Author Archives
the Cosmos Philly Staff
You Don’t Have to Choose Between Ambition and Belonging: Why More Greeks Abroad Are Moving Back Without Starting Over
More Greeks abroad are finding ways to return without starting over. Remote work, new visas, and programs like Rebrain Greece are making it possible to build a life in Greece while keeping global careers and…
Panagia Soumela: Divine Liturgy Granted Again for August 23
Turkish authorities have again granted permission for a Divine Liturgy at Panagia Soumela, set for August 23. The shift from August 15 highlights both the monastery’s deep spiritual meaning and the limits placed on worship…
Odyssey Charter School Opens New Immersion School Building
Odyssey Charter School in Wilmington will celebrate the Grand Opening of its new Immersion School Building on September 18. The event marks a milestone for Hellenic education in Delaware and the growing Greek language program.
Name Days This Week: August 17–23, 2025
From August 17 to 23, Greeks mark name days that carry both church tradition and family custom. These celebrations, whether shared at a table or with a simple phone call, keep community and heritage alive.
The Quest for a Real Gyro and Why It’s So Hard to Find Outside Greece
Once you’ve had a gyro in Greece, especially in Thessaloniki, nothing else compares. With thick pita, juicy pork, and toppings you will not find abroad, the real thing makes every other version feel like an…
The Many Faces of Panagia: Why Greeks Call Her By 2,000 Names
Across Greece and the diaspora, the Virgin Mary is known by thousands of names, each tied to a place, a miracle, or a memory. From village chapels to churches in America, she remains a constant…
Greek Cities Are Getting Smarter, And Here Is How
Across Greece, more than 110 towns are adopting City On, a smart city platform that lets residents report issues, track progress, and connect directly with their municipality. It is changing how communities solve everyday problems.
Greece’s Centaurus System Proved Itself in Combat in the Red Sea
In the Red Sea, a Greek navy frigate used the homegrown Centaurus system to stop incoming drones. It was Greece’s first combat test of its anti-drone technology and a sign of the country’s growing defense…
August Pilgrimage and Festival at Panagia Soumela in West Milford
The pilgrimage and paniyiri return to Panagia Soumela in West Milford on August 16–17. From the Divine Liturgy to Pontian music, food, and family gatherings, it is a weekend where faith and festival come together…
Zino Kazakis
Zino Kazakis, born in Velvento, Greece, in 1937, came to America in 1956 and built a life rooted in hard work, family, and community. From painting bridges to starting Philadelphia’s first Greek soccer team, and…
Name Days This Week: August 10–16, 2025
From August 10 to 16 the calendar brings name days for Lavrentios, Michalis, Panagiotis, Maria, and many more, leading up to the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15. Families mark the week with candles,…
Father Georgios Oikonomou Joins St. Thomas in Cherry Hill
St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill will welcome Father Georgios Oikonomou as its new Proistamenos on September 1. He succeeds Father Avgoustinos Psomas, who has been reassigned to the Dormition of the Theotokos…
