Palaion Patron Germanos: A Misunderstood Hero of the Greek War of Independence

Palaion Patron Germanos Greek War of Independence
“Germanos blessing the flag,” Theodoros Vryzakis, 1865. Credit: Public Domain.

One of the most well-known paintings of the Greek War of Independence is undoubtedly the one painted by Theodoros Vryzakis in 1865 depicting Metropolitan Palaion Patron Germanos, known also as Germanos III of Old Patras.

In the iconic image, Germanos is shown raising the flag of the revolution in the Agia Lavra Monastery and blessing the beginning of the Greek uprising on March 25, 1821.

Historians date that initial meeting to March 13, and the reason Greeks later chose March 25 as the date of their revolutionary struggle is due to the feast of the Annunciation of Virgin Mary, the most important figure of the Greek Orthodox Church.

The Greeks wanted to link their liberation from the Ottomans with this holy day, thus, Greeks and Orthodoxy would remain inextricably connected.

The Metropolitan Palaion Patron Germanos was born in Dimitsana, Arcadia, on March 25, 1771. His secular name was Georgios Kozias, son of Ioannis Kozias who was a jeweler.

The life of the holy man, Germanos III of Old Patras

He received his education at the school of his native village and then at Argos, where he became a clergyman and served as deacon of Metropolitan Iacovos.

He then left for theological studies in Smyrna in 1797, where he was employed at the Bishopric by Metropolitan Grigorios.

When Grigorios became Patriarch in 1797 he took Germanos with him and promoted him to Archdeacon of the Patriarchate, where Germanos completed his religious studies and general education.

Germanos served as Archdeacon (1800-1806) and then as Protosyngellos at the Metrolopis of Cyzicus, where he was serving when he was elected Bishop of Patras in 1806.

His charisma made him Metropolitan of Patras. He was appointed a Synod member in Constantinople where he stayed for another three years (1815-1818).

Palaion Patron Germanos’ Involvement with the Filiki Etairia

When he returned to Peloponnese, he became a member of the “Society of Friends” (Filiki Etairia), a secret group of prominent people who were seeking independence from Ottoman rule for the Greek nation.

He was introduced to Filiki Etairia by Ioannis Vlassopoulos, Consul of the Russian Empire at Patras. Palaion Patron Germanos started a secret campaign to raise money for the revolution.

On March 13, 1821, a Sunday, Palaion Patron Germanos blessed the standard during the liturgy at Agia Lavra Monastery in Achaea, and on March 25 1821, blessed the fighters at Agia Lavra and hoisted the flag of the Greek War of Independence in Agios Georgios Square at Patras.

In December 1822, after the Greek rebels achieved some victories against the Ottomans, the political leaders sent Germanos to Italy on a mission to obtain aid and support for the war effort from the Pope and the European Congress at Verona.

However, the Metropolitan’s stay in Italy was fruitless, because the papal representatives asked Palaion Patron Germanos for the Greek Church to unite with the Catholic Church under the Pope, so he returned to Greece without even meeting with the Pope.

Some historians question Germanos’ role in the War of Independence

In his memoirs, however, Germanos did not mention a doxology either at Agia Lavra or Vostitsa, and did not even mention the swearing-in ceremony he held at Agios Georgios Square in Patras, perhaps so that he would not seem to be boasting, or because he did not consider it important.

This has caused some historians, who generally question the role of the higher clergy in the Revolution, to cast doubt on the role of Plaion Patron Germanos in the War of Independence.

After he returned to Greece from Italy (June or July 1824) Greece was liberated and a minor civil war had already started.

Palaion Patron Germanos played a conciliatory role in the feuds among the Greeks who wanted political powers. He made the mistake of defending more strongly (perhaps on grounds of origin) the Achaean chieftains.

As a result, Ioannis Gouras had him arrested in 1825 but then set him free.

After that, Metropolitan Germanos moved to Nafplio where he was appointed member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Third National Assembly.

He died on May 30, 1826 and was buried with honors in Nafplio. Later his remains were transferred to Dimitsana, his native village.

Greek Warriors Liberate Kalamata on March 23, 1821

Kalamata liberation
“Petrobey Mavromichalis leads the revolutionaries to Kalamata,” by Peter von Hess. Public Domain/Modern celebration, Kalamata municipality.

The Greek War of Independence actually began a few days earlier than its official declaration with the liberation of Kalamata on March 23, 1821.

