“Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each,” – Plato1
Dr. Isaak Papadopoulos, international educator has focused on fostering creative and critical thinking in a classroom environment. His reputation is well known in his exceptional books: “Teaching Young Foreign Language Learners” and “From translanguaging pedagogy to classroom pedagogy.” The educator was officially elected as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education and Care at the Early Childhood of Greece International University.
“I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart both the committee and the entire electorate who decided that I am worthy to get this position,” expressed Dr. Papadopoulos. “I promise that I will do my best to contribute to the department and the education of the students. I could not get here, though, alone! I owe gratitude to all professors and female professors for our cooperation throughout the years, during which I studied and taught in their departments.”
The educator acknowledged publicly “my own people who have actually lived every struggle I have had! To my parents, two farmers from the Beautiful Village of Larissa, who tried to raise me and offer me everything they could, with all their strength but especially with all their love! People without any degree, but with ethics, honesty, and a pure soul that I love very much! My sister who always try to find a solution to every problem with me… and we always shared thoughts and concerns.”
Dr. Papadopoulos” own family supported him. “The unique, inimitable, diamond Barbara Peiou , my wife, rock next to me, next to the children, at school, at home and everywhere!!! If she were not by my side, everything would be different! My eldest daughter, Despina Chrysovalanto, and our youngest Michael (to whom I dedicate my swearing-in today on April 24th while he is hospitalized) give me joy and inspire me to keep going. My children fill my heart and with beautiful emotions even in the most difficult moments!” The international educator will inspire the creativity and genius in children at his new position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Education and Care at the Early Childhood of Greece International University.
Europeans are survivors. In particular, Greeks live for the moment. They endure, overcome, and make a positive into a negative experience. New Year in Tripoli, in of the Peloponnese mountain heartland and Larissa, in central Greece, enjoyed light spectacles and family feasts.
Tripoli Photos
Our friends Sotiri and Konstantina of Tripolis emailed their blessings with photos from the main Avenue of Tripoli. “We send our blessings and look forward to have our conversations again this summer,” they said. Sotiri sells the Greek answer to Coach handbags the KEM accessories. His photos inspire memories of walking the city’s avenues, having Greek frappe coffee in his fashionable shop.
Larissa
Dr. Isaak Papadopoulos, “Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics and Teaching Greek as L1 and L2” of Larnaca College and his wife, educator Varvara Peiou gave us a glimpse of New Year’s festivities at Larissa. Baking home made cookies is a tradition handed from one generation to the next. The New Year’s feast includes sausages, lamb chops, meatballs, salads, pasta, and table wine made by the family. Larissa is a city lit up with festive lights. A festive Christmas village brings joy to children. Greeks now had to have a good time even though their world is witnessing the first war on European soil since WWII.
Orthodox Country
Our friends, who are anonymous, emailed photos of their Eastern Orthodox country. Lights and old-fashioned horses were some of the sights. Orthodox Christmas is celebrated January 7th, according to the Julian calendar. Approximately 260 million people worldwide, both in majority-Orthodox countries in Eastern Europe, like Russia and Greece, and in communities in Ethiopia, Egypt, and elsewhere follow Orthodox Christmas.1 Visiting their lighted cities, baking, and having traditional foods and traditions made New Year’s special to these European families.
A unique opportunity was offered to Greek students at the primary school “Center of Hellenic Paideia” on October 28th, 2021, for the celebration of “OXI” Day, refusal to surrender to Axis Powers in WWII, 1940. The students communicated digitally with Dr John Siolas who offered a very attractive and thought-provoking speech to the young students. He told them about the events that took place on the 28th of October 1940. He congratulated the students and the teachers at the school, who encourage the young generation to celebrate and remember such events. Dr Isaak Papadopoulos, an assistant professor of applied linguistics and teacher at the same school, thanked Dr Siolas for his extremely interesting contribution and he invited him to participate in the celebration and the events of the school.
Dr. John G. Siolas is a member of by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of America. His virtual address said “my dear Greek children at the Center for Greek Education, I greet you. Miss Mary Raptou is an exceptional Greek educator of Greece. My name is Dr. Ioannis Siolas, and I am a professor of Greek at St John’s University in New York and a member of the High Council for Greek Education in the U.S. of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
How important the day of October 28 is for all Greeks? On the morning of October 28, 1940, the Italian ambassador to Greece presented the then Prime Minister of Greece, Ioannis Metaxas, with the ultimatum by which Mussolini, the leader of Italy, demanded the occupation of certain Greek territories. If Greece did not accept, then it would occupy them with weapons. And it was exactly this historic moment that the Greek Prime Minister answered “NO”, knowing that there is no greater good than the good of freedom. The same answer was given in action, by all the Greek nation together as they poured into the streets.
