Category Archives: Theologos

Reviving the Soul of a Village

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The plateia is the heart and soul of every Greek village. Anchored by its peoples’ beloved Greek Church, amply shaded a huge plane tree, proudly displaying the marble War Memorial honoring its dead and surrounded by businesses and cafes, it is the central gathering point of the village. In the beautiful mountain village of Theologos, Lakonia, the plateia is very special to me as it is where members of my Zacharakis family meet for summer reunions.

Zacharakis reunion at the plateia in Theologos, July 2017

During my last visit in 2023, I noticed with sadness that some buildings on the plateia were abandoned and in serious disrepair. Gone were places to gather indoors on a rainy or wintry day, to celebrate a baptism or mourn a death, to hold a bazaar or community event, or to house the Women’s Association of St. John Theologian1. The empty buildings made it seem as if the plateia had lost part of its soul.

Imagine my surprise—and my delight—when I received a message from my cousin, Georgia Zacharaki1, stating that a large building on the plateia had been donated from the city to the village, but it was in need of major renovations. “It is a wonderful venue and the location is perfect,” wrote Georgia, who is President of the Women’s Association. She and the Association members organized an initiative to raise funds and repair the building.

These photos show the interior during demolition. Truckloads of debris were removed.

Much work needed to be done: interior walls, electrical work, and a complete overhaul of the kitchen area. When Georgia and I met in Sparta in early September, renovations were well underway. By late October, the project was near completion. So much work was done so quickly! The rooms are sparkling, bright, and beautiful.

The beautifully renovated venue

Donations of money, large and small, came from people in Greece and America. There were also many contributions of needed items such as appliances, kitchen utensils, blinds, glasses, coffee cups, etc. “If we had to pay for everything and did not have volunteer work and donations in money and materials, the cost to us would have been close to $10,000,” Georgia noted. Thus, every euro and every item was gratefully received and sincerely appreciated.

By the first of November, the venue was ready for use. A dedication ceremony was scheduled for Sunday, November 3. Women of the Association gathered happily in the new kitchen to prepare for the event by baking traditional Greek sweets such as diples and baklava.

Baking in the new kitchen to prepare for the dedication.
Delicious homemade sweets were lovingly made and beautifully packaged for those at the dedication
The room was gaily decorated for the dedication

The dedication on November 3, 2024, was joyfully attended by over 120 people throughout the area. The blessing on the venue was offered by the beloved village priest, Father Panagiotis Kotsios (below, left). He was joined by Archimandrite Ierotheos Varvitsiotis of the Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni of Anavryri (below, right) and Archimandrite Rafael Tsaltas of the Monastery of Panagia Koubari of Paleopanagia (below center; also representative of His Eminence Bishop Efstathios of the Metropolis of Monemvasia and Sparta).

Additional noted guests were three members of Parliament; two Deputy Mayors of Sparta; the representative of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Mr. Antonakos; the former Mayor of Sparta, Mr. Valioti; and the Board of Directors of the Daughters of Penelope Sparta2.

The attendance of so many local dignitaries indicated that the strength, resourcefulness and abilities of the Women’s Association merited their support and recognition.

Although the main renovations are completed, additional work is required. Money is needed to install a heating system and to fix a water pipe. At the dedication, 20 trays of homemade sweets were raffled off and additional fundraising will occur. With cold, mountain winter months now arriving, a heating system is a necessity for the 300 permanent residents to gather indoors.

I am saddened that so many charming villages in Greece are abandoned and neglected as residents leave for employment in cities. However, I am relieved and elated that the soul of beautiful Theologos has been revived.

If you desire to make a donation to help towards purchasing a heating system, please contact me at: spartanroots1@gmail.com. Any amount will be gratefully accepted by our friends–and my family–in beautiful Theologos.

Theologos, a charming village at 1,860 feet at the top of the Mt. Parnon range, has about 300 permanent residents. Many with roots in the village now live in Sparta and surrounding areas.

1Georgia Zacharaki is a founding member of the Women’s Association of Agios Ioannis Theologos, and a former Deputy Mayor of Sparta.
2“The women’s association is named Γυναικών Αγ.Ιωάννη θεολόγου Ηαγάπη — in English: the Women’s Association of Agios Ioannis Theologos Agapi (love). Because the village is named after the Apostle John Theologos who was Christ’s beloved as He appointed him as Virgin Mary’s son after Jis crucifixion and he preached Jesus’ word which that of LOVE, we named our association LOVE. The association was formed in 2017.” Georgia Zacharaki to Carol Kostakos Petranek, October 22, 2024.
3The Daughters of Penelope is a worldwide association formed in 1929 to promote Hellenism, Education, Civic Responsiblity, Philanthropy, and Family & Individual Excellence.

