'Mazi' with our Sponsors
December 18, 2025
🇬🇷 Good morning, and welcome to this week’s Mazi for a Minute - a quick, smart scan of the stories shaping Greece and the Greek world, from Brussels and Washington to Athens, Wall Street, and the diaspora.
This issue is proudly sponsored by North Shore Farms, Limani Restaurant, Divani Collection Hotels, Aria Hotels - La Divina, Sand Castle, Parklane Resort & Spa Limassol, and of course, Ethnikos Kirikas / The National Herald.
Inside: Greece takes the helm of the Eurogroup, Washington doubles down on Athens as an energy and investment hub, Greek companies ring the bell on Wall Street, and diaspora life unfolds through culture, community, food, and faith, from AHEPA milestones to NextGen leadership and holiday traditions.
Kafé & Kouvénta spotlight: A new episode is live with Costantza Sbokou Constantakopoulou, spanning Crete, New York, entrepreneurship, sustainable tourism, and cultural leadership. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and watch the full conversation on YouTube.
Let’s get into it.
ECONOMIC ESPRESSO
Greece Takes the Helm of the Eurogroup
Global and U.S. Market Pulse
A Vote of Confidence: Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis was elected president of the Eurogroup, a milestone that reflects Greece’s transformation from the brink of a euro exit to a recognized success story in Brussels. The two-and-a-half-year term is being hailed by the government as both a personal achievement and a vote of confidence in Greece’s economic credibility and reform trajectory.
CROSS-ATLANTIC CURRENTS
AKTOR Chief Holds White House Talks as Greece–U.S. LNG Corridor Expands
Insights from Greece, Cyprus and America
Energy Push: AKTOR Group Chairman Alexandros Exarchou held high-level meetings at the White House as discussions advance on expanding U.S. LNG flows to Europe via Greece, including new suppliers, infrastructure, and port investments. The talks reinforce Greece’s growing role as a central energy hub for supplying American natural gas to Northern and Eastern Europe.
Island Roots, Global Reach on Kafé & Kouvénta
Insights from Greece, Cyprus and America
A Conversation: Costantza Sbokou Constantakopoulou joins Kafé & Kouvénta for a wide-ranging conversation spanning Crete, New York, and today’s Greece, touching on hospitality, entrepreneurship, and cultural leadership. The discussion moves from Endeavor Greece and risk-taking founders to sustainable tourism and her role as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
Greek-American Issuer Day Returns to Wall Street
Insights from Greece, Cyprus and America
Ringing the Bell: Greek and Greek-American companies joined government officials at the NYSE to ring the Closing Bell during the 21st annual Greek-American Issuer Day on December 10. The event, held alongside the Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum, highlighted Greece’s growing presence in U.S. capital markets and long-standing ties with Wall Street.
Washington’s Bet on Greece
Insights from Greece, Cyprus and America
The New Nexus: U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Ann Guilfoyle says Greece sits at the center of President Trump’s strategy for energy security, investment, and artificial intelligence, calling the country a vital hub for regional stability. With U.S. companies eyeing Northern Greece and Thessaloniki as emerging energy and tech powerhouses, Athens is being positioned as a key player where energy, geopolitics, and A.I. intersect.
TNH Launches New Citizenship Q&A for the Diaspora
Insights from Greece, Cyprus and America
Paperwork, Simplified: The National Herald has announced a new biweekly column in collaboration with Greece’s Hellenic Secretariat for Citizenship, offering official answers on Greek citizenship matters. The feature will address procedures, documentation, and special cases affecting second- and third-generation Greeks abroad.
Greek-Americans Suit Up as Hellenic Rugby Returns
Insights from Greece, Cyprus and America
Back on the Pitch: Three Greek-American players from New York and Massachusetts were selected to represent Greece as the National Hellenic Rugby team returned to international play after more than a decade. Their debut match in Albania marked both a personal milestone and a symbolic restart for the sport in Greece, with diaspora talent front and center.
HELLENIC HORIZONS
From Brooklyn Nights to Sold-Out Arenas
Greek & American Business Highlights
From Club Kid to Concert King: Greek-American promoter George Karavias traces his rise from a teenage club gig in Brooklyn to building Dream Hospitality Group into a major force in New York nightlife and live events. The latest milestone: a sold-out Barclays Center concert by Konstantinos Argiros that signals a new, family-friendly era for Greek music on America’s biggest stages.
