'Mazi' with our Sponsors
December 26, 2025 Good morning — and Kales Giortes 🎄
As the days between Christmas and the New Year invite a slower pace, this holiday edition of Mazi for a Minute leans fully into the season. Given the timing, the newsletter is intentionally Christmas-story centric — rooted in faith, tradition, and the voices that give this holy period its meaning — while still offering perspective and a look ahead.
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 - thank you for supporting independent Greek-American journalism.
Inside, we explore how Greek-American businesses are navigating a more careful holiday economy, share testimonies from Greeks living through war in Ukraine, and follow Greece’s momentum — from record tourism and BrainReGain returns to education reform and regional diplomacy. You’ll also find stories of faith forged through hardship, enduring community traditions, and food, culture, and music that remind us why this season still matters.
Be sure to spend time with our special Christmas inserts (in both Greek & English), featuring holiday greetings from community members and businesses, along with additional Christmas stories that reflect the spirit and continuity of Hellenism.
As we turn the page toward 2026, we wish you and your families continued Kales Giortes, health, peace, and a Happy New Year — and thank you for starting your mornings mazi with us.
ECONOMIC ESPRESSO
A More Careful Christmas Table
Global and U.S. Market Pulse
Cautious Feasting: Greek-American food merchants across New York report steadier but more restrained holiday shopping as higher prices, tariffs, and inflation shape consumer behavior. Even so, traditional staples like feta, olive oil, vasilopita, and holiday meats remain central, signaling adaptation rather than abandonment of Christmas customs.
CROSS-ATLANTIC CURRENTS
Greek Voices from a Nation at War
Insights from Greece, Cyprus and America
Holding Ground: Testimonies from leaders of Ukraine’s Greek community trace daily life under missile strikes, cultural endurance amid blackouts, and deep unease over proposed peace frameworks that risk legitimizing occupation. From Kyiv to Mariupol, the story underscores how war, memory, and identity converge for a centuries-old Hellenic presence fighting to survive on Ukrainian soil.
Greek Health Minister Tours Mount Sinai, Meets Greek Physicians
Insights from Greece, Cyprus and America
Hippocratic Bridge: Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis visited Mount Sinai Hospital in Queens and Manhattan, meeting with senior executives and prominent Greek physicians to discuss healthcare delivery, digital health tools, and potential cooperation with Greece’s National Health System. The visit highlighted the strong presence of Greek medical professionals in New York and explored future synergies in areas such as artificial intelligence, electronic health records, and medical collaboration.
HELLENIC HORIZONS
A Decade of Style and Community
Greek & American Business Highlights
Built on Trust: Greek-American entrepreneur Popi Lubrano reflects on 10 years of Popi’s Place in Commack, a boutique built on personal styling, trust, and close relationships that have turned customers into family. As the holidays approach, Lubrano and her daughter Christina celebrate a milestone year marked by loyal clients, thoughtful gifting, and a hands-on, mother-daughter approach to fashion and service.
From Chania to Silicon Valley
Greek & American Business Highlights
Pragmatic: Engineer and semiconductor pioneer Manolis Lingunis reflects on a career shaped by migration, innovation, and hard-earned realism, from Greece’s stalled industrial promise to the intensity of America’s chip industry. His conversation blends technology, politics, and family life into a portrait of a Greek-American mind navigating progress without nostalgia.
Luna Mare Brings Mediterranean Flavor Back to Ipswich
Greek & American Business Highlights
Welcome Back: Recently reopened by restaurateur Petros Markopoulos, Luna Mare has quickly become a favorite in Ipswich, offering refined Mediterranean cuisine with strong Greek roots in a warm, relaxed setting. Led by general manager Pantelis Papadimitriou, the restaurant has been embraced by locals and Greek-Americans alike, restoring a beloved dining destination to the North Shore.
Sand Castle
The perfect Cinderella setting
for your big day
Discover Long Island’s premier venue for life’s most memorable celebrations. From breathtaking gardens to exquisite ballrooms, Sand Castle offers the perfect blend of tradition, elegance, and personalized service for weddings, galas, and special events.
Start Planning Today
COMMUNITY NEWS
Nearly a Century of Healing and Hellenic Legacy
Diaspora in Focus
Historic: The Hellenic Medical Society of New York marked its 89th anniversary with a gala that blended medical excellence, philanthropy, and Greek-American continuity at Cipriani 42nd Street. With record scholarship support, generational leadership, and honors recognizing service and compassion, the evening underscored an institution still actively shaping the future of medicine.
