Author Archives
the Cosmos Philly Staff
Young Leaders Kick Off 2026 with Vasilopita Brunch in Philly
Philadelphia Greek-American youth organizations will welcome 2026 with a Vasilopita brunch at Mona, bringing together young leaders from across the region.
Christos D. Pappas
Christos D. Pappas, a devoted family man and longtime member of Philadelphia’s Greek-American community, passed away on January 1, 2026.
Applications Open for Heritage Greece Program Summer 2026
Applications are open for the Heritage Greece Program, a fully funded summer program for Greek-American and Canadian college students of Hellenic descent.
Refresh Your Greek Marks Five Years With New Cycle of Free Online Classes
The Consulate General of Greece in Chicago launches the fifth year of Refresh Your Greek, a free online Greek language program for adult learners. Registration closes January 18, 2026.
Athens Flight Control Crisis: What Happened, and What It Exposed
A radio communication failure shut down Greek airspace on January 4, 2026, grounding flights nationwide and exposing vulnerabilities in Greece’s aviation infrastructure.
Today in History: The Battle of Lemnos, January 5, 1913
On January 5, 1913, the Greek navy sealed its control of the Aegean at the Battle of Lemnos, forcing the Ottoman fleet back into the Dardanelles and shaping the map of the region for generations.
Pontian Akritai of Philadelphia Welcome the New Year with Community Gathering in Upper Darby
Families and members of the Pontian Akritai of Philadelphia gathered in Upper Darby for a New Year celebration centered on tradition, food, and community.
Penelope Mitoulis
Penelope “Penny” Mitoulis, a longtime member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Upper Darby, passed away on January 1, 2026. She was 93.
Giorgos Papadakis, Longtime Host of Kalimera Ellada, Dies at 74
Greek journalist Giorgos Papadakis, longtime host of Kalimera Ellada, died on January 4, 2026. He shaped Greek morning television for 34 years.
Greece’s University Problem Is Not About “Lazy Students”
Greece removed over 300,000 inactive university students. We explain how decades of policy, work, and expectations created the problem.
Name Days This Week: January 4 – 10, 2026
The first full week of 2026 includes Greek name days tied to Epiphany and early January traditions, with names like Fotini, Giannis, and Theoni. See who’s celebrating.
A Fee for the Soul of Zagori
Zagori’s new “culture fee” may sound like progress, but in Greece, even good ideas can stumble under paperwork.
