Η Μάγδα μας!

 

Οι φωτογραφίες είναι από το αρχείο της Καίτης Κακαβούλη

H Μάγδα μας ήταν δεύτερη ξαδέλφη, αλλά πολύ κοντά στην οικογένειά μας καθώς η μητέρα της Μαρία Φραγκούλη ήταν πρώτη ξαδέλφη του πατέρα μας από την Εγκλουβή και κολλητή της μαμάς μας.

Η Μάγδα μας γεννήθηκε με μεσογειακή αναιμία καθώς οι δυό γονείς της, η δυναμική Μαρία και ο πράος θείος ο Πάνος Δευτεραίος, είχαν στίγμα μεσογειακής αναιμίας το οποίο δεν γνώριζαν καθώς εκείνα τα χρόνια δεν υπήρχαν οι εξετάσεις για να το εντοπίζουν.

Έτσι ήρθε στον κόσμο η Μάγδα με αυτή τη βαρειά κληρονομική ασθένεια. Κάθε μήνα από τη γέννησή της έπρεπε να της αλλάζουν αίμα και η μητέρα της έτρεχε στο νοσοκομείο με το νεογέννητο, Ένα κοριτσάκι που δεν γνώρισε ανεμελιά καθώς από τα σπάργανα έπρεπε  να του τρυπάνε τα χεράκια για να του αλλάζουν το αίμα.

Έτσι μεγάλωσε η Μάγδα με μεταγγίσεις, νοσοκομεία, αγωνία αν βγήκε κάποιο νέο μηχάνημα που θα μπορούσε μα σταθεροποιήσει το αίμα της. Και η μάνα της να τρέχει από νοσοκομείο σε νοσοκομείο για να της προσφέρει την καλύτερη υποστήριξη, για να την κρατήσει στη ζωή για πάντα. Η μάνα της η ηρωίδα που κεντούσε λευκαδίτικα κεντήματα για να τα βγάζει πέρα με την απαιτητική ασθένεια της κόρης της. Και να περνάει από το σπίτι μας κάθε πρωί να ακουμπάει τον πόνο στη μαμά μας.

Για την ασθένεια της Μάγδας μας είχαν πει εκείνα τα χρόνια πως θα μπορούσε να φτάσει μέχρι 30 ετών, άλλοι γιατροί έλεγαν λιγότερο, αλλά εμείς την είχαμε σα μπιμπελό μην χτυπήσει η Μάγδα , μην αρρωστήσει η Μάγδα, μην επιβαρυνθεί η Μάγδα.

Η μαμά μας είχε πει να προσέχουμε τη Μάγδα σαν κόσμημα, σα λουλούδι, σαν πορσελάνινο βαζο που δεν έπρεπε ποτέ να πέσει κάτω. Κι εμείς τα παιδιά την είχαμε μη μου άπτου, ήταν η μικρή εύθραυστη ξαδελφούλα μας.

Εκείνη πήγε στο σχολείο, πρόσεχε τον εαυτό της, κάθε μήνα στο νοσοκομείο για μεταγγίσεις. Εκείνη δεν είχε μάθει κάτι άλλο από το τρύπημα της σύριγγας κι έτσι πορευόταν σκεπασμένη κάτω από την προστατευτική φτερούγα της μητέρας της , του πατέρα της αλλά και του αδελφού της.

Ζούσε τον προσωπικό της Γολγοθά κι όμως ποτέ δεν έδωσε σε μας τα ξαδέλφια της την παραμικρή λαβή να την λυπηθούμε. Αντίθετα με γενναιότητα  προχώρησε στο γυμνάσιο, λύκειο, έγινε νηπιαγωγός , βρήκε δουλειά. Έγινε μια δεσποινίς σαν ένα κανονικό κορίτσι και κανείς ποτέ δεν καταλάβαινε την αγωνία της, τα βουβά της δάκρυα, την παραμικρή βαρυγγώμια στη ζωή και το Θεό.

Και η θειά Μαρία με το κέντημα , ο θείος Πάνος με το ψάρεμα της στέκονταν σε κάθε σημείο της ζωής της, σε κάθε βήμα που έπρεπε να πηδήσει περνώντας πανύψηλα εμπόδια. Κι ο Γιάννης ο αδελφός της τη στήριξε όλα τα χρόνια της νεότητας και  με την οικογένειά του όταν παντρεύτηκε κι έφερε στον κόσμο παιδιά.

