Activities

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General, joined by the Greek-Canadian businessmen, Mr. Bill Tserpes and Mr. Peter Tserpes representing EMPIRE FOODS and SAPORITO FOODS and the Consular Commercial Adviser Ms. Katerina Ioannou (July 29th 2010).

• Preparatory meeting in view of the upcoming Panathinaikos match with Inter Milan on Tuesday, August 3rd 2010 at Rogers Centre at 8 o’clock in the evening. The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General, was joined by Mr. Kenneth C. Cancellara (official organizer of the whole event), Mr. George Aivalis and Mr. Apostolis Tolios, Consular Officer (July 28th 2010). The whole presence of the Greek Champion soccer team in Toronto is under the auspices of the Greek Consulate General.
  
  The schedule of the Greek Champions will be as follows: Saturday, July 31st, 2pm – Meet & Greet with Toronto Panathinaikos Club; players have been asked to arrive at “Alexander’s Square” located on the corner of Danforth Ave and Logan Ave for pictures and autographs; Sunday, August 1st – 10pm – Ola Kala party, located at Brant House which is at 522 King Street West (One Street west of Spadina). To be noted that the Greek soccer team will play the game in full force. The Hon. Consul General makes a strong plea to the Omogenia to massively support the Champions of our country, visiting Toronto for second time in the last 3 months. The Hon. Consul General asked and achieved from the organizers to drop significantly the prices of the tickets which are available. This will hopefully allow the youth to stand by our National Champions.

• Preparatory meeting with the Board of the Toronto Brigantine Inc to discuss the details of the organization of a Youth Multicultural Project/Program “Toronto Brigantine’s on talll ships”, a program which delivers sail training for teenagers aged 13-18 years old. The aim is to build youth character through adventure. The project will be undertaken in conjunction with other Consulates (27 July, 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos attended the Great Vesper on the occasion of the celebration of the Feast of St. Panteleimon. The Vesper was presided by H.E the Greek Orthodox Archbishop Metropolitan Sotirios and was celebrated by many Greek Orthodox Rev. Fathers of the GTA. More than 1200 Greek Orthodox believers attended the evening service. The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos was asked to read the texts of the Prophecies from the Old Testament (Markham, Greek Orthodox Church of Sts. Panteleimon, Anna and Paraskevi, 26 July, 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos presided a major preparatory meeting in view of the upcoming cultural and athletic event in Toronto marking the 2,500 Year Anniversary of the first Marathon that took place in Ancient Greece. The Toronto Marathon will be sponsored by Scotiabank and co-hosted by the Mayor of Toronto His Worship David Miller as well as the Hon. Peter Fonseca. 20.000 runners are expected to participate. The event of the Toronto Marathon to take place on September 26th will be preceded by a two Day Expo, a press conference, a massive celebration party and above all the arrival from Greece of the Olympic Flame. The celebrations in their totality will be under the auspices of the Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos.
  
  In the above preparatory meeting, the Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos was joined by Mr. Nick Georgakopoulos, President of the Greek Community of Toronto, Mr. Alan Brookes, Race Director of Canada Running Series Inc. Ms. Bonnie Taylor, Community Activation & Entertainment Director, Mr. John Dagonas from the Hellenic Heritage Foundation, Mr. Andreas Stavropoulos, President of AHEPA Toronto, Mr. George Alexis member of the Presidium of the Greek Community Toronto, members from the Board of the Orthodox Greek Community of Mississauga and representatives from the Turtle Island Recycling corporation (July 26th 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos addressed the 4.000 guests of the Festival of the Greek Orthodox Community of Markham. He was flanked by the President of the Scholarship Committee of the AHEPA Mr. Nick Thalassinos. The Hon. D. Azemopoulos underlined that the AHEPA family, in very close cooperation with the Metropolis and himself, by donating 10 computers to the Greek Orthodox Community of Markham, wished to symbolically evidence its profound respect and concrete support towards the Greek Canadians of Markham and the Hellenic Youth in particular. To be noted that, according to estimates, 30.000 Greek Canadians live in Markham and Greek is the 5th spoken language in the area.
  
  The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, in his capacity as Consul General of Greece, sincerely thanked Rev. Fr. Odysseas and the President of the Greek Orthodox Community Mr. Ioannis Liagakis for their exemplary commitment and dedication to the values of our Nation.
  
  There is no doubt that the 2010 Festival of the Greek Orthodox Community of Markham and its overall spectacular turnout showed the strength of the vibrant and united Greek Orthodox Community of Markham (Markham, 25 July, 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos attended the Sunday service at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saints. Panteleimon, Anna and Paraskevi in Markham. The service was presided by His Eminence the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Canada Metropolitan Sotirios and celebrated by a number of Rev. Fathers from Greater Toronto Area. The Hon. D. Azemopoulos was asked to read the text of the creed of the Apostles. More than 800 Greek Orthodox believers were present in the church attending the service.
  
