NEO magazine - December 2019

DEC

2019

$4.95

Drake Behrakis on creating a new legacy for our kids

FROM THE EDITOR

:: magazine FOUNDED IN 2005 BY Demetrios Rhompotis Dimitri Michalakis Kyprianos Bazenikas Publishing Committee Chairman Demetrios Rhompotis (718) 554-0308 dondemetrio@neomagazine.com Director of Operations Kyprianos Bazenikas info@neomagazine.com Marketing & Advertising Director Tommy Harmantzis (347) 613-4163 th@radioneo.us ATHENS - GREECE Public Relations & Marketing Director Rita Despotidis rdespotis@gmail.com NEO Magazine is published monthly by Neocorp Media Inc. P.O. Box 560105 College Point, NY 11356 Phone: (718) 554-0308 e-Fax: (718) 878-4448 info@neomagazine.com Check our website neomagazine.com

MEMORIES PAST AND PRESENT

My mother-in-law suffered from depression, but she was fiercely-loyal to her family, and Christmas always made her come alive and exhaust herself buying gifts for her kids and grandkids. My inlaws were not rich people, but the stack of gifts my motherin-law accumulated was overwhelming—practically everything on your list, and anything more she could think of.

And on top of that she added an envelope of money and a box of Golden Almond bars. And she wanted to make sure everybody enjoyed their gifts - and make sure she saw their faces light up when they opened them - which would make her face light up, and then when she pounded the discarded gift wrap together and cleaned up she would always say, “I just hope everybody enjoyed everything.”

with all its memories, all the memories from long ago are further still, so many people are missing in your life, and all you have is their photographs and remembrances of your time together.

The phenomenon as you get older is that your earliest memories seem to be the most vivid. My wife jokes that I can remember what happened forty years ago but I can’t remember what I did yesterday. She will tell me, I don’t know how many times, her schedule for the week, but she still will have to repeat it every week for me. But I literally remember the sights and smells of what happened when I was a kid back in Greece, or in Chicago.

It was in Chicago that I remember Christmas the most: as in A Christmas Story, trekking out to the local lot to buy a real tree, the selections lit up by the string of lightbulbs hanging from a string, the lot usually muddy, or slushy, or snowy, the kid who helped you pick out your tree usually some kid you knew from school who was doing this for extra I think she enjoyed it the most. money, the smell of the tree on the roof of your car, the smell of the tree up the stairs to your apartment Her spirit of giving was something special - and the trail of needles, the trail of needles when you something overwhelming - and her special joy and set it up, the teamwork and laughter of putting on the enthusiasm for the holiday is often missed. lights and ornaments, while we watched Perry Como on TV doing his Christmas show, or Mitch Miller, Particularly as we get older. I don’t have any with his chorus of old men and their golden voices on grandkids yet, but we’re kids at heart in my family, some recreated winter wonderland while the lyrics of anyway, my wife and my two daughters, and their the Christmas carols they sang showed on the bottom husband and boyfriend. Christmas is a time for all of of the screen with a dancing ball to prompt you. us to put on our pajamas, and keep them on, through most of the holiday, and enjoy a spell of days with The holidays are all about memories past, present each other like when the girls were kids, and the boys and future. were kids, and they ran through the house eating alternately salty and sweet treats, and glorying over Enjoy making yours and Happy Holidays. their presents.

It’s a joyous prelude to the New Year’s, which is invariably sad, because the old year is gone forever,

DIMITRI C. MICHALAKIS

:: magazine PUBLISHED MONTHLY IN NEW YORK Editor in Chief: Dimitri C. Michalakis info@neomagazine.com Western Region Desk - Los Angeles Alexander Mizan director@americanhellenic.org West Palm Beach, Florida Desk Vassilios Kukorinis skopelitis@hotmail.com Baltimore Desk Georgia Vavas gvavas@comcast.net Photo/Fashion New York: ETA Press fpapagermanos@yahoo.com Los Angeles: Nick Dimitrokalis (951) 764-5737 photobynikos@hotmail.com Graphic Design NEOgraphix.us Adrian Salescu Athens Desk Konstantinos Rhompotis (01130) 210 51 42 446 (01130) 6937 02 39 94 k.rhompotis@neomagazine.com

Andreas Vazaios nd

Wins 2 Gold Medal at the European Swimming Championships Early in December, Greece’s Andreas Vazaios won his second gold medal at the European Short Course Swimming Championships 2019, this time in the in 200 metre butterfly category. Only half an hour after receiving a bronze medal, Vazaios won the gold in the race of the 200m butterfly and broke another Greek national record with a finishing time of 1:50.23.

It has been an extraordinary run in Glasgow for the 25-year-old Greek swimmer year old who won the gold medal three days before in the 200m Individual Medley category and the bronze medal in the 100m Individual Medley category. In the 200 metre IM, Vazaios set a European record and became the first Greek swimmer to become a European Champion in the small pool.

Andreas Vazaios (Ανδρέας Βαζαίος) was born 9 May 1994 in Athens. He competed in the 200 m. individual medley event at the 2012 Summer Olympics and was eliminated after the qualifying heats.

At the 2016 Summer Olympics he competed in the men's 200 m individual medley event. He finished 9th in the heats with a time of 1:59.33.

He qualified for the semifinals where he placed 11th with a time of 1:59.54 and did not qualify for the final. He was a member of the men's 4 x 100 medley relay team which finished 15th in the heats and did not advance to the final. He also swam for North Carolina State University where he won the NCAA Championship Twice in the 200 Yard Butterfly.

by Athena Efter George J. Tsunis, Esq. Honored at the 31st Annual Hellenic Lawyers Association Gala oversees Battery Park City, a 92-acre planned development on Manhattan’s lower west side.

Additionally, Mr. Tsunis is Director of the New York Convention Center’s (Jacob Javits Center) Operating Committee and Director of the New York Convention Center’s Development Committee.

Mr. Tsunis was a long-time member of the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and is a member of b o t h t h e Fa i t h a n d L e a d e r s h i p 1 0 0 Endowments. He is also a member of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the highest ecclesiastical honor that can be bestowed upon a layman by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and also served on its National Council.

In honor of his parents, Mr. Tsunis established the George and Olga Tsunis Fellowship for Cancer Prevention at Stony Brook University Hospital and various scholarships and endowments at universities in the tri-state area.

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, Honoree George Tsunis, Archbishop Elipidophoros, Olga Tsunis, Eleni Tsunis & Chrisanthy Zapantis-Melis

On November 1st, 2019, the Hellenic Lawyers Association (HLA) held its 31st Annual Dinner Gala at the Pierre Hotel, in NYC. This year’s honoree was George J. Tsunis, Esq., Founder, Chairman and CEO of Chartwell Hotels, Chairman of the Battery Park City Authority and Chairman of the Board of Nassau University Medical Center.

Assemblymember Aravella Simotas, Honoree George Tsunis, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis, 3 & Chrisanthy N. Zapantis-Melis

The evening's program began with HLA President, Chrisanthy N. Zapantis-Melis, Esq., inviting the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard for the presentation of colors, followed b y t h e U. S . Na t i o n a l A n t h e m s u n g passionately by American Tenor Christopher Macchio, and the Greek National Anthem 18

DECEMBER 2019

NEWS & NOTES

"Mr. Tsunis' illustrious contributions to the legal profession, in business, public service, and philanthropy, made him the perfect candidate to receive this year’s Hellenic sung in unison by the Gala's attendees.

Lawyers Association Distinguished Service Archbishop Elpidophoros gave the opening Award," said President, Ms. Zapantis-Melis. prayer and addressed the audience, speaking "We are thankful that Mr. Tsunis became the on the significant role attorneys have played in society during biblical times and in our present day. The Gala included a scholarship presentation, an awards presentation, formal dinner, traditional Greek dancing, and a silent auction.

The HLA was honored to have U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (New Jersey), a long-time philhellene introduce his friend, and honoree G e o r g e Ts u n i s . H e s p o k e t o h i s accomplishments as “having started out as the son of Greek immigrants with a father working in a restaurant. He became a lawyer and served on the Senate Banking Committee as a staffer. He started one of the most significant hospitality chains on the east coast, and at the end of the day is now designing the future of Battery Park and a lot of NYC, and that speaks volumes of who George is, in addition to this philanthropic work.”

George Tsunis, the son of James and Eleni Tsunis, received his BA from NYU, and a JD from St. John’s University School of Law. Mr. Tsunis is an attorney, real estate developer, and public policy advisor, with an interest in economic and foreign affairs. He is involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors and serves on many Boards, notably the Battery Park City Authority, a public benefit corporation that

Archbishop Elpidophoros with HLA Officers & Board

evening's Grand Benefactor, pledged support for the scholarship recipients, and graciously offered to play an integral role in the HLA's future," added Ms. Zapantis-Melis. "I am so very honored to serve as President of this Organization, and am proud that with the support of our Board, Members, and Sp ons ors , t h i s ye ar ' s G a l a h a s b e e n exceptionally successful on all levels."

Several prominent members of the GreekAmerican community and public officials were present including the Consul General of Greece in NY Dr. Konstantinos Koutras, the Consul General of Cyprus in NY Alexis

Phedonos-Vadet, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, Honorable Nicholas G. Garaufis of the U.S. District Court Eastern District, Honorable Catherine Rizzo, Honorable Helen Voutsinas, Honorable Michael , Honorable John C.V. Katsanos, Honorable Maria Ressos, NYS Senator Andrew Gounardes, NYS Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis, and NYS Assemblymember Aravella Simotas.

HLA VP George N. Zapantis, Chrisanthy Zapantis-Melis, and Honoree George Tsunis

Roukas (Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University).

Asked by NEO what this honor from HLA means to him, Goerge Tsunis replied that he was “Humbled. Absolutely humbled. My parents like many others came here a generation ago. They fled poverty. They fled war. They came to this country in search of a better life. They were so proud I became an attorney. My mother always says I was able to educate all three of my children. What a powerful degree that of a lawyer is – to be a skillful, artful, powerful advocate for change, for justice, and in the pursuit of justice. These are things that I learned not only as an American of Hellenic descent at my parents’ table, but also things that were taught to me in law school, and have made me appreciate that all of us need to continue to work together to right that historic wrong. For me, my advocacy has always been Cyprus and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”

The Hellenic Lawyers Association was founded with the mission of connecting lawyers of Greek descent through networking and professional development opportunities.

