Stories about important historical moments, new films, Glykeria’s golden voice, and olive oil being better than viagra were among the most-read articles on The Pappas Post in 2022.
It was another eventful year for Greeks around the world, and The Pappas Post once again reported the news from Greece and the diaspora, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Here is a countdown of the top ten most-read articles on our website in 2022.
1. On This Day June 2, 1941: Brutal Nazi Massacre of Cretan Village
This is a fascinating story written by Gregory Pappas in 2019, which continues to get great engagement every year when we repost it because of the incredible tale it tells.
The story recounts the horrors of the massacre at Kondomari, an act of retribution by German forces following the heroic stance of the locals during the Battle of Crete.
“Despite the outcome, the battle changed the course of World War II history and was epic on many levels, including the fierce resistance that the Nazis encountered from the local Cretan population.”
You can read the story here
2. Critically-Acclaimed Film “Smyrna” Premiering Nationwide in USA December 8
The second most-read story on our website this year was the announcement regarding the nationwide release of Smyrna, the award-winning Greek film based on one of the 20th century’s greatest humanitarian disasters.
The film had a one-night-only nationwide premiere in 700 theaters across the United States on Thursday, December 8.
The film recounts the historical incidents and facts that preceded and occurred during the occupation of Smyrna in 1922 by the Turkish army, including the massacre of the local Greek and Armenian population. The story follows the lives of the Baltatzis family.
You can read the story here
3. Olive Oil “Better Than Viagra” for Male Sexual Performance
Yes, you read right, the third most popular story on The Pappas Post in 2022 was about olive oil being better than viagra for male sexual performance.
According to the article, Scientists looked at the health and diet of 660 men with an average age of 67. The study focused on the benefits of a Mediterranean diet and discovered several advantages to olive oil consumption and sexual performance.
The research found that men who replaced all butter with olive oil while following a Mediterranean diet — which is rich in oils, legumes, nuts, unrefined carbs, fruits, and vegetables, moderately high in fish and dairy, and low in red meat and processed foods — saw significant improvements in their sexual health.
You can read the story here
4. Top 10 Greekest Places in North America
In number four comes our article about the top ten Greekest places in North America.
We searched high and low to come up with this list of neighborhoods, monuments, and special places that make the United States and Canada the great mosaics and melting pots of cultures — especially Greek.
The list includes the Nashville Parthenon and Mt Olympus Park in Wisconsin, alongside more well-known Greek places like Astoria in New York and Tarpon Springs in Florida.
You can read the story here
5. Forgotten History: The Klan vs. Americans of Greek Heritage in an Era of Hate and the Birth of the AHEPA
Another story that is always well-read when reposted, this story by the late James S. Scofield was published in numerous newspapers on the 75th anniversary of the American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association (AHEPA) in 1997.
It is a sobering reminder of the struggles Greek immigrants to the United States and Canada faced when they arrived in the New World.
It was 1922, Americans of Hellenic heritage were suffering personal and economic intimidation orchestrated by the revived Ku Klux Klan. It was time for them to unify and organize, to protect and defend life and livelihood.
You can read the story here
6. Documentary Explores History of Egypt’s Once-Thriving Greek Community
Our sixth most-read article in 2022 was this piece about a new documentary that explores the rich history of Egypt’s once-thriving Greek community.
“Photos of Cairo and Alexandria ranging from the 1920s to the early 1960s show the cities as two cosmopolitan centers — more so than most European cities at the time. Egyptians, Greeks, Armenians, Italians, French, Syrians, and Jews all lived and worked in harmony with one another.”
At the start of the 20th century, there were about 200,000 Greeks in Egypt. Today, only approximately 1,000 members of the community remain — a result of the large European exodus which took place after the rise of Gamal Abdel Nasser and pan-Arab nationalism.
You can read the story here
7. Anti-Vaccine Bishop and Unvaccinated Sister Die of COVID-19 Weeks Apart
One of the more popular stories on our website this year was this article about an anti-vaccine Greek Orthodox Bishop and his unvaccinated sister, who both passed away with Covid-19 related illnesses.
The 76-year-old Metropolitan Kosmas of Aetolia and Acarnania died after a month-long battle with the virus that saw him moved from a local hospital in Agrinio to an ICU room at Evangelismos hospital in Athens. His sister had passed away a few weeks earlier.
Kosmas had refused to get vaccinated and loudly opposed government measures such as mask use and vaccination.
You can read the story here
8. “Echoes of the Past” Film About the Kalavryta Massacre Available to Stream Online
Stories about new films proved very popular again this year, including this one about Echoes of the Past, a film about the Kalavryta massacre, one of the most tragic events in modern Greek history.
The film, which can now be streamed online in North America, is a fictional drama inspired by the massacre committed by invading German troops in the village of Kalavryta during World War II.
Directed by Nicholas Dimitropoulos, the film is told through flashbacks as acclaimed writer Nikolaos Andreou, played by the late Swedish-French actor Max von Sydow, recounts his childhood trauma during the Nazi invasion of Greece.
You can read the story here
9. U.S. and Australian Driver’s Licenses Now Recognized in Greece
In the ninth spot on our most-read articles list is this story about a decision by the Greek government to formally recognize U.S. and Australian driver licenses.
Under the new law 4850/2021, U.S. and Australian driver’s licenses are now recognized in Greece, meaning no need for an international driver’s license for anyone visiting or living in Greece.
You can read the story here
10. Good Friday Lamentations Sung by Greece’s Golden Voice Glykeria
The tenth most-read article on The Pappas Post in 2022 was about internationally renowned Greek singer Glykeria signing Good Friday Lamentations.
Although she’s best known for her popular and traditional Greek music that brings people to their feet to dance, Glykeria has also spent a great deal of time singing Greek Orthodox church hymns.
Her passion for these hymns comes from her upbringing in the northern Greek village of Agio Pnevma, near Serres, where both her grandfather and father were chanters in the village church. You can read the story here