Faith Found in Suffering
Diaspora in Focus
Unbroken: At Gouverneto Monastery in Crete, Greek-American monk Fr. Sophronios, who has lived with ALS for 15 years, shares how illness became the path through which he encountered Christ and embraced monastic life. His testimony reflects serenity, repentance, and unwavering faith, offering a quiet but powerful message of hope to the Greek diaspora this Christmas.
A Million-Dollar Commitment to Cancer Research
Diaspora in Focus
Oh, What a Night: A sold-out Wings to Cure Gala brought together leaders in medicine, philanthropy, and the Greek-American community, raising $1M to advance cutting-edge cancer research at Northwestern University. The evening underscored the growing role of targeted philanthropy in accelerating immunotherapy, clinical trials, and patient-centered innovation.
Christmas in the Shadow of Martyrdom
Diaspora in Focus
Defiant: At a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus scarred by a deadly summer attack, worshippers gathered not to forget, but to bear witness. Amid grief, fear, and heightened security, the Christmas vigil became a quiet declaration of faith, resilience, and a community’s refusal to let violence define its future.
A Quiet Legacy of Faith and Stewardship
Diaspora in Focus
Faith over Fame: Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago reflects on a surprise $2.9M bequest from the late Greek-American benefactor Andy Efthim, describing it as an act of humility, trust, and long-term commitment to the Church. The gift, structured for sustainability through the Metropolis Foundation, highlights a model of quiet philanthropy rooted in faith rather than recognition.
A Love Story with a Greek Soul
Diaspora in Focus
MBFGW in Real Life: A New York Times wedding feature traces how an American filmmaker’s romance became a deep immersion into Greek family life, language, and tradition. From Upper East Side dates to island filmmaking and an Orthodox wedding, the story captures how Hellenic culture shaped a modern love story in unexpected ways.
A Call for Renewal at the Top of the Church
Diaspora in Focus
Leadership Limits: Fr. Alexander Karloutsos argues that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese should adopt mandatory retirement at age 75 for hierarchs and clergy, framing it as a matter of transparency, governance, and institutional vitality. His proposal, published in the Orthodox Observer, has stirred debate by invoking reform standards in other Christian traditions while raising pointed questions about leadership, language, and accountability within the Archdiocese.
TNH Welcomes the Community with Holiday Book and Gift Fair
Diaspora in Focus
The First of Many: The National Herald opened its New York offices for a festive Holiday Book and Gift Fair, featuring Greek and Orthodox books, icons, jewelry, and holiday gifts, while welcoming community members with music, wine, and seasonal treats. The event highlighted TNH’s role as a cultural and community hub and marked the first of what the publishers hope will become a regular series of open-house gatherings.
A Greek-Australian’s Love Letter to Christmas in New York
Diaspora in Focus
Fresh Eyes: From first snowfall and Rockefeller Center traditions to neighborhood light spectacles and festive markets, a new New Yorker shares the moments that made the season unforgettable. Seen through fresh eyes shaped by life in Australia and roots in Hellenism, the city’s holiday rituals take on a personal, almost cinematic glow.
Upper Darby Greek School Keeps a Holiday Tradition Alive
Diaspora in Focus
Faith & Festivity: The Greek School of St. Demetrios in Upper Darby hosted its annual Breakfast with Santa, drawing more than 300 community members for carols, food, and festive cheer. Students led traditional songs while families gathered for a December celebration centered on faith, culture, and togetherness.
A. Fantis School Christmas Concert Shines in Brooklyn
Diaspora in Focus
Voices Raised: Students from kindergarten through eighth grade of the A. Fantis School filled Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral with hymns and traditional carols during their Christmas Concert, presented in the presence of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Clergy, educators, parents, and community leaders praised the students’ performance, highlighting the school’s strong educational mission and the spirit of faith, joy, and togetherness ahead of Christmas.
Metropolis of New Jersey Christmas Tree Lighting
Diaspora in Focus
Lighting the Way: The Metropolis of New Jersey marked the Nativity season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting at its headquarters in Westfield, bringing together clergy, faithful, community leaders, and Consul General of Cyprus Kyriakos Pogiatzis for prayer, caroling, and fellowship. His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos led the celebration, offered reflections on the light of Christ, recognized long-serving volunteers, and welcomed guests to a festive reception that reflected the spirit of unity and faith.