To date, they have over 800 members in the community including: judges, attorneys, and law students. The HLA sponsors several Continuing Legal Education seminars throughout the year. The organization also sponsors or participates in various events throughout the year, beginning in January with the Traditional Cutting of the Vasilopita at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, followed by the HLA Kick-off Party, and participation in the Greek Independence Day Parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Each spring, the

One of the HLA’s goals is to operate in the s p i r i t o f p h i l a nt h r o p y b y aw a r d i n g scholarships to deserving law students. Ms. Zapantis-Melis enthusiastically addressed the recipients, telling them that "The HLA will endeavor to assist in your pursuit of success, and we wish you a bright future!" The scholarships were pre s e nt e d by Jo h n Zervopoulos, Esq. and Christina Gotsis, Esq. who additionally pledged support and encouragement to the l aw s tu d e nt s . T h i s year's recipients were: Nia Yancopoulos, Lefteri Christodulelis, Katerina George Alissandratos Lambadariou, Chrysa Cheronis, Harry Koulos, (St. John’s University Andreas Apostolides, Athena Pantelopoulos School of Law), Nicolette Arapis (Penn State Law), Nicolette Arg yropoulos (St. J o h n’s U n i v e r s i t y School of Law), Lefteri Christodulelis (Columbia Law S cho ol ) , E k ate r i na Daphne Lambadariou (Columbia Law School), Maria Lathouris (Fordham TOP STANDING - Hon. Michael Hartofilis, University School of Hon. Helen Voutsinas. BOTTOM SEATED Law), Eleni Lazarides - Hon. Laurence Busching, Hon. John (New York School of Katsanos, Hon. Richard Buchter, L a w ) , a n d Te d d y & Hon. Joseph Zayas

Honoree George Tsunis

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez

HLA honors distinguished members of the judiciary at the HLA Judiciary Night. The HLA wraps up the year hosting a Christmas Party.

One of the HLA's goals is to broaden outreach and become the ultimate resource for our community when it is in need of legal assistance. The HLA proudly supports and cosp ons ors e vents wit h ot her Hellenic professional organizations which provide professionals in the Greek-American community a way to come together and network. Additional information and Membership applications are available online at hlany.org.

PHOTO: MARIA TOLIOS

Hon. Nicholas G. Garaufis of the US District Court Eastern District of NY, Gala HLA Boardmember Despina Benefactor George Keegan & Georgia Tsoucalas Stamboulidis, HLA President -Argyrople Chrisanthy Zapantis-Melis

HLA Scholarship Sponsors & Recipients NEWS & NOTES

DECEMBER 2019

19

by Pandora Spelios

I had the pleasure of seeing Mantalena Papadatou perform on stage the play “Sons and Daughters” by John Calavrianos a few years back at the beautiful theater of the Greek Cultural Center in New York. Her talent was obvious from the very second the stage light lit her face. An explosion of colorful feelings handling them with a very skillful technique transforming from one character to the other with no hesitation creating a flawless result to her work was why she has been a working actress in New York the last few years.

You recently finished two successful shows. What is the American dream for you?

What are your plans for the upcoming season?

It is hard work, consistency and being true to your goal. Disappointment doesn’t exist on my I’m in the middle of rehearsals for an vocabulary, all those little failures are the road ambitious performance called “Odysseus 1.0”. to success even though sometimes everything It is based on the Homeric epics, the Iliad and seems to be against you. the Odyssey. The production is under the non profit organization DEUS EX MACHINA and How do you picture yourself in a few years it will be brought on stage by the director Fotis from now?

Batzas.

To be honest with you, I try to live in the Can you reveal some more information present. New York’s workday lifestyle keeps me focused to my short term goals without about this project? stressing about what the future will bring. I What I can say at this early stage of production firmly believe that tomorrow’s gifts are related is that it has been the most demanding work I to today’s work. have done to date. It is intended to be a solo performance using t h r e e d i f f e r e nt l a n g u a g e s “ancient Greek, Latin, modern English”.

A degree in communication and mass media wasn’t enough for her when she decided to change her career path and study acting. After a successful audition, she made it possible to get accepted at one of the elite American acting schools The American Academy of Dramatic arts in NY receiving a scholarship and Is this going to be your first graduating in 2015. time solo performance?

Mantalena’s career is taking off and on account In a way yes, this is going to be of a new show she has been rehearsing the last my first time and I hope not the few weeks I had the chance to interview her for last.

NEO. 22

DECEMBER 2019

NEWS & NOTES

CAPE FEAR CHAPTER 408 Established December 14, 1961 50 Years Promoting Hellenic Values

Happy New Year !

2020 wishes from the AHEPA family of Wilmington, North Carolina Health, Joy, Progress Nick Lazaridis

Bill Batuyios

Jim Stasios

President

Vice President

Secretary-Treasurer

AHEPA HOUSE, 109 North Kerr Avenue, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405

OXI Courage and Service Awards in Washington DC Showcase Modern Day Heroes

Jaharis Family Foundation Executive Director Peggy Nicholson presents the 2019 Michael Jaharis Service Award to John P. Calamos, Sr.

refusing to fold to the fascist ruler, marking Greece’s entry into World War II. As Italian troops began to invade, Greek citizens took to the streets chanting “Oxi!” in honor of Prime Minister Metaxas’ refusal to relent to fascism.

The prestigious Oxi Courage Award was presented to TIME Magazine 2018 Persons of the Year : journalist and critic of the Philippines' government Maria Ressa and posthumously to journalist and critic of Saudi Arabia's government Jamal Khashoggi. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member, Senator Bob Menenedez, introduced Khashoggi and philanthropist Danialle Karmanos introduced Ressa.

Oxi Courage Award recipient Maria Ressa and presenter Danialle Karmanos

The 9th Annual Washington Oxi Day Foundation Courage and Service Awards again celebrated OXI courage, past and present, before top US policymakers and thought leaders at inspiring events on October 24 in Washington, DC. From honoring GreekAmerican veterans of WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War, such as John Calamos at the National World War II Memorial, to modern David vs. Goliath fighters for freedom and democracy, in the spirit of the Greeks during WWII, at the US Institute of Peace, the spirit of Oxi Day was on full display.

2018 Metropolitan Chrysostomos Award recipient Howard Lorber presents the 2019 award to Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Jack Jacobs

Chrysostomos Award, Howard Lorber, presented the 2019 Award to the Greek Jews martyred in an Auschwitz revolt on the 75th anniversary of their resistance. Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Jack Jacobs accepted this award on their behalf.

Earlier in the day, at the National World War II Memorial, the Oxi Day Foundation honored three remarkable Greek-American veterans.

Vasilios S. Haseotes was honored with the Oxi Service Award for his service in World War I. He was introduced by Sister Therese Antone and the award was accepted by his greatgrandson Harry Murphy.

Alex G. Spanos was honored posthumously with the Oxi Service Award for his service in World War II. He was introduced by former Congressman Darrell Issa and the Award was accepted by his grandsons Phillip Ruhl and Michael Spanos.

On October 28, 1940, the Italian dictator, B enito Mussolini, delivered a 3 a.m. Khashoggi friend and activist Mohamed Soltan accepts the Oxi Courage Award from ultimatum to Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Senator Bob Menendez Metaxas, demanding that Axis forces freely enter Greece or face war. In response, the Chairman of the National Holocaust Museum John P. Calamos, Sr. received the 2019 Michael Greek Prime Minister declared “Oxi!” (No!) – Board and 2018 recipient of the Metropolitan Jaharis Service Award, for his service in the 26

DECEMBER 2019

NEWS & NOTES

embassy in Athens, demanded Greece allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory and occupy certain unspecified “strategic locations” or otherwise face war. It was allegedly answered with a single, laconic word: όχι (No!). However, his actual reply was in French “Alors, c’est la guerre!” (so this is war!).

In response to Metaxas’s refusal, Italian troops stationed in Albania, then an Italian protectorate, attacked the Greek border at 05:30 am—the beginning of Greece’s participation in World War II. On the morning of 28 October, the Greek population took to the streets, irrespective of political affiliation, shouting ‘ohi’. From 1942, it was celebrated as Ohi Day, first mostly among the members of the resistance and after the war by all the Greeks.

The Haseotes Family

Vietnam War and continued service to the Greek-American community. He was introduced by Jaharis Family Foundation Executive Director Peggy Sotirhos Nicholson and Calamos himself received the award.

D u r i n g t h e w a r, 2 8 O c t o b e r w a s commemorated yearly by Greek communities around the world and in Greece and Cyprus, and after World War II it became a public holiday in Greece and Cyprus. The events of

Special remarks were given at both the Courage Awards and the Service Awards by Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America Elpidophoros.

The keynote address at the Oxi Service Awards was g i v e n by t h e h i g h e s t ranking Greek-American in the US Military, Lieutenant General Andrew Poppas.

Vasilios' great grandson Harry Murphy with the youngest generation of the Haseotes family

Speaking to NEO, Mr. Calamos stated: “With the WWII Memorial serving as the backdrop, it truly was an extraordinary day—and very humbling to finally receive recognition for my service. As many fellow Vietnam Veterans know, despite the sacrifices we made, we were not well received in the years immediately following the war.”

Ohi Day or Oxi Day (Greek: Eπέτειος του Όχι, “Anniversary of the No”) is celebrate d t hroug hout (L-R) Phillip Ruhl, Congressman Darrell Issa, Alex Spanos' son Greece, Cyprus and the Dean Spanos and daughter-in-law Susie Spanos, Michael Spanos Greek communities around the world on 28 October each year. Ohi Day 1940 are commemorated every year with commemorates the rejection by Greek Prime military and student parades. On every Minister Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum anniversary, most public buildings and made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on residences are decorated with national flags.

28 October 1940, the Hellenic counterattack Schools and all places of work are closed. against the invading Italian forces at the mountains of Pindos during the Greco-Italian War and the Greek Resistance during the horrendous Axis occupation.

Lt. General Andrew Poppas delivers the keynote address

This ultimatum, w h i c h w a s presented to Met axas by t he Italian Ambassador t o G r e e c e , Emanuele Grazzi, shortly after 03:00 am on 28 October 1940, who had just come from a party in the Italian

Special remarks were given at both the Courage Awards and the Service Awards by Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros NEWS & NOTES

DECEMBER 2019

27

Senator Menendez in Historic Remarks on US Senate Floor Makes Case for Recalibrating U.S.-Turkey Relationship Under Erdogan

On November 6, Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered a speech on the Senate Floor making the case for a recalibration of the U.S.-Turkey relationship based on its aggressive behavior in the region and the dramatic backsliding of democracy under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

“Our strongest allies should be those in NATO, those who have made a treaty commitment to mutual defense.

Those who share our values. Those who work in concert with us to face the threat from countries like Russia and Ir a n w i t h c o m m o n c au s e ,” s a i d t h e S e n at o r.