Η αλήθεια είναι πως η Μάγδα με την γενναιότητα και την υπερηφάνεια της δεν άφησε κανένα, ούτε τις πιό στενές της φίλες, να αντιληφθούν την προσωπική της μάχη με τη ζωή. Και είχε πολλές κι αγαπημένες φίλες. Και έβγαιναν βόλτες και χαιρόνταν τη ζωή σα να μην υπήρχε εκείνο το βαθύ αυλάκι του αίματος που τη χώριζε από την κανονικότητα. Σα να μην ήταν διαρκώς υποψήφια στο θάνατο.

Η Μάγδα μεγάλωσε, πέρασε την εφηβεία, πέρασε την ενηλικίωση , έφτασε στην ωριμότητα. Κι εδώ έμελλε να περάσει μια άλλη περιπέτεια υγείας, που την ταλαιπώρησε, την πόνεσε, την γονάτισε. Και παρόλο που η οικογένειά της τη στήριξε με κάθε τρόπο θυσιάζοντας τα πάντα, η Μάγδα δεν άντεξε. Υπέκυψε, πέταξε ψηλά στον ουρανό. Είπε ‘φτού ξελεφτερία!»

Τώρα απαλλαγμένη από το πονεμένο σώμα της πετάει ανάλαφρα να συναντήσει τον πατέρα της και άλλα αγαπημένα πρόσωπα που έφυγαν πριν από εκείνη κι ας μην είχαν προγραφή θανάτου. Τώρα στη γειτονιά του ουρανού θα είναι ισότιμη με όλους τους άλλους  χωρίς μεταγγίσεις, βελόνες, σήριγγες , αγωνία για το αύριο.

Στη θειά Μαρία, το Γιάννη, τη γυναίκα του και τα παιδιά τους εύχομαι κουράγιο.

Μάγδα, να δώσεις χαιρετίσματα στους ενοίκους του ουρανού κι ένα φιλί στην Πεταλούδα μας.

Ώσπου να ξαναβρεθούμε στον άυλο κόσμο της αιωνιότητας!

 Η ξαδέλφη σου

Ιουστίνη

 

“How Far do You Want to Go?—Lessons From a Common Sense Billionaire.”

 

By author/journalist

Justine Frangouli-Argyris 

Like all authors, I am a voracious reader. Recently, I packed my usual 3 or 4 titles for a week of r&r down south. A couple of days prior to departure, however, I encountered my dear friend, John Catsimatidis, for dinner at Milos. I have known John since the turbulent days of Archbishop Spyridon when he was named vice-chairman of the Archdiocesan council. 

 In the years that were to follow, I would write Spyridon’s biography, The Lonely Path of Integrity, and a novel based on the life of John’s mother, For the Love of Others, both of which became bestsellers in Greece.

 That evening, John gave me a signed copy of his recently published autobiography, “How Far do You Want to Go?—Lessons From a Common Sense Billionaire.” Upon returning home, I quickly put it at the head of my trip’s reading list.

 Well, needless to say, I was not disappointed. Although I have known John for some 25 years, there was and is much to the man and his life that was completely new to me. Such as the role he played in the Camp David church construction to his West side street festival to his brilliant “buy North American oil” ads that doubled sales in no time. 

 John’s intent may have been to pass on his business knowledge and advice to the reader but it is much more than that. Written in a curt, direct tone that makes it a very easy read, it delves into the deficiencies of the American political system, the benefits of giving back to society, the love of family and even America’s missteps in Iraq.

 It is a fascinating rags to riches story that begins in Nysiros, Greece and travels, via Upper Harlem, to 5th Avenue. It gives us an inside look at what made the man such an amazing success and how, even though he was earning $1M a year at the tender age of 24, his ideals have remained steadfast to this day.

 Καλοτάξιδο, my friend! 

The HCGM and the Archdiocese Agreement!

 

This is an agreement that was voted by the General Assembly eight years ago. I found it in my archieves and I present it here, so there won't be any misunderstandings, gossip etc!

The agreement was altered during the COVID period as the Archdiocese accepted less contribution from the Community's churches when they were sealed because of COVID restrictions. 

