Greek Americans
The Decline of Greektowns: A Crisis of Identity and a Call to Action
Written By: KTE Executive Board
Across the globe, once-thriving Greektowns are fading. These historic neighborhoods — built by the hands of immigrants who brought their language, religion, and traditions from the mountains and islands of Greece — are now marked by silence and decline. In cities such as Chicago, Melbourne, Montreal, and New York, Greektowns were more than ethnic hubs; they were sanctuaries of Hellenic identity and centers of communal pride. But today, many of these once-vibrant areas are slowly dissolving into the urban landscape; their distinct character weakened by time, assimilation, and neglect.
Why Easter is the best-kept tradition in the Greek Diaspora
Written By: KTE Executive Board
This year’s Easter Sunday is unique in that Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the same day – April 20, 2025. It’s a convergence that only occurs about once every four years, due to the ecclesiastical differences between the Gregorian and Julian calendars, which differ in their calculation of Easter. Unlike Western Christian denominations, Orthodox Christians follow the older Julian calendar and observe additional guidelines, such as ensuring Easter always falls after Jewish Passover, to preserve the biblical sequence of events.
Fighting for Family Land in Greece: A Diasporic Dilemma
Written By: Penelope Conomos Benis
When my father passed away in 2017, I was faced with a dilemma experienced by many Diasporans: should I preserve my ancestral footprint by claiming inheritance to family property in Greece? After years of fact-finding, investigative research, and a hefty amount of internal debate, I’ve come to realize the answer is dependent on navigating both the emotional and practical facets of this age-old question. The following article will serve as part one of a two-part series addressing the complexities of land endowment in Greece.
5 Ways to Get Your Greek Citizenship Done Faster
Written By: Christophoros
As many in the Greek Diaspora know all too well, getting your Greek Citizenship can be a long and difficult process. This is because people are often stuck communicating with the Greek government through consulates and embassies in America, which are often understaffed and poor at communication. We at KTE have heard countless stories from Greeks living all over the world about how hard it is to track down all the necessary documents to make their Greek citizenry official, even after multiple years into the process.
I Moved From Chicago to Greece: Here’s Why
Written By: Will Anagnos
I was raised in a Greek American home. Both of my parents were second-generation Greeks and deeply rooted in their cultural traditions. We went to church every Sunday, celebrated all the Greek holidays, and lived what I thought was a pretty typical Greek-American life. But there was one thing I never fully embraced: the language. Despite being surrounded by Greek culture, I never learned to speak Greek. In fact, I flunked Greek school, and my parents didn’t really push me to learn.
Why young Greek Americans should go to Ionian Village
Written By: Christophoros
For Greek Americans everywhere, Ionian Village is the best way to connect with their heritage through faith, fellowship and culture. Ask thousands of Greek Americans over the years about Ionian Village (IV) – the Greek Orthodox summer camp held near Patra, Greece for young Hellenes – and they will use phrases like “life-changing” and “the best summer of my life” to describe it. We can attest to having the same priceless experience, and a whole lot more.
Raising a Family in the Spirit of Hellenism
Written By: Penelope Conomos Benis
As parents, we have a profound influence over what we expose to our children. It’s a big responsibility, and oftentimes a challenge given the surrounding forces of social media. With respect to our Hellenic heritage, we are tasked with the onus of teaching our children its multifaceted composition: Orthodoxy, culture, and stewardship. As a mother of three sons – now college aged and beyond – I often reflect on the parental decisions my husband and I made: both positive and regretted, amid raising our children in the intended spirit of Hellenism.
Why Greek Orthodox Christianity is under fire in America
Written By: Pericles
When I was a young boy, I remember coming to church with my Father, who served as the priest of our small parish of less than 100 families. Growing up, I served on the altar through new parish assignments and all the milestones of life, even well into college. Young men who serve on the altar understand the mission to serve the Lord and assist the priest with the preparation of the holy and sacred mysteries every Sunday.
Why Greek Americans should visit Greece
Written By: Stavros
Greece is one of the most popular summer tourist destinations around the world – known far and wide as the perfect vacation spot for many reasons. For one, as an EU member state it is accessible, and English is commonly spoken by Greeks living there. Also, most places have fair prices. The natural beauty in the mountains and at the beaches draws in tourists by the hundreds of thousands. It is a place where it is easy to relax, but also safe to explore.