Statue of
CONSTANTINE  THE  GREAT
FOUNDER  OF  THE BYZANTINE  EMPIRE

    Memorial festivities lasting three days took place in York, England in honor of Constantine the Great.  This marked the 1700th Anniversary  of July 25, 306 A.D. when Constantine  was proclaimed by his troops Emperor of the Western sector of the Roman Empire   Dean Keith Jones of the Church in York conducted services in the city’s Cathedral, which were followed by a majestic processional and other triumphal events.  He declared that, “Here, in this Cathedral, we are celebrating an event of the highest significance.”  The theme of the celebration was Constantine and the Roman World.  Also in attendance was the Greek Orthodox Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and of Great Britain.

    Commentary has arisen that the event should produce serious concerns in a major way about the leaders of the European Union.  Despite all historical and cultural reality, they have denied – and continue to deny – the Christian underpinning of European civilization: and this, at a moment when they are ascertaining the uncommonness and externality of the Islamic world.  The question begs, why so much denial of the Christian civilization?

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

Prince Juan Arcadio and Princess María Isabel
and company at the Gala event celebrating the Prince’s Eightieth Birthday.
(Next to the Prince) former Prime Minister Ioannis Grivas; (far right) Dr. Karras;
(next to the Princess) Archon Kastrinsios Theoharis M. Probatakis
and (far left) Archon Hagiogarphos Ioannis Mitrakas, Envoys  of the
Patriarchal See of Constantinople.
 

EL ALCAZAR DE SEGOVIA

Princess Maria Eugenia Isabel    Princess Helena Isabel Eirene
LASCARIS COMNENUS
The
Spanish Order of Charles V
was awarded to both Princesses in November 2006
at the Alcázar of Segovia, Spain.
(see also)

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

The following excerpt demonstrates the historic
relationship between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem
and the House of Lascaris Comnenus.

"ΕΛΛΗΝΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΝ   ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΕΙΟΝ
ΙΕΡΟΣΟΛΥΜΩΝ
[GREEK  ORTHODOX  PATRIARCHATE  OF  JERUSALEM]

Jerusalem
Tuesday, August 6, 2002 "

[NOTE: Promised reciprocation was fulfilled in 2003.  See "summary of events."]

A serious move is afoot in Greece bent on the disorientation and eventual obliteration of Hellenic consciousness.  The starting tool is a proposed high school history book to be inserted into the curriculum.  Omissions and restatements of historical facts are designed to deny the youth of a complete and sincere knowledge and understanding of their heritage, identity, and destiny.

The book has come under fire from various sources, including the Orthodox Church of Greece, for various departures from the version of events traditionally taught in Greek schools concerning, for example, Greece's war of independence against the rule of Ottoman Turks and the 1922 Asia Minor war.  Among other departures is also the role of the Greek Church in preserving the Greek language during the Ottoman occupation, and the treatment of other heroic figures of the revolution.  Accused as well is the skimming over of the massacre of Asia Minor Greeks by the Turks in Izmir.

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

Ancient  and  Revered
Relations  Endure:

_________________

[In the last several years, with the rank of Colonel and as a Command Pilot, Col. Karnezis brought to an end his eventful and meritorious Air Force career.  He had logged in excess of 5000 hours flying time, of which 2000 hours involved jet fighter aircraft: His prolific aircraft flying experience includes the B-17, B-25, B-26, B-51, T-33, F-94, F-84, F-86, and the F-4.  Moreover, as an exchange officer with RAF, he flew the Provost, Vampire, Meteor, Varsity, Anson and Hawker Hunter aircraft.
He has served as Project Officer in charge of Development of a Laser Guided Bomb Delivery System.]