AGREEMENT FOR ECCLESIASTICAL CONTRIBUTIONS (the Agreement) made as of the 18th day of December 2018 at Montreal, Quebec and is made:

 

 

BETWEEN:                                                   THE     HELLENIC     COMMUNITY     OF     GREATER

MONTREAL, a Registered Charity corporation formed under the laws of Quebec

 

(HCGM);

 

AND:

THE     GREEK     ORTHODOX     METROPOLIS     OF

TORONTO     (CANADA),         a    Registered    Charity corporation formed under the laws of Ontario

 

(Metropolis);

 each, a Party, and together, the Parties

 RECITALS:

 

(A)

 (B)

 (C)

(D)

(E)

 (F)

The HCGM is an organization established for the purpose of ensuring the progress and promotion of the culture of the population of Greek origin in the greater metropolitan region of Montreal and, more particularly, to preserve and promote the Greek language, to set up charitable, welfare, and educational organizations for the benefit of the population of Greek origin, and to preserve and perpetuate the Greek Orthodox faith and tradition promulgated by the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople according to the doctrine and the faith proclaimed and applied by the Greek Orthodox Church.

 

The Metropolis is the Greek Orthodox ecclesiastical authority in Canada under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. ·

 

The HCGM owns and operates six Greek Orthodox churches in the greater metropolitan region of Montreal, being St. George's Cathedral, Evangelismos tis Theotokou, Koimisis tis Theotokou, St. Jean Baptiste, St. Nicholas and Holy Cross (each, a HCGM Church, and collectively, the HCGM Churches).

 

The HCGM and the Metropolis desire to enter into an agreement to define their respective rights and obligations in connection with the provision of a financial support given by the HCGM to the Metropolis, and the assignments of the priests for the purpose of providing religious services and the administration of holy sacrements by the Metropolis for the benefit of the parishioners of the HCGM churches.

 

The HCGM's advisory board has recommended to the HCGM's board of directors (the HCGM Board), which has accepted and approved such recommendation, that the HCGM enter into this Agreement.

 

The members of the HCGM have approved, by way of resolution adopted by a 2/3 majority at the special meetings held on the 9thday of June 2014 and the 1?1h day of Juhe 2015, respectively, for

such purpose (the HCGM Special Meetings), the terms and conditions of this Agreement and

have authorized the HCGM to enter into this Agreement.

 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged), the Parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

ECCLESTIASTICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

1.1          Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the HCGM hereby agrees to make annual financial contributions to the Metropolis in the amounts and in respect of the time periods set forth below:

 

1.1.1          An amount of two hundred and forty thousand dollars ($240,000) for the twelve­ month period commencing on January 1, 2019 and terminating on December 31, 2022, representing an annual financial contribution of $40,000 per HCGM Church in operation;

 

1.1.2          Upon renewal of this Agreement, the annual financial contribution per HCGM Church in operation shall be equal to the contribution paid to the Metropolis at such time by the other Greek Orthodox Churches in Canada under the jurisdiction of the Metropolis.

 

1.2        The amounts payable by the HCGM pursuant to Section 1.1 shall be payable in equal monthly instalments starting on January 2019.

 

1.3          All payments shall be made in Canadian dollars and shall be made by way of delivery by the HCGM to the Metropolis, on or before January 15 of each year, of twelve (12) post-dated cheques representing the monthly contribution instalments in respect of such year.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IICONSIDERATION

 2.1          In consideration for the financial contributions the HCGM agrees to make to the Metropolis pursuant to the Article I, the Metropolis shall provide duly ordained priests, shall use its ecclesiastical and moral authority to provide support to the HCGM and its Churches, and shall authorize the administration and registration (where applicable) of sacraments to and for the benefit of all HCHM Churches and their parishioners, including the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist, confession, matrimony, unction, funeral and commemorations.

 

2.2          The Metropolis shall fulfill its obligations and provide support to and for the benefit of the HCGM and its Churches in good faith and with the same degree of care and diligence as the Metropolis provides similar services for the benefit of churches and parishes which adhere to and comply with the Uniform Community Regulations and Bylaws of the Metropolis, and shall use its best efforts within the organization of the Greek Orthodox Church and the priests who are employed in the HCGM Churches to ensure that this Agreement is respected in its application.

