The leaders of Greece and Turkey are scheduled to meet in the Turkish capital next month. Credit: Prime Minister’s Press Office
The leaders of Greece and Turkey are scheduled to meet on May 13th in Ankara. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced he would meet his Turkish counterpart President Recep Tayyip Erdogan next month at the culmination of a two-day summit of the European Council in Brussels.
In recent years, the bilateral relationship between the two countries has been characterized by tensions over the geostrategically vital Aegean Sea. However, renewed efforts by leaders of Greece and Turkey to improve relations have given rise to a period of cautious rapprochement.
Nevertheless, several thorny issues threaten to derail efforts to improve bilateral relations. Just last week, Turkey contested the plan by Greece to establish a new marine park in the Aegean Sea saying that Athens does not have sovereignty over islands within the region.
Mitsotakis responds to Turkish stance on marine environmental parks
Mitsotakis dismissed Turkey’s stance against Greece’s plan for the new marine park as “completely unjustified.”
“Greece exercises its sovereign rights in the Aegean Sea on the basis of international law and the law of the sea and I am impressed by this completely unjustified reaction of Turkey to an initiative, which ultimately has an environmental characteristic,” the Greek Prime Minister said.
He expressed his belief that the rapprochement between Greece and Turkey had not necessarily altered Ankara’s stance on key issues that have strained relations in the past.
Within the framework of European Council discussions, Mitsotakis also commented on wider relations between the EU and Turkey, with added emphasis on how this impacts Cyprus.
“For the moment, I am satisfied with the conclusions we have reached, which recognize the fact that relations between the European Union and Turkey may progress, but always within the framework of the decisions taken by the European Council in recent years,” said the Greek PM.
“Finally, in full agreement with the Republic of Cyprus, I welcome the fact that there is an explicit reference linking the progress of EU-Turkey relations with the progress that can be made on the Cyprus issue,” he said. “With explicit references to the Security Council resolutions that define the only framework within which the Cyprus issue can be resolved. And, of course, on our part, we express our expectation that this new effort, which is being made under the new UN envoy, will finally be able to bear fruit.”
Meetings between leaders of Greece and Turkey
The scheduled meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdogan fits within a broader trend of renewed communication between both leaders.
Until February 2023, the pair had reportedly not spoken for months. However, earthquakes that devastated portions of Turkey that month prompted both leaders to resume communications.
In the months since, there has been a focus on reducing tensions in the Mediterranean and improving bilateral relations between the two countries.
In December last year, Mitsotakis and Erdogan met in Athens, where they signed a friendship declaration between Greece and Turkey.
French authorities are expecting the 2024 Paris Olympics to face a significant threat posed by cyberattacks. Credit: Anthony Delanoix / Upsplash
Commentary by Neli Rašović, Vice-President of Women4Cyber Montenegro
As the world eagerly anticipates the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, it’s crucial to recognize the multifaceted challenges posed by cybersecurity threats. While the Games symbolize unity, excellence, and global celebration, they also represent a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure.
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the biggest events ever organized in France with billions of viewers worldwide, millions of spectators in Paris, and over ten thousand athletes, twenty thousand journalists, and thirty thousand volunteers. These individuals will all be connected through a labyrinth of digital networks ripe for exploitation.
The threat of cyberattacks and the Paris Olympics
The history of major sporting events is riddled with instances of cyberattacks, ranging from espionage and sabotage to data breaches and disinformation campaigns. Past Olympics, including Beijing 2008, Rio 2016, and PyeongChang 2018, have all fallen victim to cyber incidents, highlighting the pervasive nature of the threat.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics faced over 450 million attempted cyberattacks, successfully blocked by the organizers. It is anticipated that the number of cyberattacks during the upcoming Games will be on the rise, particularly taking into consideration that the Paris Olympics are the first Games taking place in the artificial intelligence (AI) era. There is potential for AI-manipulated media to undermine the integrity of competitions.
Geopolitical tensions further complicate the risk landscape, as state-sponsored actors exploit digital vulnerabilities to advance political agendas. Ongoing conflicts have heightened concerns about retaliatory cyber operations targeting the Paris Olympics. Against this backdrop, it’s imperative for organizers to adopt a proactive stance and implement robust cybersecurity strategies to mitigate risks effectively.