Keeping Hellenism Bright in Brooklyn
Diaspora in Focus
Generations Gather: Students at the Greek School of Plato marked Christmas with plays, carols, and traditions that highlighted language, culture, and shared values across generations. The celebration reflected the school’s enduring mission to keep Hellenic identity active and visible within the Brooklyn community.
Coney Island AHEPA Chapter 200 Spreads Holiday Cheer
Diaspora in Focus
Shared Traditions: Coney Island AHEPA Chapter 200 brought families together for its annual Christmas Party at Three Hierarchs Church, featuring music, food, a festive visit from Santa, and activities that delighted children and adults alike. With generous community support and a lively raffle to close the afternoon, the celebration underscored the chapter’s strong sense of fellowship and holiday spirit.
Young Voices, Holiday Joy
Diaspora in Focus
Kalanta & Carols: The Hellenic Youth Show Choir delighted audiences at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria with a festive program of kalanta and classic Christmas songs in Greek, English, and Spanish under the direction of Phyto Stratis. The concert highlighted the dedication of the young performers and captured the true spirit of the season for families and community members alike.
Youth, Service, and the Spirit of Philoxenia
Diaspora in Focus
Season of Service: GOYA members from the Dormition of the Theotokos community in Ipswich continued their Christmas tradition with a visit to Boston’s Philoxenia House, decorating and learning about its mission of care and hospitality. The outreach highlighted how faith-driven service connects young people to a wider network of compassion supporting patients and families far from home.
A New Greek Holiday Tradition Takes Shape
Diaspora in Focus
Santa, Greek-Style: The Metropolitan Society of Kardamylians and Filarakia NY debuted a Santa’s Greek Workshop in Brooklyn, blending crafts, culture, and community for families ahead of Christmas. With hands-on activities and a visit from Agios Vasilis, the event showcased how multigenerational collaboration can turn heritage into living tradition.
Carols, Faith, and Continuity Across the Greek Diaspora
Diaspora in Focus
Living Hellenism: From Cypriot kalanta in Astoria and Byzantine hymnography at the Archdiocesan Cathedral to school pageants in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Staten Island, Christmas celebrations across the Greek American community brought music, faith, and tradition to the forefront. Led by choirs, students, and parish communities, these gatherings underscored a shared commitment to preserving Hellenic culture and Orthodox values while passing the light of the season to the next generation.
Pomegranates, Luck, and a Festive Greek Cake
Tastes and Traditions Explored
Recipes of the Week: Deeply rooted in Greek mythology and tradition, the pomegranate symbolizes fertility, abundance, and good fortune, playing a central role in Christmas, New Year’s, weddings, and memorial customs. This feature also includes a seasonal walnut-and-orange cake recipe topped with pomegranate seeds, blending ancient symbolism with modern Greek home baking.
A Sweet Finale in Bay Ridge
Tastes and Traditions Explored
Eva Explores: Eva’s final Exploring NYC stop of the year lands at a multigenerational Greek pastry institution that’s been quietly shaping Brooklyn’s sweet tooth since the 1970s. Between glass cases of melomakarona, bougatsa, and holiday classics, the story becomes less about desserts and more about craft, family legacy, and why authenticity still matters in New York’s food scene.
Under an African Sky: A Greek Diaspora Story of Belonging, Faith, and Perseverance
Tastes and Traditions Explored
Book of the Week: A moving new novel by Elene Catrakilis brings the Greek diaspora experience in South Africa vividly to life. Under an African Sky, set for release in March 2026, explores identity, faith, and human connection during turbulent times—and is a must-read, soon available for pre-order.
Greek Cinema Meets the Bay Area Spotlight
Tastes and Traditions Explored
And, Action: The San Francisco Greek Film Festival hosted a special screening of Arcadia, Greece’s official submission to the 98th Academy Awards, with director Yorgos Zois in attendance for a post-film discussion. Honored with the festival’s Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature, the screening underscored the growing resonance of contemporary Greek cinema with U.S. audiences.
Kavakos Applauds Greece’s Rising Musical Generation
Tastes and Traditions Explored
Standing Ovation: The Greek Youth Symphony Orchestra received a standing ovation at a sold-out Megaro Mousikis concert on December 20, performing alongside Leonidas Kavakos and cellist Timotheos Gavriilidis-Petrin under the direction of Dionysis Grammenos. Featuring Brahms’ Double Concerto and Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony, the performance marked a milestone moment for the young ensemble in front of a distinguished Athens audience.