The uprising in Mani had begun in the first days of March with Maniots and other Morias  (Peloponnese) rebels taking up arms.

Theodoros Kolokotronis was in Kardamili, and the Filiki Eteria had put Petrobey Mavromichalis at ease and overcome his objections that the revolution was untimely.

In mid-March, a ship loaded with ammunition, sent by Filiki Eteria from Smyrna to aid the Greek War of Independence arrived at the port of Almyro just outside of Kalamata. Nikitaras and Anagnostaras, together with their men, transported the valuable cargo to a safe place.

The Ottoman authorities of Kalamata somehow found out about the arrival of a cargo and asked the city’s elite what the contents were and why it was accompanied by armed men.

The reply was that the cargo was olive oil, and the men who accompanied it were villagers who were armed for fear of robbers.

The army chief of Kalamata, Suleiman Aga Arnaoutoglou, warned the Turkish population to get ready to leave, and also asked for the help of Petrobeis Mavromichalis, who at the time was the “Bei”(chief) of the area.

He fell into a trap, as Mavromichalis had already formed an alliance with the other Greeks. On March 17th, the nobles of Mani, under the leadership of Mavromichalis, had raised the flag of the War of Independence in Tsimova, today’s Areopolis of Laconia.

The priest of the village then gave his oath to support the revolution and blessed the weapons of the captains and their men in Taxiarchon Church. And so it came about that the unruly Maniots started the Revolution, eight days before its formal beginning.

Immediately afterward, Kyriakoulis Mavromichalis started out for Mistras and Monemvasia, and Petrobey Mavromichalis with Theodoros Kolokotronis and 2,000 men moved toward Kalamata.

Meanwhile, at the other end of Morias, the first revolutionary action of the War of Independence was marked with the siege of Kalavryta on March 21st.

The taking of Kalamata launches the War of Independence

Petrompeis Mavromihalis Kalamata
Petrompeis Mavromihalis by Hess. Public Domain

The Maniots and other rebels arrived outside Kalamata on March 22nd and positioned themselves in the surrounding hills, leaving no way out for the Turkish troops.

It was only then that the Aga of the city understood what was happening. However, it was too late to escape to Tripolitsa, the Morias capital that had a substantial Ottoman garrison.

With the city completely surrounded, Aga Arnatoutoglou decided to defend the city with the Ottoman citizens. However, it was a futile effort.

When the revolutionaries entered Kalamata on the morning of March 23, 1821, Ilias Mavromichalis asked Arnaoutoglou to surrender, emphasizing the futility of his effort.

The Aga had no choice but to hand over the city and all the Turkish armaments to the revolutionaries, according to protocol.

At noon, in front of the church of Agioi Apostoloi and in a festive atmosphere, the priests blessed the flags of revolution, and the fighters swore allegiance to the great cause.

A meeting followed in which the chiefs decided to set up a revolutionary committee. They named it the “Messenian Senate” to better coordinate the War of Independence.

The Messenian Senate leadership was assigned to Petrobey Mavromichalis, who bore the title of “General of the Spartan and Messenian Army.”

Related: New Movie Filmed in Kalamata Recreates Greek Revolutionary Era

Andrianos Golemis to Become the First Ever Greek Astronaut

Adrianos Golemis, Greek astronaut
Adrianos Golemis, a doctor for the European Space Agency, has become the first Greek to pass the organization’s test to become an astronaut. Credit: NASA Johnson. CC BY 2.0/flickr

Adrianos Golemis, who previously worked as a doctor for the European Space Agency, has now become the first Greek to pass the organization’s test to become an astronaut.

Every year, around 22,500 hopefuls apply for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) exams to become an astronaut, and each year only 25 are selected to progress through the three rounds of basic training, advanced training, and mission-specific training.

Adrianos Golemis Greek astronaut
Adrianos Golemis, first ESA Greek astronaut. Credit: Adrianos Golemis / LinkedIn

Golemis has successfully passed the first of exams after years working for the agency as a doctor. “When I was younger, I used to think that the job I’m doing now, that is, an astronaut doctor…is something exotic, [and] it’s not for Greeks,” he revealed. He used to think of the job as one limited to geniuses.

However, he said in speaking to Euronews, “This is not the case. Effort, persistence and of course an inclination” are what is needed.

