Welcome to the website of The Hellenic Society Prometheas
A message to our members
Dear friends,
We continue our activities with two in-person events:
- Greek Independence Day, Sunday, March 26, 2023, at Saint George’s Grand Hall. An annual tradition, celebrating the war of independence, with guest speakers and a reception to follow.
- “Greek music in America”, Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Saint George’s Grand Hall. Tina Bucuvalas presenting her book exploring the variety of traditional, popular and art music of the Greek diaspora in the new world. Hors d’oeuvres and wine, with Mortes performing a short selection of representative songs from that era.
In addition, we are in the final stages of launching our Facebook and Instagram pages, to offer our members and friends timely information on news, events and activities.
The H.S. Prometheas Board
Upcoming Events
Sunday, March 26, 2023, 5:30 PM EST: Greek Independence Day
St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church Grand Hall, 7701 Bradley Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817
The Hellenic Organizations of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area will celebrate the 202nd anniversary of the historic declaration of the Greek war of independence. The event will commence with welcome remarks from her excellency Alexandra Papadopoulou, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the United States. Our keynote speaker is Dr. Maureen Connors Santelli, associate professor of history at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), author of “The Greek Fire: American-Ottoman Relations and Democratic Fervor in the Age of Revolutions“.
Mission
The Hellenic Society Prometheas is a social and cultural nonprofit organization created in 1978 and based in Washington, D.C. Its goals are to promote the ideals of Hellenism and Hellenic culture both past and present, as well as to provide society members with a forum through which to pursue matters of common interest.
Current Newsletter Available:
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Recent Events
Saturday, February 18, 2023: A Musical Tribute to Mikis Theodorakis
The Musical Tribute to Mikis Theodorakis, held on February 18, 2023, at the St. George’s Grand Hall, was an unqualified success. Attended by more than 170 members and friends of Prometheas, the event offered a memorable musical concert, a gourmet buffet, excellent wine, and genuine fun. The president of Prometheas, Pericles Stabekis gave an eloquent introduction, making way for the musical trio “Mortes”, which entertained the crowd with masterful renditions of Theodorakis’ music and songs. Moving, exhilarating, and soulful, the sounds and lyrics took the audience to a trip down memory lane inspiring the brave to take to the dance floor where they expressed their feelings with abandon. Led by Spyros Koliavasilis, the musical group was cheered heartily by the crowd leaving everyone extoling its virtuosity. All along, the exquisitely prepared food and Greek wine contributed heartily to the festivities. All in all, an evening to remember.
Event flyer: 
Prometheas Theodorakis
Saturday, January 28, 2023, 7:00 PM EST: Greek Letters Day
An in-person presentation, organized by The H.S. Prometheas at St. George’s Founders Hall, featuring our keynote speaker, Dr. Stamatia Dova, Professor and Director of Classics and Greek Studies at the Hellenic College Holy Cross. The 2023 Greek Letters keynote address will explore the history of the word ὅμιλος, “assembled crowd, group of people,” from Homer to modern Greek within the framework of identity formation. Following the keynote presentation, the Hellenic Society Prometheas Hellenic Language and Culture Awards presented to students of Greek schools of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area. The event concluded with our traditional cut of the Vasilopita and a reception.
Event flyer: Prometheas GLD 2023
Friday, November 18, 2022, 7:30 PM EST: Technology Aspects of NASA Science Missions
An in-person presentation, organized by The H.S. Prometheas at the Hellenic Center, featuring Dr. Nikolaos Paschalidis, who provideed an overview of NASA science missions, with emphasis on technology, including the recent James Web Telescope, the Artemis back to the moon and Space Weather missions.
Event flyer: Prometheas_NASA-Paschalidis
Saturday, May 21, 2022, 8:00 pm EST: A Tribute to the Late Konstantinos Moschopoulos – Educator, Author, and Thinker
A presentation by Pericles Stabekis, President of The Hellenic Society Prometheas, featuring one of his memorable lectures (in Greek): Echoes from Homer’s Iliad (Απηχήσεις από την Ιλιάδα του Ομήρου)
Event flyer: Prometheas_Homer-Stabekis
Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 8:00 pm EST: Digging Homer: The Mycenaean Palace at Iklaina & Birth of Greek Epic Poetry
A lecture by Dr. Michael Cosmopoulos, co-sponsored by BAF/BOSONOVA and the Hellenic Society Prometheas.
Sunday, March 27, 2022, 7:00 pm EST: Celebration of Greek Independence Day
The Hellenic Society Prometheas, co-sponsored by Hellenic Organizations in the Washington D.C. Area, hosted an on-line celebration of the 201st anniversary of the Declaration of the Greek War for Independence. The keynote speaker was Mr. Paul Glastris, Editor in Chief of the Washington Monthly, and former speech writer of president Bill Clinton.
