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Ingredients: |
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2 Tbs.
Greek extra virgin
olive oil |
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1 lb/500 g
shrimp, boiled/peeled |
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4 Tbs.
fish sauce |
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2 Tbs.
fresh
oregano, finely chopped |
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2 Tbs.
honey |
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Freshly
ground black pepper |
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Preparation:
Heat the olive oil, fish sauce, and honey in a
pan, add the shrimp, and sauté gently for 5 minutes,
until soft. Remove the shrimp from the pan and leave
in a warm place. Reduce/thicken the sauce and add the
oregano. Now pour the sauce over the shrimp and
sprinkle with pepper. Serve as an appetizer with
freshly baked bread and a salad.
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In the coastal villages of Epirus,
especially those near the Ambracian
Gulf, there is frantic activity among
the fishermen on clear spring nights
when the moon is full. This is the
center of shrimp fishing, and here lie
the main fishing beds for Greek shrimp.
Even back in the times of Ancient
Greece, Athenaeus of Naucratis, in his
work Deipnosophistae or "The
Gastronomers," described karis (as
shrimp was called in those times) as a
popular delicacy. Today, the best place
to get fresh shrimp in Greece are the
fish markets in major cities, or direct
locally on the coast, where they can be
enjoyed in the small harbor inns fresh
from the sea. |
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Excerpt from:
Culinaria Greece by Marianthi Milona |
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Valentine's Day
is right around the corner!
Order now to insure timely delivery for the holiday!
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Greek Culture Article |
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Monastiraki Square |
 |
 Monastiraki (meaning "little
monastery", since there once stood a
monastery on this site from the 11th
to 16th centuries) is a very old
historical section of Athens with
remnants still standing among
present-day modernity. It is a
noisy, bustling hub where east meets
west, filled with street vendors
selling anything from lighters to
jewelry, and waiters dashing across
streets balancing trays of souvlaki
or Greek coffee for patrons. The
tiny streets around Monastiraki also
have character, which we will soon
visit. Be sure to check out the
fabulous graffiti on one of the
building's walls. It was designed by
Alexandros Vasmoulakis, a graffiti
artist who was commissioned to
decorate various cityscapes for the
Athens 2004 Olympics. For several
decades, Monastiraki had lost its
beauty and became a rather gloomy
site. The square is currently
undergoing construction, and its new
facelift restore its image, both
historically and archaeologically.
 Flea Market - Yusurum
Monastiraki is known for its
flea market, to Pazari, and its a
bit confusing because there are
actually two markets to visit. The
first is often referred to as Yusurum, a name derived from a
Jewish antique trader. This market
starts at Monastiraki Square and
continues down the street to Agios
Phillippos and Abyssinia Square. You
can find a number of small shops
that ore open daily and sell both
old and new clothes and numerous old
objects such as coins, metals,
plates, old books, records and
jewelry.
 The other market is the big flea
market that has been in existence
since 1910 and takes place every
Sunday here. You need to arrive
early because it becomes very
crowded around 11:00am. There are so
many things for sale, from Greek
antiques to modern day gadgets and
furniture. It is really a lot of fun
spending your Sunday morning here!
And even better, the act of
bargaining is very acceptable and
truly the norm.
Panagia Pantanassa - Virgin Mary
Queen Of All
While you are walking around
Monastiraki, you will notice a
rather small church. It is Called
Panagia Pantanassa (the Virgin Mary
Queen Of All). It used to be known
as the Great Monastery and this is
how the square took its name.
 The
original monastery probably dated
back to the 11th century and
stretched from Athinas to Aiolou
Streets. When the first metro was
developed in 1896, the monastery
buildings were demolished. It was a
very important church up to this
time, but lost its importance after
construction. The three-aisled,
barrel-vaulted church that exists
today was built in the 17th century.
It formally belonged to the
Monastery of Kaissariani on Hymittos
Mountain and first served as a
women's monastery. Later it became
the Great Monastery and was known
for its textile production. During
the early 20th century, the church
underwent repairs and also received
a tall bell tower. Even today,
conservation and repair work
continue on this tiny, historical
church.
 Monastiraki Metro
While in Monastiraki, you really
must take a look at another
archaeological gem, the Metro
Station. This station is unique, for
it is here that you can actually
view the bed of the Eridanos River,
dating back to antiquity. The
Eridanos River began at Lycavittos
Hill, then through the Ancient Agora
to the site of Keramikos where it is
still visible today. Since Roman
days - 200 AD - it had been covered
with a clay roof and used as a
sewer.
