Cosmos Philly
On the Road to Tokyo: A Navy Seabee’s Letters Home and the Family He Fought to Save
For Veterans Day, Alexander Burlotos shares his father George’s World War II experience in the Pacific and a 1945 letter revealing his efforts to bring his two younger sisters from war-torn Greece to America.
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Greece Backs Plan to Improve Access to Ithaca’s “School of Homer”
Greece has backed plans to improve access to an archaeological site in northern Ithaca where ancient inscriptions have helped researchers identify a sanctuary dedicated to Odysseus.
Delaware Valley Ambassador Awards Honor Greek Orthodox Parish Volunteers
More than 400 attended the November 8 banquet in Deptford, where newly enthroned Metropolitan Athenagoras joined representatives of 13 Greek Orthodox communities to recognize parish volunteers and young people.
AHEPA Cancer Research Foundation Awards $55,500 at 38th Annual Gala
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute and Weill Cornell each received $18,500 at the November 7 gathering in Edison, New Jersey. Former chairman Tom Sulich was also honored.
Metropolitan Athenagoras Enthroned in New Jersey, Announces $500,000-Plus Scholarship Fund
The new Metropolitan will lead 55 parishes, including communities in eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware, and announced more than $500,000 in gifts and pledges for scholarships supporting seminarians and college students.
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In the Community
Greek American life, institutions, and people
Six Greek-American House Members Win Reelection in 2026 Midterms
Four Republicans and two Democrats retained their congressional seats across Florida, New York, New Hampshire, and Nevada, maintaining Greek-American representation in both political parties.
Greek-American Incumbents Win Reelection in Pennsylvania and Delaware
Steve Malagari defeated fellow Greek-American Yanni Lambros in Montgomery County, while Delaware State Senator Spiros Mantzavinos secured another term in the November 3 elections.
Two Greek-American Candidates Face Off in Montgomery County House Race
Democratic incumbent Steve Malagari and Republican Yanni Lambros, both raised in Lansdale, compete for Pennsylvania’s 53rd House District in the November 3 election.
The Day Fire Swept Through St. George’s Greek School in Philadelphia
On October 9, 1930, dozens of children escaped a fire at St. George’s Greek Orthodox church and school in Philadelphia. Newspaper photographs document the rescue, while the cathedral’s history reveals the difficult years that followed.
Annunciation Teachers Perform for Students at Elkins Park OXI Day Celebration
Teachers and parents take the stage at Annunciation Greek School’s OXI Day celebration, giving students a different way to experience Greek history.
From Greece & Cyprus
Politics, society, and current affairs
Greek Couple Honored for Sheltering Jewish Family During Nazi Occupation
Ilias and Maria Machaira sheltered a Jewish family from Karditsa in the mountain village of Amarantos during World War II. More than eight decades later, one of the survivors attended a ceremony honoring them.
Greece’s Population Could Fall to 7.6 Million by 2080, EU Report Finds
New European Commission projections point to a shrinking workforce and a rapidly aging population, raising concerns about Greece’s long-term economic growth, pension system, and public services.
Peloton Removes Varosha Halloween Ride, Apologizes After Greek-American Protest
A Halloween workout featuring the abandoned Cypriot district prompted objections from the Hellenic American Leadership Council, which called for its removal and an apology to families displaced by Turkey’s 1974 invasion.
Chargers Flag Football Camps Draw More Than 500 Children in Santorini
Former NFL players Melvin Gordon, Stevan Ridley, and Greek-American Niko Koutouvides joined young participants for free football camps on the Greek island.
Before the OXI: How Mussolini Misjudged Greece in 1940
Two weeks before invading Greece, Mussolini heard warnings about insufficient troops and difficult terrain. Italian records also reveal plans to manufacture a pretext for war.
Cultural Life
Heritage, language, and the arts
Ancient Shipwreck Off Croatia Yields Greek Pottery Marked With Possible Names
Archaeologists say the 2,300-year-old wreck off Vis is the first found in Croatian waters with Greek fine pottery. Scratched inscriptions on several vessels may identify personal belongings of someone aboard.
Pete Marifoglou’s Photographs Bring an Earlier Thessaloniki to the Alkazar
Greek-American photographer Pete Marifoglou’s images of a changing Thessaloniki are on display at the newly restored Alkazar through March 2027.
Historian Anthony Molho Donates 6,470 Books to Athens’ Gennadius Library
The Thessaloniki-born Holocaust survivor built a distinguished academic career at Brown University and in Florence. His personal collection, with at least 600 more volumes expected, will become available to researchers in Athens.
Church Treasures Return to Greece After 109 Years in Exchange for Tsar Samuel’s Remains
Religious treasures removed from Macedonian monasteries during World War I are back in Greece after an exchange with Bulgaria. The agreement leaves ownership questions unresolved but allows negotiations over additional objects.
Greece Chooses Broken Vein, Cyprus Sends Hold Onto Me Into 2027 Oscar Race
Greece has selected Yannis Economides’ Broken Vein for the 2027 Oscars, while Myrsini Aristidou’s Hold Onto Me marks Cyprus’ first official submission in the International Feature Film category.
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Obituaries & Memorials
Remembering members of our community
Modestos Sitaras
Originally from Chios, Greece, Sitaras operated Mike’s Garage in Chester for nearly five decades and remained active in the Delaware Valley’s Greek-American community.
Anastasia Karomfily
Anastasia Karomfily, who grew up in Philadelphia as the daughter of Greek immigrants, passed away on October 20 at age 91. Her funeral will be held October 27 at St. Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall.
Helen Papadeas
Helen C. Papadeas was a longtime member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Upper Darby, where she served her parish for decades. She passed away October 13 at age 96.
Dimitrios Christodoulou
An Athens native, Jim operated Moms Variety in South Philadelphia for 17 years. Funeral services are scheduled for October 17 in Cherry Hill.
George Thrappas
Born on the Greek island of Chios, George was a longtime St. George parishioner, festival volunteer, and devoted family man who loved cooking, gardening, and Greek music.
Elpida Ioannou
Born in Kato Poroia, Serres, Elpida “Pitsa” Ioannou made her home in the Philadelphia area, where her family joined St. Demetrios and welcomed newly arrived Greek families into their home.