CELEBRATION OF THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS ST. ATHANasios

Father Efraim (left) with Rev. Fr. Spyridon Metarhioton

Left to right:  Sarantis O. Alexopoulos, Theodoros 

Daskalopoulos, Rv. Fr. Spyridon Metarhioton and

Gregory Leteno

Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher/Editor of Chicago Greek

Press with Rev. Fr. Spyridon Metarhioton

 Mark V. Tiniakos with Father Efraim 

Nikolaos Kourentzis, Fr. Efraim and

Demetrios Kourentzis

Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher/Editor of

Chicago Greek Press with Fr. Efraim 

and Rev. Fr. Spyridon Metarhioton (right)

 George Tzanetopoulos with Father Efraim and Rev. Father Spyridon Metarhioton 

Rev. Fr. Spyridon Metarhioton with James Lappas (left) and 

George Tzanetopoulos

Father Efraim from Arizona Monastery during his

visit at the St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church

in Chicago, performing the vespers and liturgy for

the Feast Day of St. Irene Chrysovalantou

Rev. Father Spyridon Megarhioton came from Trikala, 

Greece to perform temporary ecclesiastical services at 

St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago

From left to right: Theodoros Daskalopoulos with father Efraim and father Spyridon Megarhioton

 A Reception was held on July 17, 2023 at the Athena Greek Restaurant in Chicago, to support Dean Maragos, a prominent attorney, and Accountant, regarding his candidacy for New Trier Democratic Committeeman.  The Honorary Hosts were Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Secretary of State, Don Harman, Illinois Senate President, Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President, and Jan Schakowsky, Congresswoman.  Many dignitaries attended the Reception.  

Hon. Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County 

Board President speaking about the attorney,

Dean Maragos and his accomplishments

Hon. Alexi Giannoulias, Secretary 

of State of Illinois (right) with Dean

Maragos

Pictured left to right:  Dean Maragos, Alexi Giannoulias, 

Secretary, and Frank J. Spula, President of Polish National

Alliance of the U.S. of N.A.

Pictured left to right: Hon. Jesse G. Reyes, Appellate Court Judge, 

Frank J. Spula, President of the Polish National Alliance, Dean Maragos, and Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher/Editor of Chicago Greek Press

Left to right:  Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher/Editor of

Chicago Greek Press, Dean Maragos, attorney at law,

and Alexi Giannoulias, Secretary of State of Illinois

Alon Stein, Democrat for Judge - 12th Subcircuit, during

the Reception

 Distinguished guests at the  Reception 

Members of the Knights of Columbus 

at Dapper's East Restaurant in Chicago

enjoying breakfast.  Pictured left to right:  

Adam Fitzgerald, Law Enforcement Officer, 

Dennis Fitzgerald, Grand Night, Mark V. Tiniakos, 

Publisher/Editor of Chicago Greek Press, 

Aris F. Yanibas, attorney at law, and William S.

Warnock, 

Financial Secretary of the Knights of Columbus

Knights of Columbus, 2023-2024 Officers

Left to right - Front Row:

Bob Camp, Financial Secretary, Jim Calvino,

Deputy Grand Knight, Dennis Fitzgerald,

Grand Knight, Dennis McKenna, Chancellor

Back Row:  Terry Cornell, Treasurer,

Ed Hozzian, Inside Guard, Bill Bill Warnock, Warden,

Mitchell Masalski, Trustee, and Richard Lewandowski

Maryanna Spyropoulos, Commissioner of the Metropolitan 

Water Reclamation District, interviewed by the host of the Radio Show,

Art Andros,  "Where Are They Now".  The show broadcasts on 

Saturdays at 10:00 am Central Time on 820 AM.

Pictured: Maryanna Spyropoulos with Art Andros and Bobby Drell

September 2, 2023... seated 

from left to right:  Mark V. Tiniakos,

Publisher and Editor of Chicago

Greek Press.  Michael R. Masalski,

Trustee of Knights of Columbus.

Dennis P. Fitzgerald, Grand Knight,

Knights of Columbus.  William S.

Warnock, Warden, Knights of Columbus,

Aris F. Yanibas, Esq., Attorney at Law, at

Dappers East Restaurant in Chicago

On June 22, 2023, a photo exhibition namely “MARIUPOL, Life on the Edge 

of Apocalypse,” was hosted by the Office of the Cook County Treasurer, Maria Pappas.

It depicted life in a Ukrainian city before and after the invasion by Russia. 

The Exhibit featured dozens of photos by Mariupol photographers depicting life 

in Mariupol, located off the northern coast of the Azov Sea.  Prior to the Russian 

invasion in February 2022, Mariupol was one of the largest towns in Ukraine, 

with more than 425,000 people. A brutal and unrelenting bombardment obliterated 

the once vibrant city, whose population has fallen below 100,000.  “The images are 

searing,” said Pappas. “The juxtaposition of the photos depicting the happy life before 

the war and the heartbreaking images of loss and suffering is truly unforgettable.”   