____________

PURPLE  HEART

Col. Demetrios Karnezis
LEGION OF MERIT
 PURPLE  HEART

Demetrios (Jim) Karnezis was born 25 September 1921 in Norfolk, Virginia. While attending college at the William and Mary and VPI Norfolk Division, he applied for the US Army Aviation Cadet Program, and became a US Army Air Force Aviation Cadet on 9 March 1942. A rated and commissioned lieutenant upon graduation, his first assignment was B-17 flying transition at Gowen Army Air Field, Boise, Idaho. After joining the 388th Bomb Group at Wendover Army Air Field, Utah, he was assigned to the Eighth Air Force, United Kingdom in May 1943 as a
B-17 aircraft commander.

His aircraft was shot down by Focke Wulf 190's over enemy occupied France on 6 September 1943. With an engine out, severed control cables and on fire internally, the aircraft was out of control. This forced the remaining crewmembers to bailout. During their parachute descent, fighters strafed them. Lieutenant Karnezis and his copilot, escaped. Colonel Karnezis still bears burn scars that he received during the aircraft fire. He successfully evaded capture and through the help of the French Underground returned to England on 27 October 1943.

Lieutenant Kamezis continued his career, serving in such capacities as Communications Officer, flying instructor, Advisor to Royal Hellenic Air Force Academy, Base Operations Officer and Squadron Commander. He also served in the USAF - RAF Exchange Program as an Operations Staff Officer. In returning from his Exchange Program and carrying on as a seasoned officer Karnezis continued through positions as Aircraft Operations Officer and Chief of Operations. He worked in the USAF Head Quarters position of Operations Staff Officer (Bases and Units Div.) and HQ Alaskan Air Command as the Director of Operations, Plans and Exercises.

Col Karnezis retired from the Air Force in 1972, and worked for Lockheed and as an instructor at Sacramento City College.

__________________________________________
More captivating reading follows:

1.  Col. D. (Jim) Karnezis' dramatic debriefing re his crew and his own E&E (Escape and Evasion) — the disastrous
      bombing air raid of Stuttgart, Germany on September 6, 1943 known as Black Monday.

2.  An invitation to Col. Karnezis by the Mayor of Champigny, France to a 50-year memorial celebration.

3.  US Military aircraft carries attached the Constantinian Cross (by Col. Karnezis).

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤
 

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

&

    "Former Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America [Greek Orthodox Church] called the terrorist attack a 'demonic act' . . . . He went on to say , .  . . there is organized violence that goes back many centuries since the Persian Wars when the Anatolian people were trying to destroy Christendom and the 'white' race."
(Source: Kalmoukos, Theodore. "Iakovos: Attack Was a Demonic Act." National Herald, September 22-23, 2001, p. 1).

YORK, ENGLAND
Condolences and Support
to the People of the  
United States of America
on the occasion of the atrocity of
Tuesday, September 11, 2001

&

The following letter is from the 
Constantinian Commander Craig Barclay.
The author describes the serious loss that English friends have suffered for the sake of helping their American counterparts.
(See also important note below)
In a separate instance, he describes an unrelated case of abject vandalism. 

    "Since then [September 11, 2001], there have been many church-based and other memorial and fundraising events held in York to support the families of those who lost their lives. There is huge sympathy in Britain for our friends in the USA.

Craig

IMPORTANT: The above writer has communicated additional information regarding the noble
                              people of Yorkshire: 
    "I am delighted to say that the funds raised throughout Yorkshire to support the bereaved in the USA are now nearing £100,000."

SPAIN
 

Americans share in the pain and anguish suffered by the people of Spain under the scourge of wanton terrorism.

__________

From MADRID
Condolences and Support
to the People of the  
United States of America
on the occasion of the atrocity of
Tuesday, September 11, 2001

&

 

The
Grand Seneschal's message of September 12, 2001
dispatched to the American Delegate  
for all the Members  of the North American Exarchate 
of the 
BYZANTINE  ORDER  OF  SAINT  EUGENE  OF  TREBIZOND:

(From the right) H. E. Prof. Don Gonzalo de Porras y R. de León,
Colonel of Royal Artillery, Spanish Army (see Author), Grand Seneschal, Order of
Saint Eugene of Trebizond and Dr. Mark Athanasios C. Karras, American Delegate.