Honoring the Courage of the Women of Souli
Tastes and Traditions Explored
Sacrifice: The Heritage Museum of Epirus hosted a powerful commemorative evening that brought history into the present through music, art, and collective memory. By centering the Souliotisses as real women whose sacrifice still resonates, the event reinforced the museum’s role as a living bridge between Greek history and the diaspora today.
‘Aristotle, Companion’ Promotes Halkidiki in New York
Tastes & Traditions Explored
Beyond Sun: The Municipality of Aristotelis of Halkidiki presented its ‘Aristotle, Companion’ campaign at the Consulate General of Greece in New York, highlighting Ancient Stageira, the birthplace of Aristotle, as a cultural, philosophical, and tourism destination. The event showcased the region’s history, nature, gastronomy, and thematic routes, aiming to position Halkidiki as a destination that goes beyond the traditional “sun and sea” model of Greek tourism.
Houston’s Greek Cinema Moment
Tastes and Traditions Explored
Lights, Camera...: The eighth Houston Greek Film Festival closed its most successful year yet, drawing record community participation and showcasing 21 films from Greece, Cyprus, and the diaspora. Strong attendance and standout winners signaled the festival’s growing role as a cultural anchor for Hellenic cinema in Texas and beyond.
ECONOMY & SOCIETY
Trilateral Summit Signals Unified Stance in Eastern Mediterranean
Snapshots of Change
Alignment: Greece, Cyprus, and Israel reaffirmed their strategic partnership in Jerusalem, focusing on energy cooperation, maritime security, and regional stability, while underscoring the importance of the 3+1 framework with U.S. participation. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also held separate meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, reiterating Greece’s support for peace efforts, regional security, and a two-state solution.
Foot Traffic Up, Spending Cautious in Athens Holiday Market
Snapshots of Change
Window Shopping: Athens’ main shopping streets are seeing increased foot traffic during the holiday season, but consumers remain hesitant to spend as inflation and high prices continue to strain household budgets. While some businesses report modest improvements compared to last year and steady demand for symbolic gifts, many merchants say strong crowds are not translating into higher sales due to rising operating costs and cautious purchasing behavior.
BrainReGain Brings Greeks Home - With Perspective, Not Just Paychecks
Snapshots of Change
Coming Home: The BrainReGain program is helping highly skilled Greeks abroad return home by matching them with meaningful opportunities, emphasizing long-term reintegration rather than short-term “success stories.” Through mentoring, employer networks, and concrete results, over 120 returns in three years, the initiative highlights a Greece increasingly seen as a place of choice, not necessity.
Private Universities Take Shape in Greece
Snapshots of Change
A New Era: Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki says Greece’s first licensed private universities are operating with 26 accredited undergraduate programs, as additional well-established foreign institutions prepare applications in early 2026. She stressed that strict quality controls remain in place, while public universities are simultaneously being strengthened through €1.5 billion in investments and expanded international partnerships.
TRAVEL & CONNECTIVITY
Greece Named Best Tourism Destination, Again
Expanding Horizons
Five Straight: Greece was voted Best Tourism Destination for the fifth straight year in the Global Traveler GT Tested Reader Survey Awards 2025, a distinction based entirely on public voting and widely regarded as one of the most credible measures of traveler preference in the U.S. market.
Redefining Trust in Luxury Yachting
Expanding Horizons
Quiet Luxury: Elena Nabliskagia traces how hands-on experience at sea shaped G2G-Yachting into a global charter brand built on transparency, preparation, and human connection. Her insights reveal an industry shifting toward understated luxury, sustainability, and experiences defined less by spectacle and more by care, clarity, and trust.
Greece Sets New Tourism Records and Eyes 2026 with Confidence
Expanding Horizons
Beyond Summer: Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni says 2025 is on track to be a record year, with revenues surpassing €20 billion and strong growth from the U.S., alongside expanding air connections and year-round travel demand. Looking ahead to 2026, Greece is targeting new markets such as India and East Asia while advancing reforms focused on sustainability, quality, and balanced tourism development.
Berengaria Reborn: Reviving Cyprus’ “Hotel of Kings”
Expanding Horizons
Above the Clouds: A €35 million restoration is bringing new life to the legendary Berengaria Hotel in the Troodos mountains. In this special TNH feature, Andronikos Spyrou, Senior Project Manager at bbf:, shares the vision behind the hotel’s rebirth—an ambitious project rooted in heritage, nature, and authentic Cypriot hospitality, with far-reaching impact for the local community and the island’s mountain tourism.
