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Smargdis: Mount Athos Proposes Canonization of Capodistrias – 'The People Are Not Fools'

Published December 30, 2025, 17:16
Smargdis: Mount Athos Proposes Canonization of Capodistrias – 'The People Are Not Fools'

Director Yiannis Smargdis revealed in an interview that there is a proposal from Mount Athos for the canonization of Ioannis Kapodistrias, information conveyed to him by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. According to the Patriarch, Kapodistrias lived and sacrificed himself as a saint. Smargdis' film, “Capodistrias,” has already attracted over 145,000 viewers, and the director emphasizes that Kapodistrias is the focus of interest, not the film itself. Smargdis strongly criticized the Hellenic Film Centre, accusing it of not funding his film due to its patriotic content, while favoring projects aligned with the “woke agenda.” He stated that the Ministry of Culture does not directly participate in the decisions of the HFC, but that the minister is guided by a group of people close to the Maximos Mansion. In contrast, he praised the contribution of the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, who supported the film from the beginning and witnessed the moving reactions of the audience at the film's premiere in New York. Smargdis emphasized that the people are responding to the film with enthusiasm, proving they are not “fools” and have not been corrupted despite the difficulties. The director concluded by saying that Kapodistrias represents an opportunity for Greeks to meet their “higher selves” and reconnect with their history and values. He expressed his concern about the direction Greece is taking and the need to return to the right path.