Forward, my little Greek children … take strength from our God … in the hands of Our Lady, Panagia, and with the embassies of our Saints, continue the struggle for freedom, faith, homeland as a strong and beloved family. Long live Greece! Long live the 28th of October 1940.”
Αγαπητά Ελληνόπουλα στο Κέντρο της Ελληνικής Παιδείας, σας χαιρετώ.
Αγαπητή δεσποινίδα Μαίρη Ράπτου, μεγάλη Ελληνίδα δασκάλα του γένους και της παιδαγωγικής.
Ονομάζομαι Δρ Ιωάννης Σιόλας και είμαι καθηγητής ελληνικής γλώσσας στο St Johns University στην Νέα Υόρκη και μέλος του Ανωτάτου Συμβουλίου Παιδείας της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής.
Πόσο σημαντική η ημέρα της 28ης Οκτωβρίου για όλους εμάς του Έλληνες.
το πρωί της 28ης Οκτωβρίου του 1940, ο πρεσβευτής της Ιταλίας στην Ελλάδα, επέδωσε στον τότε πρωθυπουργό της Ελλάδας Ιωάννη Μεταξά το τελεσίγραφο με το οποίο ο Μουσολίνι, ο ηγέτης της Ιταλίας, ζητούσε την κατοχή ορισμένων ελληνικών περιοχών. Αν η Ελλάδα δε δεχόταν, τότε θα τις καταλάμβανε με τα όπλα. Κι ήταν ακριβώς αυτή την ιστορική στιγμή που ο Έλληνας πρωθυπουργός απάντησε το «ΟΧΙ», γνωρίζοντας πως μεγαλύτερο αγαθό από το αγαθό της ελευθερίας δεν υπάρχει. Την ίδια απάντηση έδωσαν στην πράξη, όλοι οι Έλληνες μαζί καθώς ξεχύθηκαν στους δρόμους.
Εμπρός μικρά μου ελληνόπουλα…πάρτε δύναμη από τον Θεό μας…στα χέρια της Παναγίας μας και με τις πρεσβείες των Αγίων μας, συνεχίστε τον αγώνα για την ελευθερία, την πίστη, την πατρίδα σαν μια οικογένεια δυνατή και αγαπημένη.
Ζήτω η Ελλάδα! Ζήτω η 28η Οκτωβρίου 1940.
Larissa is the capital and largest city of the Thessalyregion, Greece. Legend has it that Achilles was born here. Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine”, died here. Today, Larissa is an important commercial, transportation, educational, agricultural, and industrial center of Greece.1
All photos by Dr. Isaak Papadopoulos with his permission to print.
Greek Orthodox Easter, Omorfochori, Larissa. All photos by Dr. Isaak Papadopoulos
Covid-19 Pandemic and earthquakes inspired the Greeks of Larissa, Central Greece to renew their faith in 2021 Easter festivities. A 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked western Greece on Wednesday, March 3rd. Tremors continued for several days, with continuous earthquakes, and buildings destroyed. The provincial city with crumbled buildings, endured severe economic hardship with a covid-19 lockdown. Homes are the Greeks main economic fortunes. All lost. What did they do? They went to their villages outside the city and renewed their Greek Orthodox faith in Easter services and customs.
Epitafio decorated by young women
Dr Isaak Papadopoulos shared his Easter moments at his village of Omorfochori, outside of Larissa with us through the internet. He is a researcher, and academic who views 2021 as a chance for forgiving, reflection and contact with his Faith. “It’s a time for pray and patience,” he said. I am happy that this year, we can celebrate Easter with my family at my village, Omorfochori of Larissa in Greece. Last year, we were in a lockdown context and no one could travel even to villages.”
Good Friday dinner after church service
Children on Good Friday epitafio
Papadopoulos family painting red eggs
Dr. Papadopoulos described the Easter customs of Larissa saying “This year, we all prepared traditional koulouria and tsourekia. We prepared Lazarakia on St Lazarus day and we sang the carols. We painted the red eggs. Every day, people go to church. Everyday a different Evangelio (bible) is said. People pray, they have faith in God and after a terrible earthquake period and within Covid context, they see Easter traditions as an escape. On Holy Wednesday, all people go to church for the Holy Eucharist. The priest blesses us and gives oil to the face and hands. On Holy Wednesday night, we go to church for the operation of the washbasin (blessed water). Through this, Christ teaches us humility and its significance.”