Threats and countermeasures
On the severity of cyber threats speaks the fact that French authorities, led by the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI), have included the military to mitigate cyber risks, acknowledging that present government resources may not be sufficient to counter all forms of potential cyber aggression.
Consequently, there is a notable emphasis on readiness and collaboration among cybersecurity specialists and governmental bodies, actively working to ensure the integrity of the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
Some of the key identified categories of cyber threats are:
Cyber Espionage and Intelligence Gathering: Foreign intelligence agencies may target the Olympics to gather sensitive information about participating countries, athletes, officials, and event logistics. This information could be used for various purposes, including strategic advantage, political leverage, or future cyber operations.
Disruption of Critical Infrastructure: Hacktivist groups or state-sponsored actors may attempt to disrupt essential services and infrastructure supporting the Olympics. This would include transportation networks, power grids, or telecommunications systems. These attacks could result in widespread chaos, logistical challenges, and public safety concerns.
Supply Chain Attacks: Malicious actors may exploit vulnerabilities in the supply chain ecosystem of the Olympics, targeting vendors, contractors, or service providers involved in delivering goods and services for the event. Compromising these entities could lead to the insertion of malicious software, counterfeit products, or compromised infrastructure, posing significant risks to the Games’ operations and security.
Cyber Attacks on Spectators and Visitors: With the increasing reliance on digital ticketing, mobile apps, and online platforms for event information and engagement, cybercriminals may target spectators and visitors attending the Paris 2024 Olympics. These attacks could involve phishing scams, fraudulent ticket sales, or the distribution of malware-infected mobile apps. By compromising personal devices or stealing sensitive information, such as financial data or personal credentials, cybercriminals can exploit unsuspecting spectators and undermine the overall security and experience of the event. Organizers must prioritize the protection of spectators’ digital assets and raise awareness on potential cyber threats to ensure a safe and enjoyable Olympic experience for all attendees.
To fight the identified threats, several measures are being taken:
Comprehensive Threat Assessment: ANSSI, in collaboration with international cybersecurity partners, has been conducting thorough assessments to identify and prioritize cyber threats facing the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Secure IT Systems: The Paris 2024 organizers, building on experience from previous Olympics, have been prioritizing the security of information systems and security operation centers (SOCs) by implementing robust encryption protocols and access controls.
Data Protection Measures: Stringent data security measures, such as advanced encryption and access controls, are implemented to safeguard personal data and sensitive information from unauthorized access or exploitation.
Cybersecurity Awareness and Training: Extensive awareness-raising campaigns and cybersecurity training programs are conducted for all stakeholders, including organizers, participants, volunteers, and spectators.
Physical Security Measures: In addition to cybersecurity efforts, robust physical security measures are implemented to complement digital defenses.
Advanced Surveillance Technologies: The French government will be deploying AI-based technological surveillance, including extensive networks of cameras integrated with AI algorithms, enabling them to closely monitor crowds and public areas for signs of suspicious activity.
Global Cybersecurity Alliances: Collaboration with international cybersecurity organizations and government agencies facilitates the sharing of intelligence on emerging cyber threats and best practices for mitigation.
Simulation and Response Planning: Billions of cybersecurity simulations and response planning exercises have been conducted, training cybersecurity teams to identify vulnerabilities and refin response strategies.
Looking ahead: Ensuring a safe and successful event
As preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics continue, it’s essential to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing cybersecurity challenges. By embracing innovative technologies, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing cybersecurity awareness, organizers can enhance the resilience of the Games against evolving threats.
The success of the Paris Olympics hinges not only on athletic achievement but also on the robustness of its digital defenses. By implementing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies and adopting a proactive stance, organizers can uphold the values of fair play, integrity, and unity that define the Olympic spirit. Jointly, all stakeholders can ensure the Paris 2024 Olympics are not only a celebration of sport but also a testament to the power of collective resilience in the face of adversity.