 

2.3          During the term of this Agreement but subject to Article IV herein, the Metropolis covenants and agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly, and shall cause every person under its authority not to (directly or indirectly), apply any fee, charge, commission, cost, or other amount in respect of the administration and registration of sacraments to and for the benefit of all HCHM Churches and their parishioners.

 

ARTICLE Ill

TERM

 

3.1          The obligations of the Parties to this Agreement shall take effect immediately, provided that the HCGM's contribution obligations shall commence as provided in Section 1.1.

 

3.2          This Agreement shall terminate on December 31, 2022 (the Term). The parties agree to negotiate in good faith and conclude by no later than June 15, 2022, a new agreement for the said four (4) years ("Renewal Term").

 

ARTICLE IV TERMINATION AND REMEDIES

 

4.1          The HCGM may terminate this Agreement if the Metropolis defaults in any material respect in the performance or satisfaction of its obligations contained in Article II of this Agreement. In the event a Default occurs and is continuing, the HCGM shall send a written notice of such Default to the Metropolis. Unless the Metropolis has cured the Default within sixty (60) days of the date of receipt of such written notice, the HCGM may exercise any rights and remedies the HCGM may have under law.

 

4.2          The Metropolis may terminate this Agreement if the HCGM defaults in any material respect in the performance or satisfaction of any agreement, provision or covenant contained in this Agreement. In the event a Default occurs and is continuing, the Metropolis shall send a written notice of such Default to the HCGM. Unless the HCGM has cured the Default within sixty (60) days of the date of receipt of such written notice, the Metropolis may exercise any rights and remedies the Metropolis may have under law.

4.3          In the event a Payment Default (as defined below) occurs and is continuing, the Metropolis shall send a written notice of such Payment Default to the HCGM. Unless the HCGM has cured the Payment Default within sixty (60) days of the date of receipt of such written notice, the Metropolis may exercise any rights and remedies the Metropolis may have under law. For the purposes hereof, a Payment Default shall mean any past due amounts owing by the HCGM pursuant to Section 1.1 which has not been paid in full within fifteen (15) days of the initial payment due date.

 

ARTICLE V MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.1          The Metropolis will be added as an additional insured under the HCGM's General Liability Insurance Policy, but solely with regards to the HCGM Churches' premises, operations and/or projects. Upon request, a Certificate of Insurance will be provided each year to the Metropolis.

 

5.2          This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Quebec and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

 

5.3               This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including counterparts by facsimile) and all such counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

5.4  The Parties acknowledge that they have required that the present Agreement be drafted in English. Les parties reconnaissent avoir exige la redaction de la presente convention en anglais.

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer.

 

HELLENIC COMMUNITY OF GREATER MONTREAL

 

 

Per:

 

 

 

 

 

THE     GREEK     ORTHODOX      METROPOLIS     OF TORONTO (CANADA)

 

 

 

Per:                                                                              Name: Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios

Title: President

Greek Master Chef Dimitris Scarmoutsos Coming to Montreal!

 

Greek Master Chef Dimitris Scarmoutsos Coming to Montreal!

 

Top chef Dimitris Scarmoutsos will travel to Montreal to demonstrate his culinary skills at the Christmas gala organized by the Lyceum of Greek Women of Montreal (LGWM) Montreal on December 18th, 2022, 5.30 p.m. at Embassy Plaza. The purpose of the event is to raise funds to support the clinical research of the “DovEEGene” Project led by the renowned oncologist, Dr. LucyGilbert of McGill University.

 Dr. Gilbert is in the midst of a pioneering clinical research study which, when completed, aims to establish a new standard “Pap-type” test for the early and timely diagnosis of ovarian and endometrial cancers.

 Dimitris Scarmoutsos, with roots in Los Angeles, said he was excited to participate in this expatriate event as he feels tremendous bonds with the Hellenes of North America.

 The president of the LGWM, Justine Fragouli-Argyris, noted: "I am moved by the voluntary participation of the great Greek chef, Dimitris Scarmoutsos, who will come to Montreal to display his art and to contribute, without remuneration, to the pioneering research of Dr. Gilbert. 

