Panigyri 2015 Review & Photo Slideshow
On September 27th, Kytherians gathered with friends at the Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church in Castro Valley for our annual Panigyri. Fawaz Khanachet baked five loaves for the Artoklasia.
In Father Michael Prevas’ absence, Father Niko Bekris from San Francisco’s Annunciation Cathedral celebrated the Divine Liturgy, conducted mnemosyna for John Carvounnis and Angelus Moulos, and followed with our Artoklasia blessing. If you haven’t already heard, Father Michael has been called to serve at the Northridge parish after serving the Resurrection community for the past eleven years. He will be dearly missed by all.
Father Niko stepped into the hall to offer a prayer before we enjoyed lunch.
Yianni Varvelas, the caterer at Resurrection, provided appetizers, salads, lamb shank and Greek lemon chicken dinners, and Galatobouriko—all outstanding.
Ted Zamenes filmed the event, and Emily Nickolas roamed the hall with her camera, capturing our guests socializing and watching Kathy Stathis present a slideshow Vikki Fraioli created upon her return from Kythera, as she was unable to attend this years Panigyri.
A moment of silence was shared in remembrance of those you who are no longer with us.
Kytheriasmos Symposium
Cynthia Cavalenes-Jarvis reported on the Kytheraismos Symposium.
KSOCA members, Vikki Vrettos Fraioli, and Cynthia Cavalenes-Jarvis, were invited to present at the 6th International Symposium of Kytheraismos in Sydney, Australia, in November 6-9, 2014.
Cynthia attended the Kytherian Association - Sydney Ladies Auxillary, Melbourne Cup Tea
Both Vikki and Cynthia enjoyed the company of Sydney Kytherians for a walk along the coastline enjoying an annual exhibition entitled "Sculptures by the Sea".
They were both invited as special guests to attend the Symposium Welcome Reception on Thursday evening which was held at the Greek Consolate.
The official opening of the Symposium was Friday morning with several dignitaries offering welcome remarks.
Vikki and Cynthia presented a short history and update on the activities of the Kytherian Society of California.
Cynithia, along with George Poulos, offered an update on the Kythera Municipal Library.
Saturday evening participants attended the Symposium Dinner Dance where they also enjoyed performances by several of the Kytherian Association of Australia Dance Groups.
To read more about the Kytheraismos Symposium and view the Thematic Units of this years conference click the link below.
To see more photos from the symposium click the link below.
The amazing hospitality and love shown by the Kytherians of Australia was unforgettable and greatly appreciated!
Honorary Kytherian
We bestowed the title of Honorary Kytherian on Yianni Varvelas, much to his surprise, and he now wants to join the Kytherian Society as a member!
Kythera News
Megan Pearse and Emily Nickolas (not pictured) eagerly described their very first journey to the island.
Ted Leonis informed the group about the shipment of medical supplies AHEPA will be sending to the new hospital on Kythera and requested donations to help raise shipping costs.
Kathy Stathis shared information about Filoziki Kytheron, Animal Welfare Organization Kythera and the work Irene van Klinken is doing to help the animals on the island.
New Books
Melina Mallos' bilingual Greek and English children's book, Catch that Cat, set on the island of Kythera, is available via her website at http://www.melinamallos.com/
James Prineas' new book, the Kytherians is availabe on his website at
Keep an eye out for James' new movie, Kythera mon Amour.
COMING SOON TO A KYTHERIAN CINEMA NEAR YOU!
It will also be available at the above webiste.
Watch the trailer below.
Archaeology of Kythera
Melissa Mischak spoke about a planned get together on January 9 or 10 with two archeologists, Dr. Lita (Tzortzopoulou) and Dr. Timothy Gregory.
Lita and Tim will be attending the Annual Meetings of the Archaeological Institute of America from January 6-9, 2016, in San Francisco, where they will be presenting aspects of their work on the island of Kythera.
They are excited at the opportunity of meeting members of the Kytherian Society of California, other Greeks, and philehellenes, at an informal gathering where they will talk about their research and hopefully present their new book: The Archaeology of Kythera, which is scheduled to be published in December.
Lita is by descent Kytherian, but she was born in Australia. She grew up, however, in Karavas on Kythera and Greek is her native language. She did her university studies in Australia, primarily at the University of Sydney and Latrobe University (in Melbourne), where she received her PhD degree. She has taught extensively in the USA, primarily at the Ohio State University and Columbus State Community College. She is currently Executive Officer--Athens, of the Australian Archaeological Institue at Athens and is based in Athens.
Tim was born and grew up in the USA and has his PhD from the University of Michigan. He has carried out archaeological fieldwork and taught students in Greece for nearly half a century, and is Director of the Ohio State University Excavations at Isthmia (in the Korinthia) and Deputy Director of the Australian Paliochora-Kythera Archaeological Survey. He is Professor of History at the Ohio State University.
For more information, and/or if you are willing to help plan this event,
contact Vikki Fraioli.
Scholarship
We had no scholarship applicants this year, so we hope to be able to award two scholarships next year. Kathy Stathis encouraged the membership to spread the word to any Kytherian youth who is beginning or continuing college or university studies and whose parents or grandparents are members of the Kytherian Society.
Additional Remarks
Panagiotis Coukoulis, a long-time supporter of the Kytherian Society, was able to join us this year. Everyone enjoyed listening to him speak about his memories of the island.
Saint Nicholas National Shrine
Kathy Stathis spoke about the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church, destroyed on 9/11 along with the Twin Towers in New York City. The membership voted to send $1,000 to the Archdiocese as a donation from the Kytherian Society of California.
To learn more about the St. Nicholas Shrine, click on the links below:
WSJ Article - A Church Near Ground Zero Reimagined
Saint Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center
Saint Nicholas National Shrine Facebook Page
Click below to watch highlights from the Panigyri
Video by Ted Zamenes
Photo Slideshow
Photography by Emily Nickolas