The study looked into factors including cleanliness and the proportion of flower shops, bakeries, and perfume shops. Credit: Titanas. CC BY 2.0/Flickr
People living in Athens may disagree, but a recent study analyzing 30 major cities in Europe and beyond, has found that the Greek capital is the best-smelling city.
The study by HAYPP has shed light on this overlooked aspect of urban life and looked into factors including cleanliness and proportion of flower shops, bakeries, and perfume shops to give each city a “smell score.” And the city that sniffed its way to the top of the charts was Athens, Greece.
The study explains that the bustling street markets, the aroma of fresh produce, herbs, and sizzling Greek delicacies wafting through the air put the Greek capital at the top of the relevant chart.
Athens is a feast for the senses, the study claims, scoring 8.3 out of 10 on the smell-o-meter. From cheesy tiropita (cheese pie) to sticky-sweet baklava, the city’s bakeries are serving up some serious scent satisfaction.
Athens is also a floral paradise, boasting 31 flower shops and 22 perfumeries per 10 square kilometers, which means delicate fragrance lingers around every corner of the city.
The flower shops of Syntagma square are an Athens landmark. Credit: Press Office of the PM of the Hellenic Republic
The city’s commitment to cleanliness is also reflected in its Environmental Performance Index (EPI), receiving a score of 56.2. While Athens may have claimed the top spot, it’s worth mentioning the other cities that have made it to the list of the world’s nicest-smelling cities.
Paris, with its romantic ambiance and elegant boulevards, secures the second position followed closely by Zurich, renowned for its cleanliness and picturesque surroundings, round up the top three. Dublin is at number four, followed by Luxemburg and Nicosia.
Here are the top ten:
Credit: HAYPP
What locals may think about Athens being the best-smelling city
Athenians would perhaps be more skeptical of the results of the study. Athens’ cleanliness is a bit of a mixed bag. Central areas and tourist spots are generally well-maintained, with regular trash collection and sanitation. The historic areas around the Acropolis are quite clean.
However, cleanliness can vary depending on the neighborhood. Some areas are tidy while others might have more litter and graffiti. Air quality is a weak spot for Athens, most local residents would argue. The city struggles with moderate air pollution due to factors like traffic and industry.
The good news is that Athens is taking steps to improve air quality. The city is expanding its metro system and investing in cleaner buses, and it also imposes traffic restrictions on vehicle use in the city center. Electric vehicles are also encouraged through incentives for people to switch to cleaner modes of transportation.
While there’s progress, air quality remains a challenge in Athens.
The research aims to create new ways for audiences to interact with archaeological sites. Credit: University of Sunderland
A Greek student from Crete who studies at the University of Sunderland in England has mapped the Palace of Knossos utilizing 3D laser scanning equipment.
George Vasilakis, who is studying BSc Web and Mobile Development, used cutting-edge technology provided by the university for his project.
The research aims to create new ways for audiences to interact with archaeological sites, using these scans to create a virtual reality experience of the palace and use the University’s 3D printers to construct physical models.
As a native Cretan, it’s a dream come true to access restricted areas of the palace.
“The Palace of Knossos is not only the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete but also the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization,” Vasilakis told the University of Sunderland magazine.
“This remarkable monument, with its complex architecture and stunning frescoes, offers invaluable insights into Europe’s first advanced civilization.
“Through my research, I hope to support Crete’s bid to secure UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage status for Knossos and other significant Minoan palaces.”
Credit: University of Sunderland
Mapping the Palace of Knossos with 3D laser
He added: “Conducting my dissertation at Knossos is a pinnacle moment not just for me, but for the University of Sunderland’s commitment to student-led research that contributes to preserving world heritage.
“I’m excited to process the data and uncover new insights about this fascinating ancient civilization.”
Vasilakis had to get special permission from the Greek Ministry of Culture, all made possible through the support of the University and the Faculty of Technology.
Paul Graham, Interim Associate Head of Computing at the University of Sunderland, said: “George came to speak with me about his project idea, which is a great project for the faculty and his final year dissertation.
“He has used our latest scanning equipment and is looking to develop a VR App where you can walk through the Palace of Knossos in Crete which the Heraklion Archaeological team are also happy with.”
