Author Archives
Alexandra Mylonas
Mother or Motherhood to me
Ancient Greeks honored Gaia, or Mother Earth, as her personification of nature that gives birth to the world. And her daughter Rhea, who was considered the Mother of all gods, that celebrated motherhood, nature, and…
A Symbolic Cake named Fanouropita for the Soul of His Mother
On August 27th, we celebrate Saint Fanourios, whose name I call upon whenever I’ve lost or misplaced something. He is one of my most beloved Saints. His name comes from the Greek word fanerono, meaning…
Celebrating August 15th with the Symbolic Names of Theotokos
In the village of Kastania, located in Southwestern Macedonia, lies the monastery of Panagia Soumela. The name was derived from Mount Melas, a place in Pontos, Asia Minor, near the Black Sea Region. This is…
Perdikes: Celebrating A Greek Easter Tradition The Macedonian Way
It is Great and Holy Wednesday in the region of Dytiki Macedonia, which is the western part of Greece that consists of 4 cities, Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, and Kozani. The women in the quaint town…
Stavros Pantelidis
The First Man I have ever Loved: Stavros Pantelidis February 7, 1942 – April 25, 2017 Thessaloniki, Greece 1981 “Get down from those boxes!” he called. My father came and picked me up off the…
Welcoming The Summer With A Greek Tradition: “Eikonostasi”
A tall white-washed shrine that looks like a miniature church proudly stands in front of the entrance leading up to my grandfather’s home. It is located in our quaint little village in Greece and was…
“Protomagia”: Welcoming the 1st of May with a Greek Tradition
Protomagia, the Greek celebration of May 1, brings together spring, family, wildflowers, and the tradition of hanging handmade wreaths on the door to welcome nature.
Welcoming March with a Greek Tradition
Living away from Greece it’s easy to forget some parts of life that I grew up with. As a teacher and a mother, I make it a priority to keep up with most of our…