Event flyer: Greek Independence Day – March 2022: Flyer
Sunday, March 6, 2022, 3:00 pm EST: General Assembly and Elections
The Hellenic Society Prometheas Inc. convened an Annual General Assembly on Sunday, March 6, 2022, to conduct elections for a new Board for the next two years. Details to follow.
Sunday, January 30, 2022: Greek Letters Day (Day of the Three Hierarchs)
The Hellenic Society Prometheas celebrated Greek Letters Day with an online event that included greetings from H.E. Ambassador of Greece to the United States, Alexandra Papadopoulou, and Secretary General for Public Diplomacy and Greeks Abroad, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ioannis Chrysoulakis. The gueast speaker, 14-year old Dimosthenis-Dimitrios Despotidis, winner of the first prize of the Never Such Innocence International Poetry and Art Competition, talked about his first collection of poems, “Searching for My Footsteps,” published in Greek and English. The event conclude with greetings from students of Greek schools of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Event flyer: Prometheas – GLD 2022 – Flyer
Wednesday, November 3, 2021: Greek Antiquities as Diplomatic Gifts in Greek-US Relations after WWII
The Hellenic Society Prometheas hosted a web presentation by Dr. Nassos Papalexandrou, Associate Professor at the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Texas at Austin, on his ongoing research on a significant number of ancient objects presented to US presidents or high-standing officials by delegations of Greek administrations after WWII.
Event flyer: Prometheas – Dr. Papalexandrou – Flyer
Video of the event: Prometheas Webcast – Hellenic Language and Cultural Awards – YouTube
Sunday, June 6, 2021: Hellenic Society Prometheas Hellenic Language and Culture Awards
The Hellenic Society Prometheas hosted a web presentation of its Hellenic Language and Cultural Awards to students of Greek schools of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area. The program opened with greetings by Prof. Ioannis Chrysoulakis, Secretary General for Public Diplomacy and Greeks Abroad of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Nektarios Vasilakis, Consul of the Greek Embassy. Jacques Bouchard, Professor of Modern Greek Literature and Director of the Center of Modern Greek Studies at the University of Montreal, talked about “The Greek Language: an Arc of World Humanism.” After Prof. Bouchard’s talk, the H.S. Prometheas Hellenic Language and Culture Awards were presented to students of Greek Schools of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area.
Event flyer: Hellenic Language and Cultural Awards 2021 – Flyer
Video of the event: Prometheas Webcast – Hellenic Language and Cultural Awards – YouTube
Sunday, May 23, 2021: Cyprus: Island in the Storm – a film based on the life of Dafnis Panagides
The Hellenic Society Prometheas hosted a presentation about a film project based on the life of Dafnis Panagides – a man engulfed in the violence of the years 1955-1974 in Cyprus, who moved on to become a voice for reconciliation and peace. This Film Project has been spearheaded by Stahis Panagides, retired official of the World Bank, and other American and international organizations, to honor the legacy of his brother Dafnis. In this pre-production phase, the presenters, including the film director Costas Ferris, a prolific internationally renowned film director who also directed the classic movie “Rembetiko”, discussed the evolution of Dafnis’ thinking and actions as political prisoner, parliamentarian, pacifist-Christian, and environmentalist, and showed how his patriotism shifted from a narrow, fanatic Greekness to an appreciation of the universality of Hellenic culture.
Event flyer: Cyprus: Island in the Storm – a film based on the life of Dafnis Panagides – Flyer
Video of the event: Prometheas Webcast – Cyprus: Island of Storm – YouTube
Sunday, March 28, 2021: Greek Independence Day
The 200th anniversary of the Declaration of the Greek War of Independence organized by the Hellenic Society Prometheas on Sunday, March 28, was a great success. The event was co-sponsored by the Greek Churches and all Greek American Organizations of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.
The celebration began with a beautiful rendition of the American and Greek National Anthems performed by Sophia Pelekasis. They were followed by the breathtakingly spiritual hymn “Τη Υπερμάχω” (To Thee, the Champion Leader) performed by the internationally acclaimed choir of Dimitris Papapostolou.
Mrs. Zoie Lafis, Member of the Board of Prometheas, presented the program beautifully, while its President, Magdalene Kantartzi, welcomed the distinguished guests, Η.Ε. Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, President of the Committee “Greece 2021”, H.E. the Ambassador of Greece Alexandra Papadopoulou and His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. She also welcomed Professor Michael Wood and thanked him for his gracious acceptance to be the main speaker of this event, discussing “The Legacy of Greece: Reflections on the 200th Anniversary of the Greek War of Independence.”
