NAFPAKTOS, Greece — The Holy Metropolis of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios and the Municipality of Nafpaktia jointly hosted an evening honoring the Nafpaktian diaspora on Tuesday, July 28. The program featured traditional folk music, dances, and a literary tribute to emigration. Titled S’ Afino Tin Kalonichtia (“I Bid You Good Night”), after one of the evening’s featured songs, the event celebrated the enduring bond between Nafpaktia and its sons and daughters abroad.
The Metropolis Municipal Choir performed with an orchestra conducted by Pantelis Anastasopoulos, while dance groups from the “Anemogiannis” and “Nafs” dance schools presented traditional folk dances under the direction of N. Zorgios and G. Vafiadis, respectively. The evening also featured a literary reading selected and edited by Efthymia Stavriannopoulou.
Among those in attendance were Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios; Metropolitan Polykarpos of Italy; Western Greece Regional Governor Nektarios Farmakis; Nafpaktia Mayor Vasileios Gizas; Member of Parliament Athanasios Papanathasis; Aitoloakarnania Deputy Regional Governor Athanasios Mavrommatis; Christos Paisios, President of the Mesolonghi-Nafpaktos Bar Association and Regional Councilor; representatives of local organizations; and a large audience.
In his address, Metropolitan Ierotheos said the Nafpaktian diaspora has never forgotten its roots, recalling advice once given by St. Callinicus to a young man leaving to study in America: to become “cross-eyed,” keeping one eye on his life abroad and the other on his homeland.
Commemorative photograph from the event honoring expatriates from Nafpaktia. Shown are Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios and Metropolitan Polykarpos of Italy. PHOTO: METROPOLIS OF NAFPAKTOS
He noted that since the beginning of his ministry in Nafpaktos, the Metropolis and the Municipality have dedicated one summer day each year to honoring the diaspora. As a symbol of the Nafpaktian diaspora, he cited national benefactor Dimitrios Papacharalambous and emphasized the importance of preserving this annual tradition through cooperation between the Church and the Municipality.
Metropolitan Ierotheos also referred to the presence of Metropolitan Polykarpos of Italy as an ecclesiastical representative of the diaspora before thanking Pantelis Anastasopoulos, the choir director, the orchestra musicians, and all those who contributed to the success of the evening.
Regional Governor Nektarios Farmakis praised the collaboration between the Holy Metropolis and the Municipality, describing it as an example of two institutions working together to honor people who, though compelled by necessity to leave their homeland in search of work, went on to achieve success while maintaining strong ties to their roots.
Recalling a visit to New York, Farmakis said he was struck by the deep affection members of the diaspora continue to hold for their homeland, even after many years abroad. He expressed hope that the annual event would continue to remind them that Nafpaktia remembers them with love and eagerly awaits their return.
Mayor Vasileios Gizas expressed his joy over the event, which he said is dedicated to the people of Nafpaktia living throughout the world. He added that the celebration would continue through the ongoing cooperation between the Church and the Municipality, noting that members of the Church are also citizens of the local community.
Gizas emphasized that the contribution of the Nafpaktian diaspora extends far beyond its well-known benefactors, stressing that generations of emigrants have played a vital role in the region’s economic prosperity. He expressed hope that the event would leave a lasting impression and encourage a spirit of homecoming and reunion throughout Nafpaktia during the remaining days of summer.
Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios, one of the Orthodox Church’s most distinguished theologians and scholars, addresses the tribute event honoring Greek expatriates from Nafpaktia. PHOTO: METROPOLIS OF NAFPAKTOS
Member of Parliament Athanasios Papanathasis highlighted the diaspora’s significant economic contribution to Nafpaktia, noting that during difficult periods the local economy was sustained by the support of those living abroad. He also reflected on his efforts, while serving as mayor, to organize similar events in cooperation with the Holy Metropolis and pointed to his decision to serve on Parliament’s Committee on Greeks Abroad as a reflection of his continued commitment to the Greek diaspora.
The evening’s combination of traditional music, folk dancing, and literary readings drew a warm response from the large audience in attendance. The featured literary work was The Little Judge by Christos Christovasilis, presented by actor George Katsampas together with members of the choir.
Accompanying the choir were Panagiotis Kotrotsos on clarinet, Vasilis Athanasiades on violin, Theodosis Sykiosis on laouto, Giannis Anastasopoulos on percussion, and choir director Pantelis Anastasopoulos on kanonaki.