Greece Boosts Island Travel and Business Support
Expanding Horizons
Next Phase: Greece disbursed more than €22.1 million through the Transport Equivalent program, supporting nearly 127,000 island passengers and close to 1,800 businesses by offsetting higher travel and freight costs. Shipping Minister Vassilis Kikilias said the measure remains a key tool to strengthen insularity and improve daily life for island residents, with plans underway to further modernize the program.
Kalamata: History, Nature, and Flavor by the Sea
Expanding Horizons
All Seasons: Kalamata blends ancient history, a vibrant modern city center, and deep culinary tradition, set between the Messenian Gulf and Mount Taygetos. From landmark churches and neoclassical streets to world-famous Kalamata olives, mountain honey, and access to major Peloponnese sites, the city offers a year-round experience rooted in culture, nature, and local life.
GOINGS-ON: DECEMBER 26TH - JANUARY 4TH
Spotlighting some upcoming community events:
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)
HUDSON, MA – Orthodoxy on Tap hosts its Christmas Gathering at Less Than Greater Than Speakeasy and New City Microcreamery (December 29)
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA – Ring in 2026 with St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church at St. Basil’s New Years Eve Glendi at The Waterfront Beach Resort Hilton (December 31)
ROSLINDALE, MA – New Year’s Eve Gala at St. Nektarios Hall with full live band from Greece and New York City. Enjoy a hot buffet dinner, party favors and champagne toast at midnight (December 31)
NEW YORK, NY – Greece and Cyprus’s top Christmas box-office film arrives in New York for a limited run, bringing a familiar Dickens tale into a distinctly Greek setting. With English subtitles and family-friendly screenings near Union Square, the release offers a seasonal gathering point for the city’s Greek diaspora and beyond (through January 1)
NEW YORK, NY – Greek-American playwright and director Stephan Morrow’s The Story of Sal B. and Barbrann: A Mob Fantasia (Cyrano Redux) is now running at Theater for the New City, reimagining Cyrano de Bergerac as a futuristic mob drama filled with romance, satire, and geopolitical intrigue (through January 4)
THIS WEEK IN GREEK HISTORY
December 26, 2018
On this day, Theodore Antoniou, renowned Greek composer, conductor, and educator, died at 84. Born in Athens, he studied in Greece and Germany and taught at major U.S. universities, including Boston University, where he led the Alea III ensemble. A prolific composer, he wrote over 450 works and served as president of the Union of Greek Composers.
December 28, 1991
On this day, the famed icon of St. Irene was returned to Astoria’s St. Irene Chrysovalantou Greek Orthodox Cathedral, five days after being stolen at gunpoint. Painted in 1919, it gained attention when worshippers reported it weeping before the Gulf War. Though its jeweled frame was missing, the icon remained intact and revered for healing powers.
December 30, 1944
On this day, King George II abdicated, appointing Archbishop Damaskinos of Athens as Regent amid civil war and British pressure. Widely respected for his integrity, Damaskinos worked to restore order after the Dekemvriana, appointing interim governments before relinquishing power and recalling the king following the 1946 referendum.
Throwback Headlines
The National Herald Archive
Digitalization thanks to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
December 25, 1966
The Center Union Will Also Vote in Favor of the New Government
The King–Papandreou Dispute Comes to an End
Merry Christmas - Christmas 1966
Mr. Potamianos Says a Political Change of Unprecedented Magnitude Is Coming
Christmas Message: “We Proclaim Hope, Joy, and Consolation” (Message of the Ecumenical Patriarch.)
Significant Increases in Bank Deposits
New Government — “Two” Communities Face Each Other (Referring to Greek and Turkish Cypriots.))
🇬🇷 GREEK WORDS OF THE WEEK
Εγκριση
EH-gree-see
"Approval"
Ενημέρωση
eh-nee-MEH-roh-see
"Update/Briefing"
Πρόσβαση
PROHS-vah-see
"Access"
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Festive Footrace: Santas Fill Athens Streets
Runners in Santa Claus costumes take part in the Athens Santa Run, bringing holiday cheer to the streets of Athens on December 21st. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Like this Newsletter? Want to Sponsor?
Let us know!
Did someone forward you this newsletter? Join it for yourself! Simply send an email with "MAZI" in the subject line to vdiamataris@ekirikas.com or ediamataris@ekirikas.com and you're all set! Let's embark on this journey together, exploring the richness of Greek economics, culture, and beyond — one minute at a time.
See you next week!
Explore more in-depth coverage at The National Herald's website: www.thenationalherald.com
Brought to you by the news source you rely on most for independent reporting about the Greek community: The National Herald
© 2025 The National Herald
