FEBRUARY 15-17

LECANTO, FL – Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, 4705 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy SR44 in Lecanto, holds its Spring Greek Festival, February 15-17. Enjoy Greek bakery items, food platters (dine in or take home,) jewelry, clothing, arts and crafts, religious items, live Greek music and dancing. Festival hours: Friday, Feb. 15 and Saturday, Feb. 16, 11 AM-8 PM; and Sunday, Feb. 17, 11 AM-5 PM. More information is available by phone: 352-527-0766 and online: stmichaelgoc.org/festival.html.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, 110 Southern Blvd. in West Palm Beach, holds its 44th Annual Greek Festival, February 15-17. Enjoy Greek foods, pastries, vendors, Greek jewelry, art, live Greek music band, and Greek Folk Dancing with the Heart of Greece Dance Group. Kids zone also available. Admission: $5 Donation (Friday, Noon-4 PM, Admission is free). Paid Parking: Festival grounds, $10 for main lot and $5 for grass lot. Free parking with shuttle service from St. Juliana’s, south of Southern Blvd. on Olive Avenue. Hours: Friday, Feb. 15, Noon-11 PM; Saturday, Feb. 16, 11 AM-11 PM; and Sunday, Feb. 17, Noon-9 PM. More information is available by phone: 561-833-6387 and online: greekfestwpb.com.

FEBRUARY 15 & 18

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – Greek Violin Workshops on Friday, Feb. 15 and Monday, Feb. 18, 3:30-5 PM at Safford House Museum, 23 Parkin Ct. in Tarpon Springs. Fee: $5 suggested donation per class The City of Tarpon Springs will present workshops in Greek violin style and repertoire for intermediate and advanced students. Michalis Kappas will journey from Greece to provide workshops in the traditional violin music of the island of Kalymnos. An archaeologist by profession, Dr. Kappas learned from the best traditional Kalymnian players of the older generation and began performing at events (glendia, panigyria, weddings) when he was 17. He appears on a recording of traditional Kalymnian music and has performed extensively at festivals in Europe and the U.S. Students should bring a violin. For further information, please contact Tina Bucuvalas, email: tbucuvalas@ctsfl.us, phone: 727-937-1130. The workshops are supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

FEBRUARY 16-17

PALM DESERT, CA – St. George Greek Orthodox Church of the Desert, 74109 Larrea Street in Palm Desert, holds its 23rd annual Greek Festival on Saturday, Feb. 16 and Sunday, Feb. 17, 11 AM-8 PM. Enjoy authentic Greek food, appetizers, heavenly pastries, Greek wine, Greek beer, Greek coffee, souvenir Agora Market with over 20 unique vendors, complimentary Church Tours with Byzantine Art and Mosaic Iconography, Greek Grocery, Book Store, and Greek Novelties, live Greek music and Greek dancing demonstrations of traditional and folk dances, and Hercules Kids Zone. Admission $3, Active U.S. Military, Police, Firefighters, and kids under 12: Free. More information is available by phone: 760-568-9901 and online: pdgreekfest.org.

FEBRUARY 17

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – Music of the Dodecanese Islands, instrumental performance and dance, takes place on Sunday, Feb. 17, 7-11 PM at 42 W. Morgan Street in Tarpon Springs. Levendia Dance Troupe and the City of Tarpon Springs present an evening of lively music and dance from the Dodecanese with Michalis Kappas from Kalymnos, Greece, on violin, and Panayotis League on laouto (Greek lute) playing nisiotika, the music of the Aegean islands. $10 Admission, $10 mezedes (appetizers plate), cash bar. For more information, contact Tina Bucuvalas by phone: 727-937-1130 or email: tbucuvalas@ctsfl.us.

FEBRUARY 20

CHICAGO, IL – The National Hellenic Museum presents the Trial of Hippocrates 6:30 PM at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph Street in Chicago. Following the highly-acclaimed successes with The NHM Trials of Socrates, Antigone, and The Parthenon Marbles, the NHM once again partners with prominent judges and attorneys to take on another case with ancient roots and modern consequences, The NHM Trial of Hippocrates. Guilty or not guilty? You decide. Doors open at 6 PM. Tickets are $100 per person in advance and can be purchased online at harristheaterchicago.org or by phone: 312-334-7777. More information is available online: nationalhellenicmuseum.org.

FEBRUARY 21

MANHATTAN – The Hellenic American Cultural Foundation invites you to Dangerous Beauty: Medusa in Classical Art on Thursday, Feb. 21, 7 PM, at the Merkin Concert Hall, 129 West 67th Street in Manhattan, presented by Kiki Karoglou, Associate Curator in the Department of Greek and Roman Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Free admission but RSVP required. Please visit www.hacfoundation.org/2019 for details.

FEBRUARY 22

MANHATTAN – The Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce invites you to a Meet & Greet with Deep Dating Founder, Vana Koutsomitis, at Nerai, 55 East 54th Street in Manhattan, on Friday, Feb. 22, 7 PM. Please contact info@hellenicamerican.cc for details.

FEBRUARY 22-24

PETERSBURG, FL – St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church, 3600 76th Street N. in St. Petersburg, Friday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 23, 11 AM-11 PM; and Sunday, Feb 24, 11 AM-6 PM. Enjoy the food, music, and culture of Greece! Homemade Greek foods and pastries, church tours, Kids Zone, raffle, silent auction, vendors selling various hand-crafted art and jewelry, and so much more. Greek DJs spin lively beats amid other live performances by Greek musicians. Free Greek dance lessons from seasoned instructors. More information is available by phone: 727-345-8235 and on Facebook.

FEBRUARY 23

FLUSHING – You are invited to a performance of Medea by Euripides at the Queens Theater in the Park at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 14 United Nations Ave S, on Saturday, Feb. 23, 7 PM. The production is in loving memory of Nikos Mouyiaris, Founder & Benefactor of the Pancyprian Theatrical Group. Directed by award-winning director Leonidas Loizides. For tickets, please visit hellenism.me/event/medea or phone: 917-854-9577.

FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 23

MANHATTAN – Garden Muses, a solo exhibition of recent paintings by Greek-born artist Margaret Tsirantonakis is on view February 23-March 23 at the Prince Street Gallery, 530 West 25th Street in Manhattan. A reception will be held on Saturday, Mar. 2, 3-6 PM. The gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 AM-6 PM. More information is available online: princestreetgallery.com and by phone: 646-230-0246. For more information about the artist, visit: mtsiran-art.com and Instagram: @mtsiran.

FEBRUARY 24

ASTORIA – The Hellenic Film Society USA presents the Greek film The Other Me (ETEROS EGO) at the Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35 Avenue in Astoria, on Sunday, Feb. 24, 4 PM. In this psychological thriller, the police ask a troubled professor of criminology to help them catch a serial killer. English subtitles. For tickets, visit hellenicfilmusa.org.

FEBRUARY 25

MANHATTAN – Hellenic Professional Women Inc in collaboration with LinkedIn invites you to a presentation on how to Maximize LinkedIn to your Best Potential at the LinkedIn offices at the Empire State Building on Monday, Feb. 25, 6-8 PM. For more information and to register to attend this event, please visit hellenicprofessionalwomen.org.

MANHATTAN – The Monthly Social & Networking with the Manhattan-based AHEPA Family Chapters, Delphi #25 and the Daughters of Penelope, Evryklea Chapter #36, at Kellari Taverna, 19 West 44th Street in Manhattan, takes place Monday, Feb. 25, 6-8 PM. All existing members and those interested in becoming members are invited to attend. Please contact ahepa25.delphinyc@gmail.com for details.

The post Going on in Our Community appeared first on The National Herald.

BROOKLYN – Congratulations and safe travels to the 2019 National History Day Team (NHD) of the Hellenic Classical Charter School (HCCS) in Brooklyn whose five students will be competing in the National History Day Fair’s Junior Group Performance competition. They will be traveling to Greece to conduct their research.

The students have already begun to diligently work on their research, and have already decided that under this year’s theme of “Tragedy and Triumph,” they will dedicate their performance to Hellenic immigration to the USA from the beginning of the 20th century until today.