How Gus and Marty’s Found Its Greek-American Voice in Brooklyn
Greek & American Business Highlights
A [Greek] Brooklyn Story: Williamsburg’s Gus and Marty’s traces its roots to two families, two fathers, and a shared vision of Greek food through a Brooklyn lens. One year in, the restaurant blends hand-rolled pita, reimagined classics, and mountain taverna vibes into a distinctly Greek-American dining story.
From Wall Street to the Streets of Williamsburg
Greek & American Business Highlights
Finance to Food: Former JP Morgan executive Aristotle Zigouras has traded finance for food with Sophia, a Greek-inspired cart serving seasonal Mediterranean street fare in Williamsburg. The rotating m
Chef Nicholas Poulmentis Brings Kythira to SoHo
Greek & American Business Highlights
The Next Chapter: Greek-American chef Nicholas Poulmentis is preparing to open Kythira, his first Greek restaurant as owner and chef, at a new SoHo location this fall. The concept draws on his island roots and decades in New York kitchens, pairing Mediterranean flavors with a seafood-forward menu and an all-day dining vision.
Chip City Teams Up with TBS for a Holiday Cookie Run
Greek & American Business Highlights
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Greek-American Voices Weigh In After Brown Tragedy
Diaspora in Focus
Shaken: Greek-American leaders and professors in Rhode Island and at Brown University described a climate of fear, confusion, and disruption following the fatal incident and the missteps surrounding an initial suspect. With campuses closed, exams altered, and an ongoing police search, uncertainty continues to ripple through the academic and local community.
Historic Bequest Marks a Milestone for the Metropolis of Chicago
Diaspora in Focus
Historic: The Metropolis of Chicago Foundation announced receipt of a $2.9 million bequest from the estate of Andy Efthim, the largest single gift ever made to the Metropolis or its affiliated institutions. The designated bequest places the Foundation significantly closer to activating long-term funding for clergy development, ministries, and parish needs across the region.
Greek-Australian Leader Responds to Bondi Beach Tragedy
Diaspora in Focus
Shock: Greek-Australian councilman Haris Strangas spoke out after the deadly Bondi Beach attack, describing shock, fear, and grief across Sydney following the violence. His remarks focused on community safety, solidarity with Jewish Australians, and the responsibility of public leaders in the aftermath of the attacks.
AHEPA Senior Living Expands Its Footprint in Indiana
Diaspora in Focus
Support in Southbend: AHEPA Senior Living has opened AHEPA 100 Phase II Apartments, a 72-unit affordable senior housing community in South Bend, marking its second development in the area. The $20.45 million project adds new housing for low-income seniors and builds on the adjacent Phase I community.
Aris Papadopoulos Shares a Life Told with Truth
Diaspora in Focus
Stories that Stay: In a packed Athens venue, Aris Papadopoulos presented A Few Oranges for Sissy, a deeply personal work rooted in lived experience, trust, and quiet courage. More than a book launch, the evening became a moving exchange about memory, dignity, and the power of listening.
Meet Gregory Chassapis in the THI/TNH NextGen Spotlight
Diaspora in Focus
THI Takeover: Gregory Chassapis, founder of Hephaestus Fund Investment Management, is the latest New Leader featured in the THI/TNH Takeover series. The profile traces his Greek roots, career path, and views on the diaspora’s role in shaping Greece’s future.
Light the Path Draws Strong Support in San Francisco
Diaspora in Focus
Holiday Spirit: The Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos hosted its Light the Path Christmas reception at the Olympic Club, raising more than $160,000 for the Bishop Anthony Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment Fund. The evening featured remarks from Church leaders, student reflections from Hellenic College Holy Cross, and a holiday program supporting seminarians from the Metropolis.
St. George Seniors Pay a Visit to The National Herald
Diaspora in Focus
Meet the Press: Members of the Saint George Senior Citizen Group from Piscataway visited The National Herald’s offices, meeting with Antonis and Eraklis Diamataris and reflecting on the paper’s role in the Greek diaspora. The visit underscored decades-long ties between the newspaper, the Church, and loyal readers who continue to support Greek-language journalism.
Orthodoxy Finds New Converts Online, Then Calls Them Offline
Diaspora in Focus
Beyond the Algorithm: Eastern Orthodoxy is drawing a growing number of converts through podcasts, YouTube, and social media, prompting churches to grapple with how digital discovery meets an in-person faith. As priests urge newcomers to move from screens to parish life, the Church is navigating growth, diversity, and tensions sparked by Orthodoxy’s online presence.