 The “DovEEGene” project has already detected pre-cancerous cells in two women that were referred by the LGWM, two ladies who were saved from the "silent killer" that is ovarian cancer by undergoing prompt hysterectomy. It is hoped that this new test will catch millions of similar cases once it becomes standardized.

 The event will be emceed by Aphrodite Salas,  Assistant Professor and Graduate Diploma Program Director of Journalism of Concordia University.

 

Live music will be provided by the Artemis Lago orchestra.

 

 

Dimitris Scarmoutsos: Rocking the Greek Cuisine!

 

Master Chef Scarmoutsos, a pioneer of the new gastronomy that Greece has to offer, went to America at the age of 18 where he studied economics at UCLA and then at the Culinary Institute of America. His thesis was on French and Japanese cuisine. From 1993, he took his first professional steps alongside Thomas Keller and, in 1996, he began working in major hotels, such as the Sheraton, where he was the executive chef, as well as in well-known restaurants.

 In 2001, he returned to Greece, to Chania, in Crete, where he immersed himself in Cretan cuisine and locally sourced products. Since 2005, he has been a chef in a Cretan restaurant that has been awarded the Golden Chef Cap Award and many other Gourmet distinctions. 

 In 2010, Chef Scarmoutsos was asked to be one of the three judges (along with Lefteris Lazarou and Gianni Loukakos) on the initial “Greek Master Chef” reality show which was won by Akis Petretzikis. He remained on Master Chef for three years and went on to work on other well-known cooking shows such as "Junior Master Chef,” "No Recipe” and “Joy," where he showcased the delicacies of Greek cuisine. Concurrently, he was the executive chef of ERGON restaurants in Greece and abroad.

 For every famous chef, when it comes to the culinary arts, after the knowledge and the astute application of the principles of cooking, comes the "personal" creation, the moment when the master’s temperaments are passionately channeled into flavors.

 They are few and far between, those chefs that, when you try one of their dishes, you can perceive an entire philosophy in their creations. Dimitris Scarmoutsos is one of those few whose plates are completely and immediately recognizable with one bite.

 Unconventional from adolescence, a lover of life and adventure, Chef Scarmoutsos was and remains a kitchen “rocker.” From his beginnings in America to his studies and apprenticeship with Thomas Keller, he has traveled the world, indulging in the kitchens of many cultures. Upon his return, enriched and mature but more content than ever with the blessings of Mediterranean Crete, he has gone on to redefine Greek cuisine with its precious ingredients but also the entire culture around Greek food and its social function.

The event will be emceed by Aphrodite Salas,  Assistant Professor and Graduate Diploma Program Director of Journalism of Concordia University.

 Live music will be provided by the Artemis Lago orchestra.

“Leonidis,” A Man of Love and Courage!

 

By Justine Frangouli-Argyris

 Yesterday, Leonidas Frangoulis, my father’s last surviving brother, passed away in Sydney, Australia. Uncle Leonidas, or “Leonidis” as he was playfully called by our grandparents in Englouvi, left us after a long bout with Alzheimer’s but with the cause of death officially listed as coronavirus. He will now be able to meet up with his beloved wife, Katina, who died, tragically, in a car accident last year.

 Uncle Leonidas was sensitive man, reminiscent of someone who had descended form Scandinavia rather than from the isolated mountain village of Englouvi. With white skin and transparent green eyes, he had the face of an aristocratic, features that set him apart from his other brothers. I believe that his delicate look was inherited by my sister, Konstantina, along with his beautiful cheekbones.

 Leonidis began life as a shepherd, tending to the family flock of grandfather Apostolis. The job was heavy and unsuited to his delicate nature and my father would urge him to go abroad in search of a better life.

 One day, his opportunity came by way of a proposal from another isolated Lefkadian village. His future wife, Aunt Katina Vlachou, had sent a photo to her brothers in Exanthia requesting an eligible groom from the island.Uncle Leonidas responded with a photo of his own and Katina, who had been in Australia for a few years and put aside a little sum, said yes to the unknown beau.

 And so it happened. Before we knew it, we found ourselves in Exanthia, at Aunt Katina’s brother's house near the town square, bearing “European” macarons from the pastry shop and my mother’s exceptional “ladopita,” the traditional Lefkadian sweet made of oil, sugar and flour.  Mom had put everything on beautiful platters wrapped in colorful cellophane that she had tied with bows together with a thousand wishes for Leonidis to love Katina and for them to live happily ever after.