The NHD Team will be competing this year with their focus on Louis Tikas and the Ludlow Massacre. Their topic will reflect the heroic efforts of Louis Tikas, a Cretan immigrant, who united immigrant miners of all ethnicities to join and lead a strike against the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company. The company, owned by the notorious Rockefellers, exploited miners by having them work 16-hour shifts, in dangerous, deadly coal mines, with disturbingly low wages.

After hundreds of miners’ deaths on the job, Louis Tikas recruited and gathered his fellow countrymen to join the United Mine Workers of America and lead the Great Strike of 1913. The strike led to violent backlash after the coal mining companies sent in private national guardsmen.

On the day after Greek Easter in 1914, the guardsmen began shooting and set the tent colony on fire, killing men, women and children. Tikas was hit over the head with a rifle and was shot three times in the back. This led to a miner revolt of guerilla warfare. The 10-day uprising, called the Colorado Coalfield War was the deadliest labor movement in American history. It eventually led to the passing of the Wagner Act which created the modern-day framework for unionization. While in Greece, the NHD team will be visiting Loutra, Crete, hometown of Louis Tikas, on this week’s research trip.

They will also be visiting Arkadi, the infamous monastery in Crete that played an active role in Cretan resistance against Ottoman rule during the Cretan Revolt of 1866. This battle was an inspiration for revolt against suppression to Cretans and all Greeks alike.

Good luck to the 2019 HCCS National History Day Team! Go HCCS!

The post Hellenic Classical Charter School’s National History Day Team Traveling to Greece appeared first on The National Herald.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has defrocked former U.S. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick after Vatican officials found him guilty of soliciting for sex while hearing confession and sexual crimes against minors and adults, the Holy See said Saturday.

The punishment for the once-powerful prelate, who had served as the archbishop of Washington and had been an influential fundraiser for the church, was announced five days before Francis is set to lead an extraordinary gathering of bishops from around the world to help the church grapple with the crisis of sex abuse by clergy and systematic cover-ups by church hierarchy. The decades-long scandals have shaken the faith of many Catholics and threatened Francis’ papacy.

Defrocking means McCarrick, 88, who now lives in a friary in Kansas after he lost his title of cardinal last year, can no longer celebrate Mass or other sacraments, wear clerical vestments or be addressed by any religious title.

The Vatican’s press office said that on Jan. 11, the Holy See’s doctrinal watchdog office, the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, had found McCarrick guilty of “solicitation in the sacrament of confession, and sins against the Sixth Commandment with minors and adults, with the aggravating factor of the abuse of power.”

The officials “imposed on him the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state.”

The commandment cited regards sexual behavior.

McCarrick, when he was ordained a priest his native New York City in 1958, took a vow of celibacy, in accordance with church rules on priests.

The pope “has recognized the definitive nature of this decision made in accordance with (church) law, rendering it as ‘res iudicata,'” the Vatican said, using the Latin phrase for admitting no further recourse.

“Today I am happy that the pope believed me,” said one of McCarrick’s chief accusers, James Grein.

In a statement issued through his lawyer, Grein also expressed hope that McCarrick “will no longer be able to use the power of Jesus’ church to manipulate families and sexually abuse children.”

Grein had testified to church officials that, among other abuses, McCarrick had repeatedly groped him during confession.

Saying it’s “time for us to cleanse the church,” Grein said pressure needs to be put on state attorney generals and senators to change the statute of limitations. “Hundreds of priests, bishops and cardinals are hiding behind man-made law,” he said.

McCarrick had appealed his penalty, but the doctrinal officials earlier this week rejected that, and he was notified of the decision on Friday, the Vatican announcement said.

The archdiocese of Washington, D.C., where McCarrick was posted at the pinnacle of his clerical career, from 2001-2006, said in a statement it hoped that the Vatican decision “serves to help the healing process for survivors of abuse, as well as those who have experienced disappointment or disillusionment because of what former Archbishop McCarrick has done.”

Complaints were also made about McCarrick’s conduct in the New Jersey dioceses of Newark and Metuchen, where he previously served.

McCarrick, a one-time “prince of the church,” as cardinals are known, becomes the highest-ranking churchman to be laicized, or dismissed from the clerical state. It marks a remarkable downfall for the globe-trotting powerbroker and influential church fundraiser who mingled with presidents and popes but preferred to be called “Uncle Ted” by the young men he courted.

The scandal swirling around McCarrick was even more damning to the church’s reputation in the eyes of the faithful because it apparently was an open secret that he slept with adult seminarians.

The Vatican summit, running Feb. 21-24, draws church leaders from around the world to talk about preventing abuse. It was called in part to respond to the McCarrick scandal as well as to the explosion of the abuse crisis in Chile and its escalation in the United States last year.

Despite the apparent common knowledge in church circles of his sexual behavior, McCarrick rose to the heights of church power. He even acted as the spokesman for U.S. bishops when they enacted a “zero tolerance” policy against sexually abusive priests in 2002.

That perceived hypocrisy, coupled with allegations in the Pennsylvania grand jury report detailing decades of abuse and cover-up in six dioceses, outraged many among the rank-and-file faithful who had trusted church leaders to reform how they handled sex abuse after 2002.

Francis removed McCarrick as a cardinal in July after a U.S. church investigation determined that an allegation he fondled a teenage altar boy in the 1970s was credible. It was the first known allegation against McCarrick involving a minor — a far more serious offense than sleeping with adult seminarians.

But Francis himself became implicated in the decade-long McCarrick cover-up after a former Vatican ambassador to the U.S. accused the pope of rehabilitating the cardinal from sanctions imposed by Pope Benedict XVI despite being told of his penchant for young men.

Francis hasn’t responded to the claims. But he has ordered a limited Vatican investigation. The Vatican has acknowledged the outcome may produce evidence that mistakes were made, but said Francis would “follow the path of truth, wherever it may lead.”

McCarrick moved from his Washington retirement home to a Kansas religious residence after Francis ordered him to live in penance and prayer while the investigation continued.

It wasn’t immediately clear if he would continue to live in a religious residence.

Vatican watchers have compared the McCarrick cover-up scandal to that of the Rev. Marcial Maciel, perhaps the 20th-century Catholic Church’s most notorious pedophile. Maciel’s sex crimes against children were ignored for decades by a Vatican impressed by his ability to bring in donations and vocations. Among Maciel’s staunchest admirers was Pope John Paul II, who later became a saint.

Like Maciel, McCarrick was a powerful and popular prelate who funneled millions in donations to the Vatican. He apparently got a calculated pass for what many in the church hierarchy would have either discounted as ideological-fueled rumor or brushed off as a mere “moral lapse” in sleeping with adult men.

By FRANCES D’EMILIO and NICOLE WINFIELD , Associated Press

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TARPON SPRINGS, FL – March 15, 2016 was a historic day in Florida. On the one hand, senior U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, considered one of the Republican Party’s rising stars, bowed out of the 2016 presidential race after losing that party’s state primary that evening. But another Floridian fared more favorably: Chris Alahouzos, who has lived in Tarpon Springs since he was 13 years old, became the first Greek-born mayor (Kalymnos) of that Florida Gulf Coast city, which features the highest percentage of Greeks per capita anywhere in the United States.

“I’m going to be the mayor for all of the people,” Alahouzos told The National Herald at the time, referring to the voters he hadn’t won over, despite winning by a very comfortable margin, capturing 60 percent of the vote. Despite his strong popularity among his fellow Hellenes, Tarpon’s Greek population is only about 10 percent, so most of his supporters were non-Greeks.

Now, as his first three-year term comes to an end, Alahouzos is running for reelection. The election is on March 12 and his opponent is David O. Archie, a two-term former mayor who didn’t run in 2016 due to term limits (Tarpon permits a maximum of two consecutive terms).

A FULL-TIME MAYOR

“With all due respect to my opponent,” Alahouzos told TNH, “my record speaks for itself. My opponent served as a part-time mayor. That’s usually the case with our mayors,” he explained, as the annual salary is $13,000, and so mayors usually serve in that capacity part-time as they undertake other jobs to piece together a living.