 Rediscovered during the start
of excavations in 1992, this amazing
exhibit displays the remains of
three different periods of time, two
of which are Roman and one of the Paleochristianic. The archaeological
site is covered with a specially
designed glass casing and has an
attached pedestrian corridor that
you can walk on top of to get a
closer view. Monastiraki is the last
station of the Attiko Blue Line
(Line 3) and serves as a changing
point to Line 1 (Kifissia-Piraeus).
Tsisdarakis Mosque - Museum of
Ceramics
Another interesting site in
Monastiraki Square is the
Tsisdarakis Mosque. Very few mosques
have remained from the four
centuries that Greece Was under
Turkish rule. After liberation, the
Greeks wanted to erase all traces of
this difficult period,
 so they
destroyed the majority of buildings
from this era. You can, however,
find this mosque in the heart of Monastiraki. It was built in 1759 by
Mustafa Aga Tsisdarakis. At one time
there was a minaret next to it, but
this too was destroyed after Greece
was freed from the Turks. After
Greek independence, the building was
used for different purposes and has
functioned as a guardhouse, a
prison, a military camp and a
warehouse.
In 1915, it was restored by
Anastasios Orlandos. Three years
later it became the Museum of Greek
Handicrafts, and in 1923 renamed the
National Museum of Decorative Arts.
In 1959, it became the Museum of
Greek Folk Art. In l973, the museum
transferred to another location and
the mosque was used as an auxiliary
building that housed collections of
Greek ceramics. Ten years later it
reopened again as the Museum of
Ceramics. Be sure to stop by; you
will get an idea of what the inside
of a mosque is like, and you will
also see a fine collection of folk
ceramics and pottery.
|
 Want
to know more
about
the best locations in
Athens?
New
to our collection this month
is Angelyn
Balodimas-Bartolomei's
"Footsteps Through Athina:
A Traveler's Guide to Athens
and Greek Culture"
Its 260 pages are packed
with intriguing facts,
descriptions, and hidden
secrets sure to delight
anyone travelling to Athens.
Even if you've spent a lot
of time there, this book is
sure to teach you things you
never knew - stories hidden
under the surface of the
streets you know and love.
Athens is a city of
antiquity yet also an
ever-changing metropolis of
modernity. This
comprehensive and
informative guide to the
original City of Democracy
will help you navigate the
neighborhoods, streets and
landmarks like a native -
including sights often
overlooked by most visitors.
You'll be well on your way
to discover the rich Greek
culture that has influenced
the Western World. It even
includes useful Greek
phrases, and a culture
chapter. |
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Special Feature:
Romantic Gifts! |
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New
Sterling Silver Greek Jewelry |
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What's
New! |
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Silver
Wall Icons for Children |
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Music |
Keti
Garbi, Kenourgia Ego |
Melina
Aslanidou, Sto Dromo - Best Of...
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Stelios
Rokkos, Pano Ap' Ton Kosmo
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Elena
Paparizou, Vrisko To Logo Na Zo
|
Eleni
Tsaligopoulou, San Psemata (3CD)
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Nikos
Ikonomopoulos, Akousa
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Pix
Lax, Best Of (3CD + DVD)
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Hriso
Paketo 2009
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Minos 2009 |
Kolasi 2009 - 24 Non-stop Hits |
Hrises Epitihies 2009 |
Legend
2009 (2CD+DVD) 42 Super Hits
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Dimitris
Mitropanos, Sti Diapason
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Nikos
Kourkoulis, Se Perimeno |
Mario
Frangoulis, Mario & Friends: ...What A Wonderful World
(2CD)
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Fresca
2009 (3CD) 54 Super Hits |
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Children's DVDs |
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Travel DVDs |
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Ancient Greek Replicas |
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Amber
Worry Beads |
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Silver
Worry Beads |
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Greek
Soccer Team & Patriotic Worry Beads |
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New T-Shirt and Sweatshirt Designs! |
E.U. (European Union)
 |
Santorini Island
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Greek Island Creta (Crete)
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Cyprus Island
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The Death of Socrates
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Vancouver
2010
Collector's Pins
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Romantic
Gifts |
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Click
here to view more romantic gifts!