 We arrived in Exanthia, along with our whole extended family, after a tortuous ride in the local (KTEL) bus. We were the groom's procession and the whole village had come out to welcome us while our in-laws to be were anxiously awaiting to begin the celebrations. Uncle Leonidas danced first, followed closely by the rest of us, to rejoice that he would soon be boarding an ocean liner to Australia. Leonidis spun and twirled to “Amaranto,” his beloved tsamiko song, while being held up by a white handkerchief clutched by the dancer next to him. And my mother cried which seemed strange to me because it was a time of joy and not of tears.

 So, uncle Leonidas,who had never travelled before outside of Lefkada, emigrated to Australia where Aunt Katina was waiting. The wedding took place quickly with great fanfare. He wore a splendid suit while she wore a cute veiled wedding dress and held a bouquet. They sent us photos from the studio and we boasted that they looked happy and radiant in a large picture that grandmother put in the window of her commode and which we kept in our living room dresser.

 Leonidis regularly wrote long letters to my father describing every aspect of his life in Australia. He worked in one of the restaurants owned by Katina's brother and was very happy.  He sent money he saved so my father could buy him a plot of land in Lefkada.

 Shortly afterwards, the happy couple welcomed their firstborn, Konstantina, but this was followed by sadness as that they lost their second, another baby girl. 

 The years passed and Konstantina was growing up. When she was 9, they decided to come to Lefkada for summer vacation and to meet uncle Leonidas’ family.

 Konstantina was a sweet little girl who stole everyone’s heart. She spoke Greek with a cute Australian accent, catching everyone's attention. “Tyropitaman,” she would shout out to the cheese pie seller on the beach and run to treat all the children. My sister and I were jealous of her popularity and we could not wait for her to return to Australia so we could reclaim our place in the family. Aunt Katina was wonderful and we loved her from the start. As for Uncle Leonidas, he bought us anything we desired and I distinctly remember a nice girl’s pink purse from Gatzias’ store.

 Our uncle would call during the Holidays and it was with great joy that my father would hear that he was doing nicely, having opened a Fish ’n Chips restaurant of his own and built a house in one of Sydney’s nice neighborhoods. When Konstantina graduated, becoming a teacher, and married the love of her life, Giannis Kossivas, Leonidis and Katina would visit frequently and my parents were very happy to see them and be able to spend months with them in Lefkada.

 I really got to know Uncle Leonidas and Aunt Katina when we visited Australia in 2012. He was overjoyed, taking us everywhere, as was Konstantina, who pampered us to no end. We bonded with Konstantina and Giannis and got to know their children, Katerina and Christos, who have since begun their own travels to Greece.

 Leonidis had prospered in Australia and lived a beautiful, loving life with his family. I remember enjoying his company so much. He would caress my hands and tell me how overjoyed he was that we had visited. He told me that he would not be able to return to Greece, given his advanced age, as his “legs would not hold up.”  I insisted that he would surely manage but he kept repeating, "I will die with the pain that I will never again see my paternal home” and that "I am grateful to Australia for my good life but it is not my land.”

 I left Australia with a deep satisfaction that Uncle Leonidas had succeeded in life and family. It pained me that he would never return to his homeland and I felt his alienation, and the alienation of us all, deeply and inevitably.

 Leonidis suffered from Alzheimers a few years after and was cared for by his faithful and devoted Katina until he would require more professional help. Strong and capable, Aunt Katina would visit him daily until she was tragically killed in a car accident last year, so unjustly and unexpectedly. 

 Konstantina would send me photos that showed uncle Leonidas had become a shadow of himself but that he would smile when he saw her even though he could no longer speak or communicate.

 December 28 was the last time Konstantina was allowed to see him as visitation was suspended because  of COVID, to which Leonidis would eventually succumb. It was time to go and meet the woman he married from a photo and loved.

 Have a good trip where you are going,my beloved uncle! Υou were a man of LOVE and COURAGE!

 Konstantina, rejoice that he lived a wonderful life abroad, that he dared leave his homeland for the unknown. Feel content that you cared for him 'til the end. You are a worthy daughter and a wonderful cousin and our arms will always be open for you and your family. May uncle Leonidas’ soul be blessed and his memory never forgotten!