Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas: Biggest property tax increases over 20 years

St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago marching in the Greek Independence Day Parade

St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago marching in the Greek Independence Day Parade 

At City Club of Chicago, The Hon. Fritz Kaegi, Cook County Assessor with Mark V. Tiniakos,  Publisher and Editor of the Chicago Greek Press.

At City Club of Chicago, Mike Quigley, member of Congress with Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher and Editor of the Chicago Greek Press.

On June 11, 2022 the Association Neo Kyma Messinias held a cocktail party at the North Branch Restaurant in Glenview Illinois. Shown above is the governing board and some members of the Association

Photo by Ted Lambousis

Rev. Father, Christos J. Vagias, a former priest of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, passed away recently in the Village of Mikrospilia, his hometown, in Arta, Greece.  He served at St. George for over 35 years.  From the first moment at the church, he was determined to organize the community of St. George and he worked diligently with perseverance and self-sacrifice for all the years without counting effort and toil.  He worked for the Greek Christian ideals.  A brilliant preacher of the Greek language, he preached the word of God in plain Greek that was understood by the common people.  His sermon spoke to the hearts of the Greeks who gathered to hear him every Sunday.  Over the years, St. George and Father Vagias, synonymous with the Christian faith, unchanged from the influence of English, became a deacon for the preservation of the Greek-Christian faith. The expansion of the building complex with the addition of the Gymnasium and a Community for social events is due to the perseverance and hard work of Father Vagias. Under his guidance, the community of St. George raised funds and with the personal work of its members, a new building was formed that covered the constant needs of the community. Throughout his ministry, Father Vagias offered support, help, and comfort to anyone in need.  He is survived by Presbytera Konstantina, his three children, Ioannis, Sotiris, and Nektaria, and his grandchildren. 

Rev. Fr. Christos J. Vagias with late Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago and Sotiris Vagias

Rev. Christos J. Vagias with Mark V. Tiniakos, former Board Member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago.

Left to right:  Christos J. Vagias, His Eminence Metropolitan Athinagoras of Mexico and Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Johnson. 

Christos J. Vagias was named Chaplain of the Chicago Police Department by Matt L. Rodriguez, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. 

Remembering Nikos Pentzaropoulos, the amazing goalkeeper of the Panionios Football Team in Athens, Greece, who was highly recognized for his excellent ability and performance.  He was born in1927 and passed away in 1979 following his battle with cancer.  He started football at the age of thirteen in his neighborhood team and with the great talent he had, he was immediately placed in the first team of Panionios, and in1948 he was called to the National team. He was nicknamed “Hero of Tampere”, after a legendary performance with the Greek Olympic team in a match that took place in the city of Tampere in Finland during the Summer Olympic Games of 1952.  While in Tampere, he was given the chance to sign a contract and start training with the Inter Milan team.  He made the decision and in August 1952 he traveled to Milan, signed the contract, and started training with the Inter Team.  Unfortunately, certain things went wrong and Nikos, very disappointed with the circumstances, had to return to the Panionios team.  Apart from being a football player, Pentzaropoulos was also a field jumper with excellent performance, and also, played volleyball and basketball. 

 Paul Bezanis, Parade's security for ENOSIS for many years with Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher and Editor of Chicago Greek Press

SUMMER VACATION

Rev. Fr. Panagiotis K. Malamis of St. Athanasios and John Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago 

and Presvytera Theodora, recently departed for a month-long trip to Greece.  It is a well-deserved 

trip following Fr. Malamis’ hard work at the Parish. We wish them a happy and safe trip and may 

the Lord bless their journey.

Good Afternoon Friends and Members of the Hellenic Society of Constantinople, 

This is a reminder about our upcoming event, the Commemoration of the Fall of Constantinople.  

The event will take place tomorrow at the new Holy Trinity church at 7pm.  Archon Dr. George Demacopoulos will present to us "From 1453, to the Third Rome to the Invasion of Ukraine".  He will share his insights with us on his recent interview with a Moscow Patriarchate insider on the inner workings of the the Moscow Patriarchate and its role in the invasion of Ukraine.  More information is provided on the attached flyer.   

Please join us for an informative evening on the world's current events and how they affect our Ecumenical Patriarchate.  Then stay for fellowship and refreshments provided by the Holy Trinity Philoptochos. 

For those who cannot join us in person, please click on the link below to be directed to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago home page where the event will be live streamed.   

http://www.facebook.com/MetropolisofChicago

Thank you!  

Hellena K. Chrones

President

Hellenic Society of Constantinople

                Photo by Ted Lambousis

Hellena K. Chrones President Hellenic Society of Constantinople

                 Photo by Ted Lambousis.

St. Andrew-Archons of the Ecumenical Patriachate.

              Photo by Ted Lambousis. 

Memorial services for the Hellenic Veterans were held May 30, 2022 at Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois. 

Remembering great memories with friends at a reception, celebrating and honoring the Greek Independence Day of March 25th in Chicago.

Left to right are Irene Pentzaropoulou, Vice Consul of Greece.  Hon. Jim Edgar, Governor of the State of Illinois.  Demetrios Zevelakis, Consul of Greece, and Thomas Stavrides, Vice Consul of Greece.

Presvytera Theodora accepts flowers from the ladies of Philoptohos Society.

Recently, Fr. Panagiotis Malamis and Presvytera Theodora, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at St. Athanasios and John Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago.  The celebration was held at the Church Hall and was attended by their children and grandchildren.  Father Malamis, has previously served the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Demetrios in Elmhurst, Illinois, for 35 years.

Rev. Fr. Panagiotis Malamis and Presvytera Theodora, surrounded by family members

Rev. Fr. Panagiotis K. Malamis with Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher and Editor 

of Chicago Greek Press

Recently, Mark V. Tiniakos of the Chicago Greek Press, met with the Honorable

Charles P. Kocoras, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, and

talked about current and passed issues of interest. The Greek-American community

has honored Judge Kocoras multiple times over the years with multiple awards for his

many services and achievements.

The Honorable Charles P. Kocoras and Alex Pappas. He enjoyed his first trip to

Greece and now works in New York.

The Honorable Charles P. Kocoras with Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher and Editor and of the

Chicago Greek Press

Picture left to right: John Kasss, former reporter of Chicago Tribune with Dennis Fitzgerald, Grand Knight,

Picture left to right: John Kasss, former reporter of Chicago Tribune with Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher and Editor of Chicago Greek Press.

In 1997, I had the blessing to meet with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew when he visited the Chicago area and I met him at the Chicago Metropolis, located at 40 East Burton Place, Chicago.  A special reception was held at the Metropolis to honor him.  The late Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago and other high-ranking church officials welcomed the Patriarch.  Also, distinguished members of the Greek community attended the reception.

The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher and Editor of Chicago Greek Press.