Author Archives: Spartan Roots

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About Spartan Roots

I am of Greek ancestry with roots in villages near Sparta. My paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather were born in Agios Ioannis (St. Johns), and my maternal grandmother was born in Mystras. I love family history research and have been tracing my roots for many years. I was born in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in a predominantly Greek neighborhood close to extended family. I live in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area and work as a volunteer Co-Director of the Washington, D.C. Family History Center and a genealogy aide/project aide at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. I am always updating and adding new information. Please contact me - I would love to hear from you!

Greece 2019 – Barsinikos–On Top of the World

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On February 13, 1859, Panagiotis S. Lerikos of Agios Ioannis, Sparta, married Eleni Dimitrakakis, daughter of Giannakis, of Barsinikos. They are one set of my paternal great-great-grandparents.

Mitropolis of Sparta, Marriage Index Book; Book: Sparta, 1852-1859; Entry #524; License Date: February 13, 1859 Marriage Date: not given; Groom: Panagiotis Lerikos, no father listed; residence: Agios Ioannis; Bride: Eleni Dimitrakakis, father: Giannakis; residence: Mystras Church: Agios Georgios; First marriage for both bride and groom; Photographed by Carol Kostakos Petranek, July 2017

With this union, my family tree climbed further up the towering Taygetos mountains to the tiny village of Barsinikos where the Dimitrakakis family were original inhabitants. Barsinikos was the Ottoman name, changed to Taygeti in 1955 when the Greek government ordered the abolition of Turkish village names. Follow the red switchback road southwest of Mystras on the map below to see the location; goat and sheep trails eventually became paths, which today are roads, paved and unpaved. Yes, I do drive that road and yes, it is scary!

I visited my “new” cousin, Joanne Dimitrakakis who was born in Barsinikos, and spent a peaceful afternoon on top of the world.

Outside Joanne’s guest house, Arxontiko Taygeti, overlooking Sparta

We had lunch at the home of Christos Kakaletris, descendant of another original Barsinikos family. During Ottoman occupation, natives fled into the highest possible locations for refuge. Although there was forage for their sheep and goats, there was no flat land to cultivate crops. The mountain winters and inhospitable terrain must have brought challenges that we cannot imagine. After the Revolution of 1821 when it was safe to leave, they migrated from these upper mountain settlements into lower villages:  Barsinikos families relocated to Mystras, Parori and Magoula.

Lunch with Joanne and Christos at his ancestral home in Barsinikos. This is the second floor. The lower level was a taverna operated by his father and grandfather.

The marriage record above gives Eleni’s residence as Mystras; however, the Church of Agios Georgios is in Barsinikos. It is evident, then, that her family was originally from Barsinikos (as she married there), but she had already left and was living in Mystras by 1859. The original church which the Dimitrakakis family would have helped to establish was one small room, and this larger church was built in the early 1900s. There is a date of August 1918 on an icon frame.

Agios Georgios Church, Barsinikos.

Collage of interior of Agios Georgios Church, Barsinikos

Notation on frame of an icon with the date of August 1918

Along with the requisite church, Barsinikos had a one-room schoolhouse which Joanne attended as a child. It closed in 1965 due to lack of students.

Barsinikos schoolhouse

Although the families of Barsinikos have left and the village is now deserted, many like Christos and Joanne have kept their ancestral homes. During religious holidays, summers and festivals, people return. They sit on verandas and absorb the breathtaking vistas and cool mountain air which sustained their parents and grandparents. Although life has changed, their heritage is preserved.

View from Christos’ veranda; Sparta is below

Greece 2019 – From Dark to Light

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How to wrap my brain around horror and joy — two diametrically opposed emotions — experienced one hour apart? That is what I am struggling with tonight. My cousin, Panorea, and I share a love of history and this evening, we attended a lecture and film on the 100 year commemoration of the Pontic genocide. This was the ruthless and systematic killing of Christians and Greeks in the region of the Black Sea in 1919 by the Ottomans. Over 343,000 were massacred.

The speaker authored a book and produced a documentary on this topic, based on the oral histories of survivors and their families. The film portrayed the story of one of the survivors and his escape from the genocide. Among the scenes was a small group of Ottomans playing musical instruments and walking through villages; as they played, their leader shot everyone in sight. Killing to the sound of music? That is beyond barbaric. In another scene, the escapee hid under a bale of hay in a field. He saw a fellow Greek passing by on a donkey, and ran to him for help. Hesitant, the rescuer asked the escapee to recite the Lord’s Prayer and the Orthodox creed. When he did, the two embraced and the escapee was given food, companionship and a path to freedom. This scene portrayed how the Orthodox religion was the major factor in binding and sustaining Greeks through foreign oppression.

Although the lecture and film were in Greek, I understood enough to feel physically ill. The cruelty of men towards others, strictly based on ethnicity and religion, is humanity’s darkest side. Bishop Eustathios of the Metropolis of Monemvasia and Sparta, gave concluding remarks. We must always remember the innocent and not forget. Yet we must forgive as Christ taught.