“Unfortunately, Turkey under Erdogan embodies none of those things… Turkey under Erdogan should not and cannot be seen as an ally.”

The Senator laid out specific actions that the U.S. must take in order to protect our national security interests and those of our true allies in the region. Specifically, Menendez announced he will soon invoke a rare provision under the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) to force the Trump Administration to provide Congress a report on Turkey’s human rights abuses in Syria. Such a Resolution of Request receives expedited consideration in the Senate; if it passes the Senate with a simple majority, the Secretary of State is then required to produce said report in 30 days.

The resolution also calls for a determination of whether Turkey’s actions have resulted in the release of ISIS or other extremists inside of Syria.

Menendez also called on the Senate to adopt his bipartisan Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 to support the trilateral partnership of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, and the bipartisan Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act of 2019, which would impose targeted sanctions on Turkey for its actions in Syria.

Lastly, Menendez called on President Trump to cancel any invitation to Turkish President Erdogan to the White House until he recommits himself to upholding democratic values.

“It’s time to challenge Erdogan to live up to NATO’s values and to respect the international order. It is time to stop enabling Turkey to be a bad actor. It is time for the Senate to act,” concluded Menendez.

28

DECEMBER 2019

NEWS & NOTES

Tom Manatos

50

in the Most Influential People in DC

National Journal selected Tom Manatos as one of the top 50 people who are changing the political game in Washington D.C and whose work has a great impact in the nation's capital. Tom comes from a family of key people in American politics: his grandfather Mike worked for Presidents Kennedy Tom Manatos with wife Dana and Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Joh ns on as t he i r liaison to the U.S. Senate and was the first Greek American to hold a position in the White House as Presidential advisor; his father Andy served in the administration of President Carter as Assistant Secretary of Commerce and he is the CEO of the public policy firm Manatos and Manatos.

As Jeff Dufour wrote in the National Journal, drop Tom Manatos’s name around Washington and you’re bound to get a reaction—though it may not have anything to do with internet policy or the music business, despite his nearly four-year stint as one of the top lobbyists for streaming giant Spotify.

The reaction likely will be more along the lines of “Tom Manatos got me my job!”

Since 2002, whether employed by Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic National Committee, or the private sector, Manatos has moonlighted as a matchmaker between Hill offices and job-seekers. His miniature version of Monstr.com, called Tom Manatos Jobs, has morphed from what he calls a “gross, unwieldy Hotmail” list aimed at Democrats in its early days to a webbased, bipartisan membership site that’s posted more than 20,000 jobs and internships over the past 12 months—about 400 new listings each week.

While it’s become a side business for Manatos, he says the job board’s primary aim was always to “further the ethos of what this town is all about.”

Yes, that’s a more optimistic view of D.C. than many of his peers may take, but it’s rooted in his career path. “I’m a start-up guy,” he says. And start-ups need help getting staffed. That includes his experience joining Pelosi’s office when she assumed the role of minority whip in 2002, and helping staff the DNC when he began as senior adviser to incoming Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz in 2011.

It’s continued since he jumped to the private sector in 2013, joining the nascent Internet Association as it tried to bring members of Congress up to speed on technology issues, and again at Spotify, where he’s one of only two employees working in government relations in Washington. Compare that to Google, which has about 300 employees in its D.C. office. “And this is why I don’t sleep, and end up editing jobs and internships many hours a night,” he joked.

with their peers at the American College of Greece in Athens on its 65-acre campus in the suburb of Agia Paraskevi.

Included is a onecredit language and culture c o u r s e , supervised field trips and on-site classes and recreational and educational excursions.

And selected students can choose to stay an Drake Behrakis was a teenager when he first additional two weeks in the society’s visited Greece with his family and discovered a internship program and get to work in a Greek whole other world of family and history and business with an American College peer, all expenses paid. culture.

The Behrakis Family: Drake and Maria with children Dimitri, George and Zoe

“That really sparked the flame in my family,” says the 55-year-old real estate investor and chairman of the National Hellenic Society (NHS), which since its inception ten years ago has made it its mission to send as many kids as possible to Greece through its signature Heritage Greece program.

“The idea is to send kids over to their homeland so they can learn and reconnect with who they are and come back with a renewed sense of what ancient Greek culture provided to the world and how it’s still relevant in their world today,” Behrakis says.

To date, nearly 500 college and graduate students have spent the society-sponsored two weeks in Greece in what the NHS calls a “cultural and educational immersion odyssey”

by Dimitri C. Michalakis

“And the demand is there,” says Behrakis. “This year we sent 70 students, but we had 500 applications. And when the kids come back they come back energized and with a new sense of purpose and they want to keep the momentum going.”

social networking website to connect Greek American kids and highlight their heritage.

“All this is addressing the issue that the demographics for Greek American kids has changed in America,” says Behrakis. “It’s becoming more and more apparent that more Greek kids are products of mixed marriages and interfaith marriages and they’re not as close to their ethnicity or their faith as they were during my generation, when I grew up pretty much around the church, which also had a parochial school.”

The society, based in Virginia, and with chapters throughout the country and a board of leading Greek Americans (George Marcus was a founding father), has also promoted Hellenism through joint ventures with the National Hellenic Museum on a “Spirit of the Marathon” traveling exhibit, a cooking and travelogue show of Greece, “My Greek Table” with Diane Kochilas shown on PBS, and with t h e Na t i o n a l G e o g r a p h i c S o c i e t y a documentary called “The Greeks” and a correponding traveling exhibit.

Which is why the society has expanded to sponsor or co-sponsor a number of other programs for young Greek Americans. Together with the lobbying firm Manatos & Manatos the s o ciety de velop ed a NHS Maria and Drake Behrakis Heritage America Program, where kids can visit Washington DC and meet a who’s who of Greek American “We do what we can with not only the network legislators, business leaders and movers and of our membership, but the general network in shakers. It even sponsors a MyParea.com the Greek American community,” says Behrakis. “We try as much as we can do to make the appropriate connections so (a newer generation) can stay active and engaged. And it could ver y well be with another organization, that’s perfectly fine: we're not doing this so we can increase our membership.

We're doing it to make sure that our community has a strong foundation going

Drake Behrakis on creating a new legacy for our kids 30

DECEMBER 2019

COVER STORY

Thanasi Liakos, Stephanie Liakos, Dean Liakos, Peter Yianopoulos, Zoe Behrakis, George Behrakis, Callope Frankel, Sebastian Frankel, Elena Frankel, Davide Frankel, Joanna Yianopoulos, Marisa Yianopoulos, Drake Behrakis, Margo Behrakis (mother), Christian Yianopoulos, Maria Behrakis, Margo Liakos, Demetri Behrakis.

Front row George Behrakis (father)

He attended B oston College and got a master’s in finance from Northeastern (he endowed Boston College and established there the Behrakis Family Professorship in Hellenic Studies), before he became an analyst at Gillette and then started working with his father, George, the pharmaceutical industrialist and pioneer, at his own Muro Pharmaceuticals.

“Working with my dad, I got a good experience of learning what made him forward and we're not losing our ethnicity successful in the pharmaceutical business and over time because we're not engaging the best why health care was so important to him,” he says. we can.”

Behrakis himself is a product of the generation And working with his dad that did go to church regularly and did attend was not an obligation.

Greek parochial school. He was born in “My parents were pretty, pretty open-minded,” he says. “Their expectations for us were not that we expect you to do what we do. We want you to be your own people. Hopefully you can learn from what we've done in our lives, but your career is going to be your career.”

Addressing the National Hellenic Society Convention

As his own career, Drake Behrakis chose real estate and w h i l e st i l l i n h is twenties he started Marwick

Associates (suggested by his father for the two streets where he himself grew up as a kid in Lowell—Market and Fenwick).

Marwick handles properties mostly in and around the Boston area (industrial buildings, retail plazas, multi-tenant office buildings), though the company did venture into Washington, DC to buy the Kalorama Heights building which once housed the Press Office of the Greek Embassy and in New York the New York City Press and Information Office near the United Nations (which it later sold).

“The Greek government was selling it and they went through the process twice,” he says of the DC building. “The first time we weren’t involved and nothing happened. The second time we were invited to bid. You go into it a little blind, but you rely on people you know to get up to speed. Usually, we take a very conservative and steady approach.”

He says real estate prices are very high right now around every major city, such as New York, which he says is the El Dorado of the real estate market, but the big markets like New York are jealously guarded and hard for any outsider to break in who doesn’t have the billions to spend.

“You try not to ride the waves of the real estate

Virginia but his family moved back to Lowell, Massachusetts when he was just two and he grew up there at the Holy Trinity Parish and attended the school and then graduated Lowell High School.

“We had a strong bond in the community growing up,” he says. “Everything revolved around the church: I was an altar boy, I was in GOYA, I played on the church basketball team. It was definitely a transition going from that to public middle school and high school (because there were no Greek schools) and getting into the multicultural aspects of the city.”

But he already knew how to speak Greek very well.

“I learned it through my parents, and grandparents, but also from the parochial school program,” he says.

“And it was a challenge after that, because I couldn’t do it consistently, but it was one thing I tried to maintain over time and speak to my own kids.”

COVER STORY

DECEMBER 2019

31

They all speak Greek, because their parents made a point of it.

“First of all, they all grew up in the church,” says their father. “And one of the thing we did, which my parents never did, which is interesting, we spoke exclusively Greek to them in the house before they went off to school. Because we knew the kids were going to be going to public school or private school and speak English. So we wanted to start them on Greek as a foundation.”

Maria Behrakis, Drake Behrakis, Demetri Behrakis, Zoe Behrakis, Stathis Kalemkeridis, Athena Kalemkeridis, Ellie Kalemkeridis, George Behrakis, Themistoklis Kalemkeridis

And he hopes they will take advantage of the opportunities organizations like NHS provide his parents and his children’s generation. to keep their language and their heritage “Somebody around the right age, the 50-yearintact. old group, who could bridge the gap between “The biggest challenge I see for them,” he says, the elders that we all know and love and made “and what motivates me, is to create this country so great for Greek Americans,” he opportunities for the next generation like says. “But also they were looking for theirs to be active and engaged. Not to force somebody who had a lot of ideas and was their heritage down their throats, but make it a passionate about their culture and, frankly, part of their life and something they’re came from a family that already exhibited a very strong legacy of not only giving, but comfortable with.” supporting and being passionate about Part of it, he says, is the example his parents Hellenism and Orthodoxy and family.” gave him and the example he and his wife have But, he says, you can’t predict the future, set. including with his own kids.

With Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

“I think my wife and I have done a good job keeping them active and busy,” he says. “But they’re finding what makes sense to them and their lives. Will all three of them marry Greeks?