“George is also looking to utilize our 3D Interactive Igloo for his project so there would be no need to use a VR headset in order to walk around the Palace.
Paul added: “This is just one of the great dissertation projects that we are supporting this year that links industry to our computing courses.”
The Palace of Knossos, located about five kilometers (three miles) south of Heraklion on Kephala hill, was the largest of all the Minoan palaces in Crete.
It was also at the core of the highly sophisticated civilization that flourished on the island over 3,500 years ago.
The Riace Bronzes, displayed in the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia in Reggio Calabria, Italy, have remained a mystery since their discovery. Credit: Alexander van Loon/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
The mystery over the Riace Bronzes, two magnificent ancient Greek statues, remains, more than half a century after the day they were recovered off the coast of the Italian region of Calabria in August of 1972.
To this day, archaeologists and other scientists have been unable to identify with certainty who the bronze statues depict, when they were created—and how on earth they ended up in Calabria.
The day one of the Riace bronzes was brought on land in Italy. Public Domain
Discovered by Stefano Mariottini in the town of Riace, the two statues were transported to the National Museum of Reggio Calabria, where they underwent an initial restoration that eliminated the layers of concretized sand coating them.
Then, subsequent restorations followed in Florence and Reggio.
Mystery of ancient Greek statues continues
However, it still has not been established with absolute certainty if the pair of statues was, from the beginning, a single group or if their juxtaposition had occurred during transport over the sea.
Their exact identification is also quite uncertain and debated: do they depict athletes, or heroes, such as Agamemnon and Ajax, Mirone and Alcamene, Achilles and Patroclus, Tydeus and Amphiaraus, or deities?
They have almost the same height, around two meters and are both nudes—an emblem of divine or heroic status—and their stance is the same (the right leg is straight, the left is bent).
Originally, they were accompanied by arms, as well, including helmets, coats of arms (supported by the bent left arm), and a lance (held by the lowered right hand).
Anatomical details of the Riace Bronzes
The anatomical details of the ancient Greek statues are represented with extreme precision, and the veins and arteries are visible. Their powerful musculature radiates both strength and the perfection of the human form.
The lips, eyelashes, and nipples of the statues are made of copper while the teeth are made of silver paper. Both were produced using the “lost wax” casting technique.
The statue called “Bronze A” has hair that is bound by a band and a thick and abundant beard with locks that were individually modeled.
“Bronze B” has a smoother head, sloping upward to better accommodate the Corinthian helmet, which is raised above his head to reveal the face.
While dating for the Riace Bronzes is controversial, they certainly represent two masterpieces of the art of bronze statuary from the fifth century BC.
Discovering ancient Greek bronze statues is quite a rare occurrence. While countless bronzes were created in antiquity, most no longer survive.
Throughout the centuries, bronze sculptures were melted down to create coins and other objects out of the precious material. Most bronzes that have been recovered only survived as they were somehow hidden in ancient times—often due to shipwrecks.
97 percent of influencers featured commercial content, but only 20 percent consistently acknowledged it as advertising. Credit: Greek Reporter
Influencers in the EU, including 20 Greeks, who have failed to declare profits made through advertising may face penalties by the European Commission.
A Commission sweep carried out from Oct. 27 to Nov. 30, 2023, which scrutinized posts from 576 influencers across major social media platforms found that a staggering 97 percent of influencers featured commercial content but only 20 percent consistently acknowledged it as advertising.
“Problematic marketing practices illustrate the importance of having modern robust legislation that is adequate to ensure digital fairness for consumers online,” the Commission said.
The EU executive, which led the study together with the national consumer protection authorities of 22 EU member states including Norway and Iceland, screened posts on social media including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, and Twitch.
Its aim, the Commission said, was to verify whether influencers were complying with EU consumer law. It did not name the influencers but said 358 of them were earmarked for further investigation.
National authorities will contact them to request they follow the rules in place and further enforcement action may be taken if necessary. In Greece, the Development Ministry and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) will request compliance.
The influencers’ posts were mainly about fashion, lifestyle, beauty, food, travel, and fitness. The Commission study found that 119 influencers were promoting unhealthy or hazardous activities, such as junk food, alcoholic beverages, medical or aesthetic treatments, gambling, or financial services such as crypto trading.