First ESA Greek astronaut is a space flight surgeon

Speaking as a space flight surgeon, Golemis related the effects that being in space can have on the body. “Our bodies are made, [and] evolutionarily adapted in an impressive way to perform on earth. When we leave the earth, where there is gravity and all the protection of our planet, we are exposed to new dangers, so a body that is made to perform a lot on earth is taken out of the earth and suffers, at least for a few days,” he told Euronews.

“So we have nausea, vomiting, all these symptoms that we expect and know,” he said. “We see that astronauts who stay in space for six months or more usually develop some vision problems [which]…some overcome…on earth. For some it may last a life time.”

Astronauts spend half of their careers in training. Immediately after recruitment, they undergo a one-year basic training at their duty station, the European Astronaut Centre.

The European Space Agency website says:

“Becoming an ESA astronaut is extremely competitive. The last call for ESA astronauts took place in 2021. Once selected, ESA astronauts typically complete a minimum of three to four years of training before flying to space for the first time. ESA’s astronaut training is coordinated and implemented by the Astronaut Training Team based at EAC. The first phase for any successful astronaut candidate is known as basic training.”

“Basic training takes 12 months. During this time, astronaut candidates are introduced to the fundamentals of spaceflight, gain a detailed overview of all Space Station systems and transportation vehicles such as US commercial crew vehicles (SpaceX and Boeing), complete survival training, practice how to conduct a spacewalk and start learning special skills like Russian language, robotic operations and spacecraft rendezvous and docking.”

As can be inferred, ESA training for potential astronauts is especially rigorous. Golemis’ achievement is thus nothing short of impressive.

Greek-Mythology Netflix Show ‘Kaos’ Releases Trailer

Jeff Goldblum appears as Zeus in Netflix's first teaser trailer for its new Greek mythology-inspired series Kaos.
Jeff Goldblum appears as Zeus in Netflix’s first teaser trailer for its new Greek mythology-inspired series Kaos. Credit: wikimedia commons / Gage Skidmore CC BY-2.0

The first teaser trailer for Netflix’s upcoming Greek mythology-inspired series Kaos has been released, and it features Jeff Goldblum as the Greek god of thunder and sky, Zeus.
Off the back of the success of Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ on Disney+, Netflix has now finally released the first peek at its very own Greek mythology-inspired series called Kaos, which features Jeff Goldblum.

The teaser trailer for Kaos has the iconic movie star portraying Greek god Zeus, the father of all gods, at a stage where the character is facing the end of his reign over the world. As in the Percy Jackson live-action series, Netflix’s dark comedy is set in a modern milieu, delighting watchers with a contemporary infusion of Greek mythology.

The series is touted to explore themes of power, gender politics, and life in the underworld, as the brutal ruler of Mount Olympus will do everything he can to stay in power.

The stars in Netflix’s new Greek mythology-inspired show

Kaos is being brought to the screens by End of the F…ing World creator Charlie Covell, who has been working on the show since 2018. The cast also includes Janet McTeer as Hera, Cliff Curtis as Poseidon, David Thewlis as Hades, Rakie Ayola as Persephone, Nabhaan Rizwan as Dionysus, Killian Scott as Orpheus, Aurora Perrineau as Riddy, Misia Butler as Caneus, Leila Farzad as Ari, and Stanley Townsend as king Minos.

This is a major scripted TV project for Jeff Goldblum after his recurring roles in Search Party, Season 2. Before this Greek mythology-inspired Netflix series, the star hosted a Disney+ documentary series, The World According to Jeff Goldblum, which lasted for just two seasons.

As per Netflix’s global fan event Tudum, the official synopsis for Kaos reads, “It’s about the pantheon of gods, mortals, and everyone in between inhabiting the intriguing world of KAOS. Zeus is at the top of the mythological food chain as the King of the Gods, a position he has enjoyed for quite some time. Then one day he discovers the unthinkable—a wrinkle on his forehead.”

It continues, “Paranoia builds, leading the supreme deity down a dangerous and unstable path. Zeus is convinced his fall is nigh and sees omens of doom everywhere. And he’s right to be worried because Zeus’ onetime friend and now prisoner, Prometheus, is orchestrating a plan to bring him down. The plan involves three disparate humans, all of whom are totally unaware of their cosmic significance or the part they must play in saving the world.”