Family in Omorfohori
Dr. Papadopoulos explained “Thursday, people attend church to hear the Twelve Gospels. They pray and live the crucifixion of Christ. The women decorate the epitaphio. On Good Friday, we all do the procession together. Saturday night, we go to church with candles to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection. Everyone is fine clothing, holding candles and praying. They crack red eggs and say Christ is Risen. On Easter Sunday, we barbecue the lamb. Everyone has a good time. All this is happening in Larissa of earthquakes and the virus. After a period of seismic vibrations, our minds and souls are close to Christ!”
Dr. Papadopoulos with hand painted Easter eggs
Economic ruin through a natural disaster, economic lockdown, covid-19 pandemic, political crisis, and outside forces trying to rewrite incorrectly Greek history, has made the 2021 Greeks of Larissa stronger in their customs and faith. Aristotle says, “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”
Christos Anesti from Dr. Isaak Papadopoulos family
The International Mother Language Day was celebrated on the 21st of February 2021other Language Day was celebrated on the 21st of February 2021 in an online teleconference organized by Dr Isaak Papadopoulos in collaboration with Ms. Maria Zisi and Mrs Charikleia Rentina, Greek language teachers at the Center of Greek Education in Larissa. The keynote speaker was Dr John Siolas who presented important information about the Promotion of Mother Languages in schools of America. He also presented important aspects of the Greek language education in the U.S.A. and he made use of the words of Manolis Triantafyllidis talking about the importance of language and its real meaning. Colleagues from Cyprus, Greece, Africa, U.K., and the U.S.A. exchanged views and proposals towards the promotion of multilingualism and mother tongues around the world.
Dr Isaak M. Papadopoulos, lecturer at UNICAF University International thanked all the participants – academics, teachers, school coordinators, ministers, principals – for their presentations and presence and he promised to organize more activities that bring all the people together. Ms. Maria Zisi and Mrs Charikleia Rentina presented great activities that are implemented at the Center of Greek Education and expressed their thoughts towards promoting international ties! Many hands make light work, but these hands should be hands of truth and work!
The text of the video follows:
Αγαπητοί συνάδελφοι,
Αγαπητοί εκπαιδευτικοί, μαθητές μαθήτριες γονείς και φίλοι στην Ελλάδα.
Ονομάζομαι Dr John Siolas και διδάσκω την ελληνική γλώσσα στο St John’s University στην Αμερική,
Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ για την πρόσκληση να παρουσιάσω κάτι στην ημερίδα για την Παγκόσμια Ημέρα Μητρικών Γλωσσών που διοργανώνετε. Σας αξίζουν πολλά συγχαρητήρια!
Τη γλώσσα μου έδωσαν ελληνικήν…
Και όπως λέει και ο Τριανταφυλλίδης..
«Γλώσσα δεν είναι, καθώς φαντάζονται κάποιοι, αράδιασμα από λέξεις,
τύπους και κανόνες,
όπως αναγράφονται σε λεξικά και γραμματικές…
παρά η έκφραση του εσωτερικού μας κόσμου,
κύμα ζωής,
άνοιγμα και επαφή ψυχών,
ανταλλαγή αισθημάτων και σκέψεων μέσα σε συνομιλία, ερώτηση και απόκριση,
άρνηση και κατάφαση,
προσταγή,
απαγόρευση και παράκληση,
μικροεπεισόδια,
πεζότητες και
ταπεινότητες της καθημερινής ζωής και
έξαρση και κατάνυξη,
τραγούδι και κλάμα,
χαρά και καημός,
τρικυμία και γαλήνη,
αγάπη και πάθος,
αγωνία και κατάρα,
επιστήμη και ζωή,
σκέψη, ενατένιση της μοίρας και φιλοσοφία –
όλα αυτά.
Είναι γλώσσα ατομική και εθνική.
η γλώσσα είναι πολύμορφη,
γιατί πολύμορφη και πολύπλοκη είναι και η κοινωνική ζωή που την παράγει.
Έτσι οι απεριόριστες δυνατότητές της ανταποκρίνονται στις ποικίλες ανάγκες της κοινωνικής ζωής και τις υπηρετούν.