EU findings on influencers
Other key findings of the EU-wide investigation include:
78 percent of influencers engaged in commercial activities, but only 36 percent were registered traders
30 percent did not provide company details in their posts
38 percent did not use platform labels to disclose commercial content appropriately
40 percent failed to maintain visible disclosure throughout their commercial communication
40 percent promoted their own products without consistent advertising disclosure
44 percent operated personal websites, many of which facilitated direct sales.
The Commission stresses that the findings highlight the need for clear legislation to safeguard consumers in the digital sphere. The forthcoming Digital Services Act will mandate disclosure of commercial communications, ensuring accountability across online platforms.
Influencers can shape public discourse
Influencers hold significant sway over public discourse in today’s social media-driven world. They cultivate massive followings on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. This gives them a direct line to a receptive audience, allowing them to spread ideas and information quickly.
They also often craft an image of authenticity and relatability. Moreover, they might share their lives and experiences, fostering a sense of connection with audiences. This perceived authenticity makes their recommendations and opinions more persuasive.
Influencers can introduce new topics and ideas into the public consciousness. By focusing on specific issues or trends, they can influence what people talk about and what gains traction in online discussions.
Ichthyotitan severnensis was between 22 and 26 meters long. Credit: James St. John, CC2/Flickr
A fossil jawbone found by a British girl and her father on a beach in Somerset, England, belongs to a gigantic marine reptile dating back to 202 million years ago that appears to have been among the largest animals ever on Earth.
Researchers said the bone, called a surangular, was from a type of ocean-going reptile called an ichthyosaur.
Based on its dimensions compared to the same bone in closely related ichthyosaurs, the researchers estimated that the Triassic Period creature, which they named Ichthyotitan severnensis, was between 22 and 26 meters long.
Welcome to the world Ichthyotitan. Roughly the size of a blue whale, perhaps the largest marine reptile ever known.
That would make it perhaps the largest-known marine reptile and would rival some of the largest baleen whales alive today. The blue whale, considered the largest animal ever on the planet, can reach about 30 meters long.
Marine reptiles ruled the world’s oceans when dinosaurs dominated the land. Ichthyosaurs, which evolved from terrestrial ancestors and prospered for about 160 million years before disappearing roughly 90 million years ago, came in various sizes and shapes, eating fish, squid relatives and other marine reptiles and giving birth to live young.
Ichthyotitan is known only from two jawbones, the one found by Ruby Reynolds and her father Justin Reynolds in 2020 at Blue Anchor, Somerset, and another from a different Ichthyotitan individual found in 2016, along the Somerset coast at Lilstock.
“It is quite remarkable to think that gigantic, blue whale-sized ichthyosaurs were swimming in the oceans around the time that dinosaurs were walking on land in what is now the UK during the Triassic Period,” paleontologist Dean Lomax said, according to Reuters.
Ruby Reynolds, who was 11 at the time and is now 15, was fossil hunting on the beach with her father when they spotted a piece of the surangular. Ruby continued to search the area and found a second piece — much larger than the first — partly buried in a mud slope. They subsequently contacted Dr Lomax, an ichthyosaur expert, and additional sections of the bone were unearthed.
“It has been an amazing, enlightening and fun experience to work with these experts, and we are proud to be part of the team and co-authors of a scientific paper which names a new species and genus,” Justin Reynolds added, Reuters reports.
Ichthyotitan was a member of a family of giant ichthyosaurs called shastasauridae, and lived 13 million years later than any of the others known to date, suggesting these behemoths survived until a global mass extinction event that doomed numerous types of animals about 201 million years ago at the end of the Triassic.
No fossils of the rest of Ichthyotitan’s skeleton have been discovered, but the researchers have been able to discern its appearance based on other members of its family including Shonisaurus from British Columbia, Canada.
The surangular is a long, curved bone at the top of the lower jaw, just behind the teeth, present in nearly every vertebrate living or extinct, apart from mammals. Muscles attached to this bone generate bite force.