Our daughter comes right up and says, Oh, there's no way I'm marrying somebody who’s not Greek. We'll see. We'll see what happens. You can't predict the future, but I think we've created a good foundation for them. And going to Greece was a good first step for me, and my kids, and for every kid who wants it in our community.”

market and the investor market,” he says, which today is full of brio and inflated prices in the big cities, including Boston. “We try to be conservative as much as we can and not get emotional about our purchases.”

It was around the time he formed his company that he went on a blind date and did get emotional and propose to his wife, Maria, who was working in the financial securities industry (Putnam and Fidelity) and they now have three children: George, Zoe and Demetri.

George is a senior at Tufts studying economics and music: “He’s graduating in the spring and he’s got some ideas where he lands,” says his father. Zoe is in her second year at Boston College, and Demetri is still in high school.

Drake with President of Greece Prokopis Pavlopoulos and cousin Panagiotis Behrakis

“They see what we’ve done and they’ve grown up in the culture and so they have that foundation,” he says. “Yes, they’re at the age now where they’re more independent and are doing their own thing, but you hope to find ways to keep them involved with the community, even though they might not do it exactly as you did.”

Jimmy Pantelidis and Drake with Greek singer Thanos Petrelis 32

DECEMBER 2019

COVER STORY

In part, he says, he was voted chairman of the board at NHS because he was in a unique position to connect the generation of

George Soterakis, Drake Behrakis, Michael Bapis

Pi Bakerie: where baking Meets art

by Athena Efter

Pi Bakerie prides itself on bringing Ancient Greek baking concepts, recipes, and techniques into the here and now. Everything is made from scratch by hand and the use of equipment. In ancient Greece they used a different type equipment – a woman kneading dough in a clay like basin. At the helm of it all now is still a woman , ow ne r Ant h i Aggelou, who does all the hand-rolling, handcutting, and baking herself on the premises.

She loves to bake and proudly carries on the tradition of her parents’ artisanship at Pi. This is still a family operation with family recipe secrets that they create and serve with love and pride. They also Figurine of a female kneading incorporate a dough, early 5th c B.C. Museum of Thebes, Greece variety of recipes from different Greek women throughout Greece renowned for their baking technique.

Mr. Angelo Katopodis, Anthi’s father and business partner, insisted that I try a special fruit infused cookie using ingredients that were found in

Ancient Greece. This cookie sells like hot cakes and is vegan friendly. It consists of wine, honey, wheat flour, olive oil, dry figs, cherries, and other seasonal fruits. No eggs, milk, or sugar are added.

It was like biting into a Holiday fruitcake with the texture of a cookie.

In keeping in line with the “pi” theme, pretty much everything you get here is served in slivers, slices, triangles, or rounds, all part of one or several t y p e s o f G re e k p i e s . O r a n g e p i e o r portokalopita is served in a thick square of phyllo dough, orange zest, and Greek yogurt.

Walnut pie or karidopita is served in a thick triangle slice that includes orange zest, cognac and semolina.

Classic Greek pie fare, like cheese pies, spinach pies, chicken pies, and zucchini pies are taken to an ele vated le vel of quality with homemade phyllo, a variety of fresh greens, and artisanal Greek cheeses, but there are some pies left open to imagination.

Macaroni Truffle Pi is one of palatable curiosity. It consists of penne, Greek yogurt, truffle oil, manouri (a milder Greek sheep's milk cheese), and feta cheese. Then there is the beautifully stacked Greek lasagna or pastitsio, made with penne, ground beef, tomato sauce, kasseri cheese, and topped with a thick layer of gleaming béchamel sauce. The moussaka, one of their most popular dishes is layered with eggplant, ground beef and potatoes, and was just as beaming in a béchamel glaze. In a city as hurried and as bustling as NYC, Pi Bakerie offers a generous helping of Greek comfort that you can take back to the office with you or take a halfhour to sit down and relax in their café with a

Everything at Pi, from the packaging to the chairs, tables, and artwork on the walls, are imported from Greece. You won’t find any statues of Athena serving wedding cookies or Corinthian columns, but you will find that complex layer of flavor in my favorite melomakaro na, honey soaked, cinnamon cookies with a sprinkling of walnuts that come elegantly wrapped and packaged in a signature box. In true Greek philotimo, a Greek word for heartfelt hospitality, Anthi, with her warm smile and sweet as pie gesture, gave me a box to go. With her kind disposition and down-to-earth nature, she is the salt of the earth that puts an extra pinch of spice right back into the sugar that is her baking craft. You can also catch her singing traditional and modern Greek songs throughout various venues in the tri-state area with her band Power Station. She may not sing at your next event or business lunch, but if you want your function catered from start to finish, Pi’s catering menu is a carefully selected list of Greek specialties that can satisf y even the most discerning palate.

Photo: ETA Press

Ins pi re d by t h e Greek symbol of circumference (π) and the tradition of ma k ing pies, Pi Bakerie, located on 512 Broome Street, in Manhattan, has elevated baking to an art form.

On my way there, I felt like I was walking in circles through squares. If you aren’t familiar with the area it can get confusing, but it’s really just a stone’s throw from the Canal Street station on the N, W, and R trains. Walking into Pi Bakerie is more like walking into a swanky chic soho gallery where minimalist art meets a continued tradition of carefully curated baked goods. It offers an extended menu of items w it h a Eu rop e an f l ai r. Pa s t r i e s l i ke melomakarona, baklava, and kourambiedes (also called Athena’s Wedding Cookies) still have a starring role here with support from newly inspired and reimagined Greek favorites melding together tradition with new branding and current trends.

cup of locally roasted coffee or a turmeric latte.

If caffeine is not your cup of jolt, you can recharge and refuel with a wide selection of herbal teas or a concoction of vegetables and fruits from their juice bar. Other menu offerings include Mediterranean inspired soups, like lentil soup, and salads that include black eyed peas, arugula and Greek Bulgur wheat.

The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation was honored as “Most Distinguished Greek American Organization” Accepting the award on behalf of the Foundation was also Trustee and Secretary, Tom Sotos. In his remarks, Mr. Sotos gave a moving tribute to our late Founder Chris P. Tomaras, who passed away four years ago last month. He thanked his fellow Trustees, John Manos and Robert Buhler, and graciously accepted the award on behalf of the PanHellenic’s governance, donors, scholarship recipients, and staff. “As a trustee of the Foundation it warms my heart to know that the work we do at the PHSF is recognized and appreciated. On behalf of the Foundation, thank you to the United Hellenic Voters of America for these high honors, and to all of you for supporting the PHSF in the past and for many years moving forward.”

UHVA National Supreme Board member Peter Karahalios presenting the "PhilHellene of the Year" Award to PanHellenic Chairman Robert A. Buhler

The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation was honored as “Most Distinguished Greek American Organization” on Sunday, October 20th at the United Hellenic Voters of America Gala event. In addition to the Foundation being honored, Chairman Robert Buhler was also honored as “Philhellene of the Year.”

In Mr. Buhler’s acceptance speech, he stressed the importance of being welcomed into the Greek community with open arms, and that Greeks must continue to promote Hellenism to other Philhellenes who could help Hellenic causes. “Greek mentors like my father-inlaw Gus Kapsalis; the Founder of the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation PanHellenic Trustee & C hr i s Tomara s ; world re now ned Secretary Tom Sotos accepting the Award of iconographers Pachomaioi monks and an "Most Distinguished Greek amazing group of Cretan nuns of the American Organization" Monastery Panagia Kaliviani, all “drew on behalf of the Foundation me in”, with abundant love, valuable lessons, and patience. Each of them helped me develop my values to a higher Hellenic standard and to appreciate the gifts that Hellenism offers the world.”

UHVA National Supreme Chairman Kiki Whitehead with PanHellenic Chairman Robert A. Buhler

38

DECEMBER 2019

NEWS & NOTES

PanHellenic Trustees Robert A. Buhler, Tom Sotos, and John Manos with UHVA members Peter Karahalios and Honorary National Supreme Chairman & Founder Dr. Dimitris G. Kyriazopoulos

To date, the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation has awarded $3.25+ million to 500+ Greek American undergraduates.

The 2019/20 scholarship application is now available and all eligible students are encouraged to apply by January 31st.

John Levas' Legacy of Leadership as AHEPA's Gold Coast Chapter President

by Athena Efter

From left, Michael Georgis, Len Zangas, George Karatzas, Perry Cyprus, Peter Mesologitis

Michael Georgis, Ted Malgarinos, Gus Constantine, Chris Pappas, Jimmy Kokodas, Tom Duchas

A 32 year member of AHEPA (American Hellenic Education Progressive Association) and president of its Gold Coast Chapter 456, District 6 for 18 years, John Levas has stepped down to start a new chapter in his life. He’s trading in the high property taxes of Gold Coast living and the lanes of high traffic on the Long Island Expressway for a calmer, laidback life in the rolling hills of North Carolina.

While he’s looking forward to this new journey with the many family and friends he has south of the Mason Dixon Line, his loyalty to AHEPA has no divide. It remains for him a brotherhood of family across all chapters of America, and he will continue to be involved on a more laidback level.

A testimonial dinner was held at the Swan Club in Roslyn, NY. Elections were held and two new officers were added the Executive Board. Chris Pappas, formerly Vice President of the Chapter, is now President. Gus Constantine is the new Vice President. Ted Malgarinos remains treasurer. Michael Georges is Secretary. With AHEPA’s various chapters throughout the country, Gold Coast Chapter 456 is at the forefront, performing its philanthropic service and duty to Hellenic virtues, values and culture. Located just over 20 miles from New York City, Chapter 456 is the largest on Long Island and the second largest in the state of New York. Chapter 456 42

DECEMBER 2019

NEWS & NOTES

Andy Zachariades, Past Supreme President, John G. Levas Jimmy Kokodas, Supreme Vice President

fundraisers is an annual golf outing with 38 golfers that brings in over $20,000. This year’s signature golf tournament brought in over $23,000, a fundraising initiative that John started 30 years ago, and is still going strong.

Another proud accomplishment of his Chapter this year was the purchase of two service dogs for $30,000. Each service dog gets trained and placed with a man or woman who was in the service and suffers from PTSD. His greatest highlight over the years was raising the funds that were needed to build the gym at Archangel Michael in Port Washington. He was able to raise $100K in matching funds a few years back.

John is ready to give over the reign to someone new, and he humbly steps down with the words “change is good.” Having accomplished what he set out to do in his tenure as Chapter president, he believes in the importance of clearing the path to bring in fresh ideas and new perspectives. He went on to say that “while you can’t change my past history, let’s see what someone new can do.” He also gave some sage advice about what it means to make a good president: “You have to listen to your members and the committee recommendations. You can’t be a dictator but an officiator.”

