New York 2016: The Continuity of Greek Culture

Greek Letters Day on January 30, 2016 celebrates the Three Hierarchs of the Orthodox Church: St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom. The Three Hierarchs developed Greek literature and education. They lived from about 329-409 A.D. Greek Letters Day celebrates the use and promotion of the Greek language abroad.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is having a three-day religious and culture celebration at the Holy Trinity Cathedral from Friday, January 29 through Sunday January 31. the guest speaker is Rev. Stefanos Alexopoulos, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology, School of Theology and Religious Studies, The Catholic University of America Washington, DC.  On Sunday, Jan. 17, 2 p.m. a “Symposium for Greek Letters” and Vasilopita was sponsored by the Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 27-09 Crescent Street, and Astoria, N.Y. Rev. Vasilios Louros of St. Demetrios Church, Astoria and  Dr. Thalia Chatziagiannoglou, Head of the Office for Educational Affairs of the Consulate General of Greece, attended. The event was dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. John Rassias, Prof. of Foreign Languages, Dartmouth College, New Hampshire. A book presentation by Dr. Maria Kaliambou, Senior Lecturer in Modern Greek, Yale University, entitled “How can we learn Greek through Myths,” was offered. For a detailed account of this extraordinary symposium visit Greeknewsonline.com.¹

A lecture on “The significance of Amphipolis to Greek Education” by Prof. Alexandros Colombos presented teaching methods and a power point presentation on how to approach this method. Prof. Colombos said “Papaloizos publications have a unit on ancient Greece where he/she can learn about Macedonia.”² I personally used Theodore Papaloizos materials for the thirteen years when I instructed Modern Greek at a local New York City University.³

Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” President Demosthenes Triantafillou stated that “we are a 501C tax-exempt non-profit organization of Greek-American Educators and a Greek-American teacher’s union. We are a Greek-American Teachers’ scholarly and academic professional association and not just a cultural association or social club.  The Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” is in the process of founding a Greek-American Teachers Retirement Fund. These are our accomplishments under my presidency. Visit our website at http://www.greekteachersprometheus.org/ created by Alexandros Colombos.”

The Fortieth Anniversary Luncheon of the Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” will be held Sunday, February 28, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Terrace on the Park, Flushing, N.Y. The event is in cooperation with the Federation of Greek Educators, Hellenic PAIDEA of America and other organizations. His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios and Dr. Theodosis Pelegrinis, Deputy Minister of Education of Greece, will honor the event with their presence. Mrs. Maria Makedon, Director of the Office of Education of the Direct Archdiocesan District will be honored. The following Presidents of PROMETHEUS from

1975-2015 will be recognized for their unique successes: Konstantinos Parthenis, Elias Diakolios, John Marcopoulos, Dr. John Siolas, Timoleon Kokkinos, Athena Kromidas, John Takas ,George Kanellopoulos, Dr. Andreas Zachariou, Helen Gallidis, Irene Demas, Stella Kokolis, Apostolos Fountas, Vasiliki Filiotis and Demosthenes Triantafillou.  Tickets are $75 for adults and $45 for children. Musical melodies by Grigoris Maninakis.

“We would like to ask you to support the Luncheon Journal,” said President Triantafillou. “This is your opportunity to show your appreciation for the noble educational work of our Greek

Teachers teaching the Greek Language and Culture to thousands of Greek students in hundreds of Greek Schools.  All persons interested in placing an ad Tickets are $75 for adults and $45 for children. For information, contact Timoleon Kokkinos, 718-545-3360; Dr. John Siolas, 917 596-0642; Vasiliki Filiotis, 718 844-0902, President Demosthenes Triantafillou, 201-768-0161.

“In celebrating ‘Greek Letters’ we express our eternal gratitude to the Three Hierarchs who elevated the study of our Hellenic letters, culture and language. This day serves as a reminder of the continuity of our Greek culture throughout the centuries as well as a celebration of our Greek community. For it is the community where both our devotion to Orthodoxy and our Hellenic heritage are intertwined to give us our unique sense of identity and our profound continuity we have with our heritage.”⁴