Greek American Heritage Society of Philadelphia

10/02/2026

A historic Greek Orthodox church in Constantinople reopened Sunday after years of closure, with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew performing the opening ceremony at Saint Charalampos in the Bebek district on September 27.

The reopening followed sustained requests from the Greek community in the city. Patriarch Bartholomew made clear at the ceremony that the church was restored to function as an active place of worship, not simply preserved as a historical monument.

The restoration went well beyond cosmetic work. According to Andres Rombopoulou, president of the Ecclesiastical Committee of the Bebek community, the project included extensive structural, architectural, and electromechanical work to preserve the church's historic character.

The restoration was funded by Vyron Nikolaidis, head of PeopleCert, who was present at the ceremony alongside representatives of the local Greek community and church leadership. Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydoniai, the senior bishop of the Bosphorus region, also attended. Nikolaidis noted that the project was part of more than 40 initiatives PeopleCert has carried out for the Greek community in Constantinople and Athens.

Patriarch Bartholomew also unveiled a commemorative plaque installed in the church marking the restoration and acknowledging Nikolaidis's donation.

The Bebek church reopening is part of a broader PeopleCert program focused on the church and education for Constantinople's Greek community. More than 100 children in Constantinople and Imbros have completed over 600 hours of English language classes through the program, and beginning this school year, free Greek language instruction is being added as well.

10/02/2026

As a boy spending summers in Kefalonia, Makis Melissaratos kept returning to a family friend’s radio station, playing music and learning the ropes.

Years later, that early spark became more than two decades behind the DJ booth.

Better known as DJ Makis, he talks with Cosmos Philly about how Greek-American weddings have changed, the St. Thomas community in Cherry Hill that helped shape him, and the family that supports the long weekends and late nights.

Watch the full interview and meet the man behind the music, from those first days in Kefalonia to the Greek-American dance floors he knows so well.

https://cosmosphilly.com/dj-makis-kefalonia-cherry-hill/

10/02/2026

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨

His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras has been elected the new Metropolitan of New Jersey by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate today, October 1, 2026.

Cosmos Philly joins the faithful in congratulating His Eminence and wishing him a blessed ministry as he begins this new chapter of spiritual leadership.

AXIOS! Άξιος!

10/02/2026

Step inside the joyful sights, sounds, and timeless traditions of Grecian Strings, then visit the complete photo album to experience this unforgettable celebration. Our selected images and albums from out musical photo tour.

Grecian Strings, Wilmington DE, 1967-1969 Peter Coustenis – Violin, Clarinet, Bouzouki Kitty Galaris – Violin Dominic – Guitar George Laskaris – Mandolin Jack Kozamanis – Mandolin James Kakavas – Mandolin Elizabeth Brown – Mandolin, Vocalist Elaine Righos – Mandolin, Vocalist Art Ols...

09/25/2026

🇬🇷 A LITTLE TASTE OF GREECE—AND A WHOLE LOT OF KEFI!

Alexandra Mylonas works the loukoumades stand with pride, serving golden bites of Greek tradition with an unforgettable smile!

Head out this weekend, September 24–27, to St. George Greek Orthodox Church for authentic Greek food, live music, dancing, and family fun.

📍 30 East Forge Road, Media, PA 19063

Bring your appetite, bring your friends, and celebrate—OPA! Visit CosmosPhilly.com tomorrow for our full photo album and festival coverage!

09/24/2026

At 19, Pete Pahides was suddenly handed the future of Cedar Farms—and had to earn the trust of people twice his age while carrying forward the lessons, sacrifice, and legacy of his immigrant father; watch the full interview (sponsored by GAHSP) to hear the remarkable story behind one of Philadelphia’s enduring family businesses.

Pete Pahides was 19 years old when he took over Cedar Farms. It was 1977. His father, Gus P. Pahides, had become ill, leaving Pete to deal with customers and businesspeople two and three times his age. “I struggled dealing with people two and three times my age, trying to earn their respect,” Pa...

09/22/2026

Georgios (or George) Tramountanas is generally credited for being the first Greek to migrate to South Australia in 1842, according to the National Archives of Australia.

09/22/2026

09/19/2026

DELAWARE SNAPSHOT 📸
Becoming American in Delaware
Today is Constitution Day/Citizenship Day. Federally recognized in 1952, the day honors the U.S. Constitution’s signing on September 17, 1787, and grew from early 1900s “Americanization” efforts. To ease immigrants’ harsh conditions and job issues, new programs taught English, U.S. law, and patriotism. In 1910, 17% of Delaware’s 202,322 residents were immigrants or their children, who were vital industry and agriculture workers during World War I. Americanization classes here, like the one shown, have been described as giving “foreign-born residents of Delaware a real understanding of the America which the native-born residents know and love.”
– Compiled by robin brown, writer in residence
Delaware Public Archives
General Photograph Collection
Americanization class, Wilmington
Photograph by Commercial Studio
Photo: Undated, digitally colorized
ID: 1325-003-036_2258_