Recently, in a true expression of brotherhood, John received a plaque as a tribute for his years of service from the Order of the AHEPA Chapter #405 at its annual barbecue at the Holy Trinity Church in New Rochelle on June 20.

While it’s a bittersweet moment to say goodbye as president to his beloved chapter, Gold Coast Chapter 456, and the place he called home for many years, this is not the end of his AHEPA journey. He still looks forward to being a Chairman of the Board and an adviser to the Chapter. AHEPA is a brotherhood for life. It’s an extended family that extends across America in various chapters. John looks forward to next year’s conference in Athens, Greece. All of us at NEO wish John a happy and fruitful journey on the next chapter of his John Levas was involved with AHEPA for life, and we wish to congratulate Chris Pappas on his new leadership role. many years, from the time that his father was president of one of the chapters, to his own initiation as a member, to becoming a leading force of one of the most active chapters.

They were the first chapter to raise funds for the fires in Rafina, Greece l a s t y e a r, a n d organized other chapters to do the same. One of their John G. Levas & Chris Pappas, b i g g e s t former and current Chapter 456 President typically meets the last Wednesday of the month at the Port Washington Yacht Club in Port Washington, NY. The philanthropic committee presents the initiatives to be funded to the Board. These initiatives can be anything from raising money to support cancer patients, struggling families, or veterans to raising funds that get matched to build a gym in a church hall or a library in the community.

RUNNING OUT OF EXCUSES

strategy

στρατηγική

By Endy Zemenides

When asked about sanctioning Turkey over its S-400 missile purchase during the recent NATO Summit, President Trump once again used his typical excuse for leniency on Turkey: “As you know, Turkey wanted to buy our Patriot system and the Obama Administration wouldn’t let them.”

its own fighter jets within 5-6 years.

President Trump’s rhetoric and focus on “deals” with Turkey suggests that be believes that the Obama Administration cost the US an arms market. Not at all. President Obama, b elate d ly re a lizing t hat Turke y had transformed into an unreliable ally denied Turkey the potential of expropriating American technology to become not merely independent in terms of arms manu f a c tu r i ng , but i nd e p e nd e nt of American political influence.

The President, not particularly known for attention to details on policy matters, needs to stop repeating this half-truth. Indeed, the President’s consistent failure to paint this picture accurately brings him perilously close Accepting Turkey’s terms would set both US to regurgitating Turkish talking points. national security and arms manufacturers back for the sake of short-term sales. In an As much as President Trump would like to interview with CNBC, Andrew Hunter of the blame President Obama for not making a Center for Strategic and International Studies Patriot missile deal with Turkey, he would pointed out that “when foreign militaries buy have been calling it “the worst deal ever” had American, above and beyond the purchase, the deal actually been made. they are buying a partnership with the US military.”

The Obama Administration did not resist the Patriot sale because of Turkey’s bad behavior. Turkey has already Unfortunately, it did not take into account justified the concern that Turkey uses American weapons to that allowing it to o c c u p y a c o u n t r y t h a t t h e O b a m a have both the S-400s Administration labeled a “strategic partner” and F35 fighter jets (Cyprus), to threaten the airspace and would compromise territorial waters of a NATO ally (Greece), or American military to saber rattle against other allies and secrets by testing its partners – Israel, Egypt, the Kurds.

S-400 radars using F16 fighter jets. It T h e bre a k i ng p oi nt for t h e O b am a has not only turned Administration was purely an American its back on Patriot reason. Turkey – accustomed to blank checks missiles, but on its from the American foreign policy t r a d i t i o n a l establishment – insisted on technology partnership with the transfer. Perhaps to create negotiating US military. Turkey leverage with the US, Turkey signed up on h a s m o r e t h a n two different occasions for missile systems – t e l e g r a p h e d i t s in 2013 when it chose a Chinese system that it i n t e n t i o n t o later abandoned, and in 2017 when it struck a compete with the deal with Russia for the S-400. NATO “ally” United States.

Turkey twice opted for non-NATO systems, even when a European alternative (the Aster) The worst deal ever – letting Turkey have to the Patriot system existed. both the S-400s Erdogan is intent on making Turkey AND the F35s – “independent in the field of defense by 2023.” seems to have been According to Turkish Defense Minister averted thanks to biHulusi Akar, “Turkey is sick of being a partisan efforts in market. We will become a producer, too.” C ong re ss . Give n Turkey already produces killer drones and an E r d o g a n’s o p e n amphibious assault ship that might be able to declarations and the serve as a mini aircraft carrier. This week, c h o i c e s t h at h i s Erdogan predicted that Turkey will produce g o v e r n m e n t h a s 44

DECEMBER 2019

STRATEGY

Endy Zemenides is the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), a national advocacy organization for the Greek American community. To learn more about HALC, visit www.hellenicleaders.com

made, President Trump has to realize that not up to $100 billion in bilateral trade is nowhere near worth enabling a revanchist Turkey that is intent on independence not only from the arms industries of Western allies, but even the political influence of Western allies.

President George W. Bush got fooled by Erdogan. President Barack Obama got fooled

by Erdogan. Despite an indication during the Pastor Brunson case that the Trump Administration would head in another direction, President Trump seems intent to be the latest occupant of the White House to be fooled by the aspiring Sultan. He does, however, have a tool that his predecessor did not – CAATSA sanctions. Imposing them would finally signal to Erdogan that he has less leverage than he thinks on the US. Giving Erdogan a pass would be a monumental failure – worse than anything the Obama Administration did on US-Turkey policy.

“ORTHODOX MORALITY” ON SEX OR AN ETHICS OF SEX? Part 1 This essay is part of a series stemming from the ongoing research project “Contemporary E a s t e r n O r t h o d o x Identity and the Challenges of Pluralism and Sexual Diversity in a Secular Age,” which is a joint venture by

by Aristotle Papanikolaou s c h o l a r s f r o m F o r d h a m University’s Orthodox Christian Studies Center and the University of Exeter, funded by the British Council, Friends of the British Council, and the Henry Luce Foundation as part of the British Council’s “Bridging Voices” programme. In August 2019, 55 scholars gathered for an international conference at St Stephen’s House, Oxford. These essays are summaries of presentations given in preparation for the conference and during it.

They together reflect the genuine diversity of opinion that was represented at the conference and testify to the need for further reflection and dialogue on these complex and controversial topics.

From the start, someone might argue that there is nothing to talk about, as the Church’s teaching on sex has been clear and succinct from the beginning. It must be admitted that the over whelming body of shared authoritative sources of the Orthodox Tr a d i t i o n — S c r i p t u r e , C o u n c i l s , Writings/Sayings of Saints, C anons, Liturgy—does limit sexual activity to marriage, with some even restricting the performance of the sexual act for procreation.

This raises the question of what can or cannot be talked about in the Church; it is a question of how we should interpret these shared authoritative sources.

Recently, the phrase “Orthodox morality” has been invoked to name a definitive and unchangeable body of teaching on moral rules, but one cannot find such an expression in any of the languages—Greek, Syriac, Coptic, Armenian—used for the texts that have been constitutive for the Orthodox Tradition. Some even argue that the word “heresy” was used for moral infractions and bring up as proof the Nicolaitans. The Apostle makes passing reference to the Nicolaitans for both their works and teaching (Rev. 2.6, 15), after which they are mentioned only rarely and linked to Gnosticism (St. Irenaeus, Against the Heresies, 3.11). They came to be included in the lists of “heretics” as a result of this affinity with Gnosticism and not for the Perhaps my point is best illustrated through a acts of eating food sacrificed to idols or sexual story: During the fall 1999 semester, I taught immorality. at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA, a course on For the Church, actions were never labeled Ethics. We were discussing St. Maximus the with the adjectives of “Orthodox” or C o n f e s s o r o n v i r t u e s a n d h o w t h e “heretical,” only beliefs centered around the development of virtues enables relations, and Trinity or the person of Christ (the dogma on in so doing, makes space for the presence of the icon is an extension of the debate on the God. I then asked the students that if two person of Christ). As St. Basil argues in his people (I did not mention gender) were living “Letter to Amphilochius, Concerning the together in friendship for 50t years and Canons,” “by heresies they meant those who manifesting the virtues, would this be an were altogether broken off and alienated in example of communion and participation in matters relating to the actual faith” (Letter God. They all said yes. I then asked whether 188). The dogmatic proclamations of the the fact that they had sex would negate the Council were always separate from the go o d re s u lt i ng f rom t h e i r v i r tu ou s canonical proclamations. Morality was friendship: half said it would, while the other codified in the canons of the Church. half got the point that I will try to articulate in Yes—there must be a consistency between this short, two-part essay. theology and ethics, between dogma and canons, but w hi le dog mas are nonAs this story illustrates, ecclesial ethics on negotiable, canons are part of the ongoing sexuality have been primarily about sex and discernment of the Church. the criteria for establishing a morally right sex act.

The notion of oikonomia would indicate as such, because while no one in the Church 46

DECEMBER 2019

NEWS & NOTES

would ever be allowed to deny the divinity of Christ (dogma), the canons are the result of the application of the Gospel in the exercise of oikonomia, discerning what will bring the human being to the ultimate goal, which is union with God. There are so many examples in the Tradition of the canons as the result of ongoing discernment, discretion, and reflection, in light of particular situations, that this is axiomatic in our Church; but, there is not one single example of anyone being allowed to deny the divinity of Christ. While the Church has always condemned both beliefs and actions, moral infractions are dealt with through penances: a sanction is imposed for breaking moral rules, whereas rejection of the divinity of Christ qualifies for “heresy.” This also explains why, as is readily evident, there are ample examples of once morally forbidden actions that the Church now allows. One of the clearest examples is usury, but the Church has also revised its guidance on divorce, slavery, consulting Jewish physicians, and other canonical matters.

While the proclamation of the Church in the form of canons, scriptural passages, and patristic statements may weigh heavily in a particular direction on a moral issue (as they did at one time in the acceptance of slavery and even advice to slaves!), these particular directives, which shaped the Church’s own proclamation, are discussable and discernible. Dogmas are non-negotiable, but they set the parameters for debate; they do not stifle legitimate discussion, which includes the types of practices and actions that would regulate the architecture of the soul in order to make it open to God’s grace, which is always on offer. The whole struggle is, as Vladimir Lossky so eloquently put it, to “live the dogma” (The Mystical Theology, 8).

