About

So, in 1942, several Oinoussians based in London, decided to create a ‘Distress’ Fund as an act of solidarity towards the needs of their compatriots on Oinoussai.

The few Oinoussian shipping offices in London at that time made voluntary financial contributions to this new Fund. This money was then used to obtain aid from sources such as the Red Cross, assisting many poor families on the island to avoid starvation.

 The first President of the Fund was John D. Pateras who served as President for 12 years until 1954. During these years, the Fund was primarily concerned with providing basic needs for the island.

Later, after the liberation of Greece from the Germans, the Distress Fund was re-named Oinoussai Benevolent Fund, or in Greek : “Tameio Efpragias Oinousson” (TEO). During the next decade, as the needs of the island evolved, the focus of TEO shifted towards public works such as street lighting, road construction and refurbishment of the islands many country chapels. This is, of course, whilst continuing to provide regular financial support to poor or sick individuals and families.

During the Presidencies of  Kostas J. Lyras, from 1958 to 1962,  Panagos Kosti Lemos from 1962 to 1964, and  John A. Hadjipateras, from 1964 to 1971, the Oinoussian community in London grew substantially. There were over 40 Oinoussian offices in London, representing some 230 ships.  Through the voluntary financial contributions of these member offices, the Fund was able to continue to support the Naval College significantly, to fund public works and to provide financial support to poor families on the island. The fact that the Fund was not the achievement of a single person or family but the result of a joint, voluntary effort demonstrates the value of solidarity. During the same period, the population of the island had begun to shrink as many Oinoussians re-located to Athens, Piraeus and abroad. As a result, the replacement of the small, out-dated ferry boat that linked Oinoussai to the port of Chios was not economically viable for its operators. Once again the Oinoussai Benevolent Fund was approached for assistance. The member offices responded by amassing a significant amount of money from extra contributions. This enabled the Friends of Oinoussai Society (SFO),  to order a new, modern ferry boat from a shipyard in Piraeus.

In 1971,  Markos Dimitriou Lemos became President of TEO, serving for 4 years until 1975. The new ferry boat, named ‘Oinoussai’ started operating on 28^th October 1971 and served the island faithfully for 12 years until 1983.

(i) Firstly, as the ‘Oinoussai’ ferry boat gradually became obsolete, two of TEO’s members purchased a replacement ferry boat in 1983 , the faster and larger ‘Oinoussai II’. The ship was re-engined in the late 1980’s through the efforts of TEO. (ii) Next, due to the shortage of fresh water on the island,  TEO contributed towards the expenses for the construction of a large reservoir which enabled rain water to be collected and stored. (iii) Saint Nicolas Church, which is dedicated to the island’s patron saint, has always been close to the heart of TEO’s members. In the mid-1990’s TEO financed internal and external repairs to this iconic place of worship.

During the 1990’s, TEO’s sources of income began to diminish, primarily due to the re-location of several Oinoussian member offices to Greece. The number of Oinoussians based in London had shrunk significantly from the peak of the 1970s and 80s. In 1992, to celebrate TEO’s 50^th Anniversary, a fund-raising dinner was held at The Banqueting House in Whitehall. This was to be the first of many social fund-raising events. A separate Ladies Fundraising Committee was established at that time to arrange and co-ordinate these events.

 The main entrance and perimeter walls of the cemetery were again renovated, with the aid of a major donation from a prominent Oinoussian family.  The ‘crypt’ adjacent to St Nicholas Church was completely re-furbished and the monument in honour of the past priests of Oinoussai was restored. During the next decade, the limited resources of TEO were used to assist poor and sick Oinoussians, to pay the insurance premiums mentioned previously and to support various cultural and social activities, either on, or connected to, the island.  Several compatriot authors were assisted with the publication of literary works, such as the 4-volume History of Oinoussian Families.

At an AGM of TEO in London, an appeal was launched for the replacement of the ailing Oinoussai II ferry boat, which had gradually become unsuitable for the increasing demands of the island.  On the 6^th of December 2006, the ‘Oinoussai III’ ferry boat entered into service, having been purchased with the financial assistance of many Oinoussians and members of TEO.

Similarly, many Oinoussians have served on the Ladies Fundraising Committees over the past decades, organising events such as Dinner-Dances, a Gala Evening, Quiz Nights and Family Lunches. These have not only helped to enhance the Fund’s finances, but have also served to keep the Oinoussian community in London together and to entertain the Fund’s supporters.

In 2008, Michael J. Monios was elected President of TEO. For the first time, most of the committee members were Oinoussians born outside of Greece, whilst maintaining close links to the island The main project which was again entrusted to TEO, was the major refurbishment of St Nicolas church. This was completed in 2011, through the generosity of three Oinoussian families and all the members of TEO.

During the austere economic climate in Greece, which echoes the atmosphere in which TEO first began to operate, the main difficulty faced on the island is concerned with the Naval College and Boarding House, which are suffering from a shortage of State funding.

In 2015, John Marcos Hadjipateras became the 13th President of TEO. The present committee is made up of Oinoussians born outside of Greece, but who retain strong links with the island.  In 2017, TEO celebrated it’s 75th Anniversary and held a spectacular fund-raising dinner-dance at the Tower of London attended by almost 400 people, including HE Metropolitan Bishop Markos of Chios, Psara and Oinousses, HE Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain, HE Ambassador of Greece Caramitsos-Tziras, the Mayor of Oinousses, the President of the Friends of Oinoussai Society, and the Emeritus Security-General of the International Maritime Organisation Mr Mitropoulos. It was very moving for all Oinoussians to see the logo of TEO projected onto the ramparts of the Tower of London.  At that event, TEO commemorated the services of all the past Presidents and Executive Committee Members and expressed gratitude for the continued financial support from Member Offices, individuals and from the wider supporters of the Fund. Through their devotion and dedication, the Oinoussai Benevolent Fund is able to continue its work in assisting the needs of the island from afar. Perhaps the most important reason for celebrating the past is for the future, for the next seventy-five years and beyond. The needs of the island today are as important as ever and are unlikely to ever cease. This means that organisations such as TEO will always have a role to play in supporting the social, cultural, athletic, environmental and educational needs of Oinoussai. Through technology, the next generation will be able to facilitate the challenge of retaining close links with their homeland. Through the continued generosity of the Fund’s supporters, it is hoped that the next generation will be able to keep the Oinoussai Benevolent Fund alive for many years to come.