Greek products are going mainstream in the USA, gaining distribution and consumers way beyond the Greek American market. Credit: Michael Andricopoulos/Greek Reporter
Greek products are going mainstream in the USA gaining distribution and consumers way beyond the Greek American market.
In major supermarkets, one can nowadays find a wide variety of Greek products such as olive oil, yogurt, feta cheese, gyros, and Greek pies.
For example, in a Los Angeles supermarket, there is a huge selection of Greek foods unimaginable a decade ago. One can buy tzatziki, ouzo, Greek dressings, haloumi, Greek chickpeas, baked beans, olive paste, and pita bread to mention just a few. A whole shopping basket can be filled with Greek products.
Why Greek foods gain in popularity in the USA
One of the reasons why Greek products are increasingly popular in the American market is that Greek cuisine has become more popular in recent years thanks to its fresh, healthy ingredients and flavorful dishes.
Additionally, interest in Greek culture is growing, causing more people to seek out Greek products. Also, American consumers are increasingly interested in genuine products from around the world. Greek products are considered high quality and authentic, making them attractive to American consumers.
Finally, Greek products are increasingly available in the United States thanks to an improved distribution network.
When the US food scene was shaped by Greek products
One of the pioneers that shaped the American food scene is Grecian Delight/Kronos Foods created more than 40 years ago when Peter Parthenis Sr. started up a new Mediterranean food company in Greektown, Chicago.
Today, his creation, headed by his son, Peter Parthenis Jr., has grown enormously and Grecian Delight is once again changing the food game in America.
The 45-year-old entrepreneur expanded the business into more than 185 Greek, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern products moving towards a healthier, and even plant-based, variety of offerings.
According to Parthenis Jr., food trend analysis on products, specifically gyros and other Greek and Mediterranean products, shows that there are still in the growth stage in the US food market. Meaning that there is ample room for increased demand for consumers hungry these protein-based products.
Grecian Delight and Kronos CEO Peter Parthenis Jr. with his father and Grecian Delight founder Peter Parthenis Sr. Credit: GD
He explains that there are four sections of the cycle of consumer demand: “There’s the beginning, which is inception when it begins really ethnic and small, then there’s adoption, when people start to pick up and start buying it, then there’s proliferation, when its becoming mainstream, and then the last stage is ubiquity, which is when you can find it anywhere,” Parthenis Jr. says.
“Greek food, and specifically gyros, is in the stage right before ubiquity. It’s in the mainstream, we still see strong demand and we have a projection of growth for the next ten years.”
“You look in the fridge and you can find milk, cheese, eggs, that are products in ubiquity, you can find them anywhere.” Parthenis Jr.’s long-term goal is to bring his products to everybody’s home.
Greek wine is becoming a sought-after
Other Greek products that are becoming increasingly popular in the USA are honey, mastiha, and wine.
Greek wines have made a spectacular entry into the hospitality sector in the US, and Florida in particular, with better quality products and improved distribution.
Thanks to the efforts of Cretan entrepreneur George Merlemis, Greek wines are becoming sought-after. Not only in Greek restaurants but in American restaurants too.
Merlemis, who operates some of the best Greek restaurants in South Florida, started the import and distribution business of Greek wines a few years ago.
“There has been a renaissance of the Greek vineyard in the last 25 years,” he told Greek Reporter recently. “We improved the distribution and capitalized on the trend for Greek wines.”
Goerge Merlemis was interviewed by a local reporter about Greek wines at his Taverna Opa restaurant in Hollywood, FL. Photo supplied.
“Greek food is very popular in the US. Recently, restaurants with Greek food have been opened by foreigners. Greek cuisine does not have many techniques, but it is the repository of the material. Good materials, good raw materials,” Merlemis told Greek Reporter.
He said that the “tip of the spear” of Greek wine penetration in the US market was the Assyrtiko from Santorini. A white grape native to Santorini, Assyrtiko produces crisp, mineral wines with citrus and white fruit flavors.
Moschofilero is another favorite with grapes growing in the area of central Peloponnese, producing a dry, crispy white wine that is full of aromas. Agioritiko and Malagouzia are also excellent varieties that are being imported by Merlemis.