Kaos will not be the first time that Netflix has dived into mythology, being that the streaming service currently has two popular adult-animated shows which feature multiple gods, Blood of Zeus and Record of Ragnarok. At present, Rebel Moon director Zack Snyder is also developing Twilight of the Gods, an animated series which takes place in the world of Norse mythology.

Biden Issues Greek Independence Day Proclamation

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Joe Biden proclamation Greek independence day
US President Joe Biden has issued a proclamation marking Greek Independence Day as a national day of celebration of democracy. Credit: Washington Oxi Day Foundation handout to GR

On Friday, US President Joe Biden issued a proclamation marking Greek Independence Day on March 25th as “A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.”

The proclamation, issued by the White House, commemorated the deep historical bonds between Greece and the US. It highlighted their shared efforts during World War II, when both nations fought against the forces of fascism. Additionally, it underscored their unity during the Cold War, as they worked together to overcome the threat of communism.

The US has the largest population of Greeks outside of Greece itself with a diaspora population of roughly three million. On Monday, March 25th, many Greek-Americans will mark Greek Independence Day, particularly in cities such as New York, where a parade is held annually.

Full text of Biden’s proclamation marking Greek Independence Day

In a proclamation today, on March 22nd, US President Biden addressed Greek Independence Day as follows:

On this day more than 200 years ago, revolutionaries throughout Greece rose up for the cause of freedom and declared their independence from the Ottoman Empire. Today, we honor the legacy of these courageous Greek women and men and rededicate ourselves to the cause of liberty and democracy for all.

Throughout our shared history, the people of Greece and the United States have been bound by this common belief—the power to shape our destiny should rest in the hands of “we the people.” Generation after generation, Americans and Greeks have come together to make those words a reality. We saw it during World War II, when our nations both fought the forces of fascism. We saw it during the Cold War, when our people stood united to prevail against communism. We see it today, as Greece and America stand together alongside a coalition of more than 50 nations to support the brave people of Ukraine as they fight for the same values those Greek revolutionaries did more than 200 years ago: liberty, freedom, and sovereignty.

Today, the partnership, alliance, and friendship shared by Greece and the United States is stronger than ever before—due in large part to the culture, courage, and character of the Greek American community. From standing up for social justice and advancing civil rights to striving to make our Nation freer and fairer, Greek Americans have pushed our country forward, fanning the flame of liberty that first sparked in Athens thousands of years ago. Throughout my career, I have been lucky to see this heart, hope, and commitment up close, and I have drawn lifelong inspiration from Greek American friends, families, leaders, and political mentors.

Today and every day, let us celebrate the unbreakable bonds of friendship shared by the United States and the Hellenic Republic. Let us continue to draw strength from the ideas put forth and the example set by our two countries. Guided by our highest hopes and ideals, let us recommit to preserving, defending, and protecting democracy—together.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2024, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

ISIS Claims Responsibility for Moscow, Russia Concert Hall Attack

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Crocus City Hall, Moscow, Russia, the concert hall where a terrorist attack is taking places.
Crocus City Hall, Moscow, Russia, the concert hall where a terrorist attack took place, which has now been claimed by ISIS. Credit: JuliánAlejandroS. CC BY-3.0/Wikimedia Commons/JulianAlejandroS

Islamic State (ISIS) have claimed responsibility for the attack on the Crocus City Hall music venue on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia, which reportedly killed 40 people and injured as many as 100 more.

The full statement posted on its Telegram account reads “Islamic State fighters attacked a large gathering of Christians in the city of Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of the Russian capital, Moscow, killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely.”

Russian news agencies reported an explosive blast and a fire earlier this evening (Friday, March 22). At least four people in camouflaged uniforms are said to have opened fire on audiences in a large concert hall in Moscow, Russia.

What is happening at the Russian concert hall?

At least 40 people have been killed and more than 100 injured according to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) It is the deadliest terror attack in Russia in years, as camouflaged gunmen opened fire and detonated explosives in the Crocus City Music Hall in Moscow.

Photos showed the hall engulfed in flames, and footage began to emerge from the attack, showing at least four gunmen opening fire from automatic weapons as terrified, panicked Russian concert-goers ran for their lives.

In one of the videos, three men in camouflage gear carrying rifles fired at point blank range at bodies on the floor of the concert hall. Apparently, the attackers also detonated explosives, as the sounds of blasts could be heard in other videos of the attack.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the attack was a “great tragedy.” More than 70 ambulances have been dispatched to the site of the shooting and explosion. “The attackers presumably opened fire at the entrance to the building during a concert, using automatic weapons, and then a fire began in the building,” said emergency services. Authorities said that up to five people took part in the attack.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms” a spokesperson said. “The Secretary-General conveys his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Russian Federation. He wishes those injured a speedy recovery,” said deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.