How can we be sure that our ongoing discernment within the Church is faithful to the Tradition? Some might define this faithfulness in terms of “biblical morality” or in terms of length of time the Church has proclaimed a particular moral principle, moral rule, or canonical prohibition. Phrases like “biblical morality” muddy the waters as it gives the impression that morality is reducible to literal interpretation of injunctions from the Bible. One look at Leviticus would dispel such a way of interpreting the Tradition of our Church, not to mention the New Testament prohibitions that the Church today does not

follow to the letter (Mk 10:11-12 [depending on how one interprets this obscure passage]; 1 Cor 11:6, 14:34). Orthodox Christianity is a religion of the person, not of the book, and the S cr iptures, w hich are found at iona l, authoritative, and sacred, point to the person of Christ who becomes the hermeneutical key for how to read Scripture.

In the end, it is the dogmatic tradition that forms the framework for this discernment.

The dogmas of the Church point to the unity of the divinity and humanity in Christ, and this revelation is what also reveals to us that humans are able to experience the divine energies and to become like God, which the Church has defined as theosis (deification).

As St. Athanasius says, in what is probably the best summary of our faith, “God became human so that humans can become God” (On the Incarnation, 54.3). This axiom becomes the interpretive lens through which we must try to understand all the shared authoritative sources. (For an excellent example of such an approach to the very difficult passage of Proverbs 8.22, which if taken literally would deny the divinity of Christ, see St. Athanasius, Orations Against the Arians, 2.18-82)

we speak about ethics in the Church, the goal or telos of ethics is to transfigure our lives (Mt 17:1-13) in such a way that we participate more and more in God’s life, which allows us to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul and love neighbor as self (Lk 10:27). It is within this framework that we must discern the kind of ethical norms and practices that make possible this type of union with God in this life, which we can experience to a greater and lesser degree. And it is this axiom that eventually pushed the Church to (finally) categorically condemn slavery rather than simply offer advice to the slave or canons on regulating their behavior.

Some might argue that to say that ethical norms and practices are subject to discussion is a form of relativism and a result of being influenced by secular, modern, liberal discourse that is diametrically opposed to Orthodoxy. First, discernment is part of the Tradition of the Church and it does not involve relativism since there is a clear telos in sight for this process of discernment—theosis. Second, “diametrical opposition” is itself a form of dualism that is

theologically problematic, since the Holy Spirit is “every present and fills all things.” In fact, all heresies are a form of dualism, and the dogmatic Tradition around the person of Christ resisted this absolute dualism between the created and the Uncreated. Moreover, the Fathers and Mothers of our Tradition have always identified what is good in Greek pagan philosophy. Is recognizing what was right in Platonism a capitulation to Greek pagan thought? The very structure of the soul used

by St. Maximus (see part 2) to make sense of a life in theosis is itself an appropriation from Greek pagan philosophy. Does that invalidate the theological anthropology of St. Maximus?

Finally, why is discerning ethical norms in light of new information a surrender to a diametrically opposed form of discourse?

Could not the absolute rejection of modern, liberal discourse itself be a form of defining Orthodoxy in light of this self-opposition?

And if the opposition itself is what is defining O r t h o d o x y, i s t h i s d i s t o r t e d ap o p h at i c i s m — w e a r e w h at w e a r e not—really being faithful to the Orthodoxy that in the end is about our ascent toward union with God?

To become God does not mean to become like *) “Part Two: A Theology and an Ethics of Sex” will be published in NEO's January 2020 edition.

Zeus or Thor; to become God means to love a s G o d l o v e s — e v e n s t r a n g e r a n d Aristotle Papanikolaou is the Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture enemy—since God is love (1 Jn 4:8). So, when and the Co-Director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center of Fordham University.

Edward Edward Edward Giannaros Giannaros Giannaros re-elected re-elected re-elected inin Connecticut Connecticut in Connecticut Edward Giannaros was re-elected to the Farmington, Connecticut Town Council, 2nd District, on Tuesday, November 5th. Edward, a Democrat, has served two years on the Town Council. However, he is not new to the political arena. Before being elected to the Town Council in 2017, he served for twelve years on the Zoning Board of Appeals with five years as Chairman. He is the son of Demetrios G i a n n a r o s w h o i s t h e f o r m e r S t at e Representative for Farmington and former Majority Leader and Deputy Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives.

Edward Giannaros Edward is a Financial Analyst who currently works as a Finance Software Developer for The Travelers. He has an MBA, with a concentration in Finance, from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford and a BBA in International Business from The George Washington University.

He has used his financial expertise on the Tow n C ou n c i l t o c h a mpi on f i s c a l l y responsible budgets that were easily passed by voters in public referendums. Edward was a

48

DECEMBER 2019

NEWS & NOTES

driving force to adopt a competitive bidding process that will save taxpayer dollars, create a more transparent budget and to switch to a health insurance plan that will maintain benefits while saving money.

W h e n a s k e d h ow h e b e c a m e interested in running for political office, Edward said, “My interest began with helping my father during his campaigns when I was still in grade school. Both my parents came to this countr y from Greece. My father, Demetrios, was born in Samos and my mother, Liz, was born in Athens. They both are active in public service and raised my brot h e r, Ja s on , an d I t o understand that we must all participate in our community, if we want to preserve the best of it and improve what can be made better. I’m happy to give back to the community and country that has given me so much.”

In addition to serving in the Connecticut House of Representatives, his father, Demetrios Giannaros, was elected President of the World He l l e n i c Int e rParliamentar y Association for seven years and Vice-President for t wo ye ar s . T h e WHIA is a worldwide organization of elected parliamentarians and ministers of Greek heritage. Edward’s mother serves on Farmington’s Board of Assessment Appeals and is a Justice of the Peace. She also served as Deputy Registrar of Voters and was Clerk of the Committee on Children in the Connecticut General Assembly.

Both Demetrios and Liz have a long histor y of working on

nnaros

Liz & Demetrios Gia

political campaigns to help candidates such as Michael Dukakis for Governor, Paul Tsongas and Edward Kennedy for US Senate, and Barack Obama for President, along with numerous others in Connecticut. His brother, Jason Giannaros, worked for US Senator Richard Blumenthal in DC before going to the University of Southern California to study for a PhD in international relations and security studies.

Asked for his view on public service, Edward replied, “I very much enjoy helping people and continuing my family’s long tradition of public service. The ancient Greeks believed citizens should be involved in the public arena. I see myself as following in the democratic tradition of my Greek ancestors.”

Edward with his broth er Jason Giannaros

hellenes without borders The World Wide Greek Commercial Web, circa 1815 WWW of course means something completely different in our digital internet-ubiquitous era.

“Web” prior to our disruptive times could mean that of a spider, or some other set of connections.

In this case, I refer to the latter, a set of connections among Greek Orthodox peoples involved in commerce, on land and sea, who played a significant though obscured role in the years that followed.

Greece and her Balkan brethren pretty much ceased to be agents of history after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. Some escaped to the West, but most became restless, third class citizens of an empire that tolerated their religion and culture, yet at a humiliating sufferance.

They had no sovereignty over themselves, or their ancestral lands. The quest for agency—for some semblance of control over their personal and national destinies—was denied to centuries of Balkan peoples. The only avenue for advancement, and one often taken despite national mythologies, was conversion to Islam and assimilation into the Ottoman ruling class.

However, the Balkan peoples never fully gave up this quest for agency, a form of resistance juxtaposed with a desire to improve their lot.

Some took to the mountains, resisting the Ottomans by armed force or by elevation and isolation. Others chose a less confrontational, more profitable route. In a regime where few avenues were open, the more enterprising and bolder chose commerce by land or sea. The ruling Ottomans, like ruling classes in many regimes and eras, disdained commerce and trade, considering such activities as beneath their dignity. Ottoman religious minorities, Orthodox Christians (particularly Greeks and Serbs), Armenians, and Jews filled this niche.

Alexander Billinis is a writer and lawyer in Chicago, Illinois. He and his family returned to the US after nearly a decade in Greece, the UK, and Serbia. He writes prolifically on Balkan topics. His books, The Eagle has Two Faces: Journeys through Byzantine Europe, and Hidden Mosaics: An Aegean Tale, are available from Amazon.com.

conquests with attempts to Catholicize the populations. The Russians, as Orthodox Christians, had the advantage of being coreligionists. In the end they too used the Greeks and Serbs for their own wars against the Ottomans, giving them no assistance in return for their national aims.

However, and crucially, both the Austrians and the Russians did provide opportunities for individual advancement by Greeks and Serbs.

Key treaties with the Ottomans, most notably the Austro-Ottoman Treaty of Passarowitz in 1717 and the Russo-Ottoman Treaty of Kucuk Kanardji in 1774 provided key benefits to Ottoman subjects of the Orthodox faith. The borderlands between the two empires were devastated, and the Austrians and Russians invited Orthodox Balkan peoples to settle in the border areas both to defend the frontiers and to develop commerce. Both the Russians and the Austrians were particularly interested in fostering seaborne commerce, and here the maritime skills of the Greeks, hitherto wellhoned but hindered by lack of opportunities, burst forth. Trieste was founded as a free port in 1719, and Greeks and Serbs quickly linked the port with the growing Greek fleet.

Poverty and opportunity spurred both new and traditional maritime centers in Greece to gear up for opportunities. The Ionian Islands and Chios had long traditions of mercantile and maritime activities, as did villages in Macedonia and Epirus, but now other locales, such as the islands of Hydra, Spetses, and Psara, rose quickly to the forefront. Long used to use and abuse by the Great Powers, the Greeks began to arbitrage these same powers, taking advantage of, for example, the ability to fly the Russian Flag (or other flags, as “convenient”), while seeking commercial opportunity. On the Black Sea coast in the 1790s, Odessa arose near the site of an ancient Greek colony, and quickly Greeks There had always been small scale trade by such b e c a m e t h e m o s t minorities in the Ottoman Empire, but events of i mp or t ant sh ippi ng the latter part of the seventeenth century element. accelerated the trend, and by virtue of geography and martial/maritime skill, propelled Trieste and Odessa were the Balkan Orthodox into a clear and distinct only the most important first place. of a growing hub of ports and key merchant At the Siege of Vienna in 1683, the Ottomans colonies which by 1815 were defeated and sent fleeing southward and included presence in eastward. Allied with the Austrians, the L o n d o n , L i v o r n o , Venetians once again invaded Ottoman Greece Marseilles, Amsterdam, from their Ionian Island enclaves. Both Alexandria and soon initiatives found ready, willing, and enthusiastic enough India and the support from Orthodox Greeks and Serbs, who Un ite d St ate s . Ne w contributed significantly to the effort to oust the Orleans, site of the first Ottomans. At the same time, an Orthodox G r e e k O r t h o d o x power in the east, Russia, was stirring and eyeing c o m m u n i t y i n t h e the Black Sea coast, held by Ottomans for United States, is very centuries. much a spoke in this Greek mercantile hub The Catholic Venetian and Austrians were centered vaguely in the viewed with suspicion by the Orthodox Greeks Greek homeland. and Serbs. The Catholics treated Orthodox as Christian heretics and often followed up their S e a b o r n e G r e e k

adventurers had already made their mark as individuals around the world, including a Hydriot who would become the President of Argentina, and earlier Greeks who traveled with the Spanish Conquistadores, such as the Cretan Pedro de Candia, but the Greek commercial diaspora by 1815 was different. It consisted of skilled, adventurous, discreet family firms, with employees usually kin or from the same island or village. They were educated and worldly wise, with a clear sense of identity as Orthodox Greeks yet an ability to navigate “official” nationalities with the same skill as they piloted their ships. Denied political agency as citizens of an oppressive empire (or the corrupt postindependence Greece) they sought and found it on the sea or in an overland trade.

