Righteous Among the Nations honor in Greece for couple who saved Jewish family
At a ceremony held at the Thessaloniki Jewish Community Center, the Righteous Among the Nations title was posthumously awarded to Ilias and Maria Machairas, who sheltered and saved the Venouziou family during the Nazi occupation.
- The Righteous Among the Nations honor was awarded posthumously to Ilias and Maria Machairas in Thessaloniki.
- The medal and certificate were received by their daughter Iphigeneia from Israeli Ambassador to Greece, Pnina Yanai.
- 98-year-old survivor Viktor Venouziou attended the emotional event and expressed deep gratitude.
This event highlights the deep historical ties and human solidarity between Israel and Greece, emphasizing the Jewish heritage sites and local history in Thessaloniki and the Karditsa region.
Righteous Among the Nations Ceremony in Thessaloniki
In an emotional ceremony at the Jewish Community Center of Thessaloniki, Iphigeneia Machairas received the medal and certificate of the Righteous Among the Nations from the Israeli Ambassador to Greece, Pnina Yanai. The distinction was awarded posthumously to her parents, Ilias and Maria Machairas, who chose to shelter and protect the Venouziou family during the dark years of the Nazi occupation. The event was attended by government officials, community leaders, and descendants of both families.
The Rescue Story in Amarantos Village
Solomon and Esther Venouziou, along with their three children from Karditsa, found refuge in the mountain village of Amarantos, south of Karditsa. Between April and October 1944, the five family members were hosted in the home of Ilias and Maria Machairas, a young newlywed couple. Although the villagers were aware of the Jewish refugees hiding in the area, none of them ever informed the German authorities, despite weekly trips to the local market in Karditsa. The Machairas family did not ask for any financial compensation and helped the family survive the war.
Reflections from Survivors and Leaders
Ninety-eight-year-old survivor Viktor Venouziou delivered an emotional address, thanking the family of those who saved his life. Venouziou, who previously served as president of the Jewish community of Karditsa and initiated a monument in Amarantos to honor villagers who saved 82 Jews, emphasized the importance of preserving historical memory. Thessaloniki Jewish Community President David Saltiel noted that the Machairas couple chose the light during dark times and refused to remain mere bystanders.
FAQ
Who received the Righteous Among the Nations award in Thessaloniki? The title was awarded posthumously to Ilias and Maria Machairas, and accepted by their daughter, Iphigeneia Machairas.
Who is Viktor Venouziou? He is a 98-year-old Holocaust survivor who was hidden as a child in Amarantos by the Machairas family and later served as president of the Jewish community of Karditsa.
Where did the ceremony take place? The event was held at the Community Center of the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki, attended by Israeli and Greek dignitaries.