Mariupol and its surrounding region were once home to one of the largest and oldest 

groups of ethnic Greeks outside of Greece. Ethnic Greeks were the third-largest ethnic 

group after Ukrainians and Russians. The photos will be on display on the walls of the 

Treasurer’s office until August 25, 2023.

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is announcing

details about the Exhibition, along with the Consul General of

Greece, Emmanuel Koubarakis (right), and other

dignitaries.

Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago, Serhiy Koledov 

at the podium along with Treasurer, Maria Pappas and 

Consul General of Greece, Emmanuel Koubarakis.

Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher/Editor of Chicago Greek Press (left) with Endy Zemenides

Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council.

Dignitaries with Cook County Treasurer, Maria Pappas.

 Traditional Ukrainian songs by a group.

  Attendees from the Ukrainian community in Chicago.

 Pictured left to right are: Hon. Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer, Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher-Editor of Chicago Greek Press, and Anna and Nick Harisiadis

On Friday, March 17, 2023, at St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church, 

His Grace Bishop Timothy celebrated the Salutations of the 

Theotokos (Hairetismoi) along with Very Rev. Simeon Johnson,  

Rev. Fr. Dimitri Tobias and Deacon Anthony Callas.

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. 

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. 

On June 16, 2023, the Consul General of Greece in Chicago, Hon. Emmanuel Koumbarakis, 

and his spouse, Georgia Tasiopoulou, held a reception on the occasion of the visit of 

Her Excellency, Alexandra Papadopoulou, Ambassador of Greece in the United States.  

The reception was held at the Consul's residence in Chicago and attended by several 

dignitaries from the Greek community, businessmen, educators, judiciary, and other 

professionals.  Among the attendees were:  Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer, 

Andy Melissaratos, Special Agent of Homeland Security Investigations, Judge 

Anthony C. Kyriakopoulos, Judge Anthony Calabrese, Judge James Bouras, 

Judge Anna Demakopoulos, Mr. and Mrs. James Bousis, Leo Loutsios from Illinois 

Secretary of State, Vasilios Memos, Mr. and Mrs. Demetrios Georgakopoulos, Elias

Voulgaris, former Commander of the Chicago Police Department and President of

the Hellenic American Police Association, George Reveliotis, and many others.

Left to right are:  Andy Melissaratos, Special

Agent, Homeland Security, Ms. Georgia

Tasiopoulou, Ambassador, Alexandra

Papadopoulou and Emmanuel Koubarakis,

Consul General.

 Guests at the Reception 

Left to right:  Mark V. Tiniakos, 

Publisher and Editor of Chicago

Greek Press, Ambassador Alexandra

Papadopoulou and Kostas Chraniotakis, 

President of ENOSIS of Illinois

Nikolaos Koubarakis, father of Consul General

with Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher and Editor of Chicago
Greek Press

At St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church

Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher and Editor Chicago Greek Press picture with His Grace Ierotheos and Rev. Fr. Panayiotis K. Malamis

Very Rev. Gerasimos Marouthas with Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher and Editor Chicago Greek Press

Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Commissioner of The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago with Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher and Editor of Chicago Greek Press at the City Club of Chicago.

On January 23, 2023, Cook County Sheriff, Tom Dart, was at the City Club 

of Chicago and talked with Don Gibbons, the City Club Vice Chair, about 

the Cook Cook Jail and its prisoners. Sheriff Dart has dedicated his career 

to challenging injustice and fighting the violence plaguing our communities.

Pictured left, Sheriff of Cook County, Tom Dart with Mark V. Tiniakos,

Publisher and Editor of Chicago Greek Press

Mark V. Tiniakos, Publisher and Editor of Chicago Greek Press (left) with Richard Irvin, Mayor of Aurora, at the Polish American Police Association of Chicago and Illinois Award Banquet

The Greek Flag in the Parade 

 Georgia and Nick Tiniakos displaying

the banner of the Ladies Educational Society of

St. George Chicago during the Greek Independence Day Parade

           Father Chrysanthos Kerkeres, Father Panagiotis Sarolas, 

Parish Council President, Paul Rentzelos along with Members

of the Parish Council of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in

Chicago during the Greek Independence Day Parade. 

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.

The Hellenic American Police

Association during the Greek 

Independence Day Parade

headed by Elias Voulgaris,

President of the Association and

former Commander of Chicago

Police Department

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 Kass, former reporter of Chicago Tribune with Dennis Fitzgerald, Grand Knight,

Picture left to right: John Kass, 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.