Russia’s media reports state that riot police units were sent to the area as people were being evacuated from the concert hall. The shooting at the concert hall was similar to some of Europe’s worst terrorist attacks, such as the attack on the Bataclan in Paris in November 2015. The Nord Ost terrorist attack in Moscow in 2002 will likely be recalled, wherein gunmen took hostages at a theater in one of the worst incidents in the country’s history.

Russian news agency 112, a specialist crime reporting operation, estimated the death toll to be as high as 40 while more than 100 are believed to have been wounded. It wasn’t clear if police had managed to deal with the threat by this evening, as emergency workers said they had evacuated 100 people who had been sheltering in the building’s basement.

An eyewitness told the Mash Telegram channel that there were “at least five” attackers and that they were “bearded.”

“They act like trained…fighters,” the account read. “At the moment of entering the building, the guards and people standing at the door were killed. Then they blocked the main entrance.”

“The terrorists are armed with AKM assault rifles,” the individual reported. “Some carry unloads with various ammunition. At least two of the attackers are carrying backpacks, possibly with molotov cocktails.”

Russian authorities had recently carried out a series of raids against armed Islamist militants in the region of Ingushetia, leading to pitched firefights between police and the fighters.

 

This is a developing story.

 

Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, Diagnosed With Cancer

Kate Middleton cancer
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, announced she’s diagnosed with cancer. Screenshot from video issued by Kensington Palace.

In a deeply personal and unexpected announcement, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, revealed on Friday evening that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

This news has sent shockwaves through the United Kingdom and the world, as the Princess is a beloved figure across the globe.

The announcement came through a video message released by Kensington Palace. There, Kate Middleton shared the distressing news in a composed yet visibly emotional way. She explained that the cancer was discovered following her known major abdominal surgery she underwent in January, initially believed to be for a non-cancerous condition.

The surgery was successful, the Princess said, but subsequent tests revealed the presence of cancer, leading to the recommendation of preventative chemotherapy.

Kate’s diagnosis comes at a challenging time for the British Royal Family, with King Charles III, her father-in-law, also undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer. The health of Catherine –as she’s officially known– and the recent update have already sparked an outpouring of support and concern from the public and have highlighted the personal struggles faced by public figures behind the scenes.

This comes especially after a wave of conspiracy theories flooded the internet recently, following a manipulated photo that had been released by Kensington Palace, fueling the wild rumours about the Princess’ health.

In her video message, Kate expressed that the diagnosis was a “huge shock” for her and Prince William, emphasising the difficulty of processing and managing this crisis privately while considering the well-being of their young family.

The Princess of Wales also shared the steps they have taken to explain the situation to their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, in an age-appropriate manner, ensuring them that she is going to be okay.

Despite the gravity of her health situation, Kate’s message was also filled with hope, sharing a message of resilience. She thanked the medical team for their care and expressed gratitude for the support and kindness shown by the public. Moreover, she extended her thoughts to others affected by cancer, encouraging them not to lose faith or hope.

Kate’s announcement has not only brought attention to her personal battle with cancer but has also brought the spotlight back on the broader issue of cancer awareness and the importance of early detection and treatment.

Who is Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales

The official name of the Princess of Wales is Catherine Elizabeth Middleton. She was born on January 9, 1982, in Reading, Berkshire, England.

She married Prince William, the Prince of Wales, on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey. Catherine, commonly known as Kate, became the Princess of Wales in 2022, a title previously held by her mother-in-law, the late Princess Diana.

She is known for her involvement in charitable work, particularly focusing on children’s issues, mental health, and early childhood development. Catherine and Prince William have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Related: King Charles Diagnosed With Cancer

Hospital Transplants Pig Kidney Into Human for First Time

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doctor surgery transplant
Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital have managed to perform the first transplant of a kidney from a pig into a human. Credit : flickr / ophthalmology muh. Public Domain

In a four-hour surgery undertaken at Massachusetts General Hospital on Saturday, March 16th, doctors have managed to perform the first transplant of a genetically modified kidney from a pig into a living human, they announced on Thursday.