The Greeks were unique in that their firms were vertically integrated; they managed the purchase and shipping—by land and especially by sea. Other minorities played important commercial and financial roles, such as Jews and Armenians, and many nations, such as the Dutch and the Venetians, were highly successful merchant empires. The latter two, however, were backed by strong bureaucratic states, as opposed to the Greeks. Jews, Armenians, and Serbs (except the latter in Trieste) were landbound.

Greeks were unique in that they managed to create strong yet discreet merchant colonies backed by maritime shipping in key political and commercial centers, setting the stage for a time, about 150 years later, when they would dominate world shipping. The stage was set by 1815, and the formulae of success they used t h e n — c l o s e - k n it l oy a lt y a n d v e r t i c a l integration—combined with a thirst for agency, remains in place today.

It is something to be proud of, and it shows what Greeks can do. Without this merchant and maritime diaspora, there would probably be no Greece. As diaspora Greeks in particular, their history is our heritage.

A. GIANNOPOULOS Architects, PLLC

Professional Services Residential Office, Commercial + Mixed Use Exterior Restoration + Local Law 11 Renovations Interiors Landmarks Solar

EXO WORKS, Inc.

Professional Services Expediting Zoning Analysis Violation Removal Certificate of Occupancy 23-24 Steinway Street Astoria, NY 11105 T: 718-606-0966 F: 718-626-0400 E: anastasios@ag-architecture.net E: anastasios@exo-works.com

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

ap

nd H

ry Mer

Chri

sa stma

ew py N

r!

Yea

PAPOU O POLEMISTIS

by Dimitri C. Michalakis Papou Petro and Yiayia Pota were coming from Florida for Christmas and this time they were bringing Propapou Herakles - Hercules - even though Propapou Hercules looked more like a Hobbit.

And Mom said he was staying with George in Petro’s bed because Petro was celebrating Christmas with his girlfriend’s family in Connecticut.

“He’s staying in my room?” said George.

“Yes,” said Marina, his sister. She didn’t have to sleep with anybody in her room because Papou and Yiayia were going to sleep in the fold-out couch in the basement - where George kept all his video games and the ping pong table that opened up into a pool table and foosball table and where he kept his comic books and Dad had his stereo equipment and his plasma TV and Papou and Yiayia were probably going to be watching Aktina TV all day!

This wasn’t fair!

This was going to be the worst Christmas.

“Oh, suck it up,” said Marina.

Only she didn’t have to sleep with anybody in her room!

“Not fair,” said George to his mother in the kitchen, where she was baking already. And she kept baking and ignoring George. “Aren’t you supposed to be baking with Yiayia?” he said to her.

“She has arthritis,” she said to him and curled a koulouri.

“Papou likes to make the tsoureki,” he said to her.

“He can’t see well,” she said to him. “And he has arthritis.”

It was pretty bad g e tt i n g o l d : y ou couldn’t do anything except wear a sweater and slippers and sit and watch TV. And old people always liked cartoons: like the Flintstones.

And I Love Lucy: Propyiayia Frosini always made George find I Love Lucy on TV and then sit there knitting soda caps into hot plates and laughing at Lucy, even though she couldn’t understand what she said: “What did she say, Georgaki mou?” she would ask George. “Na ei mourli,” she would chuckle.

Proyiayia Frosini was very nice: and she smelled like the butter that she heated and whisked as a glaze on her koulourakia. George 62

DECEMBER 2019

NEWS & NOTES

liked her koulourakia the best because they were golden-brown and they tasted like vanilla.

Mom made her koulourakia real yellow so to George they tasted like lemon.

“No, they don’t,” said Marina.

“Yes, they do,” said George, because he missed Proyiayia sometimes.

When Yiayia Pota came to New York she went shopping at Macy’s.

“Is your room clean?” George’s mother said to him now in the kitchen.

“Yes,” he said, trying to get a nibble of the amigdalota which Dad had bought at the Greek store and were still in the box with the string, but which nobody was allowed to eat because it was for Papou and Yiayia and Propapou Hercules when they came, even though they weren’t supposed to eat them, either, because they all had diabetes and high cholesterol, but Mom liked to get Dad to buy them and put them on the bureau with the mirror, because it was traditional - except nobody was supposed to eat them!

“Make sure your room is clean because we don’t want Papou Herakles to trip and fall and break a hip,” said Mom, rolling some koulouri dough and brushing back her hair with her forearm and checking in the oven for the koulouria that were already baking - and that’s when George stole an amigdaloto! “Make sure you put your stuff away,” said Mom, coming back from the oven and brushing back her hair with her forearm again and taking off her oven mitt.

“Fine,” said George, teeth clenched, because he had the amigdaloto in his mouth, and the rest of it in his hand. ”How old is Papou Hercules, anyway?”

“Ninety-one,” Mom said.

“How c ou l d any b o dy b e ninety-one?” said George.

“Nineteen-Twenty-Eight,” said Mom, who knew everybody’s birthday, even if they were old: she had all of the birthdays listed in her iPhone.

“That’s crazy,” said George.

“Not crazy,” said Mom, getting flour on her mouth, so now it looked like she had white whiskers like Colonel Sanders. “And Papou Herakles is a hero.”

Papou Hercules was a hero?

Since when?

He was practically shorter than George.

And all he did was smile and sleep: he even smiled in his sleep.

“Before you clean your room Dad wants you to go the garage and help him there,” said Mom,

blowing up on her bangs.

So George walked down the stairs to the garage - past Marina in the living room polishing the end tables with Pledge like she was drawing on them, because Marina was very artistic, and when she polished anything it always looked like she was finger painting.

“Aren’t you finished yet?” George told her.

“Get lost,” she said to him and stuck out her tongue and went on polishing the end tables like she was finger painting.

Dad was in the garage organizing all his tools, because Papou Petro always came into the garage when they visited and borrowed Dad’s tools to do repairs around the house.

“How come he always does that?” George asked his dad.

“Because he knows how to do it,” said Dad, who was a chemist and worked for Monsanto.

“How come he knows how to do it?” said George.

“Because he used to do roofs,” said Dad. “What’d he do with them?” said George.

“Fix them,” said his Dad. “He used to climb roofs like a monkey.”

George couldn’t imagine his papou climbing roofs like a monkey. And he couldn’t imagine his yiayia sewing wedding dresses for people which is what she used to do - or maybe George could imagine her doing that because she always went shopping at Macy’s.

“So what did Papou Hercules do?” said George.

Papou Hercules lived with Papou and Yiayia, until Yiayia Frosini died, and then he got sick and needed a nurse, so they moved him to a home that looked like a resort, and it had palm trees and flamingos floating on the water, because Papou Hercules liked palm trees and water and flamingos.

“Papou Herakles was a sailor,” said Dad, rattling around the tools and making them neat.

“Really?” said George.

“You know the sextant I have on my shelf?” said Dad. “Yeah,” said George.

“That used to belong to Papou Herakles when he used to sail the Seven Seas and from Greece to Spain to Rotterdam to Africa,” said Dad. “Really?” said George.

“And when he was a kid he used to climb up on the rigging,” said Dad. “What rigging?” said George.

“On the kaikia on Chios when he was a kid,” said Dad. “The kaikia that went fishing.”

Really? thought George.

“And I showed you the stick,” said Dad. “What stick?” thought George.

“The stick with the hair on it,” said Dad. “That’s giraffe hair and it was given to Papou Herakles by an African chief.”

No way!

“And all the other stuff in the sea chest in the attic,” said Dad, poking through the little drawer of screws with his finger.

“What sea chest?” said George.

“The one with the gold buckles in the attic,”

said Dad. “You got all sorts of stuff in it that belonged to Papou Herakles.”

Wow, thought George.

He couldn’t wait to finish cleaning up the garage with Dad, because then he ran into the house, stole another amigdaloto from the kitchen, then ran upstairs to the coat closet that had the little ladder you had to pull down to get to the attic, and went up the ladder and into the attic, where the air swirled with dust, and the clothes all smelled - and there in the corner of the attic was the sea chest with the gold buckles that nobody ever paid attention to.

Only George stared at it now in wonder.

“Wow…” he said, as he stumbled over Mom’s cookbooks and Dad’s test tubes, until he got to the sea chest and stood over it and he could practically smell the sea now. “Wow…” he said.

He dropped to his knees and felt all the rivets on the box: they were very big, like chick peas.

And then he felt the buckles: they were gold, and very big, like the belt buckles the wrestlers wore in WWE. “Wow…” said George.

The buckles were unlocked and George flipped one open, then flipped another one open - and he flipped all of them open - then stood up and heaved the top open and it creaked and fell back with a crash that made the whole attic shake!

But then it smelled great - it smelled like musty old things.

George dropped to his knees and stared inside.

“Wow…” he said.

He picked up a walking stick that had carvings on it.

And an old gun belt with white pouches and white string.

And a helmet - a soldier’s helmet - only almost flat like a pan, but with netting on it.

And boots - high boots with laces on them and round toes.

And a brown picture of three soldiers in uniform: one of them standing and holding a rifle, another one holding a rifle and wearing a gunbelt, and an officer in the middle wearing a beret and with his leg cocked who looked like Papou Hercules.

Wow, thought George.

“George - where are you?!” Mom yelled to him from below. “Papou and Yiayia are here with Papou Herakles!”

Wow! thought George, bounding to his feet.