Γι’ αυτό και μπορούμε:
άλλοτε να ρωτούμε άλλοτε να απορούμε άλλοτε να κρίνουμε άλλοτε να διατάζουμε άλλοτε να σχεδιάζουμε το μέλλον άλλοτε να περιγράφουμε το παρελθόν άλλοτε…
Η γλώσσα, γι’ αυτόν που ξέρει να τη χρησιμοποιεί σωστά, είναι δύναμη.
Η δύναμή της αυτή γίνεται μεγαλύτερη, όταν συνδυάζεται με πνευματική καλλιέργεια και κοινωνική καταξίωση.
Πολλοί βέβαια εκμεταλλεύονται την κοινωνική τους δύναμη, για να επιβάλλουν τις απόψεις τους.
Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ για την τιμή και την ευκαιρία που μου δώσατε.
Dr Isaak Papadopoulos, είσαι ένας σπουδαίος καθηγητής και κρίμα που δεν σε έχουμε εδώ κοντά μας.
February 9, 2021 has been declared International Greek Language Day in hopes of sparking interest in the language worldwide. The date coincides with Commemoration Day of Greece’s national poet, Dionysios Solomos, whose lyrics are featured in the Greek National Anthem. The Hellenic language has been declared as “an international language” by the UNESCO and Greece. Video and zoom presentations have been televised on the internet.
Dr. Isaak Papadopoulos, Dr. John G. Siolas, educators from Greece and Cyprus at the Center of Greek Language in Larissa, Greece helped make this day important to primary students through the internet. Dr. Papadopoulos informed “during the event, 9-year-old primary education students had the opportunity to ‘discuss’ with Dr John Siolas and academics from Greece and Cyprus, exchanged views, pronounced poems about our Greek language and engaged in interactive and creative activities. 80 students of the Center of Greek Education were astonished! Not only did Dr John Siolas greet them and talked to them he also pronounced the poem “Greek language” written by Nikiforos Vrettakos.”
Αγαπημένα Ελληνόπουλα στο Κέντρο Ελληνικής Παιδείας
Ονομάζομαι Δρ Ιωαννης Σιόλας και είμαι καθηγητής ελληνικής γλώσσας στο St John’s University στην Αμερική.
Είστε πολύ τυχεροί που βρίσκεστε και φοιτάτε σε αυτό το σχολείο..το ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΠΑΙΔΕΙΑΣ της δεσποινίδας Μαίρης Ράπτου.
Ένα σχολείο που δίνει βάρος στην ελληνική γλώσσα, τον ελληνικό πολιτισμό και την ορθόξη πίστη μας.
Δίδαξα για πάρα πολλά χρόνια την ελληνική γλώσσα στην αμερική και θέλω να σα πω ένα ποιημα
Congratulations for an extraordinary event organized by Dr Isaak Papadopoulos, Ms. Charikleia Rentina and Ms Maria Zisi supported by technological means, that have come to facilitate every pedagogical activity.
While New York City was experiencing 12+ inches of snow on Wednesday, February 2nd, an amazing event took place in Greece. Iakovos Tsounis, no relation to writer, Greek shipowner, and founder of the Museum “Iakovos Tsounis” in Aigio donated 23 million euros and 60 landing craft to the Armed Forces. Patriotism motivated Mr. Tsounis. The 97-year-old shipowner fought at the age of 16 in the Greek-Italian War of 1940. His wealth has been donated to the armed forces.
The national benefactor was born in Patras. His ancestors fought in the 1821 Greek Revolution. He started as a customs broker in Piraeus. In 1966. Mr. Tsounis entered shipping as a shipowner, acquiring a total of 13 merchant ships and forming a large fortune. His charitable work began. The “Iakovos Tsounis Museum” in downtown Aigio has religious, ethnic and historical collections. In 2018, The WWII veteran was honored with the Star of Value and Honor. Minister of National Defense, Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos awarded Mr. Tsounis the reserve rank of Major General in April 2020.1
How did I hear about this event? “Iakovos Tsounis, Iakovos Tsounis, Iakovos Tsounis donated 23 million euros to the Greek armed forces,” said Dimitris Filippidis in his Hellas FM morning program. I stopped drinking my coffee in astonishment. I have not heard of such a donation since the Epirus Benefactors of the 19th century, such as George Averof, Evangelos and Konstantinos Zappas. I called my Aunt Lucy, a retired California schoolteacher, to find out if he was related to us. Her father, Nick Tsounis, and his older brother Vlassis Tsounis, my grandfather, who were from Panagia, Limnos, never talked about their family. They immigrated to America before 1912, when Limnos was part of the Ottoman Empire. Ancestry records were destroyed by the Ottoman Turks. All I can say is this: I am glad I learned Greek from the Greek Archdiocese system of New York City, so I can understand Greek programs from the original source.