  At the end of the service, His Eminence announced that the AHEPA / Toronto, in cooperation with the Church/Metropolis and the Consulate General of Greece in Toronto, donates 10 computers to the School of the Greek Orthodox Community of Markham (25 July 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos had a very constructive discussion with the President of AHEPA Canada Mr. Nick Aroutzidis. To be noted that the Hon. Consul General of Greece is a member of AHEPA himself. He has been awarded by the Supreme Lodge of the Order of AHEPA the degree of ARCHON (July 23rd 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General joined by the Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Candidate Mr. Joe Pantalone (Toronto, 22 July, 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece, joined by the Hon. Alfonso Cardoso, Consul General of Brazil (July 23rd 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General, joined by Rev. Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos from Greek Orthodox Community in Winnipeg and Ms. Lucy Grigoriadis, President of the Greek Orthodox Family Services and Counseling – Wife assault program/ Founder and Executive Director of KLIRONOMIA (Hellenic Folklore in Canada) (Toronto, July 21st 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece, joined by the Greek-Canadian publisher and journalist, Mr. Bill Sklavos (July 21st 2010).

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece, joined by the Hon. Consul General of Venezuela, Ms. Martha Pardo and Ms. Samira Amndan B., Diplomatic Attache (July 20th 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos attended the celebration of the Great Vesper on the occasion of the Feast Day of Prophet Elias, Patron Saint of the Greek Community of Mississauga. The vesper was attended by more than 700 Greek Orthodox believers. During the service of the Great Vesper, the Hon. Consul General of Greece was asked to read the text of the Prophecies. The vesper was presided by His Eminence the Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios in presence of a multitude of Greek Orthodox priests from Greater Toronto Area.

  After the celebration of the Great Vesper, the Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos addressed the 1200 guests of the closing night of the 2010 Festival of the Greek Orthodox Community in Mississauga. He seized this opportunity to bestow two awards/acknowledgments to two distinguished personalities, namely Her Worship Hazel McCallion and the Honorable Peter Fonseca, for the steady support they genuinely and generously offer to our Diaspora (Mississauga, 19 July 2010).

  Hazel McCallion is the mayor of Mississauga, the sixth largest city in the country. McCallion has been Mississauga's mayor for 31 years, holding office since 1978. She is one of Canada's best known and longest-serving mayors. Now aged 89, she was easily reelected in November 2006 for her 11th consecutive term, holding a 92% majority of the votes, and has often been reelected without even needing to conduct an actual campaign.

  Peter Fonseca, Minister of Labour, was elected to the Ontario legislature in 2003 and re-elected in 2007. Fonseca was appointed Minister of Labour in 2008. He previously served as Minister of Tourism.

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece, joined by Ms. Helen Karrys and Ms. Christina Ganas from All Saints Greek Orthodox Church. The Hon. Consul General had a constructive discussion regarding the strengthening of the presence of the All Saints Church via the organization of specific events, with the support of the Consulate General (July 19th 2010).

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos and his colleagues Ms. Hara Androutsou and Mr. Nikos Spiratos met with the Greek Community in Winnipeg and visited the wonderful building of the Manitoba Cultural Center of the Greek Community. The Consulate General of Greece in Toronto together with the Government of Manitoba will organize a major cultural event aiming at promoting Greece in the province. The Hon. D. Azemopouls praised the Board of the Community for its very successful efforts to preserve the values and principles of our Nation in the hearts of our Diaspora and the Youth in particular (Winnipeg, 16-18 July, 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos together with the players of the Hellas Soccer Club of Winnipeg. The Club from now on will be permanently functioning under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in Toronto and will enjoy the full support of the Hon. Consul General himself, so that the team can win again the Nationals (Winnipeg, 17 July, 2010).

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos joined by the Mr. Dwight MacAulay, Chief of Protocol for the Government of Manitoba. To be noted that Mr. Mac Aulay is the only Manitoban who has been invested as commander of the Royal Victorian Order by Queen Elizabeth II (Winnipeg, 16 July, 2010)

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos had a very constructive discussion with the Hon. Steve Ashton (Winnipeg, 16 July 2010). Steve Ashton is the Chair of the Canadian Committee for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles and the No 2 of the Government in the Province of Manitoba . He is currently:

  * Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation
  * Minister responsible for Emergency Measures
  * Minister charged with the administration of the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation Act
  

  The discussion with Hon. Ashton focused on exploring all possible avenues to strengthen the cooperation of the Province of Manitoba with Greeece.

  The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos praised Hon. Ashton for his exemplary attachment to Greece.

  Steve Ashton was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature in 1981. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1986, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007.

  He was appointed Minister of Highways and Government Services in October 1999 (later changed to Transportation and Government Services) and Minister responsible for The Gaming Control Act in July 2000. He was appointed Minister responsible for Emergency Measures in October 2001. In September 2002, Steve was appointed Minister of Conservation and in November 2003, he became the first appointed Minister of Water Stewardship, a department that is solely committed to water issues and is the only department committed to water in Canada. In September 2006, Steve was appointed Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister responsible for Emergency Measures. In October 2009, he was appointed as Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, Minister Responsible for Emergency Measures and Minister Responsible for the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation.