Greece 2019 – Putting Together the Zacharakis Family Tree

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Stathoula Zaharaki Eftaxias

This is my maternal great-grandmother, Stathoula Zacharakis Eftaxias. Her photo sits on my desk and every day, she inspires me to keep going with my research.

Stathoula was born in the village of Theologos, Laconia which is 10 kilometers from Sparta and 6 kilometers up a mountain. Her parents were Dimitrios Zacharakis of Theologos, and Giannoula Zarafonitis of Amykles.

For the past two summers, we have had Zacharakis cousins’ reunions in the platea of Theologos. Last year, they asked me to bring their family tree. This year, I did.

Pavlos, John and Joanna discuss their family tree

Preparing this information sent me hunting for the Zacharakis name in:  Male Registers (Mitroon Arrenon), Town Registers (Dimotologion), Election Lists of 1872, and school, church and marriage records at the village, town hall and metropolis levels. I think I have all the bases covered for vital records from Theologos. What I am missing, though, is a history book of the village. Librarians at the Central Library of Sparta said that one does not exist but I will keep looking.

I maintain all my data in a RootsMagic genealogy database and Excel spreadsheets, and I enter every name that I find, whether or not I can connect him/her to a specific line. For example, the 1872 Election Lists give a man’s name, birth year, father’s name and occupation. But if his father is Theodoros and there are several Theodoros’ in the village, I sometimes can’t determine which one he belongs to.

1872 Election List for  Theologos. Zaharakis family:  line 460: Anastasios, age 34, son of Theodoros; line 472: Georgios, age 33, son of Nikolaos; line 480: Dimitrios, age 45, son of Georgios.

I especially ran into problems with the earliest generations. In this Election List, were Theodoros, Nikolaos and Dimitrios brothers or cousins? I spent hours staring at computer screens, flipping between spreadsheets and multiple family group sheets to determine what made sense. When I became utterly confused, I tried a different tactic:  paper.

Sorting out the Zaharakis generations–on paper!

I began by writing on paper the men’s first names, fathers’ initials and birth years. Then using birth years, I sorted them into generations moving from youngest to oldest. The tactile experience of holding a pen, writing a name, and moving pieces of paper around until the families made sense helped everything “click” in my brain. After just a few minutes, the descendants were in place.

Example of one chart using Dimitrios born c. 1760

Using RootsMagic and lots of tape, I printed and put together the following trees:

  • Dimitrios, born abt. 1760
  • Theodoros, born abt. 1764
  • Ioannis, born abt. 1798 (no known descendants, but he received an Aristeia award for fighting in the 1821 Revolution; blogpost here)
  • Georgios, born abt. 1802
  • Panagiotis, born abt. 1805
  • Nikolaos, born abt. 1814
  • Konstandinos, born abt. 1842
  • Dimitrios, born 1844 (my maternal great-great grandfather)
  • Dimitrios, born c.1848

Certainly the three youngest are sons of the oldest, but who belongs to who? We won’t know in this life; the paper trail has stopped.

As the cousins looked for their names on the trees, I asked them to correct and add information.

Pavlos and his son, Thanassis, examine their tree

It was interesting to see that everyone there, except three people including me, were descended from Panagiotis born 1805. That tree was on the longest table and had the most activity.

The largest tree was for the descendants of Panagiotis Zaharakis, born abt. 1805

I am very grateful for the support of the village priest, Papa Panagiotis Kotsos, who was the host of the evening. He contacted family, shared information on the church Facebook page, and got people dancing. He is young and fun!

Papa Panagiotis Kotsos, host of the evening

Papa Panagiotis leads the Greek dancing

And of course there is food!

Waiting for dinner

And a group photo 🙂

Zacharakis Reunion in Theologos, July 2019

The large tree behind us has a plaque which reads:  “The generation that lived in Theologos during the years 1879-1880 have planted this sycamore tree and watered it but God made it grow.”

Plaque on the sycamore tree in the platea of Theologos

My great-grandmother, Stathoula, was born in 1870. She was a child when her parents, Dimitrios and Giannoula, helped plant the tree. Now we, the descendants of the earliest Zacharakis’, can gather under it and share the joy of family.

Πανηγύρι (Panegyri) – It’s Time for Village Festivals

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Music, dancing, food and friends–the perfect combination for a festive summer evening. This is panegyri  time and posters announcing village festivals are found everywhere.

Agios Ioannis, July 14, 2018

Each village has a church, and each church is named after a saint. Thus, each village holds its panegyri at the time of the church saint’s nameday or, if the nameday falls during a colder month, the festival is held in spring or summer. I attended panegyris in Amykles, Theologos and Agios Ioannis–three ancestral villages.

The photos and videos below depict the pure enjoyment of these festivities.