The Greek entrepreneur says that Greek red wines are also making progress in the US market, especially Xinomavro, a red wine grape of the uplands of Naousa in the regional unit of Imathia, and around Amyntaio, in Macedonia.
Greek foods and cuisine taught at US University
Greek cuisine was recently introduced as a standalone program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) which announced the establishment of the National Hellenic Society Culinary Legacy Fund to promote Hellenic heritage, culture, and cuisine to culinary arts students.
Master Chef Diane Kochilas, star of My Greek Table, said she was thrilled to have the opportunity to teach the College’s hospitality students about wellness and other benefits associated with the Greek Mediterranean diet in several classes held over two days at the College.
The initiative for the program belonged to The National Hellenic Society (NHS), which said that it would help bring other chefs, culinarians, and experts who would impart their insights into the Greek Mediterranean diet, culture, traditions, and lifestyle to students.
As the demand for Greek products continues to grow it is expected that even more Greek products will be available to American consumers in the years to come.
Greece has many beautiful sights for you to check out while you are visiting the country. One thing you want to be sure to add to your itinerary is visiting some of the ancient, historical Greek monasteries. Here are ten must-see monasteries in Greece.
This historical structure on the Greek island of Skiathos, which was first founded in 1794 by a group of monks from Mount Athos, played a crucial role in the 1821 Revolution which brought independence to Greece. The first-ever Hellenic flag was also made on a loom at this very location.
A monastery built in a cave is what you will find when you visit the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani. It sits at the top of a hill in northwest Mandraki while the largest portion of the monastery is built inside a cave. A truly unique experience, the cave monastery is divided into two churches and is definitely worth a visit.
Meteora is the second largest monastic and pilgrimage site in Greece after Mount Athos. The towering cliffs were the perfect place for the monks to take refuge from the invading Turkish army around the 11th century.
Here you will find several breathtaking monasteries that still remain some 400 meters (1,312 feet) above the ground, including the most impressive monastery in Greece, and perhaps in the world, the Holy Monastery of Transfiguration of Jesus, better known as Great Meteoron.
Located on Hydra in the hills above Mandraki, the Monastery of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity), is a trekking destination for many who visit the island. The monastery dates back to 1704 when it was founded by the priest Antonios Oikonomou.
Many people visit the island of Aegina to see the church of Agios Nektarios and the monastery of Agia Triada which is perched above the church. The church is still under construction, but progress is constantly being made, and you can still visit and see the inside of the grand dome. Walk a short uphill trail to the Monastery of Agia Triada where you can say a prayer in the chapels and buy religious souvenirs as keepsakes.
6. Mega Spileo, Kalavryta
The Monastery of Mega Spileo, Kalavryta. Credit: Ai@ce/CC BY 2.0
Another breathtaking monastery, Mega Spileo stands eight stories tall and is actually built at the edge of cliffs at a cave opening where it almost appears to become one with the surrounding landscape. Considered to be the oldest monastery in Greece, dating back to 362 AD, it has survived four fires. It played an important role during the Greek War of Independence in 1821 against the Ottomans. The monastery is also home to countless Byzantine icons, frescoes, copper plates, manuscripts, and other unique treasures, such as its library featuring more than 3,000 books.
7. Monastery of Hosios Loukas, Distomo, Boeotia
Monastery of Hosios Loukas. Credit: Wikipedia/Public domain.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art. Dating back to the early 10th century, it is built on the slopes of Mount Helicon and was founded by the hermit, Venerable (Greek: Hosios) St. Luke, whose relics are kept in the monastery to this day.
8. Saint John the Theologian, Patmos
The Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, Patmos. Credi: WIkipedia/Valeria Casali/CC-BY-SA-4.0
One of the most popular destinations on the island of Patmos, the Monastery is situated near the cave where Saint John wrote the Book of Revelation. This UNESCO World Heritage site was founded in 1088 in Chora, Patmos by soldier-priest John Christodoulos, who heavily fortified the exterior of the structure to protect it from threats of piracy and Seljuk Turks.
This monastery, which is located in Rethymno, Crete, has played many important roles on the island over the last eight centuries since it was founded. The monastery has been the center point for everything from producing needlework embroidered with gold during the 17th and 18th centuries to participating in the Greek War of Independence in 1821.