(Translation follows the original Spanish E-mail message)

Mi muy querido Hermano y amigo:

    En nombre de S.A.I. y R. El Príncipe Gran Maestre y del conjunto de miembros de nuestra Orden en todo el mundo, tengo el penoso deber de comunicarte nuestras más sentidas condolencias por la muerte de tantos buenos Norteamericanos, que han caído victimas de la barbarie integrista islámica en el cobarde ataque sufrido en Washington y New York en la mañana del día 11 pasado.

    Puedo asegurarte que, a pesar de mis muchos años y todo lo que en mi larga vida he tenido que ver, al contemplar la barbarie de la que erais objeto y las imágenes dantescas transmitidas por la Televisión, no he podido menos que llorar.

    En cualquier forma pedimos a Dios que acoja en Su Seno a las personas muertas por el ataque terrorista y que os dé fuerzas para seguir adelante. ¡ Animo hermanos, que Dios os ayudará y os dará la victoria sobre vuestros enemigos, que también lo son nuestros y de la libertad y la democracia!.

    De nuevo querido amigo y hermano, recibe junto con todo nuestro cariño y respeto, la certeza de nuestro dolor y de nuestras oraciones por las almas de tus compatriotas y por la fortaleza y prosperidad de los Estados Unidos de América.

Un fuerte abrazo y ¡animo y adelante!

Gonzalo de Porras

 

My very dear Brother and friend:

    In the name of H. I. y R. H. the Prince Grand Master and of the entirety of the members of our Order throughout the world, I have the painful duty to communicate to you our most felt condolences for the death of so many good North Americans who have fallen victims to the Islamic partisan barbarity in the cowardly attack suffered in Washington and New York in the morning of the eleventh past.

    I can assure you that, despite my many years and all that I had to witness in my long life, upon contemplating the barbarity to which you were subjected and the Dantesque images transmitted on television, I could do none less than to cry.

    In all instances we supplicate to God to gather to His Bosom those persons dead by the terrorist attack and to give you strength to continue ahead.  Courage brothers, that God will help you and will give you the victory over your enemies, who likewise they are to us and to liberty and democracy!

    Again dear friend and brother, receive together with all our affection and respect the assurance of our pain and of our prayers for the souls of your compatriots and for the strength and prosperity of the United States of America.

A firm embrace and, courage and forward!

Gonzalo de Porras

__________

To
ITALY

Tribute of Honor

&

in
Remembrance
of the
Supreme Sacrifice
against the
 Scourge of Terror
_____
(Italian Exarchate in MADRID
see also
Greek-Byzantines in SALENTO, Italy)


¤ ¤ ¤ ¤  

 

Honor given to the Exarch of The Antilles
of the Orders of 
Saint Constantine the Great
and Saint Helen.
At the Residence of the Exarch
Miami, Florida
Fall 1999

Flag and Coat of Arms of Free Cuba


(Left) H.E. The Exarch of the Antilles, Don Fernando García Mancera,
highly favored Constantinian Knight, receives honors from the House of
Lascaris Comnenus through its Delegate, Dr. Mark Athanasios C. Karras (right).
The Antillean Exarch is a distinguished and erudite Cuban national now resident
in Miami, Florida.  His inspiring motto is:
"CUBA . . . Viva Patria Libre"

 

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

Reunion of the Order of Saint Eugene of Trebizod
Hotel Wellington
Madrid, Spain
February 24, 2001

(Center) Grand Master of the Order, Dr. Juan Arcadio Lascaris Comnenus.
(Left) Grand Seneschal, Col. Gonzalo de Porras y Rodriguez de León.
(Right) Chancellor of the Exarchate of Spain, Don Fernando Agudo.
(Rear) Chancellor, Toparchy of Catalonia, Don José María Guiteras Bustins.

 

_________________

Mundo Social
______

HAGIA  SOPHIA
GREEK  ORTHODOX  CATHEDRAL
___
Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
Sunday, July 1, 2001