AGIOS IOANNIS (Sparta)

This is my “home village” — birthplace of three of my grandparents: Andreas  Kostakos, Hariklia Aridas, and Ilias Papagiannakos. I attended its panegyri with my cousins, Eleni and Panorea Kostakos. Eleni was anxious to arrive early as she was concerned that we would not get a table. When we walked into the platea (town square) at 8:00, I thought her worries were not valid as the area was empty. That is, until I saw that people had “reserved” their places by scrawling their names across the paper tablecloths!

The Georgiades family has marked its spot!

Eleni (left) and Panorea Kostakos are holding our table; I wrote our surname on the cloth

Food vendors worked throughout the evening. The tantalizing smell of souvlaki, roasted corn, smoked ham and Greek desserts enticed long lines of hungry partygoers.

Souvlaki, the staple of Spartan diets

Roasted and smoked ham

Panorea in the dessert line

Live music, singers and dancing brought villagers together to celebrate their heritage and their village.

Traditional Greek music enhances the festivities

And of course, there is dancing!

The platea quickly filled to capacity as families and friends table-hopped. The decibel level of voice and music increased significantly as the night progressed.

The platea is filled

THEOLOGOS

This is the village of my great-grandmother, Stathoula Zaharakis, daughter of Dimitrios Zaharakis of Theologos and Giannoula Zarafonitis of Amykles. Situated 6 km straight up a mountain, it is quaint and beautiful.

Theologos nestled in the mountains

Me, under the sprawling tree of the Theologos platea.

Last year, my cousin, Georgia Zaharakis, organized a Women’s Syllogos of Theologos to preserve and maintain the culture and heritage of the village and I joined their sisterhood. On July 8, the syllogos held a panegyri.  I offered to help and was given the job of working with the tech crew. Being part of this was great fun, even though I scrambled to keep up with instructions given in rapid-fire Greek.

The technical crew, going over last minute details: l-r: Vassilis, Dimitra, Georgia.

The theme was centered on the grain harvest and making of bread. Video, literary readings and bread-making demonstrations brought the “feast of wheat” to life.

Village women demonstrate bread making

Over 300 people attended; the platea filled throughout the night

Women in traditional costumes, led by Vassilis Andronis, performed dances from all over the country.

And of course, the entire village also joined in!

The news media picked up this story; video and photos can be found here.

AMYKLES

The ancient and historic village of Amykles was the home of my great-grandmother, Giannoula Zarafonitis. I visited Amykles early in my trip and wrote a post here. The syllogos of Amykles held a festival on June 3 to raise money to help the poor.

Invitation to Amykles festival, June 3, 2018

Under the shadow of the church, people congregated. A choir sang, and costumed men and women danced.

Amykles Panegyri

Amykles choir

Men and women engage in traditional dance

These panegyris are an important part of the social fabric of Greece. Villagers are extremely proud of their Laconian heritage and the traditions of their village. As I joined these festivals, I remembered that I was participating in the same rituals as my grandparents and great-grandparents. Doing so is one of the joys of “going home.”

 

 

 

Greece 2017. Part Six: Theologos

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This is my maternal great-grandmother, Stathoula Zaharakis, of Theologos. How I wish I could have met her. Her eyes pierce my soul and her look of strength and determination inspire me.

I have written previously in this blog about my search for her and the Zaharakis family of Theologos. One of my biggest research “to do” items this summer was to visit Theologos and learn more about the family. Much to my delight, this has happened in a way that was beyond my wildest dreams.

The seeds for success began with Facebook. I had found a Zaharakis family in the U.S. with roots in Theologos. Georgia Zaharakis of Sparta actively commented on the posts, and I “friended” her. The moment we met in Sparta, there was an instant connection.

Within 48 hours of meeting face-to-face, I was driving with Georgia and her mother to Theologos to celebrate the saint day of Agia Paraskevi. To reach the village, we drove for five kilometers up a narrow one-lane road with hairpin turns until we arrived at the very top of the mountain, a breathtaking sight overlooking the village.

View from the mountain top, overlooking Theologos. July 2017

The church of Agia Paraskevi was built in the late 1800’s at the pinnacle of the mountain. It is very small but the interior is beautiful. Liturgies are chanted there only once a year for the festival of its patron saint, or at the request of a family. The original church bell hangs on a nearby tree. Its clapper is missing and to hear it ring, children hit it with pine cones.

Agia Paraskevi icon and church; church bell. Theologos, Laconia. July 2017

After the liturgy, villagers gathered for coffee and sweets outside the church. As I walked the grounds, my mind wandered back 150 years and I envisioned Stathoula also celebrating this feast day at this very place. At that moment, I felt so very close to her.