In stark contrast, Alahouzos describes that he works “as many hours as it takes – 40 hours, 50 hours – a week to get the job done, and I have no other employer. My only employer is the City of Tarpon Springs.”

A high-level manager for Verizon for many decades, Alahouzos, who previously served as a commissioner and vice mayor of Tarpon, specifically waited until he retired to run for mayor. “I wanted to make sure I committed myself to the position fully,” he told TNH. Referring to the salary, he said “obviously, I’m not doing this for the money.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The full list of the over 100 accomplishments Tarpon Springs has identified in Alahouzos’ first three years as mayor are available on the city’s website, ctsfl.us. “Some of the main ones are a balanced budget every year without emergency funds, business incentives, excellent services to seniors, focusing on our wonderful year-round residents as well as our great tourist industry, and working with our police and fire departments to maintain a safe community,” Alahouzos told TNH.

In his second term as mayor, Alahouzos said he plans to establish a senior center, new sewer lines, new water pipes, a boat ramp with parking, a dental clinic, more recreation, more beautification, and a public swimming pool.

Alahouzos attributes an ambitious list of future goals to complement the ones already fulfilled not only to his many years of experience in managing a Fortune 500 organization and his love for Tarpon Springs, but because he devotes twice as much time as previous mayors, maybe three times, maybe more, to getting the job done. “The people know my record and my opponent’s record,” he said. “Again my record speaks for itself. The citizens of Tarpon Springs are in a unique situation because they have the opportunity to continue to be served by a full-time mayor. It is my honor and privilege to serve them, and I hope I have earned their trust and confidence so that they will allow me to serve them for another three years.”

The post Chris Alahouzos Seeks 2nd Term as Mayor of Tarpon Springs, FL appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – Tickets for Euripides’ Medea, produced and directed by Leonidas Loizides have sold out according to Loizides. The producer/director is dedicating the upcoming performance to the memory of Nikos Mouyiaris, founder and benefactor of the Pancyprian Association of America Theatrical Division.

The play features Greek and American actors in the cast, including Eftychia Loizides in the title role, and will be presented at the Queens Theatre in the Park at Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Saturday, February 23 at 7 PM.

Previous productions by Loizides include some of the most famous ancient Greek tragedies, Euripides’ The Bacchae, Helen of Troy, and The Trojan Women, Aeschylus’ Oresteia, and Sophocles’ Antigone.

In 2018, Sophocles’ Electra was presented with great success at the Queens Theater. The play featured Eftychia Loizides in the title role and Tasos Karydis as Orestes. The cast also included Addi Limehouse, Michael Anne Hoofers, and Joshua Rugiano as well as the Chorus: Esther Markaki, Anastasia Marchelos, Lauren Butler, Natassa Tsonis, Vanessa D. Karveli, and Fay Koulouri.

More information is available online: https://www.hellenism.me/medea/ or by phone: 917-854-9577.

Short Video Reel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maQl9KByMRw&feature=youtu.be

The post Euripides’ Medea Directed by Leonidas Loizides Sold Out appeared first on The National Herald.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — It’s been a complicated few weeks for Amazon, what with its abrupt pullout from a massive New York City development, extortion claims related to intimate photos taken by its founder Jeff Bezos and increasing antitrust scrutiny in Europe .

For now, these events seem unlikely to pose much threat to Amazon’s brand or business. But they’re indicative of the mounting challenges the e-commerce giant faces as it grows ever larger and more dominant.

Amazon’s turn in the spotlight is a natural consequence of its prominence in retail, entertainment and internet infrastructure, Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives said. “As you get bigger and more successful, you have more of a target on your back,” he said.

Few analysts believe Thursday’s reversal in New York or the previous week’s dust-up with the publisher of the National Enquirer will have much impact on consumer enthusiasm for Amazon’s broad product selection and services or its fast shipping. Bezos has accused the Enquirer of “extortion and blackmail ” for threatening to disclose revealing personal photos unless he ended his private investigation into how the tabloid obtained his private exchanges with his mistress.

Investors don’t appear particularly concerned that these issues will distract the hard-driving Bezos, who is also in the midst of a divorce — generally considered one of life’s most stressful events. Even if Bezos were to find his attention otherwise occupied, Evercore ISI analyst Anthony DiClemente notes that the Amazon chief has a trusted senior leadership team in place. “That gives investors comfort,” he said.

Amazon shares have more than made up a brief drop after Bezos made his public case against the Enquirer last week.

Public anger at tech companies has been growing for some time, but much of it has been focused on Facebook and other tech companies that collect vast amounts of personal user information for targeting online ads and other purposes.

Facebook’s privacy issues have been particularly acute since they involve the company’s core business, said Paul Argenti, a Dartmouth College professor of corporate communication. Amazon isn’t immune to the tech backlash. But Argenti said the company’s popularity with consumers won’t likely be affected by recent headlines.

“I’m not going to stop ordering my movies and packages from them, and I think that’s the way most people will look at it,” he said.

Longer-term issues, however, could present a more serious threat. Amazon’s New York investment would have put 25,000 jobs in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens, at a cost of nearly $3 billion in tax breaks. Local activists called that a corporate giveaway, one made even less palatable by Amazon’s anti-union stance.

That grass-roots rebellion suggests that people are growing more skeptical of big tech companies, especially when government is cutting them special deals, said Blair Levin, a policy adviser to New Street Research and a former chief of staff to a Federal Communications Commission chairman.

“Time and time again, the public has seen promises made and reality is different,” he said. “So they’re going to be skeptical of Amazon. And it’s across the board, not just Amazon.”

Several European nations are also investigating Amazon’s alleged anti-competitive activity. On Thursday, Austria’s antitrust agency said it is reviewing complaints that the company is favoring its own products and discriminating against other sellers on its e-commerce site. German antitrust authorities and the European Commission are investigating Amazon for similar claims.

In the U.S., politicians are also speaking out against Amazon’s practices, said Barry Lynn, executive director of Open Markets, an institution that studies corporate monopolies in the U.S.

Lynn argues that Amazon is a monopoly that should be more heavily regulated by the government. He pointed to comments Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat who is running for president, made last year about Amazon’s “anti-competitive” practices.

“The word is out, the discussion is ongoing,” Lynn said. “It’s not going to go away, it’s only going to get louder.”

Amazon responded Friday with a statement emphasizing the breadth of its business and its small market share of global retail sales.

For shoppers, everything is business as usual, and the bad news will quickly blow over, Dartmouth’s Argenti said.

“We won’t be talking about this a year from now, maybe not even a month from now,” he said.

___

By RACHEL LERMAN and MAE ANDERSON , AP Technology Writers

Anderson reported from New York.

The post Amazon’s Stormy Week will Blow Over, but the Debris May Stay appeared first on The National Herald.

Renowned in Greece, chef Argiro Barbarigou is going to open a 5,000-square foot version of her popular Athens restaurant Papadakis in Washington, D.C.’s West End later this year, along with an in-house bakery bringing classic Greek desserts for diners.

A large exposed oven – an iconic feature of Grecian homes and kitchens – will have a starring role in the establishment, which will also feature a pick-up counter.

“I want D.C. to taste the same thing we taste – the food of my home,” Barbarigou said, Eater Washington reported.

She’s known as the “First Lady of Greek Cuisine” and began with a restaurant on her home island of Paros before opening another on Mt. Lycabettus in Athens.

Most of Washington’s version will be devoted to the fine-dining restaurant, which will fit 100 to 120 people inside and up to 80 outside.

The post Greek Chef Barbarigou Tests Washington Market appeared first on The National Herald.

Φιλώ (phiLO) is an ancient Greek verb, which means I love. There are so many English words that begin with the Greek verb φιλώ, philo- and that also have a Greek second compound, like Philadelphia, philanthropist, philology, philhellene etc. We believe you can enrich your Greek vocabulary just by bringing to your attention these Greek words you already know.

ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΣ

Philanthropist is the person who loves and cares about humans in need. The second compound is the Greek word for the human, άνθρωπος (philo+ anthropos).

ΕΛΛΗΝΑΣ

Hellene is the transliteration in English of the word ο Έλληνας, the Greek. Philhellene is α person, who, though not Greek, loves the Greek people, the Greek nation, and its achievements, and Greek culture.

ΑΡΜΟΝΙΑ

The word harmony is the Greek αρμονία. Philharmonic means he who loves the harmony.

ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΣ

The name Philip is a compound one from the words philo+ippos. Φιλώ + ίππος. Ίππος is horse in ancient Greek. Philip is a name that means the person who loves horses.

ΛΟΓΟΣ

Λόγος in ancient Greek means both speech (oral and written) and logic. It is interesting that in ancient Greek thought, speaking and rational thinking were closely connected. English words that end in -logy mean talking about something in a rational way, using the scientific method; they usually refer to names of scientific disciplines. Philology (philo+logy) is the love of the oral and written λόγος.

ΣΟΦΙΑ

Philosophy (philo+Sophia) is the love of wisdom. Η σοφία is the wisdom and a name as well.

ΤΕΛΟΣ

Τέλος means the end and the tax as well. It also means the stamp on the envelope, which is actually the tax, the money we pay to the state to send the letter by mail. The philatelist is the person who loves collecting the stamps.

ΑΔΕΛΦΙΑ

Philadelphia is the name of a U.S. city. The word is Greek and it is compound from Philo+adelphia. Τα αδέλφια are the siblings. Philadelphus is the person who loves his siblings.

ENGLISH WORDS FROM PHILO-

English word             Greek word      Pronunciation

Philadelphus             φιλάδελφος      phiLAdelphos

Philanthropic             φιλανθρωπικός philanthropiKOS

Philanthropical          φιλανθρωπικός philanthropiKOS

Philanthropist            φιλάνθρωπος   phiLAnthropos

Philanthropy              η φιλανθρωπία EE philanthroPEEa

Philatelic           φιλοτελικός philoteliKOS

Philatelist          φιλοτελιστής philoteliSTEES

Philately            ο φιλοτελισμός O philoteliZMOS

Philharmonic    φιλαρμονικός   philarmoniKOS

Philhellene       ο φιλέλλην        O phiLElin

Philhellenic      φιλελληνικός    philelliniKOS

Philhellenism   ο φιλελληνισμός       philelliniZMOS

Phillip                Φίλιππος PHEElipos

Philologic          φιλολογικός      philologiKOS

Philological      φιλολογικός      philologiKOS

Philologist        ο φιλόλογος      O phiLOlogos

Philology          η φιλολογία       EE philoloYEEa

Philosopher      ο φιλόσοφος     O phiLOsophos

Philosophic      φιλοσοφικός     philosophiKOS

Philosophical   φιλοσοφικός     philosophiKOS

Philosophize    φιλοσοφώ         philosoPHO

Philosophy       η φιλοσοφία      EE philosoPHEEa

VOCABULARY

Below are the Greek words you already know from English compound words with philo-.

Greek word      Pronunciation  Meaning

ο αδελφός         O adeLFOS      the brother

τα αδέλφια        TA aDElfia        the siblings

ο άνθρωπος     O Anthropos     the man

ο Έλληνας        O Elinas   the Greek

το τέλος    TO TElos          the end, the tax

η αρμονία EE armoNEEa the harmony

ο ίππος    O EEpos           the horse

ο λόγος    O LOyos           the reason, the speech

η σοφία    EE soFEEa      the wisdom

η Σοφία    EE soFEEa      Sofia

ο σοφός   O soFOS          the wise (male)

η σοφή     EE soFEE        the wise (female)

EXERCISE

By using two verbs είναι=is (EEne) and έχει=has (Ehi) we have built sentences with the above vocabulary. Can you translate them?

Ο Σωκράτης είναι φιλόσοφος.

Ο παππούς μου είναι σοφός.

Η γιαγιά μου είναι σοφή.

Η Σοφία είναι φίλη μου.

Ο Έλληνας είναι φιλάνθρωπος.

Οι Αμερικάνοι είναι φιλέλληνες.

Έχω δύο αδέλφια.

Είναι το τέλος;

Ο λόγος του έχει αρμονία.

PRONUNCIATION KEY

i (idiom), ee (needle), e (energy), o (organism), oo (boot), y (yes), h (helium), th (theory), d (the). The capitalized syllables are accented.

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NEW YORK – Norwegian Air announced new summer deals on flights including tickets starting from $159 one-way to Athens and $199 one-way to Barcelona, according to Conde-Nast Traveler.

“Service from Chicago O’Hare to Barcelona-El Prat Airport begins first, on June 7, and flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos kick off July 2. Both new routes are seasonal only for the summer, with service four times a week, and will end on October 26, 2019,” Conde-Nast Traveler reported.

Following Norwegian’s announcement ending all Caribbean service on March 31, the low cost carrier has now added Athens as a new stop on its transatlantic route network, Conde-Nast Traveler reported.

More information is available online: norwegian.com.

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Dear Stavroula,

I am 30 years old and married for four years with the woman I fell in love with. Our relationship was loving and passionate. Although we worked a lot, we always had time to do things together, like going for a walk or having a glass of wine and talking in the evening. We would often go away for the weekend and spend time together, just the two of us, away from everything. We lived without any particular problems and so we decided to complete our happiness and start a family. About six months ago, we had our baby boy whom I love dearly. But my relationship with my wife has changed radically. Her entire life revolves around the child. We do nothing together. I understand that she is tired, although she is not working at this time in order to raise our child, but she seems to not care about me at all. She sleeps along with the child after she puts him to bed, though I show her in every way that I want to spend time with her. The few times we slept together was only after my request. We have stopped talking even about things that concern the whole family, like my job. The only thing we talk about is our child.

Every time I try talk to her I feel like I’m begging for her love. I miss her. How can I make her understand this?

Stephanos

Dear Stephanos,

Indeed, the arrival of a child can greatly change the balance within a family, especially if the child is the first.

And you’re right, usually women change behavior and priorities when they become mothers. This is because the maternal instinct with which nature has endowed women is triggered by the birth of the baby and is very strong, especially in the early years when the child is almost completely dependent on his mother. Thus, the interest of the woman focuses on her baby so that she can protect and care for him or her. This phase passes for most new mothers but it takes some months for the baby to stabilize feedings and sleep time and for the mother to regain her rhythm and strength.

This is exactly what is happening to your wife. As a new mother, she focuses all her attention on your baby, not because she loves you less, or because she does not care about your relationship anymore, but because she feels that your child is more in need than you, she feels like his life depends on her.

I’m sure you’ve already realized that taking care of a newborn is a very demanding, almost exhausting job, especially in the early months when the baby is breastfeeding and may not sleep well. His own pace is necessarily followed by his mother, which means she can be awake for hours at night and then be exhausted during the day while you are at home.

It might be a good idea, first of all, to get more involved in raising your baby and not just be an observer as he grows up. For example, now that he is still a baby, you could give him a bath or put him to bed. This way, your wife could rest and have more time for herself, but for you, too. It is equally important to engage with your child from this tender age. It will truly bond you with him, setting the foundation for the father-son relationship, and giving your child emotional security. And, of course, all this will unite you as a family.

I would also suggest that you speak frankly with your wife, without selfishness and criticism but with love, to show her how much you miss your moments together. Ask for help from grandmothers or relatives and establish some alone time for the two of you. But even in the house, while your baby is sleeping, set the table, take care of your wife, and give her moments of relaxation and tranquility.

As your baby grows, you’ll get back into the rhythm of life and you will have more free time to spend together. The love in your relationship is there. A little patience and understanding is needed.

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It’s that most elusive of goals for humans: being happy, defined by many as not a destination but a way of travel, a journey, but it all goes back to Aristotle, who, in his inimitable way, defined it rather simply as an internal state of mind, finding contentment by living life the best way possible, without purely material goals.