10. Mount Athos Monasteries
Greece’s spectacular Mount Athos, one of the most famous places for monasteries in Greece. Credit: WPFDC/CC BY 2.0
This UNESCO World Heritage Site and autonomous polity in the Hellenic Republic is one of the oldest monasteries in the world. Greeks refer to it as the “Holy Mountain.” Women are prohibited from entry to the Mountain, which is comprised of a series of monasteries. The monastery was first founded in the year 963 by the monk Athanasios. There are twenty monasteries in total on Mount Athos. Thousands of monks reside at the monasteries today.
A velomobile similar to Father Ephraim’s. Public Domain
A Greek Orthodox monk is cruising through Chicago in a velomobile, a pedal-powered contraption, that looks like a giant green-and-yellow popsicle on wheels.
The sight of Father Ephraim on his recumbent bicycle with a full enclosure, streaking down a bustling Chicago street has heads turning, perhaps expecting a lycra-clad cyclist, but instead a priest with a full-length black cassock and a hand-carved wooden cross dangling from his neck appears.
The contrast of the traditional priest and the green-and-yellow velomobile is inherently funny and unexpected.
Ephraim, 53, who moved to the Northwest Side from a remote community in Alaska last year, says he’s no fan of cars, never owned one. So, not long after arriving in Chicago, wanting to be healthy physically as well as spiritually, he ordered a velomobile from Romania.
“You can’t imagine the expressions on people’s face when they see this because it’s such an outlandish thing to see on the roads,” Ephraim, told the Chicago Sun Times.
Greek Orthodox Monk in Chicago studied mechanical engineering at MIT
Ephraim is from Boston and has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from MIT. “It makes commuting or just doing errands extremely enjoyable. The reaction of children is perhaps the most precious.”
Ephraim is a priest at Saints Athanasios and John Greek Orthodox Church in Old Irving Park. And when he’s out running errands, people will sometimes spot the streamlined tricycle in traffic and wonder whether there’s anyone inside. Some think it’s a drone. The police have stopped him twice, he says, to see if it’s a motorized vehicle, which would require a license plate.
“As soon as I tell them there is no motor, they say, ‘Oh, OK, then just be careful,’ ” Ephraim told the Chicago paper.
This is a velomobile. And the man behind the wheel is Greek Orthodox monk Father Ephraim, who moved to the Northwest Side after five years at a religious commune in remote Alaska.
Who wouldn’t want to navigate Chicago streets in a vehicle not much taller than a fire hydrant? pic.twitter.com/WlxdKROmXu
He’s accustomed to drivers, pedestrians and other cyclists peppering him with questions. They’ll notice his eyes staring back at them through the narrow plexiglass windshield. If they’re persistent and polite, he’ll open the hood, unfold his 5-foot-9-inch frame and step out.
In Alaska, Ephraim says he’d paddle five miles by kayak from the convent on the 50-acre St. Nilus Island to the much larger Kodiak Island.
“I was actually able to go right up to a group of finback whales and reach out and touch one of them,” he says.
“Even though there is no heating in it, you generate so much heat just by pedaling, you have to keep the vents open to keep the fresh air coming to keep you cool,” he told the Chicago Sun Times.
His machine isn’t for everyone, he says. When you’re inside its carbon-fiber shell, with only a tiny window to see out, he says it’s like you’re inside a tiny submarine.
Ephraim says he’s ridden it as far as Wisconsin and back, hitting a top speed of 37 miles an hour on Green Bay Road. “Of course, it took me 2 1/2 hours to get there,” he says.
He’s never been in an accident, but, because he’s so low to the ground, he says he has to stay vigilant for drivers who might not spot him.
One of them, Mary Paganis, says when he got to her home for lunch and she saw the vehicle for the first time, she told him: “What in the world is that?”
But Ephraim says most of his congregants don’t view the orthodox priest’s choice of transportation as particularly … unorthodox. And he wouldn’t mind if they did.
“It is important to take into consideration what people think of you…but not to be enslaved to that,” told the Chicago Sun Times.