The celebration concluded with a wonderful musical program. Sophia Pelekasis movingly sang the Lament of Markos Botsaris, (Το Μοιρολόι του Μάρκου Μπότσαρη). Maria Paschalides, a board member of Prometheas, beautifully sang We will meet again (Θα Βρεθούμε Ξανά) and Tsamikos, accompanied by distinguished classical pianist, Aphrodite Mitsopoulou. The last song was highlighted by the Return to Origins dance troupe that performed the Tsamiko, under the direction of Rena Papapostolou, known for her countless contributions to the Greek community.
Event flyer: GID 2021 Flyer
Video of the event: Prometheas Webcast – The Bicentennial of the Greek War for Independence – YouTube
Wednesday, February 24, 2021: The Greek Connection – the life of Elias Demetracopoulos
The Hellenic Society Prometheas hosted a presentation by James. H. Barron, on his new book, “The Greek Connection: the life of Elias Demetracopoulos and the untold story of Watergate.” James H. Barron is a journalist, attorney, and founding advisory board member of the New England Center for Investigative Reporting.
Event flyer: Prometheas: Barron-Demetracopoulos
Video of the presentation: Prometheas Webcast – The Greek Connection – YouTube
Saturday, January 30, 2021: Greek Letters Day – Day of the Three Hierarchs
The Hellenic Society Prometheas hosted an online celebration of Greek Letters Day, under the auspices of the Embassy of Greece.
The celebration included greetings by H.E. Ambassador of Greece to the United States, Alexandra Papadopoulou, and the Secretary General for Public Diplomacy and Greeks Abroad of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ioannis Chrysoulakis. The keynote speaker, Dr. Gregory Nagy, Francis Jones Professor of Classical Greek Literature and Professor of Comparative Literature, Harvard University and Director, Center for Hellenic Studies, presented “Some Meditations, by a Philhellene, about the Delights of Learning Greek.” The program also included greetings from students of Greek schools of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and close with the traditional vasilopita!
Event flyer: Prometheas: Greek Letters Day 2021
Video of the presentation: Prometheas Webcast – Greek Letters Day 2021 – YouTube
Wednesday, November 18, 2020: Neoclassical Architecture in Greece:
Lessons to be Applied to Modern Cities and their Architecture
The Hellenic Society Prometheas hosted a webcast with a presentation by Michael Lykoudis, Professor of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame, on Neoclassical Architecture in Greece.
Event flyer: Prometheas: Lykoudis on Neoclassical Architecture in Greece
Video of the presentation: Prometheas Webcast – Lykoudis on Neoclassical Architecture in Athens – YouTube
Tuesday, October 27, 2020: The Greek War Relief, America’s Formidable Response to Famine in World War II Greece
The Hellenic Society Prometheas hosted a webcast with a presentation by Mr. James Marketos, on the occasion of October 28. Prior to the presentation, H.E. Ambassador of Greece to the United States, Alexandra Papadopoulou, gave a greeting for this special occasion.
Event flyer: Prometheas: Marketos on Greek War Relief
Video of the presentation: Prometheas Webcast – Ambassador Greeting and Marketos – Greek War Relief – YouTube
Thursday, September 24, 2020: A Neolithic “Pompei” – The Remarkable Findings in Alepotrypa Cave, Diros Bay, the Mani Peninsula
The Hellenic Society Prometheas hosted a webcast with a presentation by Dr. William Parkinson, Curator and Professor of Anthropology at Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Parkinson discussed the results of collaborative, Greek and American, archaeological research at Diros Bay, particularly in the massive cave of Alepotrypa, one of the largest Neolithic burial sites and one of the oldest prehistoric villages in Europe.
Event flyer: Prometheas: Parkinson_on Diros Caves
Video of the presentation: Prometheas Webcast – Parkinson: Alepotrypa Cave in Diros, Mani – YouTube
Thursday, August 6, 2020: Greek Taxation Laws for Greeks Abroad
The Hellenic Society Prometheas hosted a webcast with a presentation by Mrs. Arsinoi Lainiotis and Mr. Theodore Vakrinos, Attorneys at Law, who discussed various issues relating to taxation for Greeks abroad, followed by a question and answer period on topics relevant to Greek law for Greeks abroad.
Event flyer: Prometheas Tax Webcast – Lainiotis & Vakrinos
Podcast of the presentation: Prometheas Tax Webcast – Lainiotis & Vakrinos – YouTube Podcast
Thursday, June 25, 2020: Coronavirus: Present and Future
The Hellenic Society Prometheas hosted its first webcast with a presentation by Dr. George Pavlakis, Chief of the Human Retrovirus Section of the National Cancer Institute, who discussed new developments for treatment and vaccination for Covid-19, and how to better protect ourselves in the coming months.
Event flyer: Prometheas – Dr. Pavlakis on Coronavirus 2020
Video of the presentation: Pavlakis Presentation – YouTube