It seems so much at odds in today’s laser-fast world of swirling social media, Instagram fame that lives for seconds, a blitzkrieg pace with a banzai mindset of rushing, doing, running, chasing, all of it coming full circle and leaving most people weary and empty.

Of course, he lived in the 4th Century B.C. when there weren’t the electronic distractions so prevalent today that people even bring their computers and cell phones to bed like wired security blankets that bring them blue light blazes of unease.

Edith Hall, a British scholar of classics, specializing in ancient Greek literature and cultural history, and Professor in the Department of Classics and Centre for Hellenic Studies at King’s College, London, wrote in The Wall Street Journal about Aristotle’s model for happiness and its relevance today.

“Happiness has always been something distinctively coveted by Americans. The inalienable right to pursue it, along with life and liberty, was enshrined by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence,” she wrote.

“If we are to pursue it, however, we need to define it. And to understand what Jefferson really meant by happiness, we must turn to a thinker who influenced him,” she added – Aristotle.

He wrote of happiness that, “This we choose always for its own sake, and never with a view to anything further: whereas honor, pleasure, intellect – in fact every excellence – we choose for their own sakes, it is true, but we choose them also with a view to happiness, conceiving that through their instrumentality we shall be happy: but no man chooses happiness with a view to them, nor in fact with a view to any other thing whatsoever.” Classic.

Hall, among the world’s foremost experts on ancient Greek philosophy and thinking, said happiness seems like one of the rarest commodities today in a mean-spirited world where clashes are more common than civility, manners, good behavior, and decency – all in short supply.

Aristotle’s ethical system – as described in his major treatises, the Nicomachean Ethics and the Eudemian Ethics – revolves around the idea that the goal of human life is happiness, which he called eudaimonia, wrote Hall, knowing that in Greek, the root eu means “well” or “good,” and daimonian suggests a guardian spirit or one’s lot in life.

Aristotle didn’t equate happiness with wealth, pleasure, or fame, the Holy Trinity for today’s business billionaires and Internet nouveau riche and celebrities who believe a Maserati is the Holy Grail of Happiness before the gas tank runs dry.

Aristotle spent years with the Macedonian royal family of King Philip II, Alexander the Great’s despotic father, who she said was ruthless, acquisitive, and addicted to conspicuous consumption, much like people today who think a gold-plated toilet shows they’ve made it.

Hall said Aristotle saw the results of Philip’s plotting and putting lieutenants, wives, concubines and children against each other, the result being endlessly plotting bouts of reciprocal murder providing the script for Game of Thrones and all theater.

Hall said Aristotle saw that lifestyle brought people misery and worry as the King and his court thought possessions or hedonism and sensory gratification and pleasures of the flesh made them happy even though they likely knew otherwise in their hearts.

Real happiness, Aristotle believed, comes from reaching your potential and becoming the best version of yourself, said Hall, with the philosopher believing in the wisdom inscribed over the Oracle of Delphi: Know Thyself.

Aristotle studied the soul as well as the heart and mind and analyzed character traits – in Greek, ethos, from which the word ethics is derived. He knew how libido, courage, anger, how we treat other people, and how money is regarded by people, and he said happiness comes from cultivating each one in the correct amount, so that it is a virtue (arete) rather than a vice, she added.

This is the “mean” that sets Aristotelian ethics apart from other ancient moral systems as he didn’t preach anger as a vice and patience a virtue, believing each commodity in the right measure is healthy and virtuous in and of itself and not exclusive of each other. Without knowing or feeling anger, a person wouldn’t understand or appreciate patience because there would be none and there would be no fighting for principle. Failing to feel anger when wronged may be a vice, he said, but so is undue anger.

That applies to other qualities, including knowing not to spend recklessly or without purpose, especially among the rich, who did not know the value of money because they had so much and didn’t understand the sufferings of those who didn’t, and to their being cheap, which he despised.

Hall said faithful followers of Aristotle’s way acknowledge their best and their worst moral characteristics and work continuously at self-improvement and try to develop habits of generosity, honesty, responsibility, integrity, fairness, kindness and good humor.

That brings its own reward, moral self-sufficiency that even misfortune can’t fully erase whether it’s bereavement, bankruptcy, or sheer bad luck that everyone experiences because no one goes through life without loss.

His prescription for happiness then isn’t an elixir but the dose of self-knowledge and fulfilled potential, without hunting for the tangible which fades and disappears like a vapor. Aristotle knew, and appreciated the intrinsic fecundity of breeding virtues in measure to ourselves, friends, neighbors and citizens, wrote Hall, his wisdom resonating today, happily for those who know it.

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WASHINGTON – Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), the top Democrat at the Senate’s Committee on Foreign Relations, has sent Greek PM Alexis Tsipras a letter urging him to recognize Juan Guaido as the Interim President of Venezuela.

Menendez’s letter:

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AGALLIANOS, DENNIS

BRATTLEBORO, VT (from the Brattleboro Reformer, published on Feb. 4) – Dennis Dionysios Agallianos of Urbana, formerly of Brattleboro, Vermont, passed away on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. He was 96. He was preceded in death by his wife, Georgia-Lee Virginia (Foden) Agallianos and is survived by his brother, Platon Agallianos, of Athens; his daughter, Helen Penelope Agallianos (Eric Johnson) of Urbana; and his wife Georgia’s children, Donald Melvin (Rodica) of Surrey, England, and Susan Cronin (Benjamin Burns) of Georgia, VT, as well as eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Dennis was born on January 1, 1923, in Galati, Romania, to Dionysios and Eleni (Craciun) Agallianos. His father was born in Zakynthos, Greece, and his mother was born in Romania of Greek and Romanian heritage. After attending the Greek Lyceum of Galati, he graduated with a medical degree from Victor Babes University in Cluj, Romania. In 1951, after the installation of the communist dictatorship in Romania, Dennis fled Romania for Greece. After a stay in a refugee camp on the island of Lesvos, he settled in Athens, where he practiced urology for six years. In 1957, Dennis immigrated to the United States under a program for refugees of the Cold War. Dennis lived and worked first in New York City and then in Brattleboro, Vermont, where he met his future wife Georgia-Lee and her children, Donald and Susan. Dennis and Georgia were married in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1964, and their daughter Helen was born there in 1968. Dennis, who changed medical specialties when he moved to the United States, worked as a psychiatrist at Spring Grove State Hospital in Baltimore, and then, for more than thirty years at the Brattleboro Retreat in Vermont. While in Baltimore, Dennis conducted research at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and his research was published in a number of scientific and medical journals, including Nature. Later, Dennis became an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School. In 1994, Dennis was honored with an Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. After retiring from the Brattleboro Retreat, Dennis worked at community mental health centers in Vermont and Massachusetts. He prided himself on having worked until age 87. He and Georgia were active members of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Keene, New Hampshire. Georgia passed away in 2004, and in 2010, after more than forty years in Brattleboro, Dennis moved to Urbana, Illinois, to be close to Helen, her husband Eric, and their children, Theodore and Zoe. In Urbana, Dennis made himself part of the warm and welcoming communities at Clark-Lindsey Village and at Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church. He made many new friends, with whom he loved discussing news, politics, history, philosophy and language. Most days he could be found at Clark-Lindsey’s library. He read several newspapers a day, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and a daily Greek-language paper, and he often had a newspaper clipping at the ready for a friend or relative who he thought might be interested in a particular topic. He was a warm and generous friend and a loving and doting father and Pappou. He will be sorely missed. Memorial contributions may be made to Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church at 2010 Three Hierarchs Ct, Champaign, IL. 61820. Please join his family in sharing memories, pictures and videos on our website at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

ARGES, HELENE

HIGHLAND, IN (from the Northwest Indiana Times, published on Feb. 6) – Helene (Nitsa) Arges, 94, of Highland, passed away February 2, surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Steve J. Arges. They shared a married life of 67 years. She was born in Tripolis, Greece as one of six children to Vasiliki and Dimitrios, all of whom preceded her in death. Steve and Helene had four children but faced a tragic loss of the youngest child Peter who passed away due to illness at the age of four. She is survived by the remaining children Betty (CG) Voukidis, George (Patricia) Arges, and Demetria (George) Bakris; nine grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. Surviving in-laws include Gus (Demetra) Arges, Ismini (late Chris) Arges, Katina (late Bill) Kotsis, Maria (late John) Kotsis; and Kiki (late Sotiros) Kotsiopoulos. She was an Aunt to numerous nieces and nephews; and godmother to several godchildren. She was a life-long friend to many and will be missed by all. She served in various charity organizations including President of the St. Demetrios Ladies Society and an officer in the Philoptochos Society. Her main love was being a homemaker. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, knitting, babysitting and was an exceptional cook of Greek cuisine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Schererville, IN. Please visit us at www.burnskish.com.