I began researching the response of the Greek citizen to this event. I emailed Dr. Isaak Papadopoulos, who I know from the Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” Online programs, to learn his opinion. “Many hands make a light work!” he said. “People like Iakovos Tsounis have been and should be role idols for all the people, especially in periods of crisis. People need to have examples to follow and imitate behaviors!” Patriotism and love of one’s country exists in 2021 Greece.
St. Lazarus is a 9th century Church in Larnaca, Cyprus. Dr. Isaak Papadopoulos and colleague sent me photos.
Saint Lazarus Church (known also as the Agios Lazarus Church) is a church located in Larnaca, Cyprus. This church dates to the late 9th century, making it one of the oldest churches on the island. Saint Lazarus Church was built to house the reputed (second) tomb of Lazarus of Bethany, a Biblical figure said to have been raised from the dead by Jesus.
Lazarus (Eleazar in Hebrew) of Bethany is a well-known figure in the Bible. He was the brother of Mary and Martha and the three of them were Jesus’ friends. The most famous narrative about Lazarus involves Jesus raising him from the dead. In this account, found in the Gospel of John, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother was seriously ill. Jesus delayed before setting out for Bethany. When he arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days already. Instead of mourning like the rest of those present, he had the stone rolled away from the entrance of the tomb, and called Lazarus to come out. The dead man was raised to life and many of the mourners came to believe in Jesus’ divinity.
Dr Isaak Papadopoulos, teaching staff member of the European University Cyprus and Researcher at the University of Ioannina has amazingly presented a piece of his research related to teaching and assessing written discourse in Greek language a the 2nd Annual Greek Orthodox Archdiocese online Education Conference, Saturday, November 7th.
His presentation covered both theoretical aspects and pedagogical practices as well in his attempt to facilitate the Greek teachers work in class in the USA.
The audience of the conference congratulated him on the very interesting and detailed presentation. Professors from Greece and the USA expressed their satisfaction and admiration. Dr Isaak Papadopoulos should share his expertise in the USA and American Universities?
Δρ Ισαάκ Μ. ΠαπαδόπουλοςΔιδάκτωρ Εφαρμοσμένης Γλωσσολογίας & Διδακτικής της ΓλώσσαςΣχολή Επιστημών της Αγωγής – Τμήμα Δημοτικής Εκπαίδευσης Ευρωπαϊκό Πανεπιστήμιο ΚύπρουΚιν. 698 1839 135
“Sometimes even to live is an act of courage” – Seneca, Roman philosopher.
Agios Charalambos Church
They did not have welfare. No food stamps, free lunches, medical care, or advocacy groups trying to help them. Busines and maritime merchants with their boats, scholars, factory owners, the 1922 refugees of the Greek Genocide of Asia Minor in Western Anatolia, were destroyed by Western Powers, who dismembered the Ottoman Empire by using ultra nationalistic groups.They came to Greece, traumatized with Greek Orthodox icons. “Unwelcomed,” said Scholar Efrosini Mancini of a Constantinople Family with Phanariot roots (Greek ruling classof Ottoman Empire). “No one wanted the 1923 refugees.”
Called “”tourkospori” or “seeds of the Turks”, they came to Greece with their knowledge of Greek language, civilization and Greek Orthodoxy. Dr Isaak Papadopoulos, of the European University Cyprus in Nicosia/Lefkosia. Cyprus, Collaborator of Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” related an amazing story of survival of the “Asia Minor refugees of Larissa”, Thessaly, Central Greece.
Traditional Dance of Thessaly- Gaitanaki
It is 98 years after the Asia Minor Catastrophe. That is the reason why many of us are in 2020 America. I met Dr. Isaak from a workshop hosted by the Greek teachers Association “Prometheus”. His research shows the Asia Minor refugees built churches, schools, transforming their area.My village was named “Nechali” as there were only some native people there when refugees from Asia Minor came,” explained Dr. Isaak “They created new village just next to Nechali and they renamed it ‘Omorfochori’,
My great grandmother told me that when she came to Greece, she felt really sad. She was afraid because of the unknown. They came to Omorfochori, they were given a small building for a house and a cow. They tried to survive. They did it because they were very hard working.”Wikipedia explains “The Omorfochori Larissa is a settlement belonging to the Municipality of Platykampos in Kileler municipality located in the region of Thessaly , in accordance with the administrative division of Greece as incorporated by the program “Kallikratis” .
