On Thursday 17th October, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the offices of “Neos Kosmos,” the historic and largest circulating newspaper in Australia within the Greek press. The Patriarch, who was accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, was warmly welcomed by the newspaper’s publisher, Mr Chris Gogos, and its editor-in-chief, Mr Sotiris Hatzimanolis, along with the newspaper’s writers and staff.
“It is a great honour and privilege to meet in person the Primate of the Orthodox Church, and even more so to welcome him to our ‘second home,’ the ‘Neos Kosmos’ newspaper,” said Mr Gogos in his warm welcome and then went on to briefly describe the history of the Greek newspaper, starting from its founding in 1957 in Melbourne. “Throughout this long journey, we have hosted in the printed and electronic pages of ‘Neos Kosmos’ important figures from Australia, Greece, and the international stage. Many have honoured us with their visit, as you do today. But rest assured that in the ‘front page’ of our memories, your presence here today will always hold a prominent place.” Mr Gogos also presented the Ecumenical Patriarch with a special gift in memory of his visit, a framed front page dedicated to the Patriarchal visit to Melbourne.
Responding equally warmly, His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew praised “Neos Kosmos” for its contribution to the Greek community over time and then commemorated its late founder. “At this moment, we pray for the repose of the soul of the late Dimitrios Gogos, a migrant from the fragrant island of Chios, who was the soul of ‘Neos Kosmos’ for many years and laboured tirelessly for ‘Neos Kosmos,’ his creation and spiritual child, and was fortunate to see it in the top circulation among the newspapers of the fifth continent. Without a doubt, Dimitrios Gogos was not only the founder and publisher of ‘Neos Kosmos,’ but also a true patriot, a pure democrat, and a fighter for the rights of immigrants and the justice of the Greek community. His work and contribution to the Greek community and to Australian society in general were enormous, which is why he was rightly honoured by both the Australian and Greek governments.”
Furthermore, the Ecumenical Patriarch focused on the significant role the Greek press has played and continues to play in the life of the Greek community in Australia. Referring to earlier times, when the internet and social media were unknown realities, he observed that the press “played a crucial role in preserving the language and Greek literacy, served as an important link and bridge with the homeland, and was almost the sole source of information about events in Greece and, of course, it also informed the readership about community issues, problems, prospects, shaped trends and opinions, and played a very significant role in the tensions and disputes that occasionally arose within the Greek community.”
Noting the radical change in conditions and needs in the present era, His All Holiness emphasised that the press “holds, and we believe should hold, an important role within the Greek community” and pointed out that “within this new framework of modern Australian society, ‘Neos Kosmos’ continues its work with determination, consistency, and dedication to the ideals and ideas of the late Dimitrios Gogos, under the leadership of his son, the honourable Mr Chris Gogos, and with the care and attention of the distinguished editor-in-chief, the honourable Mr Sotiris Hatzimanolis, to whom and to his distinguished collaborators we extend our heartfelt congratulations for their multifaceted work and contribution to the Greek community.”