  Steve is a graduate of R.D. Parker Collegiate in Thompson. He received a B.A. (Hon.) in Political Studies at the University of Manitoba and a M.A. in Economics from Lakehead University.

  Steve has lived in Thompson since 1967. His wife Hari Dimitrakopoulou-Ashton is a college instructor. He has two children, Niki, the Member of Parliament for Churchill, and Alexander, an instructor with the University College of the North in Thompson.

• The Honorable Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece, together with Honorable Minister Peter Fonseca and His Worship Mayor of Toronto David Miller will put under their auspices the organization of this year’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in September 24th-26th 2010, celebrating 2.500 years of the very first Marathon in History. More than 20.000 runners are expected to participate in this year’s Marathon. The Hon. D. Azemopoulos underlined that the participation at the Waterfront Marathon is a token of our profound and sincere respect and attachment to the Hellenic Culture and Civilization which go deep down millennia. The Hon. D. Azemopoulos will participate in the opening/closing ceremonies and the official press conference. The Hon. D. Azemopoulos will also present the awards to the winners. Last but not least he will enroll himself in the list of participants of this major cultural event. The Hon. D. Azemopoulos thanked the organizers for designating him to be this year’s Honorary Guest.
  
  The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece, joined by Mr. Alan Brookes, Race Director and Ms. Bonnie Taylor, Community Activation & Entertainment Director of Canada Running Series, Mr. Dimitrios Tsatsaronis, President of the Greek Community of Mississauga and Mr. Terry Tharenos from the Board of the Greek Community of Mississauga (July 15th 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General, with the distinguished Greek-Canadian businessman, Mr. Andreas Papadakos (July 14th 2010).

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos, Consul General, joined by Ms. Gina Droganes, Project Coordinator of the Album celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Greek Community of Niagara. Ms. Gina Droganes referred extensively to the purpose of the Album, presented to the Hon. D. Azemopoulos, which is to commemorate and highlight the achievements and the contribution of the proud Hellenic Diaspora of Niagara in preserving the values and traditions of our Nation (July 13th 2010)

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos joined by his friend, Mr. Takis Maniatakos, owner of Odyssey TV/ Radio Channel. The Hon. Consul General of Greece praised Mr. Maniatakos for his longstanding and valuable services in the field of our Media Communication and kindly asked him to convey to Ms. Kiki Maniatakos his most sincere and profound appreciation for all she has been doing to the benefit of our Diaspora (July 13th, 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece in Toronto, flanked by the President of the GCT Mr. Nikonas Georgakopoulos as well as the Board Directors Mr. Peter Mastorakos and Ms. Stacey Kakagiannis, addressed the 2.000 guests of the Festival of the Greek Community.
  
  The main message of the Hon. Consul General consisted in reiterating his full and unconditional support to the most noble efforts of the current Presidium of the Greek Community. He made a public appeal to the Hellenic Diaspora to stand by the GCT especially in current difficult times. Only in unity, the Hellenes of Toronto will be able to successfully face the multiple challenges of today.
  
  The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos praised once more the President of the GCT Mr. Nikonas Georgakopoulos for his outstanding moral character and his deep knowledge and understanding of the crisis in the GCT.
  
  Mr. Georgakopoulos' bold initiatives and above all his clear vision for a better and brighter future of the Greek Canadians living in Toronto are most necessary tools to safeguard a better tomorrow for the 101-year old GCT (Toronto, 10 July, 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by Rev. Fr. George Tolias and the Board of the Metamorphosis Greek Orthodox Church (Church of the Transfiguration of the Redeemer). The discussion focused on the upcoming celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Church. The celebration will take place at the Metropolitan Center in Scarborough and will be under the auspices of the Consulate, as a token of the full respect and honor to Metamorphosis’ commitment and dedication to the most noble ideals of our Nation (July 9th 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by Mr. George Manios, Director General of the Greek Community of Toronto. The Hon. Consul General praised Mr. Manios for his precious services in the GCT (July 9th 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by Mr. Peter Mastorakos, the youngest ever member of the GCT Board of Directors - known as the General Council- in the 101 year History of the Greek Community of Toronto (July 8th 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, with the Greek-Canadian businessman Mr. Tony Pethakas (July 8th 2010).

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos joined by Rev. Father George Tolias and the Executive Board of the Metamorphosis (Transfiguration of the Redeemer) Greek Orthodox Church. To be noted that the General Consulate of Greece in Toronto will fully support and assist the noble endeavors of the Executive Board of the Metamorphosis to promote this year’s celebrations for the Feast Day of the Church (August 5&6) and the celebration for the 25th Anniversary of the Church (scheduled for October 2nd, 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the President of the Greek Community of Toronto, Mr. Nikonas Georgakopoulos and Mr. Christos Gribas, Trade Commissioner at the Consulate General of Greece in Toronto (July 5th 2010).

• On the occasion of the celebration of the Feast day for Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the Hon. D. Azemopoulos attended a vesper celebrated at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Kitchener. The vesper was celebrated by many Rev. Fathers and attended by hundreds of faithful Greek Canadians.
  