In the hospital, which was also where the first kidney transplant was performed in 1954, patient Rick Slayman, a 62-year-old manager with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation who had been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease, is reportedly recovering well and is expected to be discharged from the practice soon.

Doctors announced Thursday that they believed his new kidney could last years. However, they also noted that there are a number of unknowns when it comes to animal-to-human transplants. In a written statement from the hospital, Slayman said he had been a patient in the hospital’s transplant program for eleven years.

Prior to the pig transplant, he had received a kidney from a human donor after living with diabetes and high blood pressure for several years. That organ began showing signs of failure just five years later, and Slayman resumed his dialysis a few years later in 2023.

At the point he was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease last year, he told CNN, his doctors suggested he try a pig kidney.

“I saw it not only as a way to help me, but a way to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive,” Slayman said in the statement. Medical professionals who were not involved in the case said the operation represented a significant milestone in medicine.

“To finally see this come to fruition after years of work and collaboration is really a huge step forward and a great moment for transplant,” Dr Parsia Vagefi, chief of surgical transplantation at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, told CNN.

Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, director of the Legorreta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance and the surgeon who performed the operation, reportedly said the pig organ was exactly the same size as a human kidney.

When they stitched it in, connecting its blood vessels to Slayman’s, Kawai told CNN, it immediately “pinked up” and began producing urine. The fifteen-member transplant team in the operating room burst into applause, he said.

“It was truly the most beautiful kidney I have ever seen,” Kawai said Thursday in a news briefing that was emotional for the doctors involved, some of whom have worked on this research for their entire careers.

How pig and other animal organs can help in the future

The need for organs far outweighs the number that are readily available, with seventeen people dying on a daily basis in the US while waiting for an organ. Kidneys are the organ in shortest supply. According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, around 27,000 kidneys were transplanted in 2023, but nearly 89,000 people were on the waiting list for those organs.

It has been claimed by experts that xenotransplants, which involve the transplantation of animal organs into humans, are key to solving the organ shortage issue.

“It also could be a potential breakthrough in solving one of the more intractable problems in our field, that being an unequal access for ethnic minority patients to the opportunity for kidney transplantation,” said Dr Winfred Williams, associate chief of the Department of Nephrology at Mass General, in the news briefing.

This is the third transplant of a pig organ into a living human. The first two were hearts transplanted into living people who had nowhere left to turn in terms of transplant options. The organs were transplanted under special rules that allow compassionate employment of experimental therapies for people in desperate medical situations. Both patients died soon after receiving the transplants.

The research team at Mass General Brigham said that although this latest transplant was significant, more research is still needed. This would ideally involve a large study at many hospitals to fully understand the efficacy of pig kidney transplants.

“Our hope is that dialysis will become obsolete,” Dr Leonardo Riella, medical director of kidney transplantation at Mass General told CNN. “Dialysis will be like a ventilator for a patient with respiratory failure. You use it for a period of time, and hopefully if they’re healthy enough, they could have a more permanent solution, which could be a human transplant or a xenotransplant.”

Dozens of Amphorae Recovered From Ancient Byzantine Shipwreck in Greece

ancient Byzantine shipwreck
An amphora was brought to the surface from the shipwreck near the Greek island of Fournoi. Credit: Ministry of Culture

Excavations of an ancient Byzantine shipwreck off the coast of Fournoi near Samos, Greece are bringing new finds onto the surface.

The wreck has been systematically excavated since 2021 and has been selected for intensive investigation due to the extremely interesting cargo it carries.

The amphorae found in the sand near the wreck, along with the wooden skeleton of the ship itself, were in remarkably good condition. Experts believe that the ship’s wooden framing survived throughout the centuries because it was crushed under the rest of the ship and oxygen couldn’t reach it, stalling the process of decay.

So far eight different amphora types have been recorded, originating from Crimea, Sinope of the Pontus region in the Black Sea, as well as from the Aegean islands and the Phocaean region of Asia Minor.

ancient Byzantine shipwreck
Eight different amphora types have been recorded. Credit: Ministry of Culture

Pottery recovered at the ancient Byzantine shipwreck

The Ministry of Culture says 170 group dives were carried out during the latest excavations carried out in September 2023. Archaeologists worked throughout the period to clear sand and debris from the wreck to provide access for experts to conduct studies of the site.

The scattering of the finds on the seabed seems to indicate a partial loss of cargo before the ship sank.

