Dear Readers, since I did not meet my fundraising goal a few months ago in the Spring, and currently am facing a bit of a financial burden that may hinder me from working on this website for a while within a few days, I thought it would be best to appeal to your help to meet my goal at this time. My work here depends on your help, so if you find it beneficial or of interest, please send your financial support. It is greatly appreciated.



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May 16, 2012

Abet Hasman: A Crypto-Christian in Greek Politics


Abet Hasman, the deputy mayor of Patras and head of the municipal social services, left a secret revealed only in his obituary, read at his funeral by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras - that he was secretly baptized an Orthodox Christian. Abet, who was born a Muslim and came to Greece from Jordan to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Thessaloniki and finally settled in Patras in 1985, was baptized secretly by Metropolitan Chrysostomos when he was 57 years old. According to the Metropolitan: "He did not say it anywhere. But one day he approached me and asked me to baptize him. He chose the name Alexander, and we baptized a little while later his son. I baptized him in the Chapel of St. John the Theologian of the Diocese." He goes on to mention that he was married in the Church of Saint Andrew, and his son was also baptized with the name Alexander at the Church of Panagia of Paralias. He loved Greek history and especially Alexander the Great, which is why he chose the name for himself and for his son.

Below is a video of the funeral, which took place on 15 May 2012 with Metropolitan Chrysostomos remembering him:



4,000 people showed up for his funeral and burial at First Cemetery, which showed how much loved he was by the people.

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