  At the end of the vesper, the Hon. Consul General addressed the congregation of the Church. In his speech, he particularly underlined and praised the role of the Church in keeping alive and strong the attachment of our Diaspora to our beloved Nation (Greek Orthodox Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Kitchener, 28 June 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos attended the vesper at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saints Paul and Peter in Kitchener (June 28th, 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the legal adviser and lawyer of the Consulate General of Greece in Toronto Mr. Richard Macklin (Stevensons LLP), the former deputy Premier Mr. George Smitherman, the President of the Panmacedonian Association of Ontario Mr. Jim Karas, Ms. Eleni Botteas and Mr. Tom Michalopoulos (Reception at the Consular Residence, June 16, 2010)-picture kindly provided by the Greek Press.

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos Consul General of Greece, joined by Mr. George Armenopoulos to whom he bestowed a medal of recognition from the Hellenic Republic for his exceptional services in the Second World War (Toronto, 25 June, 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece, joined by Mr. Alexander Alexakis, Vice President of Krinos Foods Canada Ltd. and Ms. Hara Androutsou, Administrative Officer of the Consulate General of Greece (June 24th 2010).

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos, Consul Genera of Greece, joined by Mr. Alex Hadjiantoniou, gave an interview to the journalist of the French CBC CANADA Mr. Yanick Bourdon (Toronto, 24 June 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos joined by his friend Mr. Jim Neilas, Ms. Paola Guarnieri (Director of Campaign of Mayoral Candidate Mr. Joe Pantalone) and Ms. Nor Al- Awqati (assistant to Mr. Joe Pantalone) (June 22nd, 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos joined by the Toronto Mayoralty candidate Mr. Rocco Rossi (Toronto, June 18th, 2010). The Hon. D. Azemopoulos, addressed a fundraising event organised by Greek Canadians in favour of Mayoral Candidate Rocco Rossi. In his speech, he stressed his wish to build bridges, establish networks and connect with all living forces of our society, to the benefit of our Diaspora, and without taking sides with any of the existing Mayoral Candidate.

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos and his colleagues from the Consulate General of Greece in Toronto attended the Father's Day Event at the Hellenic Home for the Aged. Distinctions were awarded by the Hon. Consul General to Peter Mastorakos, Maria Agrapidi and Vangelis Papadopoulos for their exemplary spirit of dedication to the Ideals of our Nation. Mr. D. Azemopoulos praised them, underlining that, in spite of their young age, they have constantly proved to be proud and most active representatives of the Hellenic Youth in Toronto.
  
  The Hellenic Home for the Aged is a not for profit organization dedicated to providing exceptional quality care and services to the seniors in our community that enhance their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health (Toronto, 20 June, 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos attended the successful Cultural Summer Festival of the Cypriot Community (19 June 2010)

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece, joined by the Hon. Kathleen Wynn, Minister of Transportation (Cultural Summer Festival of the Cypriot Community- 19 June 2010).

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos during a press conference praised the Hon. J. Cannis, MP, for introducing a motion that was passed unanimously by the Canadian Parliament (June 15th, 2010), requesting the reopening of the Orthodox Theological Institute of Halki in Turkey (June 18th, 2010).
  
  The initiative of the Hon. Cannis was fully supported since its inception by His Eminence the Archbishop Sotirios. To be also noted that the Hon. J. Cannis maintains an excellent and most constructive cooperation both with H.E the Greek Ambassador in Ottawa Mr. N. Matsis and the Hon. Consul General Mr. D. Azemopoulos.
  
  It is well known that the Halki Theological Institute was closed by an action of the Turkish government in 1971, and since that time, has been subject to actions by government agencies that seek to curb its activities. The Institute was founded in the nineteenth century on the grounds of the Patriarchal Monastery of the Holy Trinity that has occupied the site for over 1,000 years. Its closure constitutes a breach of Article 40 of the Lausanne Treaty and Article 24 of the Turkish Constitution which both guarantee religious freedom and education. Their provisions are also embodied in Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights.

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos celebrating with the Youth on Danforth/Greek Town the first victory of Greece in the World Cup 2010 (June 17th, 2010).

• The Honorable Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by Mr. Michael Perris who applied for his Greek citizenship (June 17th 2010).

• The Honorable Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by Mr. Haralampos Laskaris and his son Mr. Christopher Laskaris who applied for their Greek citizenship (June 17th 2010).

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos joined by the Hon. Minister M. Best, the President of the Royal Museum of Ontario Mrs. M. Bountrogianni, the Hon. J. Cannis, the former Minister Collenette, the President of the Hellenic Home Mr. P.Xenias, and the former dep. Premier Mr. G. Smitherman (Reception at the Consular Residence - 16/6/2010).
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• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece, joined by Prof. Angelos Metaxas, D.D.S., Dipl Orthod., Associate Prof., Faculty of Dentistry, Discipline of Orthodontics, University of Toronto (June 11th 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos received at his office 25 members of the Panthrakikos Football Club from Komotini/Greece. To be noted that the team will play an exhibition game this coming Sunday in Toronto (June 11th, 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece Dimitris Azemopoulos together with Prof. Alex Gropper President of the Canadian Center for Mediterranean Studies launched officially the initiative of ''OLIVE OIL'', which consists of a major Conference, Exhibition and side events to take place for almost one year at the Royal Ontario Museum in 2011/2012.
  