Coffee time, Agia Paraskevi Church, Theologos, July 2017

Georgia had told me that there were many members of the Zaharakis family living in Theologos. Imagine my thrill when she began introducing me to new cousins!

l-r: me, Georgia Zaharakis, Kanella Zaharaki Koutrobi, Pavlos Zaharakis

As one cousin introduced me to another, I was embraced with the warmth and affection that permeates Greek families. Georgia proposed having a Zaharakis family reunion, and all agreed to meet at the platea the following Monday evening. I arrived early to visit the cemetery and the Zaharakis gravestones. The sign indicated that the cemetery was dated 1893. It is likely that Stathoula’s parents would have been buried there, but by now, any old graves are long gone.

Cemetery, Theologos, Laconia. July 2017

The Zaharakis family reunion was a joy beyond description. Young and old arrived at the platea, chatting animatedly and excited to be together. I had printed out Family Group Sheets in Greek, and people clustered around Georgia to relate their family information. We have yet to sort out all the information, but for a family historian, this was a thrilling sight to behold.

Capturing the Zaharakis family history, Theologos, July 2017

The family told me that not only was this the first time all the Zaharakis’ met together, but it was also the very first reunion of any family held in the village! A restaurant on the platea provided endless food and drinks, and the festivities lasted into the night.

One of the tables of the Zaharakis family of Theologos, July 2017

Many Greek villages have organizations known as syllogos , which work to preserve the history and culture of the village. A new women’s syllogos for Theologos was recently formed with Georgia as the organizer and president. One of their goals is to convert an old stone schoolhouse, no longer in use, into a museum. As a descendant from this village, I joined immediately and offered to be of help to them. In this day and age, being across the ocean does not hamper collaboration!

l-r: Georgia Dounia, Georgia Zaharakis, me; Women’s Syllogos of Theologos, July 2017

Logo: Syllogos Women, Agios Ioannis Theologos, Love.

All that happened in Theologos was as a dream to me. I am now connected with the descendants of the Zaharakis family and I have many new “sisters” in the Syllogos. Online research has its place, but so many blessings come when we can visit our ancestral homeland.

Ioannis Zacharakis, Hero from Theologos, Oinountos, Laconia

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In a recent post, the Zaharakis/Zacharakis Family of Theologos, I mentioned that the earliest member of this family that I could find was Ioannis, born approximately 1798 in Theologos.

Ioannis is found on line 236 of the 1844 Election List for Theologos, where he is listed as being age 46.

1844 Election Lists Laconia, File 22, Image 1222 Theologos.

1844 Election Lists Laconia, File 22, Image 1222 Theologos; Line 236, Ioannis Zacharakis, age 46

I was thrilled when my friend, Giannis Michalakakos, sent me documentation that cites Ioannis as being the recipient of an Aristeia for his military service in the 1821 Revolution. Aristeia comes from the word άριστος (aristos) which is defined as “excellent.” In Greek warfare, an aristeia (αριστείο) is an award of great prestige and distinction. It is earned by a soldier for his exemplary actions in battle. In the eyes of his comrades, he is a hero and is recognized as such.

This is a copy of the Application of Ioannis for an Aristeia:
Document #261  – Application dated 1839
The request and application of Ioannis Zaharakis for certification of military service. The request was made to the Royal Secretary of Lacedaimon under the existing law 3028, to receive medals and certifications. I am making use of this law and I submit my certification for the Aristeia.

Aristeia Application 261 of Ioannis Zaharakis

Aristeia Application 261 of Ioannis Zaharakis

This document #266 contains the signature of Ioannis at the bottom.

Signature of Ioannis Zaharakis at bottom

Signature of Ioannis Zaharakis at bottom

Document #309  – Certificate, dated 1839
The man that is holding this paper certifies that Ioannis Zaharakis of Theologos of Sellasia, in the beginning of the war, with his fellow villagers, willingly fought under orders of my brother, the captain (Georgios Giatrakos).In the start of the revolution with other people of the government of Greece, Ioannis Karakasou or Kastasou; he participated in many battles: Valtetsi,  Doliana, the siege of Tripoli, the city of Naplion, city of Argos, city of New Kastorio Pylos during the invasion…. We certify and give this certification to Ioannis Zaharakis for any use. Date: Aug 4, 1840 in Mystra.
Signed by: George Giatrakos; Nikos Giatrakos; Dimitri Nikolopoulos; Ioannis Matalas; Georgios Sklavahoritis (possibly); last signature is the mayor of the area, unintelligible. (Link to document online at website of General State Archives of Greece: http://arxeiomnimon.gak.gr/search/resource.html?tab=tab02&id=561094)

Aristeia, Letter of Certification #309 for Ioannis Zaharakis

Aristeia, Letter of Certification #309 for Ioannis Zaharakis

 

I am always excited to find any document for any member of my family — it is a clue to who they are, where they were, and what they did.

Knowing that Ioannis received an Aristeia brings me a profound feeling of both joy and pride. His blood runs in my veins which makes me the descendant of a hero!