ATHANAS, EFTHIMIOS

BLUE BELL, PA (from the Star-Ledger, published on Feb. 7) – Efthimios Athanas 1931-2019. Efthimios (Efthimi) Athanas of Blue Bell, Pa., died on Feb. 5 at the age of 87. He was born in Eleftherohori, Giannitsa, Greece, to Parthena (Mavridis) and John Athanasiadis. He was a graduate of the University of Bologna in Italy, where he began his studies not knowing a word of Italian. He spent innumerable hours studying medicine and Italian simultaneously. After graduation and upon his return to Greece, he met and married his wife, Helen, with whom he spent 50 loving years. After immigrating from Greece to the U.S., he learned English and completed his medical training, including a pediatric residency at Crozier Hospital, where he was chief resident. He and Helen moved to New Jersey, where he opened his private practice and took care of countless little ones. He was much loved and respected by his patients and their families for more than 30 years. After retiring, Efthimi and Helen enjoyed many years together boating, walking on the beach and spending time with their beloved grandchildren at their homes in West Chester, Pa., and in Hilton Head, S.C. He will be remembered as a grandfather who taught each of his grandchildren to ride a bike and go crabbing and fishing. He was notorious for sneaking in trips to the ice cream parlor and passing out chocolate. He had a love of working with his hands and building things. He took up furniture making and continued his love of learning by studying astrophysics, religion, and philosophy. Efthimios was the loving husband of Helen, who preceded him in death. He was a devoted father to Ginny Markos (Ronald), Joanna Farrell (Laurence) and Michelle Karalis (Nicholas); doting grandfather to Elena, Eleni, Sophia, Christopher, Jerry, and Mia. He is also survived by his siblings, Maria Kougiountzidis, Michael Athanasiadis, and Kosta Athanasiadis. The funeral service was held at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church, 35 N. Malin Road, Broomall, Pa. 19008, where Memorial gifts may be made for those in need or to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Visit whiteluttrell.com.

CAVROS, HELEN

WETHERSFIELD, CT (published online at Dignity Memorial, Feb. 4) – Helen (Skouta) Cavros, 74, of Wethersfield and formerly Hartford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 2. Born in Rhodes, Greece on May 21, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Stamati and Anastasia (Mikkiou) Skouta. Helen came to the U.S. in 1969. She worked for many years as a baker at Finest Bakery and more recently at Broasterant in Hartford, which was like a second home to her. Helen was a longtime member of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Hartford and she enjoyed Greek poetry and playing the lottery. A loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she will be forever missed by her two children, Stacey Papastefanou of Hartford and Manuel Cavros of Hartford; five adored grandchildren, Sofia, Peter, Adonis, Angelina and Elena and one cherished great-grandchild, Stamatia. She is also survived by two sisters, Stelia Tahtikou and Hrisanthi Lergou, both of Rhodes, Greece, as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. Donations in Helen’s memory may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Ave., Hartford, CT 06114. To share a memory of Helen with her family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.

DAMASKOS, NICKANDER

GLEN MILLS, PA (from The News Journal, published on Feb. 7) – Nickander J. Damaskos, age 88, passed away on February 6th 2019. Beloved husband of the late Naomi (1974) and Marilyn (2009). Dear father of Jenell Thompson (Gary), Jim Powell (Sandy), Nikki Owens, Diana Patille (Frank) and Jennifer Revill. Brother of the late Callie Hansen. Grandfather of the late Vanessa. Also survived by grandchildren Jason, Carmen, Chris, CJ, Maddie and great-grandchildren Nick, Kateri, Anastasia, Joshua, Silas and David. Nickander’s parents immigrated from Kavala, Greece in the early 1900’s. He was born in Astoria, NY and went to public school number 122 and then Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx. He attended Cooper Union before being drafted during the Korean War. When he returned he completed his bachelor’s degree at City College of New York. He worked at Boeing and attended Carnegie Institute of Technology where he received his PhD in electrical engineering. Nick became a professor of graduate engineering classes at Pennsylvania Military college now known as Widener University. In 1979, Damaskos Inc. was formed where he continued to work until his passing. Aside from his work, Nickander enjoyed his family, Philadelphia sports, and the performing arts. In lieu of flowers Memorial donations to Opera Delaware www.operade.org would be appreciated. Condolences may be made at: www.cavanaghfuneralhome.com.

KONTOS, EFTIHIA

FAIRVIEW PARK, OH (from The Plain Dealer, published on Feb. 4) – Eftihia Kontos (nee Koustis), age 87, entered into rest peacefully February 3. Beloved wife of the late Aristidis for 55 years. Loving mother of Christos, Yannoula Hussey (Sam) and Angelo (Irene). Dearest yiayia of Alexandrea (Paul), Victoria, Christian, Hellene (Dr. Richard), Dr. George (Anita), Andrew (Chelsea), Gregory and Arrin. Dear great-yiayia of Charlie, Henry, Oliver, Jack, Evelyn, William and Isabella. Dear sister of Tom Koustis and Vassiliki Kromydas of Greece and the following deceased: Angelo, Aristides, Kosta Koustis, and Calliopi Zotos. Dear aunt, great-aunt and friend of many. For online tributes and condolences visit www.CLCfuneralhome.com.

KONTOS, MICHAEL

NAPLES, FL (from the Naples Daily News, published on Feb. 5) – Dr. Michael Harry Kontos, D.D.S 82 passed away on Tuesday, January 29 at the home of his daughter surrounded by his loving wife of 60 years Eva and his family. He is survived by his beautiful and loving wife, Eva (nee Zaharias); his daughter Dr. Ellena M. Vranas, of Naperville, IL his son, Michael H. Kontos, Jr. of Columbus, OH, and his son Gregory J. Kontos, of Aurora, Illinois. A son-in-law, Nick Vranas, daughters-in-law, Kristina Kontos and Anna-Marie Kontos, and four grandchildren, Evanthia & Arianna Vranas, and Gregory Paul and Marianna Kontos, also survive him. He is also survived by his sister Georgiann Blake and her husband Robert; and his In-Laws Constantine and Penelope Zaharias, together with many loving nieces and nephews. Dr. Kontos was born on November 18, 1936 in Aurora, Illinois, at St. Charles Hospital and was baptized at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet, IL. He married on July 5, 1959 at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet, IL to Eva Kontos (nee Zaharias) of Athens Greece, and they lived in Aurora, IL and Naples, FL all of their lives. Dr. Kontos attended Oswego High School graduating as part of the Class of 1955; North Central College in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts degree; and the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, from which he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Dentistry and graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1963. In 1965, Michael and his wife, Eva, were founding members of St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Aurora, IL where he served on the Parish Council for more than 40 years, serving as Parish Council President five times, and Chairman of the Building Committee, and directed the Choir for over 24 years. He and his wife are members of St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Naples Florida. At St. Katherine he served on the Parish Council and loved singing with the Choir. Extremely proud of his Greek ancestry, together with his wife, Eva, they served as Co-Directors of the Apollo Dance Troupe, a Greek Ethnic Folk Dance Troupe, which Eva founded in 1974 that performed throughout the Country. Dr. Kontos served his Country in the United States Navy as a dental officer from 1963-65 with the Third Marine Division as Commanding Officer of the medical/dental clinic in Camp Sukiran, Okinawa. He began his private dental practice in Boulder Hill, Montgomery, IL in October of 1965. Several years later Dr. Michael T. Tierney joined him as his business partner, and together they had a very active and highly successful practice. Dr. Kontos retired in January of 2006 after 40 years in private practice during which he was on the Senior Medical Staff of Rush-Copley and Provena Mercy Hospitals, where he served in the Department of Surgery. Elected as a Fellow of the American College of Dentists; the International College of Dentists; and the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Kontos was also a member of the Chicago Dental Society, Aurora Dental Society, Fox River Valley Dental Society, Illinois State Dental Society, and the American Dental Association, and as a Founding Member of the Hellenic American Dental Society. Dr. Kontos served all the offices of the local and state dental societies including as President of the Fox River Valley Dental Society, and most importantly as President of the Illinois State Dental Society. Dr. Kontos is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Ruby Kontos, his brother William Kontos and his In-laws, Yiannis and Vasiliki Zaharias. In lieu of flowers, Eva Kontos invites donations to the following: All Saints Greek Orthodox Church – 102 N. Broadway St., Joliet, Il 60435. Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund- 1010 Executive Dr., Suite 200, Westmont, IL, 60559. St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Naples, Florida.