  The event was attended by the President of the ROM Mrs. Marie Bountrogianni, the Hon. Senator Ms. Pana Merchant, the Hon. Consul Generals of Cyprus, Italy, France, Portugal, Turkey, Syria, Croatia, Belgium (in its capacity as incoming President of the European Union 27 Member States) and Russia.
  
  The leadership of the ROM was present too, as well as the Gen. Directors of the Italian Institute and the Alliance Francaise, distinguished professors, academics, opinion makers and businessmen.
  
  Greece is taking a leading role in the above project, showing its sincere determination and strong will to explore all possible avenues towards peace, brotherhood and stability not only in the area of the Mediterranean but also in the Torontonian Society. Our message is clear : oil, like in ancient times, should be seen as a factor of peace and conciliation (Toronto, 8 June, 2010)
  
  
  • The Hon. Consul General of Greece joined by his colleagues from Russia Mr. Vladimir Lebedev, Belgium Mr. Paul De Vos, Portugal Mr. Julio Vilela and the Director of the Alliance Francaise Mr. Jean Claude Duthion.
    

  

  • The Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos joined by the Hon. Consul General of Italy Mr. Gianni Bardini and the Hon. Consul General of France Mr. Jerome Cauchard.
    

  

  • The Hon. Consul General Mr. D. Azemopoulos joined by Hon. Sen. Ms. Pana Merchant, the Hon. Consul General of Cyprus Mr. Stavros Avgoustidis, Mr. G. Nikopoulos (Vice President of the Greek Community) and Paul Denis (Curator of the ROM for the Greek/Roman Antiquities Section).
    

  

  • The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos joined by the President of the Royal Ontario Museum Ms. Marie Bountrogianni and Mr. Ted Manziaris.
    

  

  • The Hon. D. Azemopoulos joined by Ms. H. Androutsou, Mr. D. Voidonikolos, Mr. A. Alexakis, Ms. I. Keroglidi, Ms. D. Kremmida, Ms. Marie Bountrogianni and Mr. Th. Margaritis.
    

  

  • The Hon. D. Azemopoulos joined by Mr. M. Andrikopoulos, the Hon. Senator Ms. P. Merchant, the Director Gen. of the Alliance Francaise Mr. Duthion, Ms. I. Keroglidi, and Mr. Merchant.
    

  

  • The Hon. D. Azemopoulos joined by Professors Alex Gropper and Mario Crespi.
    

  

  • The Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos joined by his colleagues from Italy Mr. Gianni Bardini and from France Mr. Jerome Cauchard. To be noted that the Consulate General of Greece in Toronto has established the most constructive cooperation with the Italian and French Gen. Consulates and their respective Cultural Centers.
    

  

  • The Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos joined by Mr. Kremidas, Mr. Ted Manziaris, Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, Mr. John Dagonas and Mr. Nikopoulos.
    

  

  • The Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos joined by Prof. Alex Gropper and Mr. Dan Rahimi (Vice President of Gallery Development, ROM).
    

  

  • The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos joined by Mr. Bilgen (Consul General of Turkey), Mr. Kherdaji (Consul General of Syria), Mr. Lebedev (Consulate of the Russian Federation), Mr. Duthion (Alliance Francaise), Mr. Paul De Vos (Consul General of Belgium) and Mr. Vilela (Consul General of Portugal).

  

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece joined by the Hon. Minister Margarett Best, the President of the Acropolis Museum Mr. D. Pantermalis, the President of the HHF Mr. J. Fanaras and his Hon. colleagues from the USA, Denmark, Sweden and Serbia.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos joined by the Hon. Consul General of France Mr. Jerome Cauchard.

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos attended the spectacular 14th Fundraising Gala '' A NIGHT IN PLAKA'', organised by the Hellenic Heritage Foundation. The event was massively attended and was once more an amazing success.
  
  The Hellenic Heritage Foundation (HHF) is a charitable, non-profit fundraising organization focused on the preservation, advancement and integration of Hellenism in Canadian society. The HHF funds organizations with a primary focus on universities and other centres of learning, elder care facilities and arts and cultural centres.
  
  This year’s gala A Night in Plaka featuring Greek singer Konstantina took place on Friday June 4, 2010 at the Paramount Conference & Event Venue in support of two very important initiatives – the Hellenic Hope Center and Hellenic Heritage Foundation Scholarships. The whole event was perfectly organised by the generous and most successful businessan Mr. Peter Eliopoulos, member of the Board of the HHF and illustrious member of our Diaspora. To be noted that since its inception, the HHF:

  
  • Successfully raised close to $5 million
  • Donated over $2 million to create the first permanent Chair in Hellenic Studies at York University in Toronto which was established in 2002.
  • Donated $670,000 of our $1million pledge for the Centre for the Performing Arts located in the Greek Community of Toronto’s new Hellenic Cultural Centre in Scarborough.
  • Donated $250,000 to the new Hellenic Home for the Aged in Scarborough.
  • Donated $25,000 towards our $250,000 pledge to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) Youth Summer Camp being built near Kingston.
  • Created an endowed fellowship in Modern Greek Studies at York University
  • Made cash donations in excess of $350,000 to various charitable organizations that meet its mandate.
  