From Toronto to the Peloponnese, a Diaspora Homecoming
Diaspora in Focus
Trading Toronto for Tradition: Greek-Canadian Vicki Maleganeas left Toronto in 2022 to settle in her parents’ ancestral village in the Peloponnese, turning childhood stories into daily life. Her journey traces decades of connection to Greece and a new chapter rooted in community involvement and village revival.
Philosophy Finds a Table Again in Nisyros
Diaspora in Focus
Community in Conversation: Christopher Phillips has launched a series of Socrates Cafe gatherings on the island of Nisyros, bringing residents together for open-ended philosophical discussions after tourist season. The conversations revisit questions of community, civic life, and shared responsibility, with plans to establish the format as a regular local tradition.
FOOD & CULTURE
When Medicine Met Opera
Tastes and Traditions Explored
In & From the Heart: Greek-American cardiologist Dr. George Dangas took center stage at Athens’ National Theatre in a striking art–science dialogue, pairing insights on the human heart with operatic performances by soprano Myrto Papathanasiou. The staged lecture blurred the lines between medicine and art, offering a rare, moving exploration of the heart as both organ and symbol.
🇬🇷 Preserving Greek Flavor, One Handwritten Recipe at a Time
Tastes and Traditions Explored
Book of the Week: This holiday season, give a gift that grows with every generation. Violet Anagnostou-Favero’s Handwritten Hellenic Heritage invites families to preserve their most treasured recipes — in their own handwriting — creating a living record of love, memory, and Greek culinary tradition.
Holiday Traditions from the Greek Oven
Tastes and Traditions Explored
Recipes of the Week: From Christopsomo, the symbolic Christmas bread crowned with a cross and walnut, to the beloved Vasilopita baked for the New Year, these festive staples bring meaning, memory, and flavor to the Greek holiday table. Rooted in tradition and shared with family, each slice carries a wish for prosperity, health, and good fortune.
Four Greek-Owned Cafes to Warm Up a New York Winter
Tastes and Traditions Explored
Eva Explores: From drive-thru holiday lattes on Long Island to flower-filled espresso bars and freddo classics in Astoria and LIC, Eva rounds up four Greek-owned cafés perfect for cold-weather sipping. Seasonal menus, festive décor, and familiar Greek flavors anchor this cozy tour of winter-ready spots across NYC.
Astoria’s Hellenic Aesthetic Rolls Out a Holiday Gift Guide
Tastes & Traditions Explored
Tis the Season: Greek-owned boutique Hellenic Aesthetic has released a Christmas gift guide featuring curated picks for everyone from yiayias to food lovers and last-minute shoppers. The Astoria shop’s seasonal lineup spans Greek beauty, jewelry, home goods, and edible favorites, all organized to simplify holiday gifting.
Larnaca Wins Europe’s Cultural Spotlight for 2030
Tastes and Traditions Explored
A Cultural Victory: Larnaca has been named European Capital of Culture 2030, edging out Limassol by a narrow margin in a closely contested decision announced by the panel of experts. The Cypriot city will also receive the €1.5 million Melina Mercouri Prize, recognizing the strength of its cultural vision and preparation.
Parthenon Marbles: A Glimmer of Hope
Tastes and Traditions Explored
Holding Our Breath: British Museum Chairman George Osborne says he is “pretty optimistic” that a deal could be reached to reunify the Parthenon Marbles in Greece, calling the centuries-old dispute the museum’s most intractable issue. While Athens remains cautious, growing public support in Britain and ongoing talks are keeping the prospect of reunification firmly on the table.
Ghika’s Indian Odyssey Returns to New Delhi
Tastes and Traditions Explored
Art Across Borders: The exhibition Ghika: A Journey to India has opened at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi, showcasing drawings inspired by Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika’s 1958 travels. The show marks both a renewed artistic exchange between Greece and India and a cultural highlight tied to 75 years of diplomatic relations.
ECONOMY & SOCIETY
Mitsotakis Signals Income Boosts Starting in January
Snapshots of Change
Help Is On the Way: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said millions of Greeks will see tangible support to their disposable income beginning in January, following the passage of the 2026 budget. Pension increases, tax relief, and previously legislated measures are set to take effect as the government channels fiscal surpluses back to households.
Greek Farmers Escalate Border Protests
A Standstill: Farmers extended and intensified blockades at key customs crossings with North Macedonia and Bulgaria, including Evzoni, Niki, Promachonas, and Exochi, with international freight traffic bearing the brunt. In a surprise move, Serres farmers announced an indefinite blockade at Promachonas, as protests over unpaid subsidies continue ahead of a nationwide coordination meeting.