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Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is expected to visit the U.S. in July. He has been invited by secretary of State Mike Pompeo to speak at a Conference about the Natural Environment.

The National Herald has learned that Patriarch Bartholomew has accepted Pompeo’s invitation. The Patriarch will also make an archpastoral visit to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Bartholomew visited America ten years ago on October of 2009.

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NEW YORK – Art has a magical way of transforming the world we see all around us and changing our perspective. The art exhibition, What is to Come, featuring the work of Greek artist Eirini Linardaki and the participants in the workshop she led at the Lower Eastside Girls Club offers a fantastic glimpse into the transformative power of art. Taking images of explosions, deconstructing them, and then reassembling them in the unique, interactive installation in the gallery at 136 Avenue C in Manhattan, Linardaki and the members of the Girls Club truly impressed all those who attended the opening on February 15.

The Girls Club Artist-in-Residence Linardaki spoke to The National Herald at the exhibition opening and explained that the images of the explosion of the Challenger which have inspired her work in the past were used in the installation, the distinct shapes cut out from the magnetic material offering the opportunity to create an interactive piece with the girls in the workshop. The thought-provoking artwork from the tragic image is transformed into an inspiring springboard for the imagination as the girls arrived for the exhibition opening in groups and could move the magnetic shapes to continue the creative process.

Many present noted that art on display in museums is usually of the “do not touch” variety, but were delighted to find that the installation shapes could be moved and rearranged as much as they liked. The shapes were also painted to glow in the dark as well, offering another visual dimension to the piece.

Linardaki told TNH that she wished the workshop could have lasted longer in order to continue working and creating art with the bright young artists at the Girls Club.

The exhibition is on view for a month, Linardaki told TNH, but may be extended another month as well.

Among the many projects coming up for Linardaki is a public works commission in Mamaroneck, Westchester County, NY. She told TNH that the work will be based on silhouettes like her public installation in Red Hook, Brooklyn, but since it is for the facade of a school, it will include silhouettes based on the activities the students participate in.

Also upcoming for Linardaki, exhibitions in Long Island City and Manhattan as well as at the University of Sheffield in the U.K. where she has been asked to work with students on another project.

As noted in her biography, Linardaki was born in Athens and studied art in France, where she lived for two decades. She now lives and works between Heraklion, Paris, and New York. Her work has been exhibited at the Boijmans Museum, Rotterdam; Onassis Cultural Center, Athens; Salon de Montrouge, Paris; Fri-Art Kunsthalle, Fribourg; Natural History Museum, Geneva; Macedonian Contemporary Art Museum; Hamburg Kunsthaus, and Rutgers University, among others.

She has created several public art projects in New York, Baltimore, and Newark. Her public installations are currently on view in Jackson Heights (Queens) and Red Hook (Brooklyn). Her art walks hand in hand with social change. Through her research, practice and overall journey as an artist, the complexity and persistent presence of the issues she confronts within different cities and communities become

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CHICAGO – The National Hellenic Museum (NHM) presents the Trial of Hippocrates on February 20, 6:30 PM at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph Street in Chicago.

Following the highly-acclaimed successes with The NHM Trials of Socrates, Antigone, and The Parthenon Marbles, the NHM once again partners with prominent judges and attorneys to take on another case with ancient roots and modern consequences, The NHM Trial of Hippocrates.

Guilty or not guilty? You decide.

The Case

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, was called to the bedside of the dying King of Thebes. The physician saw immediately that nothing could cure this illness. Nonetheless, the King insisted that Hippocrates treat him and offered gold and gifts in return. Hippocrates agreed. Despite these treatments, the King grew worse and died. Hippocrates was arrested and brought before the King’s son and heir. Hippocrates had sworn to “help the sick but never with a view to injury and wrong-doing.” The National Hellenic Museum asks: Did Hippocrates violate his own Oath?

The Judges for the trial: Presiding Judge the Hon. Charles P. Kocoras, Hon. William J. Bauer, Hon.  Sharon Johnson Coleman, and Hon. Anna H. Demacopoulos.

Counsel: Christina Faklis Adair, Robert A. Clifford, Patrick M. Collins, Tinos Diamantatos, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, and Dan K. Webb.

Andrea Darlas, award-winning radio and television news anchor and reporter at WGN Radio and WGN-TV, will serve as Moderator and Dr. Peter Angelos, Associate Director of the MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics at the University of Chicago, is the expert witness.

Members of the jury include George Bellas, Senior Partner, Bellas & Wachowski, Attorneys at Law; Darby Dickerson, Dean, The John Marshall Law School; Michael L. Galaty, Director, University of Michigan Museum of Anthropological Archaeology; Hal R. Morris, Partner and Deputy General Counsel, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP; Constance Stavropoulos Palas, Vice President & Associate Counsel, Calamos Investments; Leon Platanias, Director, Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center; Emily Reusswig, Executive Director, Chicago Cultural Alliance; Leah Rippe, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Brookfield Zoo; Herm Schneider, Head Athletic Trainer-Emeritus, Chicago White Sox Baseball Club; Kris Swanson, Vice President and Forensic Services Practice Leader, Charles River Associates; Terri E. Weaver, PhD, RN, FAAN, ATSF, Dean and Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing; and Dr. Athanasios Zervas, Associate Professor, University of Macedonia Thessaloniki Greece.

NHM President Dr. Laura Calamos said, “We are thrilled to present the 6th installment of our NHM Trial Series with The NHM Trial of Hippocrates. This is one of the most engaging events we hold, and we have an amazing group participating this year! This truly unique event brings Hellenism alive, including our love of learning by prompting critical thinking and citizen involvement in decision making. The lively tradition of debate and the use of juries in democracy is brought to life for all who attend, whether they are doctors, nurses, lawyers, Greek or not Greek. It’s not every day that we as ordinary individuals get to listen to some of the best attorneys in the state argue a case with all the authentic drama as if it’s an official trial,” Broadwayworld.com reported.

Doors open at 6 PM. Tickets are $100 per person in advance and can be purchased online at harristheaterchicago.org or by phone: 312-334-7777.

More information is available online: nationalhellenicmuseum.org.

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WASHINGTON, DC – The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted forty students from the University of Piraeus (Athens) at the Hellenic House on February 7. The students were in Washington to explore possible career paths and opportunities for professional development.

AHI President Nick Larigakis spoke to the students about AHI’s history and its mission. He spoke about the advocacy process in the United States and the role of Greek-Americans in educating their elected officials on policy issues. The students shared their perspectives of the United States, as well as their interest in future career opportunities.

“These students dedicated their time and personal savings to travel to the United States for professional and educational development. It is a significant investment that they undertook, but this trip has the potential to benefit their future success,” Larigakis said. “The University of Piraeus has done exceptional work in preparing these students, who represent some of Greece’s best. We wish them the greatest success in their futures.” John A. Paravantis, University of Piraeus Associate Professor of Global Politics in Technology, Energy and the Environment, was also among those present at the event.