  

  The Hon. Consul of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos expressed his very sincere gratitude to the impressive contribution of the HHF in steadily forging the ideals of our Nation in Canada, especially nowadays.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece joined by Mr. Michael Wighton at the Theater Cipher. The Hon. D. Azemopoulos attended ''AGAMEMNON'' by Aeschylus, directed by Michael Wighton. At the end of the performance the Hon. Consul General of Greece warmly congratulated Mr. M. Wighton and the excellent actors for an amazing performance. To be noted that THEATRE CIPHER's debut production is intensely visual and poetically rich while the whole staging of the play uses a joint mastery of body and text to reveal the true power of ancient Greek theater.
  
  In particular, marking the debut of a determined new voice within Toronto theatre, Theatre Cipher’s Agamemnon (in translation by Ted Hughes) stands out as proof of the power and relevance a great text can hold when approached with the necessary time and dedication. Created over the course of twelve months of ongoing rehearsal, this highly visual and psychologically-charged production runs from May 22 to June 5 at the church hall of Christ the Saviour Cathedral located at 823 Manning Ave. Led by director Michael Wighton, Theatre Cipher is an ensemble of actors and directors committed to restoring to the theatre both the rigour and untamed fantasy which it deserves. Acknowledging the physical, vocal, and psychological mastery which a great poetic text demands, Agamemnon comes as the result of a process which sets artistic vision and dramatic revelation as its foremost concerns. As the first of three tragedies in Aeschylus’ renowned Oresteia, Agamemnon tells the tale of what happens to a nation after years spent at war. Returning triumphant from his victory at Troy, the great leader Agamemnon discovers his kingdom fallen into disrepair and consumed by a web of personal crusaders, each of them ravenous for their own take on justice. As the disease which he set off in his people upon sailing for Troy -- an unquestioning belief in one’s moral right – overtakes the palace square, we see what becomes of a society where each and every member is ready to fight for what they deem right. (Toronto, 30 May, 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the Mayor of Mississauga Ms. Hazel McCallion and his close friend Mr. Dimitris Tsatsaronis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Mississauga and the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias Mr. Dimitris Tsatsaronis, attended at the Greek Pavillion the successful first evening of the Carassauga Festival (May 28th, 2010).
  
  The Hon. D. Azemopoulos praised the Committee of the Greek Pavillion for its excellent organisation. The Carassauga Festival of Cultures, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, is Ontario’s largest multicultural festival, with over 60 countries participating. Held over three days throughout the City of Mississauga, the Carassauga Festival boasts over 250,000 visits. In this context, the Hon. D. Azemopoulos made an appeal to all Greek Torontonians to massively support and visit the Greek Pavillion.
  
  The Hon. Consul General congratulated the Mayor Ms McCallion for her outstanding services and her constructive cooperation with the Consulate. He recalled that on 11 November 2003, Ms. Hazel McCallion started her 10th term as Mayor of Mississauga, Ontario. She was first elected Mayor of Mississauga in November, 1978, and is the longest serving Mayor in the city's history. She was acclaimed in 1980, re-elected in 1982 and 1985, acclaimed again in 1988 and re-elected in 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2006. The Mayor was runner-up in World Mayor 2005.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos joined by his close friend Mr. Dimitris Tsatsaronis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Mississauga and the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias. The Hon. D. Azemopoulos has on numerous occasions praised publicly Mr. D. Tsatsaronis for his extremely profound dedication and commitment to the eternal ideals of our Nation.
  
  The Hon. Consul General of Greece fully and wholeheartedly supports the efforts of Mr. D. Tsatsaronis and the most dynamic Board of the Community and Church for all their outstanding achievements in forging the unity of our Diaspora in Mississauga. In this context, the Hon. D. Azemopoulos and the staff of the Consulate have been steadily working very constructively with all the members of the Board to promote the Hellenic Identity in Mississauga and beyond.
  
  In this spirit, the Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos will be actively present, also this year, in the Greek Pavillion of the 25th Carassauga Festival of Cultures (May 28,29,30), expressing, once more, his most sincere gratitude and immense respect towards the wonderful and proud Greek Canadians of Mississauga.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the Honourable David Miller, Mayor of Toronto.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos joined by his colleague the Hon. Consul General of the Russian Federation Mr. Andrey Veklenko.

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos, in his capacity as Consul General of Greece, addressed the soccer fans of Panathinaikos and Benfica at the BMO. His key message to the 16.000 spectators was that respect, friendship, excellence in body and spirit and our vision for a better world should be the prevailing principles in the world of athletics (Sunday, May 23rd, 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece in Toronto D. Azemopoulos and His Eminence the Archbishop Sotirios have established the most constructive cooperation based on mutual respect and profound understanding. The role of the Church in preserving the flame of our Nation alive in the very heart of our Diaspora has always been fundamental.