AKTOR Bonds Debut on Athens Exchange
Snapshots of Change
Investor Confidence: Trading began for AKTOR Group’s €140 million five-year bond after a heavily oversubscribed issuance, drawing interest from more than 7,500 investors and signaling strong market confidence. Proceeds will support the Group’s expansion across infrastructure, energy, and real estate as it targets €3 billion in sales by 2030.
Defense Reform Heads to Parliament
Snapshots of Change
Overhaul: Greece’s Ministry of National Defense has submitted a sweeping military reform bill to Parliament, aiming to modernize careers, pay structures, military education, conscription rules, and operational readiness across the Armed Forces. The draft law also introduces voluntary conscription for women, reforms reserve service, and aligns military training more closely with the labor market as part of the government’s broader Agenda 2030 reforms.
Alarm Raised Over Danish Sperm Donor Used in Greece
Snapshots of Change
On Alert: Eighteen children in 11 Greek families were conceived using sperm from a Danish donor later found to carry a cancer-linked genetic mutation, part of a wider European case affecting nearly 200 children. Greek authorities have halted use of the donor’s material and are urging targeted genetic testing for those born from it.
Milonogianis: Tax Policy as a Growth Engine
Snapshots of Change
Predictability: Speaking at Capital Link in New York, Giorgos Milonogianis stressed that Greece’s tax administration must enable investment and predictability, not add friction. The message to investors and the diaspora was clear: modern tax policy is now a strategic tool for growth, innovation, and capital attraction.
🇲🇩 Mitsotakis Backs Moldova’s EU Path
Snapshots of Change
Expanding: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reaffirmed Greece’s strong support for Moldova’s accession to the European Union during talks with President Maia Sandu in Athens, calling it a strategic priority. He highlighted Moldova’s democratic resilience and progress, while underscoring Greece’s readiness to support enlargement, energy cooperation, and deeper economic ties.
Global Banks Warm to Greek Debt Revival
Snapshots of Change
Back on Top: Once written off as junk, Greek bonds are now drawing strong backing from major international firms, with investors favoring Greece’s fiscal trajectory and stability over much larger European economies. Continued upgrades, falling debt ratios, and sustained growth are fueling expectations that Greece’s debt story will keep outperforming into the years ahead.
Georgiadis: A Health System Turning the Corner
Snapshots of Change
Health Gains: Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis says all key indicators point to tangible progress in Greece’s healthcare system, from faster specialist appointments to nationwide prevention screenings reaching millions. Digital tools, telemedicine, and Recovery Fund investments, he noted, are reshaping public healthcare delivery and ending long-standing chronic problems.
An Aegean Arms War of Words
Snapshots of Change
Tension: Turkey sharply criticized Greece’s plans to deploy precision-guided missiles on Aegean islands under the so-called “Achilles Shield,” accusing Athens of escalating tensions while insisting Ankara seeks peace and stability in the region. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias defended the initiative as a necessary deterrence, as Parliament prepares to approve major missile purchases from Israel amid deepening regional defense realignments.
🇫🇷 France and Cyprus Elevate Strategic Partnership
Snapshots of Change
Upgrades Coming: Paris and Nicosia signed a landmark Strategic Cooperation Agreement, upgrading ties across defense, energy, security, innovation, and diplomacy. The deal reinforces France’s role as a key strategic partner for Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean, with further agreements, including SOFA, expected soon.
🇨🇾 Cyprus Honors a Lifelong Bridge-Builder in Athens
Snapshots of Change
Building the Bridge: Giorgos Georgiou, co-founder of Cyprus House in Athens, was honored at a special ceremony at the Cypriot Embassy, attended by President Nikos Christodoulides, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, and former President Prokopis Pavlopoulos. The tribute recognized Georgiou’s enduring contribution to strengthening cultural and intellectual ties between Cyprus and Greece.
TRAVEL & CONNECTIVITY
Tourism’s True Edge: Greece Bets on Its People
Expanding Horizons
Our Core: Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said Greece’s workforce remains the sector’s strongest competitive advantage, as more than 18,000 workers completed a nationwide reskilling program under Greece 2.0. Demand was overwhelming, with over 40,000 applications in just three days, as tourism heads toward another record-setting year.