We left the lecture with somber hearts to meet Panorea’s family at–of all things–a panegyri (festival) at the village church of Amykles. Music, dancing, food, laughter, friendship–all hallmarks of these joyful events–enveloped us as we entered the church platea. I saw tables filled with hundreds of people enjoying life and embracing the moment.

We arrived too late to see the traditional dancing, but early enough to enjoy souvlaki and music.

As I watched children play soccer and adults wait for food, my heavy heart lightened a bit.

This is our time to live. Trials await and challenges lurk. We face provocations our ancestors could not conceive. Those who lost their lives in innocence will never be forgotten in Greece–or hopefully elsewhere.

We move from dark to light and back again, sometimes on an hourly basis. But I trust, and know, that light will always prevail.

Greece 2019 – Saturday in Mani

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Digitizing the village church books of Laconia is both a privilege and a huge task. Having time on weekends to enjoy the sun and beauty of the land is both a delight and a necessity.  Yesterday, I drove to the port town of Gytheio, 45 minutes south of Sparta, to visit friends, Dina and Christina.

Along the waterfront of Gytheio

Mavrovouni Beach is adjacent to the town where locals and tourists can relax. There are many cottages, guest houses and hotels. The aquamarine water is perfectly clear.  I came here several times last year, as well, just to unwind and breathe clear air.

Mavrovouni Beach

After a relaxing afternoon, the three of us drove to Aeropoli and Limeni in the Mani region of southern Laconia. There is no place like Aeropoli, a village of stone, with its distinctive Maniate tower architecture and gloried history. The Greek Independence Revolution began here on March 17, 1821. Today, it lures people with its unique character and charm. For me, it is a must to spend time here every summer.

A street in Aeropoli, Mani

Storefront on the main street, Aeropoli, Mani

Market in Aeropoli, Mani

Frescoe inside one of the oldest churches in Aeropoli

The drive from Aeropoli to Limeni is less than 10 minutes. The winding road around the mountains provides spectacular views of the sea below.

The road to Limeni

This church is a point of interest on the road, but last night the slant of the sun was low and for the first time, I noticed that the windows around the dome are blue! This illumination produced an ethereal light in the sacred building.

The fading sun illuminates the blue windows and creates an ethereal and heavenly light around the dome

We reached Limeni at sunset. This is one of the loveliest places in Mani at anytime of day, but especially so when night is about to fall. The glow of the fading sun casts a golden light upon the stone buildings, producing a glow which is breathtaking.

Entering Limeni

Evening in Limeni

Homes nestled around the harbor

The rugged precipices of Mani are counterbalanced by the softness of sunset. The mountains and seas are enveloped in gold as another day passes and the beauty of the land waits to be rediscovered tomorrow.

Goodnight, Limeni

Greece 2019 – Delphi, Center of the Classical World

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During the classical period of Greece (5th-4th centuries BC) Delphi was considered a most important religious center as well as the center of the world. The latter was designated by Zeus who, according to mythology, released two eagles into the sky. When their paths crossed at Delphi, the spot was marked by an oval rock known as the omphalos (navel of the earth).

Remaining towers of the Temple of Apollo

The site is atop Mt. Parnassus and oversees the Pleistos valley. A port on the Adriatic Sea, far below, was the maritime gateway to Delphi. It was here that pilgrims, goods and animals arrived by sea. The sacred site was for them–and remains–a long, hard and hot climb.

Far below Delphi, the Adriatic Sea is the maritime gateway

Delphi is dedicated to Apollo, whose imposing temple was its nexus. The oracle of Delphi was Pythia, High Priestess of the Temple of Apollo. Thousands of people made religious pilgrimages to seek answers to their most vexing issues. Rulers also consulted the oracle before making big decisions, such as engaging in war.

A closer view of the Temple pillars

Delphi’s glory is gone. What remains are ruins of stone foundations and marble pillars. It takes artists’ renderings and thoughtful imagination to piece together this archaeological wonder. Games, religious rituals, music, festivals, athletic competitions, oracle consultations and meeting opportunities all combined to make this site a most important one in classical Athens.

Model of Delphi in its glory, 5th-4th century BC

Today, the semi-circular stone theater remains. It seated 5,000 and was the location of vocal and musical contests associated with the Pythian Games. 

Theater of Delphi

The Pythian Games, athletic competitions, were held at the Stadium every four years in honor of Apollo. The stadium is at the highest point of the site and is an oblong shape. Only naked men participated to ensure that women could not compete or even watch the contests.

The Stadium at Delphi

Among the many official buildings were treasuries, where citizens of various parts of Greece deposited precious offerings. Different cities had their own treasury, but today only the Athenian building still stands.

Athenian Treasury, the only remaining building in Delphi

Delphi was home to hundreds of statues which have long disappeared–some taken by Nero, some destroyed by vandals, and some disappearing with the forces of time and nature. A few remained and are housed in the adjacent archaeological museum. They are spectacular. Here are but a few:

The charioteer, famous bronze statue, with its accompanying artist’s rendering of the original

Although only a few bronze pieces were recovered, artists were able to reconstruct the original statue

The museum also has pieces of the building friezes and pediments which added beauty and symbolism to the buildings.