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos attended the vesper at the Greek Orthodox Church of Sts. Constantine and Helen. The Greek Consul General read the texts of the prophecies and delivered a speech honoring the religious holiday celebrating the memory of Sts. Constantine and Helen (20.5.2010)

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos joined by officials from the Greek Consulate had a very constructive meeting with the Hon. George Smitherman and his collaborators, Ms. Mary Cannis, Mr. Theo Margaritis, Ms. Irene Keroglidis and his personal assistant (May 20th 2010).
  
  The Hon. G. Smitherman was deputy Premier of Ontario from September 21, 2006 – November 8, 2009. He currently contests the mayoralty of Toronto in the 2010 municipal election.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the Hon. George Smitherman (May 20th 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece has established a most constructive cooperation with the Mc Guinty Cabinet. In this context, the Hon. D.Azemopoulos has, on many occasions, expressed both, publicly and in writing, his profound gratitude to the Hon. Premier of Ontario for his most sincere respect towards the proud 250.000 Canadians of Greek Origin thriving in the wonderful province of Ontario and adding to the multicultural splendor of Toronto. Their 101 - year successful presence in Toronto is deeply rooted in the historic conscience of this blessed Province and bound to continue for the years to come.

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos was given the unique privilege to address as the key note speaker the graduates and 700 guests attending this year's splendid Graduation Ceremony of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto. The event was honored by the presence of the special representative of the Hon. Prime Minister of Canada who read a most warm message sent by the Hon. Stephen Harper on the occasion, His Eminence the Ukranian Archbiship, all Reverend Greek Orthodox Fathers of the Greater Toronto Area, the Hon. Minister Ms. Sophia Aggelonitis representing the Mc Guinty Cabinet, the Hon. Member of Parliament Mr. John Cannis, the Co-ordinator of SAE Canada Mr. Costas Menegakis, the President of the Hellenic Canadian Congress Mr. Christos Geronikolos, the Hon. Consul General of Cyprus Mr. Stavros Avgoustidis (Metropolitan Center, Friday, May 14th).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the President of York University, Dr. Mandouh Shoukri.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the Hon. Sophia Aggelonitis, Minister of Consumer Services and the Hon. Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Transportation.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the Hon. Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Opposition, MP.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the Hon. Senator Vivienne Poy.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the Hon. Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the Hon. Minister Gerry Phillips.

• The Honorable Premier of Ontario Mr. Dalton McGuinty joined by the Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos.

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos attended the Opening of the Chapel Doors Ceremony for the Saints Kyrillos and Methodios Greek Orthodox Chapel at the Hellenic Home for the Aged Scarborough. (May 10th, 2010).

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos attended the swearing in ceremony of the new Board of the Greek Community (Sunday, May 2nd, 2010) - picture from the ''E???????? ??p??-Greek Press''.

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos joined by the Presidium of the AHEPA-Women's Section (Daughters of Penelope)-Retro Party for fundraising money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The successful event took place under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece (Friday, April 30th, 2010 )- picture from the E???????? ??p??

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece in Toronto Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos attended the Sunday Service at the Greek Orthodox Church of St.Demetrios. At the end of the Service, the Hon. D. Azemopoulos and the Philoptohos Board of the Church, honoring the celebration of Mother's Day, distributed flowers to all mothers present (Toronto, May 9th, 2010).

• The Hons. Consul General of Greece in Toronto Mr. D. Azemopoulos and the Trade Commissioner of the Consulate Mr. Ch. Gribas attended and addressed the successful Dinner of the Pan-Korinthian Association (Saturday, 8 May, 2010).

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos praised Mr. L. Vavaroutsos for all his steady contribution to the Hellenic Diaspora in Canada. It is well known that Mr. Vavaroutsos is a most typical case of a success story of a Greek Canadian who managed to excel in this society thanks to his outstanding commitment to the eternal values of our Nation and his hard work and ethic. Mr. Vavaroutsos stressed to the Hon. Greek Consul General his sincere wish for his children to apply for their Greek passport in the immediate future, as another proof of his immense attachment to Greece (May 7th, 2010).

• The Honorable Consul General of Greece had a very constructive meeting with the Executive Board of the Hellenic Hope. The meeting focused on the future activities of this extremely important charity organization which gives hope and care to children with special needs. The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos praised the commitment and endeavors of his interlocutors and stressed that he stands ready and proud to do all in his power so that the Hellenic Hope becomes a most solid Organization of our Diaspora in Canada, to the benefit of those in need. The Hon. Greek Consul General concluded by saying that especially nowadays there is nothing more important in life than showing our solidarity and love towards those people with physical or developmental disabilities. They and their families need us present and active in their life long struggle to survive (May 4th, 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos attended the Sunday Service. At the end of the Service the newly elected members of the Board of the Greek Community of Toronto sworn in (Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, 2 May 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, joined by the President of the Canadian Institute for Mediterranean Studies, Mr. Alex Gropper and Mr. Mario Crespi, Executive Director of the Institute. The topic of the very productive meeting was the launch of the Olive Oil Project. The project consists of the International Olive Oil Conference and Exhibition to be held at the Royal Ontario Museum in 2011. The project aims to bring together all the Consulates in Toronto from the countries of the Mediterranean Sea around the core idea of ‘’Oil as a key symbol of world peace and prosperity’’ (April 30th 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. D. Azemopoulos had a constructive discussion with the President – elect of the Greek Community Prof. G.Gekas (April 29th, 2010)

