[01] ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS FORMALLY RESIGNS, SUCCESSOR STILL UNANNOUNCED

[02] GREECE TRIUMPHS AT OLYMPIC GAMES WITH TWO MORE GOLD MEDALS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS FORMALLY RESIGNS, SUCCESSOR STILL UNANNOUNCED

The Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos ends today his 37-year-old stay in the Greek Orthodox Chruch, by formally submitting his resignation.

Mr. Iakovos' successor has not been announced yet by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, although numerous reports stated that he will be replaced by the Archbishop of Australia Stylianos who will receive a well-organized greek orthodox community that has 600 parishes.

In an interview given to New York's greek-american newspaper "Proini", Mr. Iakovos referred to Greece extensively, as well as to the political situation that is currently formed in the southeastern Mediterranean region.

The Archbishop, who played a significant role in the Greece-US relations, stated that he does not foresee a war taking place between Greece and Turkey, but, at the same time, pointed out that turkish expansionism poses dangers for the nation and the country's integrity.

"American policy will not allow a conflict to erupt between Greece and Turkey, from what I understood during my conversations with Henry Kissinger," Mr. Iakovos stated. ""We may see skirmishes, provocations, but, at least during my time, I do not foresee war."

Speaking on the name issue between Greece and FYROM, Mr. Iakovos expressed his deep sadness over the fact that "a small country in the north borders claims the most significant name in greek history, the name Macedonia, and unfortunately, we have not achieved anything that justifies our positions."

Mr. Iakovos also stated that he departs from his role satisfied by the work he performed, leaving behind him 600 greek parishes which he referred to as "national forts."

He stressed that he does not know whom he will be replaced by and expressed his wish that his successor will surpass him since "the 21st century will be even more difficult than ours and the office demands the presence of a person who is sensitive to national issues."

The Archbishop of North and South America also emphasized that he remains at the church's and the nation's disposal, ready to offer his services.

Mr. Iakovos served the Greek Orthodox Church for 37 years and has gone through all of its hierarchal posts. His resignation process began last year on August 15, when he met with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos in Imvros. During that meeting, Mr. Vartholomeos had asked for Mr. Iakovos' resignation.

[02] GREECE TRIUMPHS AT OLYMPIC GAMES WITH TWO MORE GOLD MEDALS

All of Greece is rejoicing the victory of its athletes who earned the gold medals in yesterday's weightlifting and floor gymnastics competitions at the Atlanta-held centennial Olympic Games.

Competing in the 99 kg. category, weightlifter Akakios Kahiasvilis broke the world record by lifting 235 kilos, in total 420.

Floor gymnast Yiannis Melissanides amassed the high score of 9,850 with his impressive performance.

Following the event, an exuberant Kahiasvilis thanked all Greeks "whereever they are, my trainer, my team, the people in the stadium because they gave me strength and I was able to lift the weight."

The Greek weighlifting team holds first place worldwide, after the two gold medals of Pyrros Demas and Akakios Kahiasvilis, along with the three silver medals of Leonidas Sabanis, Valerios Leonides and Leonidas Kokkas.

Also, Greece's national water polo team finally got the sixth place in the olympic tournament after the defeat yesterday by Russia in a match which ended 10-8 in extratime (the game had finished 7-7).

It is the best place ever achieved by the greek national polo team in the 10 appearances it had in olympic games.

En masse, the Greek political leaders have sent congratulatory messages to the gold medalists and Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos has ordered that the city be adorned with thousands of lights.

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