The recovered pottery was particularly enlightening, in terms of the more precise chronological inclusion of the wreck, which can now be safely dated between 480 and 520 AD, probably during the years of Emperor Anastasios I (491 – 518 AD), says a press release by the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Byzantine Emperor Anastasios I is known for his fiscal and monetary reforms, which strengthened the Empire’s coffers and enabled the expansionist policy of the emperors of the 6th century.

ancient Byzantine shipwreck
The finds are scattered on the seabed near the shipwreck. Credit: Ministry of Culture

In parallel with the excavation of the wreck, findings from three more wrecks at the Fournoi archipelago were recovered, which are intended to be exhibited at the local archeological museum which is under construction. Among these finds are a giant archaic anchor obelisk and amphorae from shipwrecks of the 6th to 8th centuries A.D.

Countless ancient shipwrecks off Greece

There are many ancient shipwrecks across the Greek seas, and archaeologists have found countless historic treasures in these sunken archaeological sites.

Earlier in March, the Ministry of Culture announced that scientists have discovered several shipwrecks and other important ancient finds in the underwater, near Greece’s island of Kasos.

These date back indicatively from prehistory (3000 BC), the Classical period (460 BC), the Hellenistic (100 BC to 100 AD), and the Roman years (200 BC – 300 AD) to the medieval and Ottoman periods.

Four stunning ancient shipwrecks filled with artifacts from antiquity and the Roman and Byzantine eras off central Greece can now be explored by amateur divers.

“We plan to highlight our marine cultural heritage,” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said.

“We have responded to this great challenge by opening to the public a total of four underwater archaeological sites in the prefecture of Magnesia, which will allow Greece to join the world map of diving tourism.”

Gold Wreath Still Adorns 2,500 Year-Old Skull in Crete, Greece

skull gold wreath
The skull of the athlete is still adorned by the golden wreath. Credit: Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos, Crete

The skull of a crowned athlete with a gold wreath in the shape of a laurel branch still attached to it is perhaps one of the most impressive exhibits in Greece.

The flesh disintegrated after 2,500 years, but the wreath stuck and remained on the skull. Inside the mouth, a silver coin was found as a token to Charon, who in Greek mythology was the ferryman of Hades who carried the souls of the newly deceased to the underworld.

The skull was found in the cemetery of the ancient city of Lato and was one of the most spectacular exhibits at Agios Nikolaos museum in Crete.

Skull with gold wreath discovered in the ruins of the ancient city of Lato

Lato was an ancient city of Crete, the ruins of which are located approximately 3 km from the village of Kritsa, among the oldest and most picturesque villages in Crete which was built amphitheatrically on a rock hill called Kastellos. This hill is surrounded by olive groves at an altitude of 375m.

The Dorian city-state was built in a defensible position overlooking Mirabello Bay between two peaks, both of which became acropolises to the city.

Although the city probably predates the arrival of the Dorians, the ruins date mainly from the Dorian period (5th and 4th centuries BCE). The city was destroyed c. 200 BCE, but its port (Lato Etera, or Lato pros Kamara), located near Agios Nikolaos was in use during Roman rule.

This has led to the confusion, repeated by Stephanus of Byzantium quoting Xenion, a Cretan historian, that Kamara and Lato were one and the same. Modern scholarship distinguishes the two.

The city was most likely named after the goddess Leto (of which Lato is the usual Doric form) and may be mentioned in Linear B tablets as RA-TO. Lato also minted coins in antiquity, bearing the likeness of the goddess Eileithyia, who appears to have been the one particularly worshipped at Lato.

Nearchus, admiral of Alexander the Great, was born at Lato.

Skull exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos

The Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos opened in 1969 and was considered one of the most significant in Crete. It has a rich collection of archaeological treasures ranging from the pre-Minoan (3000 BC) to the Roman (2nd century AD) period.

The museum housed collections of vital archaeological findings from the entire region of eastern Crete, extending from Malia to the distant Zakros. Its showcases included more than 1,500 pots, as well as the oldest gold and bronze findings in Crete.

Among the exhibits of the museum were the findings from the seaside cemetery of Agia Fotia, the largest Minoan cemetery that has been excavated, the terracotta figurine of the Goddess of Myrtos, the golden pin, the stone pyxidio, and the stone Rhyton in shape of a triton shell.

Unfortunately, the museum is currently closed. All exhibits have been moved to other museums in Crete.