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the President Ms. Irene Dotsikas and the Members of the Executive Board of the Women’s Department of the Hellenic Home. The Hon. D. Azemopoulos expressed his full support to the endeavors of the Hellenic Home. In this context the event of June 20th will be held under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece (April 29th 2010)

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by Mrs. Roula Mouratidou , President of the Cultural Society of Imathia “Vergina”. The Hon. D.Azemopoulos thanked wholeheartedly Mrs. Roula Mouratidi for her unprecedented and exceptional commitment to the cause of our Diaspora. This commitment has been steady and enthusiastic, inspiring thus thousands of Greek Canadians through the years. He also thanked her husband Mr. Mihalis Mouratidis for his outstanding contribution to the Greek Community. Mr. Mouratidis should be commended for his work and dedication, but most of all for his integrity and most noble spirit. He has become the living memory of the 101 - year presence of the Greek Community in Toronto. Nobody else has managed to gather valuable resources he has in his possession, while drafting his forthcoming book on the HISTORY OF THE GREEK OMOGENEIA IN TORONTO. His book will be presented to the public in a special event next October The event will be fully supported by the Hellenic Consulate General in Toronto (April 28th 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by Mr. Tom Giannou, President of St Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in North York. To be noted that in the Church premises there is a Sunday school with 60 children and 6 teachers. To be also noted that the Church provides classes of Greek Language to a significant number of Greek Canadian children every Thursday
  
  Last but not least, the fund raising golf tournament of the Church will take place on July 1st in Glenn Eagle. The Consulate General will provide its full support to the success of the event (April 28th 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, joined by the Executive Board of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Panteleimon in Markham, The purpose of the very productive meeting was to discuss future projects of the Greek Community in Markham, aiming at forging even more its unity and attachment to our Nation. It is well known that in the Community of Markham, the Greek Language is the 5th most spoken language (April 27th, 2010).

• The Hon. Consul General, Mr. D. Azemopoulos, joined by Mr. Eduardo Vieira, President of the Hollywood Productions in Canada. The object of the meeting was to clarify details concerning the upcoming soccer game of the Champion of Greece in Football “Panathinaikos”,vs “Benfica”, Champion team of Portugal, on May 23rd 2010 at 3p.m. at BMO stadium. To be noted that the Greek team will arrive in Toronto on May 21st and depart on May 24th. The press conference, in the presence of the Consuls General from Greece and Portugal, will take place at the end of this week at BMO Stadium. The presence of the Greek team is expected to massively mobilize our Omogeneia (April 26th 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos joined by the the President of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church Mr. Vassilis Spanogiannopoulos, after attending the Sunday Service at the Church (April 25th, 2010).

• The Hon. Dimitris Azemopoulos visited and addressed all grades of the Lycee Francais de Toronto in the context of the ''Greek Week''. He was accompanied by his colleague and friend the Hon. Jerome Cauchard, Consul General of France. They both delivered signed diplomas to the students and classes that participated in different competitions to honor the Hellenic-French Friendship (Toronto, 22 April, 2010). http://www.lft.ca/wp/
  

• The Hon. Consul General of Greece Mr. D. Azemopoulos addressed the students of the Lycée français de Toronto. The topic of his lecture was the etymology of French words of Greek Origin. The 3 hour event took place in the context of ‘’Greek Week’’ at the Lycée français de Toronto (April 20th, 2010)

• Greek week at the Lycee Francais (Toronto, April 19th - April 23rd)
  
  Monday, April 19th Exchange between the Metamorphosis Greek Orthodox School and Lycee francais
  
  Tuesday, April 20th - 10 am to 11 am: presentation on Greek etymology for grade 5 and 6 students
  
  Thursday, April 22nd
  - 10 to 10:30 am: arrival at the Lycée and tour of our students’art productions (from gr. To 9)
  - 10:45 to 11:30am: Prize awards for the Primary school students(Kindergarten to gr. 5)
  - 12:00 to 1:30 pm: Greek Lunch with the Hon. Jérôme Cauchard, Consul General of France, M. Duthion, Director at the Alliance Française, M. Duthel, Headmaster at the Lycée, students and the staff
  - 1:30 to 2:30 pm: presentation on the following topic: Greece at the crossroad of three continents, for grade 10 to 12 students (30mn talk followed by 30mn Q and A.)
  - 2:30 to 3:30 pm: Prize awards to be delivered to the college students (from gr. 6 to gr. 9)

• The Hon. D. Azemopoulos joined by the Hon. Peter Fonseca, Minister of Labour.