Aria Hotels Expands to Colombia with Aria Bogotá
Expanding Horizons
Aria to the Americas: Greek-born Aria Hotels is heading to Latin America with Aria Bogotá, a 54-room modern city hotel set to open in May 2026 in one of Bogotá’s most vibrant business and lifestyle districts. The new property marks Aria’s first hotel in Colombia and another strategic step in the group’s growing footprint across Latin America.
Athens Metro Pushes Forward as New Extensions Take Shape
Expanding Horizons
Metro Momentum: Metro Line 4 tunneling is advancing rapidly across central Athens, while planning is already underway for major future extensions toward Glyfada, Maroussi, and the northern suburbs, aiming to ease mounting traffic pressures. At the same time, Line 2’s expansion toward Ilion is moving ahead, signaling a broader effort to close long-standing transit gaps across Attica.
GOINGS-ON: DECEMBER 18TH - 28TH
Spotlighting some upcoming community events:
NEW YORK, NY – The Hellenic Lawyers Association Christmas Gathering takes place at Ammos Estiatorio (December 19)NEW YORK, NY – The Archdiocesan Cathedral Choir, Youth Choir and Orchestra present the 49th Annual Cathedral Christmas Concert, ‘The Sounds of Christmas’ (December 19)
ASTORIA, NY– The Pancyprian Association of America Cultural Division presents the Annual Christmas Concert ‘Kalanta’ at St. Catherine and St. George Church (December 20)
NEW YORK, NY – The 89th Annual Hellenic Medical Society Scholarship Gala takes place at Cipriani 42nd Street (December 20)
WOBURN, MA – The Sunday School Christmas Pageant at Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church takes place after the Divine Liturgy (December 21)
MANCHESTER, NH – The Community Singers Christmas Concert takes place at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral (December 21)
CHICAGO, IL – The National Hellenic Museum in Chicago presents ‘At The Museum - Step Out into Greektown Family Friendly Interactive Tour’ where you can discover the cultural heritage and historic charm of Chicago's Greektown on this unique tour (December 26)
DUNLAP, CA – The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco invites families from across the west coast to this year’s Metropolis Family Winter Camp at St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center (December 27–30)
THIS WEEK IN GREEK HISTORY
December 18, 2001
On this day, composer Dimitris Dragatakis died at 87. Born in Epirus, he grew up with folk music and moved to Athens at 14 to study at the National Conservatory, where Manolis Kalomiris supported his training. Dragatakis became a leading modern Greek composer, earning major national awards.
December 20, 1997
On this day, a Hellenic Air Force C-130H crashed on Pastra Mountain near Tanagra due to severe weather, killing all five crew members. The aircraft was transporting soldiers to Pieria to assist in the search for a 42-passenger Ukrainian plane that had gone missing near Thessaloniki days earlier.
December 21, 1818
On this day, Queen Amalia, wife of King Otto and Greece’s first queen consort, was born in Oldenburg. Celebrated early for her beauty, style, and social initiatives—especially the National Gardens—her popularity waned amid political tensions and the lack of an heir. She and Otto were exiled in 1862 and moved to Bavaria.
Throwback Headlines
The National Herald Archive
Digitalization thanks to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
December 18, 1963
The NATO Ministerial Conference in Paris Has Concluded
Two Greek Air Force Pilots Killed or Missing: The 17-Hour Search Has Confirmed the Sinking
E.R.E. Protests What It Calls the “Political Coercion” of the King by the Government
New Members of the United Nations — Zimbabwe and Kenya
The United States Will Continue Supporting NATO Forces
The Enormous Nuclear Capability of the United States
Soviets Claim Superiority in Nuclear Strength
Meeting of Averoff, Ellkin, and Kyrianides on the Cyprus Issue
Why the Moon Plans Are Delayed — Mismanagement and Waste
Turks of Cyprus Say They Are “Eager to Resolve Their Own Issues Too”
Changes in the Leadership of the Greek Armed Forces
1,650,000 Drachmas Collected for the Orphanage of Heraklion
Upgrading of the Greek Navy
Parliament Debate on Foreign Aid
Many New Ships Added Under the Greek Flag
A Man’s Good or Bad Fortune Depends on His Nerves and the Way They Function, Says English Doctor
🇬🇷 GREEK WORDS OF THE WEEK
Άκυρο
AH-kee-roh
"Invalid/Void"
-
Έντυπο
EN-dee-poh
"Form/Paper Document"
-
Αίτηση
EH-tee-see
"Application/Request"
Athens Shines in Holiday Lights Beneath the Acropolis
Holiday lights illuminate a central Athens avenue as the Acropolis glows in the background in Athens on December 16. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
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