The village, also known as Nehali, originally consisted of the estate of Scaliora …. in a relatively barren and unhealthy area. After 1923, Greek refugees settled from the Cappadocia region ( Nevsehir , Jalela and Potamia [2] ), many of whom died of malaria .The name of the village is due to a translation of the name of the village Tzelela or Cemil in Greek .”2.
Agia Analipsi Church
Dr. Isaak said there was not a school when the refugees came to Omorfochori. “ Only a teacher taught 5-6 children, he said. “In 1927 the Single Elementary School of the village operated which was housed in the cells of the church. Obviously, somewhat older children would go to this school. According to the testimony of Despina Tsopouroglou, she and a few other children were taught in a house by a lady in reading, writing and arithmetic. In 1930 the school became Ditaxio. It was housed in the old school building of the old Settlement, which probably remained from the Ottoman Empire the “Mekteb Rouchate”.
Sts. Raphel and Nicholas Church
The new primary school was built in 1935 at the expense of all residents. The school, however, suffered severe damage due to the earthquakes and was rebuilt. Today’s primary school started operating, renewed with the recruitment of private staff . It now has a tertiary or post-secondary secondary education school.It is worth mentioning here that of Omorfochori was awarded by the Academy of Athens, for its large courtyard with many the Primary School trees and greenery. The professor explained “They created so many things in Omorfochori.
All the women were very good at cooking traditional Minor Asian foods. my grandmother’s -Apostolia- favorite food is “Mantou”. It is short pasta with yoghurt. They used to eat when celebrating St John Russian from Cappadocia. The refugees had no contact with the natives and were isolated. They preferred to marry each other rather than mixed. The opposition of the natives and the refugees was not expressed in the form of an open confrontation.
For a long time, however, the term refugee was derogatory. Indigenous people often talked about refugee ethos and cosmopolitan behavior, as well as their tendency to have fun. On the other hand, the refugees talked about the low educational level of the natives. In general, there was initially a state of opposition between these two sides.”
Dr. Isaac continued saying “in 1928 the name of the village was changed. From Nehali it was now called Omorfochori F.E.K. / 156/1928 as most of the refugees came from Omorfochori in Central Asia. The first president of Omorfochori was Abraham Anastasiadis. Later in 1931, the first nucleus of the Agricultural Party of Greece was created in Omorfochori and Larissa under the leadership of Prodromos Kanakis. Prodromos Kanakis was a special personality for the village. He created Omorfochori as an example of a village in the whole Thessalian Plain. While the names of other former presidents are typically mentioned, Michael Sideridis (1932) Savvas Perivolopoulos (1933-4) Prodromos Kanakis (1934-36-1945) etc.”
“Naturally, the refugees focused on two key factors: religion and education., explained Dr. Isaak. “The religious faith of the people of Asia Minor was great. There was a chapel in almost every house. They also showed great reverence during the holidays as most of them fasted, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays. Priests were also respected and loved like their parents. Respect for the elders was the main element then.
The metropolis of the village was the church of Agios Athanasios, that was operated by Myron Pitsolakis the archimandrite. This church was very old and was accidentally burned by a candle in the Resurrection. It was built in 1869 during the Ottoman Empire with the contribution of the whole village. When the refugees came to the village, they brought to the temple relics such as a wing, banners, silver disks and chalice and the precious Gospel. Finally, the icons of the Saints of the church, which date from 1850, are of great value, while the refugees also brought the Epitaph to the village. A relic of incalculable monetary, artistic and intellectual value.” The scholar said “another church of the village is the holy church of Agios Charalambos which is in Hassambali. This church is of Byzantine style. It collapsed in the earthquake of 1941. Agios Charalambos was rebuilt in 1943 with the style of a basilica and funding by all the inhabitants. There is also another small church, the church of the Ascension on Mount Mopsio, which was built with a donation from Skaliora and Meimaroglou. Much later, the church of Agios Georgios was built in the center of the present village after a dream in which the Saint presented himself to a man from Asia Minor and told him to build a church in his name.”
Dr. Papadopoulos narration is one of survival and rebirth. It is almost 100 years after the three thousand year old expulsion and genocide of the Greeks of Anatolia. The descendants remember. For without a deep understanding of where they came from, they will never understand their present and future. They honor their ancestors in their creation of modern communities in central Greece. Their love of the Greek language, culture and Greek Orthodox faith shaped modern Greece.
Greek American Experience 