Neighboring villages of Delphi and Arachova are quaint locales with shops and homes. In the winter, tourists are replaced with skiers who come to the slopes of Mt. Parnassus. The villages, like so many in Greece, nestle in the hillsides and have breathtaking views.

Obviously the citizens of Arachova have entered the hashtag age

My visit to Delphi was via a one-day bus tour. It is about three hours from Athens, so I spent six hours on a bus and three hours at the site. I felt a bit rushed, as I would have liked much more time in the archaeological museum. The displays and statuary there are what brought Delphi to life for me.

Greece 2019 – Ωραία Ήδρα (Beautiful Ηydra)

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In today’s world, the concept of a society without vehicles seems surreal. Yet, that is what the citizens of Hydra have chosen. Transportation on the island is by foot, donkey or boat. The only motorized vehicles are sanitation and fire trucks. This was something that I, an American woman wedded to her car, had to experience. The boat ride from Piraeus was about two hours, with a quick stop at the island of Poros where people crowded on the decks to take photos. A few minutes later, the harbor of Hydra came into view.

Hydra Harbor

It is a u-shaped cove, protected by mountains which block the trade winds and keep the harbor waters fairly calm. Whitewashed buildings cling to the hills, providing sharp contrast to the rocks, vegetation, sea and sky. It is quaint and picturesque.

Around the harbor

Immediately upon disembarking, I saw donkeys waiting in a queue, similar to cabs in the city. Some are fitted with saddles, waiting for hardy tourists to mount with luggage strapped to the sides.

The donkey queue

All have faded, woven blankets to protect their backs from the parcels and equipment they will carry. Some are decorated with colorful beads, bells or a combination. These docile animals are the lifeblood of the island, bringing items from the harbor to the hinterlands.

Ready for work!

It’s hard to fathom that every item consumed must be ferried onto the island and hauled to homes and stores—appliances, clothing, souvenirs, pallets of bottled water, food—everything. And, in turn, every piece of trash must be ferried out. The sheer volume of commerce required by today’s society is handled the same as it has been for hundreds of years.

Every item is imported by ship and distributed by donkey and/or handcart

Men work hard, too. They load goods on these handcarts and I saw as many as three men push and pull a full cart up a steep path. This one sits empty, waiting on the dock for a load of cargo.

Hydra handcart

Except for Mandraki Bay, Hydra does not have sandy beaches but it does have cats. Lots of them! The owner of the guest house where I stayed warned me to keep any outside doors closed, or I may have purring roommates.

A few of the feline population of Hydra

Because there is only one sandy beach on the island, natives have used domestic materials to create unique swimming habitats. This one is formed by laying large, flat rocks into the side of a cliff to shape a platform, complete with a ladder to climb out of the water (the ladder is on the lower left side of the photo).

Swimming in Hydra

Winding streets and intriguing nooks provide many places to explore outside the harbor: shops, markets, courtyards, and shady bistros. The words painted on the steps of this cafe capture the essence of Hydra.

Life is special; enjoy it one step at a time

A charming bistro, tucked away in an alley

A picturesque alley with only one shopper in mid-day

Hydra’s Historical Archives Museum is filled with artifacts, maps and documents detailing the evolution of the island. Sponge diving and its maritime forces were historically the pride of the island. Walls are lined with portraits of “firebrands”—sailors who used fire to destroy Ottoman fleets during the Revolution of 1821. Their methodology was daring: they filled “fireships” with gunpowder and strung fuses with hooks to the end of the boat. The firebrands would ram an enemy ship, drop hooks onto its deck, light the fuse, and escape in small dinghies while the gunpowder exploded the enemy ships. These men were the heart of the Greek navy during the Revolution.

There are displays of costumes, weapons of Hydriot independence fighters, woodcarvings and maps. Although photos are not permitted, I had to take this one.

Genealogy Chart in the Historical Archives Museum of Hydra for one of its most renown families. Oldest member, Chatzi Georgios Kountouriotis, died 1769.

This family tree is of one of Hydra’s most renown families. Its oldest member, Chatzi Georgios Kountouriotis, died in 1769. I studied the chart and two things caught my attention:  specific dates of the earliest generations are missing, and Chatzi’s date was one of death, not birth. I felt a mixture of satisfaction and disappointment in seeing that even Greek families of prominence face the same obstacle–Ottoman rule. We are all stuck in the late 1700’s-mid 1800’s!

My final stop before returning to Athens was the the former Monastery of the Dormition. Today, it serves as the ecclesiastical Mitropolis of Hydra. Its church interior is magnificent; its bell tower chimes the hour, and its museum gives a glimpse of Orthodox treasures of the island. Some of its artifacts date to the late 1700’s.

Church interior

Icon, dated 1748

Gold embroidered epitaphios, 1808

Orthodox holy book from the Venetian period (mid 1700s)

My stay on Hydra was exactly 24 hours. If I had one more day, I would take a boat ride around the island and explore areas outside the harbor town. But that will have to wait for another trip.

Sunset