(Order your Valentine's
Day gifts now
to assure timely delivery for February 14th!)
 |
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Featured Destination: Leros |
|
 GEOGRAPHY: Leros, situated between Kalymnos and
Patmos, has a strange beauty. It is 53 sq. km. in area,
has 71 km. of coastline, 8,127 inhabitants and is 178
nautical miles from Piraeus. There is a car and
passenger ferry from Piraeus and a connection with the
rest of the Dodecanese and Crete. The boat to the
outlying islands on the Piraeus - Kavala route links it
with Pholegandros, Anaphi, Santorini, the rest of the
Dodecanese, the islands of the north and east Aegean,
Crete and KavaIa. There is a local service to Patmos,
Arkoi, Leipsoi, Agathonisi, Samos, Kalymnos, Kos,
Nisyros, Telos, Symi, Rhodes; and from Aghia Marina to
Patmos, Leipsoi, Arkoi and Agathonisi. In the summer a
hydrofoil operates between Leros and Rhodes, Kos,
Patmos, Samos. There is an airplane from Athens, Kos
and Rhodes. The island's capital is Aghia Marina and its
main port is Lakki. There are small settlements all over
Leros which is traversed by a series of hills with small
fertile plains and valleys between, like the inlets in
its bays. The coastline follows the lie of the land and
is indented with bays and coves, little harbors and
headlands. The varied landscape, healthy climate and
quiet way of life make Leros a good venue for restful
holidays.
HISTORY: The island was inhabited in Neolithic
times, as evident from traces preserved in the region of
Partheni. In antiquity it was known, together with
Kalymnos, as the Kalydnai isles or Kalydna.
Archaeological remains scattered throughout the island
testify to its, continuous habitation in ancient times.
The island seems to have taken part in the Trojan War
and later became a member of the Alliance of Ionian
cities, centered on Miletus. Due to its safe harbors it
enjoyed economic and commercial prosperity until the
Roman conquest, after which its fate was the same as the
other islands of the archipelago. In 1316 it was sold to
the Knights of the Order of St. John and belonged
administratively to Kos. In 1522 it was captured by the
Turks who remain until 1912 when it passed to the
Italians. They transformed it into a naval base and as a
consequence it suffered heavy bombing during the Second
World War. In 1948 it was incorporated in Greece and in
recent times was place of exile for political prisoners.
SIGHTS - MONUMENTS: The island's capital today,
Aghia Marina, is built in about the middle of its east
side and actually comprises three settlements adjacent
to each other, Aghia Marina, Platanos, and Panteli. This is
the main traditional village on the island with its
brilliant white houses and narrow alleyways in the old
quarter, its Neoclassical mansions a massive Venetian
castle. The most import monument is the castle built on
the eastern edge of the town. It occupies the site of the
ancient acropolis and acquired its present aspect during
the time of the Knights. This castle was also important in
the preceding Byzantine period and it was here that Hosios
Christodoulos, founder of the Monastery of St. John on
Patmos, first arrived. It is to him that the destruction
of all the ancient edifices and temples, extant until
then (11th century) is attributed. When the Knights of
St. John acquired the island (14th century) they repaired
and enlarged the castle. Nowadays the restored enceinte
survives and within its precincts is church of the
Virgin of the Kastro, original the katholikon of a
monastery, as evident from the ruined cells all round it.
There are al ruins of various buildings and houses, fort
castle was inhabited up until the 18th century.
Behind the castle stand the windmills. Other places of
interest include the Public Library, in which a small
archaeological collection is housed, the church of St.
Paraskevi and a few buildings in which the local
vernacular architecture is combined with Neoclassical
elements.
Southwest of Aghia Marina (4 km.) is Lakki, the island's
main harbor, built at the far end of a sheltered bay.
During the Italian occupation it served as a naval base
and the Italians supervised the painting of the town
with its wide streets and gardens. Many Bauhaus style
buildings were built at this time. The churches of St.
John the Theologian, St. Spyridon, St. George and St.
Zacharias are of interest. Further south, at Xerokampos (8
km. south of e capital) the ancient acropolis of the 4th
century BC is located on top of hill. A medieval fortress
was also erected here, though this has w been completely
destroyed.
 Northwest
of Aghia Marina (5 km.) is Alinda seaside village in the
midst of greenery. Just north of here (9 km. northwest
of Aghia Mari is Partheni, a tiny village on the creek
of homonymous gulf, surrounded by trees. name is
evidently derived from the ancient
word Parthenos (chaste), an epithet of the goddess
Artemis who, we gather from literary sources and
inscriptions, was worshipped here. The church of the
Virgin Kioura merits a visit.
