Cosmos Philly
Archbishop Elpidophoros Calls for Religious Freedom Without Compulsion in Philadelphia
Speaking as chair of the National Council of Churches’ Governing Board, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop challenged the idea of America as a Christian nation and called for respect among religious communities.
Advertisement
Latest Stories
Greek Diaspora Schools Can Apply for Second Round of Student Newspaper Program
Greek schools and community associations worldwide have until December 10 to express interest in a journalism program that helped students from 12 schools publish their own newspapers in its first year.
Kimberly Guilfoyle Resigns as U.S. Ambassador to Greece Amid Misconduct Allegations
Kimberly Guilfoyle has resigned as U.S. ambassador to Greece following misconduct allegations involving a political donor and a Greek energy lobbyist.
Annunciation Evangelismos Marks 125 Years at Philadelphia Gala
Annunciation Evangelismos honored Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis at its October 10 gala, where parish leaders reflected on their history and discussed an ongoing capital campaign.
St. George Cathedral Invites Children to Join Greek Folk Dance Groups
The Cathedral Ouranos Dancers welcome children ages 4 to 18, with three age-based groups offering traditional Greek folk dance instruction.
Our Supporters
In the Community
Greek American life, institutions, and people
Bishop Athenagoras Elected Metropolitan of New Jersey
Greek Orthodox parishes across Greater Philadelphia, South Jersey, and Delaware have a new metropolitan after the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected Athenagoras of Nazianzos on October 1.
Opening a Greek Bank Account From the U.S.: What Six Banks Offer
Alpha Bank now lets eligible U.S. residents open an account in Greece without traveling there. Other Greek banks follow different rules, from proxy arrangements to European residency limits and Greek document requirements.
St. Sophia Burns Mortgage and Celebrates 45th Anniversary
Nearly 400 guests gathered in Jeffersonville as St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church celebrated its 45th anniversary and the retirement of its mortgage.
Inside St. George’s Taste of Greece in Media
Cosmos Philly visits St. George in Media, where months of volunteer preparation meet returning visitors, Greek food, and a festival weekend already underway.
AHEPA Announces $250,000 in Scholarships for Hellenic College Holy Cross Seminarians
The scholarship support was announced during the school’s September 14 Feast Day observance in Brookline, with funding through the AHEPA Educational Foundation and the John George Tsitsos Scholarship Fund.
From Greece & Cyprus
Politics, society, and current affairs
When the Children Leave: Greece’s Island Schools Face an Uncertain Future
On Kalamos, only two children remain in primary school. Their approaching departure reflects a wider demographic decline threatening schools and smaller communities across Greece.
Cyprus Property Prosecutions Reach Across Europe Over Greek Cypriot Land in the North
A German broker detained since July 2024 is one of several defendants caught in property cases over Greek Cypriot land in the occupied north, with prosecutions and arrest warrants reaching courts elsewhere in Europe.
A Thessaloniki Teacher Now Drives a Munich Bus as Transit Companies Recruit Abroad
Lizetta Tila moved from Thessaloniki to Munich in 2024 and now drives scheduled bus routes. Her move comes as Munich transport operators seek workers beyond Germany, including in Greece, against a much older history of…
Otto Liman von Sanders and the Wartime Fate of Asia Minor’s Greeks
The German general serving the Ottoman Empire intervened against some deportations of Greeks and Armenians from the Aegean coast. He also ordered Greeks from Ayvalık into the interior, leaving a wartime record that remains difficult…
Mazonakis Case Puts Greece’s Medical Oversight Under Scrutiny
The singer’s death has prompted scrutiny of how private medical offices, longevity treatments, advertising, and inspections are regulated in Greece, while authorities pursue a criminal case against two doctors.
Cultural Life
Heritage, language, and the arts
Church Treasures Return to Greece After 109 Years in Exchange for Tsar Samuel’s Remains
Religious treasures removed from Macedonian monasteries during World War I are back in Greece after an exchange with Bulgaria. The agreement leaves ownership questions unresolved but allows negotiations over additional objects.
Greece Chooses Broken Vein, Cyprus Sends Hold Onto Me Into 2027 Oscar Race
Greece has selected Yannis Economides’ Broken Vein for the 2027 Oscars, while Myrsini Aristidou’s Hold Onto Me marks Cyprus’ first official submission in the International Feature Film category.
Detroit Students to Explore Democracy Through Puppetry at Hellenic Museum of Michigan
A new Detroit program will use puppetry, workshops and hands-on voting activities to connect students with democracy’s ancient Greek roots and its place in civic life today.
New York Greek Film Expo Returns Oct. 8–18 With 12 Films and Cacoyannis Retrospective
The 2026 Expo spans five venues in New York and Fort Lee, with visiting filmmakers, a Sundance-winning opening film and a four-film Michael Cacoyannis retrospective.
Romain Gavras’ ‘Sacrifice,’ Shot in Greece, Comes to Netflix Oct. 16
The filmmaker’s first English-language feature, starring Chris Evans and Anya Taylor-Joy, used locations in Drama, Athens, Lavrio and Santorini and employed more than 200 Greek artists and technicians.
Featured Sponsors
Interviews
Voices from our community
Events
What’s coming up
Who celebrates today
Obituaries & Memorials
Remembering members of our community
Helen Papadeas
Helen C. Papadeas was a longtime member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Upper Darby, where she served her parish for decades. She passed away October 13 at age 96.
Dimitrios Christodoulou
An Athens native, Jim operated Moms Variety in South Philadelphia for 17 years. Funeral services are scheduled for October 17 in Cherry Hill.
George Thrappas
Born on the Greek island of Chios, George was a longtime St. George parishioner, festival volunteer, and devoted family man who loved cooking, gardening, and Greek music.
Elpida Ioannou
Born in Kato Poroia, Serres, Elpida “Pitsa” Ioannou made her home in the Philadelphia area, where her family joined St. Demetrios and welcomed newly arrived Greek families into their home.
Maria Caravasos
Maria Caravasos, 88, a Sparta-born attorney and longtime Philadelphia-area resident, passed away on September 21, 2026.
Dimitri Tzoumakaris
Dimitri Tzoumakaris, who immigrated from Veria, Greece, and made his home in Delaware County, passed away on August 28, 2026.