He ran to the window, saw Papou and Yiayia’s Buick pulling into the driveway, and he clambered down the little ladder again, and tumbled down the stairs to the living room, and out the door, and down the driveway, just as Papou Petro got out of the Buick and gave him a big hug with his hairy arms, because he wasn’t wearing a jacket even though it was very cold, and he knocked him on the head with his gold ring and gold watch when he hugged him, and then Yiayia Pota gave him all these smacking kisses all over his head and cheeks, and then everybody tried to get Propapou Hercules out of the car - practically lifting him up by his arms and legs like a string puppet.

“Only be careful with Papou…” said Mom, still

wearing her kitchen apron and holding a spoon.

“I got him,” said Dad, lifting Papou’s one leg.

“I got him,” said Papou Petro, lifting Papou Hercules’ other leg.

And then they practically carried him into the house, with Papou Hercules hanging in the middle like a string puppet.

This was the hero and the sailor who had sailed the Seven Seas? thought George.

Everybody sat in the kitchen and cracked nuts and ate them, while Mom cooked with Yiayia, and Marina sprinkled the powder on the kourambiedes like she was making snowballs, and Papou Hercules sat in the den in Dad’s old recliner, that used to be Papou Petro’s old recliner, and he was cranked back with his slippered feet sticking up and he was sleeping with a smile on his face and his little hands folded on his lap, with his wedding ring on his middle finger.

Papou was talking about holiday traffic and how he had avoided the holiday traffic, Dad was helping Mom stir the honey for her melomakarona, and Yiayia was baking almonds in the oven and talking about Kyria Sousou, who used to be their neighbor in Astoria, but now lived in Port St. Lucie with them, and how many kids she had married off, and how many grandkids she had married off, and what jobs they had, and Kyria Sousou’s blood pressure, while Marina kept adding more powdered sugar to the kourambiedes, and Mom and Dad kept stirring the honey, so George walked away and walked into the den and dropped down on the carpet and stared up at the bottom of Papou Hercules’ slippers sticking up like elf feet.

Only then Papou Hercules popped one eye open - and it looked at George - and it winked at him!

And then Papou gestured George near, and when George waddled over on his knees, Papou Hercules tickled his ear and patted his cheek with a hand that smelled like nutmeg.

“Tsou, tsou,” he said to him, spitting to ward off the evil spirits.

George smiled politely, Papou Hercules winked at him again.

And then George couldn’t help himself “ - Were you really a sailor and a soldier and use a sextant and wear a flat helmet with netting on it and a white belt and really get a stick with hair on it from an African chief and climb up on a kaiki and go to Rotterdam and Spain and was that you in the brown picture with the soldiers with the guns and was that you in the beret?” he said all in a rush.

And he waited with his mouth open.

And Papou Hercules nodded and smiled, before he took George’s fingers and caressed them one-by-one.

“Yiayia - “ he said “ - she was from Africa!”

He waved his hand behind his ear to show how far that was.

And he nodded to confirm it.

And he closed his eyes to confirm it.

And then he opened them again.

“South - Africa!” he said. “Greek peoples live

there!”

“Wow,” said George. “Why?” “Greek peoples live everywhere!” said Papou, popping his eyes open. And then half closing them again and smiling. “Yiayia live there. I come on a ship in Saldanha Bay, South Africa, and Yiayia live there - on a strema! - and she ride a horse!”

And he pretended he was galloping--in Dad’s old recliner.

“Yiayia come to the ship to buy goods!” said Papou Hercules. “And she come off her horse, and I come off my ship, and we see each other and I stay then in Africa!”

Papou Hercules smiled, George smiled.

“So you saw elephants?” George said.

“I see giraffes!” said Papou Hercules. “African chief was my friend!”

“Really?” said George. “So he gave you the stick with the giraffe hair?”

Papou Hercules waved his hand behind his ear again like that was taken for granted among friends.

And then he shook his head.

And then he cupped his hands on his lap.

“But then came the war!” he said, waving his cupped hands. “The Germans come!” he said and he cocked a finger suddenly and pretended he was shooting a gun. “So I fight!”

“Where?” said George. “Like in Africa?”

“In Greece!” said Papou vehemently. “I take the submarine!”

What submarine?!

“But the Italians almost sink it!” said Papou.

“Italian heavy cruiser - Gorizia!”

Wow! “I go to Greece to join my unit!” said Papou, slapping his chest under his mustard-yellow sweater. “The Petromichalis Light Tank Infantry!”

“So you had a tank?!” said George.

“British! The Churchill Crocodile!” said Papou.

“Why’d they call it the Crocodile?” asked George.

“Because it had big teeth!” said Papou, mashing his dentures.

“So you fought the Germans in your tank and everything?” said George. “That was you in the picture with the beret?”

“And my men!” said Papou. “We fight the Germans! We fight the Italians! We fight the Albanians! We fight everybody!”

Yiayia Pota suddenly came in with her slippers clacking and said Papou Hercules had to use the bathroom now. She yanked down the footrest and Papou sat there waiting for her to get him up. Then he got up and waited for Yiayia Pota to bring over his walker.

But first he reached into his pocket and he gave George something--and George stared at the big yellow tooth in his hand.

“Tiger tooth,” Papou Hercules whispered to him, before Yiayia Pota made him use his walker and it clicked with every step as Papou Hercules walked to the bathroom.

NEWS & NOTES

DECEMBER 2019

63

Merry Christmas – Καλά Χριστούγεννα!

We made it to the last month of the year whole and better! You are looking at a very beautiful issue, filled with meaningful editorial content and very ...meaningful ads, the ones that will permit us to continue publishing in the drier months ahead.

Abundant thanks to you for your generosity and continuous support throughout this 14-plus year journey. We are grateful and we get the message: you have every right to expect even better and we are bound to fulfill your wishes. The New Year, hopefully, will be a turning point for NEO, one that will bring it to a new level in more than one way. But we will talk about all that in due course... For now, have a blessed Christmas and celebrate with family and friends the abundance of good that this life has brought us so far and so often we make the mistake to take for granted. Let us all cherish what's real in life and rejoice in our humanity in its greatness and flaws. Until ...next year!

P.S. Those of you who did not place your season's greetings message in this issue, don't worry, you still have time, as the New Year's special issue is following right after… Call and we'll answer!

To those good friends o u t t h e r e wh o a r e struggling to find a gift that will make me happy, here's an idea: the 2021 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300! Beside being a real beauty, for a mere $3.9 million it's also a bargain! On the other hand, shouldn't I worry with Greeks bearing gifts???

Greek Tennis Player Stefanos Tsitsipas Wins Nitto ATP Finals Crown

by Demetrios Rhompotis

Stefanos Tsitsipas captured the biggest title of his career on Sunday, November 17 making the successful transition from 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals champion to the Nitto ATP Finals crown, 12 months on. He also became the first G r e e k p l ay e r t o w i n a m aj o r t e n n i s tournament.

The sixth-seeded Greek defeated fifth seed Dominic Thiem of Austria 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-6(4) over two hours and 35 minutes in the championship match at The O2 in London. At 21 years and three months, Tsitsipas is the youngest Nitto ATP Finals champion since former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt (20) in 2001, in Sydney. Tsitsipas, who earned $2,656,000 in prize money and 1,300 ATP Rankings points in five matches this week, is also the first player since David Nalbandian in 2005 to recover from losing the opening set and claim the title.

“I have no clue how I played so well in the second set," he said after his triumphant victory. "I have no idea. I think my mind was at ease and I wasn’t really thinking of much, which led to such a great performance in the second set, breaking him twice. “I didn’t give him much options to play with in the second set. It was pretty much an excellent set for me.”

The game was tough.. “It was pretty frustrating for me to be playing with such nerves for the first time in such a big event. I was a break up, I couldn’t manage to hold it. Things were decided in the tie-break and I am so relieved by this outstanding performance and fight that I gave out on the court.”

Tsitsipa also thanked his fans who were there all along. “[The crowd support] is just phenomenal, having such an army behind me while I am on the court. They give me so much energy. They give me belief that I can achieve

66

DECEMBER 2019

NEWS & NOTES

the things I want to achieve on the court. They motivate me. They just give me so much energy in general and I just love that. I would like to thank every single one [of the fans] who came here to support me today with the Greek flags.

They made it feel like home.”

His signature shot is his one-handed backhand, a rarity in modern tennis. He experimented with both one-handed and two-handed backhands in his youth, but chose to go with the former at around eight years old because both of his parents as well as his idol Roger Federer whom he defeated two days ago, all use Stefanos Tsitsipas (Στέφανος Τσιτσιπάς) was a one-handed backhand, and also because it born 12 August 1998. He is the youngest player felt more natural. His favorite shot is the ranked in the top 10 by the Association of backhand down-the-line.

Tennis Professionals (ATP) and has a careerhigh ranking of No. 5 in the world, making him Former British No. 1 players Greg Rusedski the highest-ranked Greek player in history. He and Annabel Croft have both praised has won four ATP singles titles and reached Tsitsipas's on-court demeanor in conjunction nine finals. with his style of play. Rusedski in particular has said that "[Tsitsipas] reminds me a little bit of Born into a tennis family where his mother was Bjorn Borg. He does all the right things, he is a professional on the WTA Tour and his father spectacular as a tennis player and was just was trained as a tennis coach, he was sensational with the way he was so calm and introduced to the sport at age three and began composed and he didn't blink when it came to taking lessons at age six. As a junior, he was the crunch. He has the competitive nature of ranked No. 1 in the world. He also became the Andy Murray, but he also has a calmness which third Greek player, and first Greek male in the reminds me of Roger Federer."

Open Era, to win a junior Grand Slam title with his victory in the 2016 Wimbledon boy's Stefanos is fluent in English, Greek, and doubles event.

Russian. He is a supporter of Greek football team AEK and his hobbies include vlogging.

Tsitsipas won his first ATP match in late 2017 He hosts his own YouTube channel where he and quickly ascended up the ATP rankings the posts videos of his travels. following year. He reached three tour-level finals in 2018 and won his first title at the Tsitsipas credits his mother's twin sister, who Stockholm Open. With his runner-up finish at was also a professional tennis player in the the Canadian Open, he became the youngest Soviet Union, for helping with the family's player to defeat four top ten opponents in a finances so that he could afford to travel with single tournament. After culminating his his father to train and compete during his season with an exhibition title at the Next Gen junior career. His maternal grandfather Sergei ATP Finals, he continued to build on his Salnikov was an Olympic gold medal-winning success by reaching the semifinals at the 2019 member of the Soviet National Football and a Australian Open. He is an aggressive baseliner. former manager of FC Spartak Moscow.

He aims to hit powerful groundstroke winners and has a particularly strong forehand using an Additional info for this article was taken from eastern grip. He also has a big serve and can go Wikipedia. to the net more often than typical baseline players.