Harry Mark Petrakis Visits Detroit Metropolis

PHOTOS IN GALLERY

Philoptochos Charity Luncheon Welcomes Harry Mark Petrakis
By Contributing Writer Elena Kerasiotis

Those who attended the Metropolis of Detroit Philoptochos Charity Luncheon were treated to a unique opportunity; to enjoy the bio-sketch of Greek American author, humorist and lecturer, Harry Mark Petrakis. Mr. Petrakis opened his remarks by introducing his wife, Diana, and gratefully advising the group, that this was indeed a joyous occasion as they were once again able to resume touring together.

He graciously thanked Philoptochos President, Katherine Kotsis for her introduction and shared a memory of an earlier introduction, when he was acknowledged as "Kirios Petrakis, who wrote Zorba the Greek." He said that he had been indeed humbled to be placed at the same level of Nikos Katzantzakis, a fellow Cretan compatriot.

He advised that when his father, a Greek Orthodox Priest from the island of Crete, had been sought to administer to the needs of the young Cretan men who had immigrated to work in the mines of Utah in the early 1920's; his father had been hesitant at first. However he finally conceded when his then four children, were at an age when the experience in America would offer them an opportunity to a better education. He and his wife had entered Price, Utah from the train station, which had been built on the sweat of these young compatriots. Cheered and revered, the family was welcomed into the community by over a thousand young child/men, representing all that was good of their lost youth and of the home island they had left not so many years before. He touchingly shared that many knelt to kiss the hem of his mother's skirt in the sheer joy at the sight of a Cretan woman. Always the storyteller, he shared that not too much later, nearly 50% of these young Cretan "palikaria" would be lost in a mining disaster.

The audience sat mesmerized by the bard, who painted with words on the canvas of their minds tales of his families moves from Utah to Savannah, St. Louis and then to Chicago's South Side, "where the community, all marked by poverty, shared an even democracy." The church became the nucleus for these new arrivals, and he recalls, that fasting meant fasting in those days, when even a bite of one banana had led to his not being allowed communion. His riotous description of his Greek School experience and the ample use of "the stick" generated laughter throughout the room. With his Principle "the beast" becoming the unforgettable character, who had leaned in with a garlic filled breath stating, "I hit you this time, not for what you have done, but for what you will do tomorrow." He goes on to say that "the beast" had such a clear understanding of hell, "that it was as if he had been there as a tourist on an Olympic airlines charter."

Finishing his presentation, he shares that he is grateful to have been the product of two lands, and grateful to have been born to a poor Cretan Priest, who had influenced and shaped him into the man he had become. He paraphrases the words of the blind poet, Homer, "Like leaves upon the earth are the generation of man, the wind scatters some leaves upon the ground, while the best flower and another generation fades away."

Harry Mark Petrakis has written twenty books, novels and short stories, memoirs and essays. His novel A Dream of Kings along with his collection of short stories was nominated for the National Book Award in Fiction. He writes and also lectures in the old Bardic tradition, reading his stories to college and club audiences. His books are available on Amazon.com.

Metropolitan Nicholas acknowledged the speaker, "I think that we were in the presence of the grandfather of a story teller." He advises that as Petrakis shares his stories, so too does the church report its stories of salvation. "Stories are so important, the stories intensify where we have come from, when our ancestors came here it was because of the hope, from a shoeshine boy to the President of the United States." So too it has made us able to tell our story and to give generously to those less fortunate. His Eminence commended, the Philoptochos board for organizing this event, and sending their message of outreach and love.

He concludes, "You are able to do this because you remember the stories and the help our early families received, when a stranger shared with us God's love."

Happy Name Day to honorary board member, Irene Barbas, and to all of the Irene's joining us today.

Malista!