The American Hellenic Institute is a non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community. More information is available online: ahiworld.org.

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BROOKLYN – The Three Hierarchs community in Brooklyn celebrated its 90th anniversary and honored Parish Council President John Eugenis and the former presidents, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Gus Vellios and Vasilis Theodosakis, as well as Harry Lambrakis, Demetrios Bouroutis, Konstantinos Savaros, Joanna Vassalas, and George Anniss, on February 16, at the dinner-dance held in the community’s Rosehall.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Leroy Adams presented an honorary plaque to Fr. Eugene Pappas, presiding priest of the community, and congratulated the Church on the great spiritual, social and charitable work it has done for decades.

In a congratulatory message, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America said, “If one considers how much trouble and labor, how many problems, how many difficulties and how much effort has been made over the years for your holy community to be preserved and to progress and prosper, then you will understand that you have God as your assistant and supporter all these years.

“You have succeeded in a miracle, passing through continual Symplegades [Clashing Rocks] of time and staying unscathed and continuing your work. I congratulate you and praise you because you have been God’s assistants and associates who care for the word and teaching His teaching to your children and grandchildren and keep the flame of the Greek Orthodox civilization lit and proudly alive.”

Fr. Pappas told The National Herald that 90 years ago our ancestors struggled to leave their mark in Brooklyn with dignity, vision, and courage.

“These immigrants were enriched with wisdom inherited from the glorious ancient Greek civilization. Success was in their blood, mind, and soul.” he said.

Parish Council President John Eugenis thanked the faithful for the love and support of the parish, and congratulated the former presidents for their great contribution.

“For the past 90 years, the Three Hierarchs community has given its dynamic presence to Brooklyn and will continue to do so for many years thanks to the dedication and faith of its members. It serves every Orthodox Christian, regardless of nationality, and generously offers its services to all those in need. We give gravity to our youth who are our present and future. We must give a good example to our young people to continue with this work with the same zeal and keep our religion, language, customs and traditions,” he said.

The honorees spoke to TNH, warmly thanking the council for the award and referred to the work they had done as presidents.

Bouroutis, a member since 1980 and president in 2006-2007, pointed out that one of the biggest achievements of the council was when in 1985 the $700,000 loan for the construction of the building was paid off. “During my term of office, we also carried out many repairs for the church, costing $240,000,” he said.

Theodosakis, a member of the community since 1935 and president from 1968 to 1971, said that at that time there were many Greeks here. “Today, the neighborhood has changed. Others moved to New Jersey, others to Staten Island and elsewhere. Those who have stayed always try to do good for the church,” he added.

Lambrakis, a member of the church since 1977 and president for 13 years, expressed his pride that his children attend the Three Hierarchs Day School. “As a family and as a community we do our best to preserve our Greek heritage,” he said.

George Anniss said that the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the historic holy church is celebrated with joy and pride and expressed his optimism that the parish with the help of God will continue its progress and prosperity.

Gus Vellios said that for five generations his family has been a member of the Three Hierarchs and wished for the younger generation to be close to the church so that the teaching of the values ​​of Hellenism and Orthodoxy can continue.

Haritini Pandis thanked all the volunteers and sponsors who contributed to the celebration’s success and said that all the proceeds would be spent on building an elevator in the church.

AHEPA Supreme Vice President Jimmy Kokotas served as the master of ceremonies for the event while Yianni Papastefanou and his Orchestra provided the entertainment.

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BALTIMORE, MD – As part of a 14,500-item shipment, International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) recently delivered 3,000 sets of sewing supplies to the Social-Educational Center run by the Armenian Apostolic Church’s Shirak Diocese, supporting vocational training that equips women to enter new professions.

The Shirak Diocese’s program serves between 250 and 300 participants yearly, providing women who are unemployed with training and experience in various sectors, including culinary arts, woodworking, and cosmetology, as well as business correspondence and accounting, among others. The recent shipment, a collaboration of IOCC and Lutheran World Relief, specifically supported the garment design and construction course, which equips participants to earn a living in clothing production and tailoring.

Armenia’s economic growth has been slow since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and is still hampered by regional instability. The educational system does not cater to current market demands, so unemployment remains high among the educated. However, the textile and garment industry is growing in Gyumri, Shirak’s administrative center and Armenia’s second city, so vocational training delivers opportunity.

“Success in work is about trying the impossible to make the possible happen,” said participant Lusine S., age 30, who studied education at university and once taught Armenian language and literature. For her and for 53-year-old Gohar S., an economist by training who formerly worked at the statistics agency and real estate registry, maintaining a reliable income in Armenia’s challenging economy once seemed impossible. In the vocational course, both women saw an opportunity to turn a hobby into a new career.

Women in the garment course learn how to create clothing from start to finish—from design to assembly and on to alteration and repair. They train on sewing machines and study techniques for creating high-quality work by hand. Supplies delivered by IOCC provided the means for additional training as participants gained mastery. The course culminated in a fair at which participants sold their work to members of the public. Nearly all the pieces on offer sold.

Equipped through the Shirak Diocese’s vocational course with new skills and confidence in their expertise, Lusine and Gohar are planning for the future. Both have applied for full-time jobs in garment making, and they are outlining steps to open their own business. “It is just the beginning,” they told staff.

In addition to the sewing supplies, the delivery also contained 5,000 school kits, 6,000 hygiene kits, and 3,500 quilts for children and families in need.

Gifts in kind, or donations of goods, are a core component of IOCC’s work, complementing program services. They offer access to goods that otherwise are not readily available in a particular area, help meet immediate needs, and support development efforts like the Shirak Diocese program in the longer term. Since 2005, IOCC has provided over $200 million in gifts in kind in 33 countries.

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is the humanitarian and development agency of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops of the United States of America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has provided more than $661 million in humanitarian relief and sustainable development programs in over 60 countries worldwide. Today, IOCC applies its expertise in humanitarian response to human-caused and natural crises in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the United States, offering assistance based solely on need. Follow IOCC: @IOCCRelief on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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NEW YORK – Carol Contos and daughter Nicole Contos Liakeas will be honored, separately, at upcoming events for their contributions to the community. Carol Contos will be honored by the newly-reestablished Daughters of Penelope Manhattan Chapter on March 9. Her daughter, Nicole Contos Liakeas, is one of Philo4Thought’s 2019 Honorees on May 15. The family roots are in Nisyros.

Philo4Thought CEO & Founder Chris Salboudis said, “Both women are remarkable contributors to the community and they do so with a true grace, dignity and kindness that should be celebrated, especially in today’s society.”

The Manhattan chapter of Daughters of Penelope, Evryklea #36, invites all to join them for their special Woman of the Year event at Kellari Restaurant on Saturday, March 9, 12 PM.

Celebrating outstanding women of New York, the event coincides with International Woman’s Day. This year, the organization honors Carol Contos for her tireless efforts and invaluable contributions to the Greek American community and her dedication to the Hellenic ideals and causes.

Tickets for the luncheon are $65 for members, $75 for non-members.

For further information, contact the chapter’s treasurer Jeannie Kouros at 917-642-5633.

Nicole Contos Liakeas will be honored on May 15 at Philo4Thought’s Annual Spring Community and Technology Symposium in New York. This year marks Philo4Thought’s 10th year of philanthropic outreach and community service. The event includes discussions about innovative advancements in STEM professions and the ways in which science and technology can be applied to bring new and improved resources to our increasingly global Hellenic community.

Nicole Contos founded Smooth Synergy in 2002, creating one of the first medical spas in New York City and coining the term “cosmedical spa.” With a passion for empowering women and men to find confidence in their own bodies, she created a successful business tailored to providing an inviting and personal experience for each and every customer. Just three years after she established Smooth Synergy, Contos added to her repertoire by formulating her own line of medical-grade, paraben-free skincare products. Alongside her husband Dr. George Liakeas, the medical spa’s resident doctor, she has spent the last 16 years nurturing a warm environment that makes everyone who walks through the doors feel like family.

More information about Philo4Thought’s Community and Technology Symposium are available online: www.philo4thought.org/p4t-stem-ventures.

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