“Nikolaos Hatzigiannakis, Stylianos Papadopoulos and all these heroes remind us that a man’s actions can change the course of history.” In this phrase of the Ambassador of Israel to Greece, Noam Kat, at today’s ceremony for the title of the law of the Nations of the Yad Vashem Foundation to Nikolaos Hatzigiannakis and Stylianos Papadopoulos, who saved their Jewish mansion and their natives from Nazi.

“It is our duty not only to remember but also to ensure that their heritage lasts. Honoring them today, we confirm our commitment to maintain the values ​​that have so bravely defended – humanity, justice and steadfast faith in the sacredness of life, “the Israeli ambassador said, adding:” The Jewish people do not forget us. The price we award today reflects the huge debt we owe to those who defied the serious danger to save the Jews during Shoah. “

Referring to Nikolaos Hatzigiannakis and Stylianos Papadopoulos, the Israeli ambassador noted: “We recognize the excellent courage, self -sacrifice and the steadfast moral integrity – the characteristics that characterize the righteous nations. These remarkable people were lighthouses of light and guardians of virtue in the darkest chapter of human history. They proved that, even in the face of overwhelming evil and barbarism, humanity could shine. “

“While most people,” Mr Kats added, “were removed, indifferent or fearing for their safety, the righteous nations chose a different path. They refused to be spectators. They risked their lives, and often the lives of their families, to protect Jewish neighbors, their friends, and even strangers. Their courage is unmatched and their actions serve as a moral compass for us and future generations […] These actions of courage remind us that even in front of the incorrect cruelty, there were those who defended humanity. “

In closing his speech, the Israeli ambassador called for the release of the 59 hostages still held by Hamas to Gaza. “While we honor the highest expression of humanity, on October 7th and since then there has been not a single righteous among the nations. There were only people who were executors, associates, scared and indifferent. Let us hope that this lesson we took today will follow us and each of us will be truly focused on these values ​​that we love so much, “Mr Kats said.

D. Saltiel – Lighthouse to rescue an entire world their actions

“During the Holocaust period few stood by the persecuted Jews in Thessaloniki as well as throughout Europe […] Although the majority was indifferent, silenced, worked together […] Today, the descendants of the few survivors – personal but also collectively Greek Jewishism – express at every event, such as tonight, gratitude to these few people, “the President of the Central Israeli Council and the Central Israeli Council and the Central Israeli Council.

“If the goal is to prevent a new Holocaust, at a time when we see anti -Semitism grow, we must bring to the forefront and emphasize the bravery of the character of these personalities, who, with determination, chose their difficult, inaccessible way.

“Their attitude,” he continued, “teaches us that humanity, solidarity is not just moral duties, but unique forces that can act as a lighthouse to save a whole world, even in the darkest years of history. And of course it is not enough to say or honor the righteous nations only in closed circles or in limited contexts. These bright examples must be highlighted above all in the public space. Because we are reminded that as a society we have the responsibility to recognize and honor the people who did the right thing, when others around them were silent or retreated to evil. Because this recognition is not just a historical reminder but a living lesson for the younger generation. “

F. Angeloudis: Haramad of optimism in barbarism their actions

The mayor of Thessaloniki, Stelios Angeloudis, the brave acts of Nikolaos Hatzigiannakis and Stylianos Papadopoulos. “The awarding of the titles and medals by the Yad Vashem Foundation is a proof that there can be in our culture and the barbarism that world history very often demonstrates, moments that highlight human existence, democratic rights and sensitivity,” Risky brave act, because it was under the conditions of the Nazi regime.

The rescue of Perachia – Cohen families

Nikolaos Hatzigiannakis, a businessman and the owner of flour mills, repeatedly risked his life to save the families of Perachia – Cohen. When the Perachia family was forced to enter the Thessaloniki ghetto, Nikolaos Hatzigiannakis provided them with food and eventually persuaded them to escape. He hid them in his flour mill and in various other locations, protecting them from immediate danger, and even managed to obtain fake documents that recognized them as Italian citizens, allowing them to move to Athens.

About his grandfather’s family on his mother’s side (Yesua Perachia and term) and his parents (Leo and Zermain Cohen) spoke to the event by journalist Jean Cohen, who, after telling the story of his family’s rescue, cited only one saying of Edmund Berk. Hatzigiannakis family is a classic example of what a good one can do and how a bad can stop. “

“Thank you very much for saving my family,” said Jean Cohen, addressing Nikolaos Hatzigiannakis’ nephew, Konstantinos Hatzigiannakis, who was among the attendees and received the honor. In his own speech, he expressed the warmest thanks of his whole family for the awarding of his uncle and to rank the list of laws between the nations, addressing particular thanks to “Zermain Perachia because thanks to her own efforts this honor was given to my uncle”.

“Today’s two examples of three couples’ rescuers confirm in the most convincing way that the relationships of the Jews and the Christians who lived in our city were always friendly,” despite some exceptions or disagreements, he said. He noted with emphasis that “all these rescues are not a man’s works. Other people took part in order to make the rescues. ” A position that Jean Cohen also agreed, and both referred to the monumental work of George Pilihos “Auschwitz”, where in the story of the Cohen couple’s rescue it seems exactly how many have helped to happen.

The rescue of the lever family

Stylianos Papadopoulos, from Old Women’s Castle near Kilkis, also showed excellent heroism. When the deportations from Thessaloniki began, he urged Abraham and Loutsa Levi to seek refuge in his village. As leader of the community, he secured them fake documents, presenting them as Christians who worked in the fields. Even under constant threats – despite the fact that the Nazi troops and their associates were looking for the village – Stylianos never doubted what to do. He risked everything to protect them.

The story of the rescue of Abraham Levi and Loutsa Levi was “unfolded” by their grandson Victor Nar, director of the Israeli community of Thessaloniki. “My father Albertos Nar had mentioned the following phrase that adorns, along with other excerpts of great Thessaloniki writers, the wall of the Thessaloniki Central Municipal Library:” You are the son of a refugee who was in this place. ” This phrase finds a dual importance in his father -in -law, who as Abraham lived as the son of the proud Sephardic Jewish refugee who was in Thessaloniki. And as Alekos he lived as the son of the proud Pontian refugee who died in the Kilkis woman, in his village, in Afrat Hissar as he called it with the particular Pontian accent he had acquired in the village of our family. These are our roots and with them Abraham Levi grew up his 2 daughters and his 4 grandchildren. With them and we, his grandchildren grow up his 10 great -grandchildren. Sixteen total people owe our existence to the great patriot, to Stylianos Papadopoulos. On behalf of our family, we express gratitude and stand with full respect in front of the family and descendants of Stylianos Papadopoulos, “Victor Nar said.

The honor was received by the grandchildren of Stylianos Papadopoulos, Anastasia Amelidou Papadopoulou and Konstantinos Papadopoulos, who thanked the honor and expressed the emotion and pride of himself and his family “why this heroic act is recognized”. That is, “at the risk of his life and without lacking, there was the reason for Abraham and Luca Levi to be saved.”

Each of the awards accompanied a prolonged applause, with all the standing up. With today’s awards, a total of 369 Greeks have been honored as a righteous nations by Yad Vashem, including Archbishop Damaskinos, Metropolitans of Zakynthos and Dimitriados, Chrysostomos and Ioakimos, Police Chief Angelos Carre.