμπληρώνεται και η διοργάνωση "μπάρμπεκιου" 1 φορά τον μήνα με αρνί στη σούβλα, γουρουνόπουλο και άλλους μεζέδες. Σε ένα μάλιστα "μπάρμπεκιου" συγκεντρώθηκε το ποσό των 2600 δολλαρίων υπέρ των σεισμοπαθών της Αθήνας.
ΑΔΕΛΦΟΤΗΤΑ ΣΚΟΥΡΟΒΑΡΒΙΤΣΙΩΤΩΝ ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗΣ "Ο ΚΑΠΕΤΑΝ ΖΑΧΑΡΙΑΣ" Γενική Συνέλευση θα συγκαλέσει τον Απρίλιο η Αδελφότητα Σκουροβαρβιτσιωτών Αμερικής "Ο Καπετάν Ζαχαριάς" και καλεί όλα τα μέλη να παρευρεθούν σε αυτήν. Πληροφορίες υπάρχουν ότι τον Ιούνιο θα οργανωθεί μεγάλη υπαίθρια συνάντηση στο Λονγκ Αϊλαντ με τη συμμετοχή όλων αυτών των Ελλήνων που η τοπική τους ιστορία συνδέθηκε με τον Καπετάν Ζαχαριά. Και για τις δύο συναντήσεις θα προηγηθεί έγγραφη ενημέρωση.
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