The loveliest beaches on Leros are on its east side -at
Aghia Marina, Panteli, Vromolithos, Alinda- and can be
reached on foot or by car. The northern coast is rockier
with small sandy coves- Aghios Stefanos at Partheni,
Blefountis bay. The south shores of the island -Lakki,
Merikia, Xerokampos- can be reached by car or caique
from Aghia Marina and have stretches of sand both large
and small. There is a large beach at Gourna on the west
side of Leros.
The harbors and anchorages on Leros are ideal for
private craft and the island is surrounded by
uninhabited islets where the fishing is excellent.
Refueling facilities at Lakki. Although accommodation
is available in hotels, pensions, rooms and apartments
there is often a problem of where to stay during the
summer season.
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Saints'
Name Days in February~ Greek Orthodox Calendar |
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Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
1
Sunday of the Canaanite
Forefeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and
Savior in the Temple
Tryphon the Martyr |
2
The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in
the Temple
Gabriel the New Martyr of Constantinople
Jordan the New Martyr |
3
Tuesday of Publican and Pharisee
Symeon the God-Receiver, Anna the Prophetess
Stamatios, John, & Nicholas, New Martyrs of
Chios
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4
Wednesday of Publican and Pharisee
Isidore of Pelusium
Nicholas the Confessor |
5
Thursday of Publican and Pharisee
Agatha the Martyr
Polyeuktos, Partriarch Of Constantinople |
6
Friday of Publican and Pharisee
Photios, Patriarch of Constantinople
Bucolos, Bishop of Smyrna |
7
Saturday of Publican and Pharisee
Parthenios, Bishop of Lampsakos
Luke the Righteous of Greece |
8
Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee:
Triodion Begins Today
Theodore the Commander & Great Martyr
Zechariah the Prophet
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9
Monday of Prodigal Son
Leavetaking of the Presentation of Our Lord and
Savior in the Temple
Nicephoros the Martyr of Antioch |
10
Haralambos the Holy Martyr
Anastasios, Patriarch of Jerusalem
Porphyrios & Baptos the Monk-martyrs |
11
Wednesday of Prodigal Son
Vlassios the Holy Martyr of Sebaste
Theodora the Empress |
12
Thursday of Prodigal Son
Meletios, Archbishop of Antioch
Antonius, Archbishop of Constantinople |
13
Friday of Prodigal Son
Martinianos the Righteous
Aquilla & Priscilla the Apostles |
14
Saturday of Prodigal Son
Holy Father Auxentius of the Mountain
Cyril, Equal-to-the-Apostles & Teacher of the
Slavs |
15
Sunday of Prodigal Son
Onesimus the Apostle of the 70
Our Righteous Father Anthimus the Elder of Chios
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16
Pamphilios the Martyr & his Companions
Flavianos, Patriarch of Constantinople |
17
Theodore the Tyro, Great Martyr
Mariamne, sister of Apostle Philip |
18
Leo the Great, Pope of Rome
Agapetus the Confessor, Bishop of Sinai |
19
Philemon & Archippos, Apostles of the 70
Philothea the Righteous Martyr of Athens
|
20
Leo, Bishop of Catania
Agathus, Pope of Rome |
21
Saturday of Souls
Timothy the Righteous
John III, Patriarch of Constantinople |
22
Judgment Sunday
Finding of the Relics of the Holy Martyrs of
Eugenios
Our Righteous Fathers Thalassius and Baradatus
|
23
Polycarp the Holy Martyr & Bishop of Smyrna
Proterios, Archbishop of Alexandria |
24
First & Second Finding of the Venerable Head
of John the Baptist
Romanos, Prince of Uglich |
25
Tarasios, Patriarch of Constantinople
Reginos, Bishop of Skopelos |
26
Porphyrios, Bishop of Gaza
Photini the Samaritan Woman & her martyred
sisters: Anatole, Phota, Photis, Praskevi, &
Kyriaki |
27
Prokopios the Confessor of Decapolis
Raphael of Brooklyn |
28
Righteous John Cassian the Confessor
Basil the Confessor |
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Icons
depicting the celebrated Saint, make great gifts for
namedays, as do our custom-made Greek name mugs.
Shop among our great collection of gift ideas at our
store. We also have a great selection of greeting cards
for birthdays, holidays, namedays and
special occasions.
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