Preparation:

Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into bowl. Cream together the softened butter and sugar, and beat the eggs into the mixture one at a time. Gradually stir in the milk and the flour. Mix to a smooth dough, and flavor with grated lemon rind. Preheat over to 350 °F. Line a 12-inch pan with with baking parchment, put in the dough, smooth it over, and bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, until the cake begins to brown. Turn out the cake, allow it to cool, and dust with confectioner's sugar and nuts. Finally, hide a Flouri coin in it from underneath.

New Year's Cake Gold Coin Replica Flouri for Vasilopita

Agios Vasilios St. Basil the Great Name Day: January 1

Hristos Nikolopoulos,
Pexe Hristo - 2 CD Box Set (Vol. 1 and 2)

 DVDs

 
Geography: South of Lesbos (27 nautical miles) lies one of the most beautiful isles of the Aegean, Chios. It covers an area of 842 sq. km., has 213 km. of coastline and a population of 48,700. Chios is a separate Prefecture including the smaller islands of Oinouses, Psara, Antipsara and Pasas. It is 146 nautical miles from Piraeus with which there is a daily car and passenger ferry link. Once a week the boat on the Piraeus - Kavala route calls there, connecting Chios with Thessaloniki. There are also links with Lesbos, Syros and, again via the Kavala - Piraeus line, with the Dodecanese, Crete and the Cyclades. There is a local service to Psara, Oinouses and, in the summer, to Qesme in Turkey. Daily flights to and from Athens. The island's terrain is semi-mountainous (highest peak Pelinaios, 1297 m. a.s.l.) with several valleys intersecting the mountain ridges. The coast follows the configuration of the ground, steep rocky cliffs in the west and north and flat, sandy shores in the south and east. The mild climate, verdant vegetation, traditional villages and many monuments attract an ever-increasing number of visitors, even though tourist facilities are not particularly developed. The east and southeast parts of the island are the most densely populated and more villages are concentrated there, whereas the north is only sparsely settled.

Story: In antiquity the island was known as Makre and Pityousa, and has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In the 8th century BC Ionian colonizers settled here, developing a significant civilization so that the island's floruit endured until the 6th century BC. During e Persian Wars Chios was captured by the enemy, afterwards it joined the Athenian League and then passed to the Macedonians. It was eventually taken by the Romans. In Byzantine times it belonged to the Thema of the Aegean and, like all the islands, was a victim of constant piratical attacks. It was a bone of Mention between the Venetians and Latin emperors and in 1344 passed to the Genoese, under whom it experienced a new period of acme, commercial and economic, mainly due its monopoly in the trade of mastic. It was ruled by several noble families, the most important being the Giustiniani. In 1566 Chios was captured by the Turks, who granted it special privileges which prevailed— until the 1821 War of Independence. In 1822 the Chiotes were massacred by the Turks, which event, along with the later earthquake in 1881, wrought the destruction of many of the island's monuments. Chios was liberated in 1911 and incorporated in the Greek state. Adamantios Korais and Yannis Psycharis were both from Chios.

Sights-Monuments: The island's capital, Chios is also its main port and is located more or less in the middle of the east coast of the island. The oldest quarter is that around the castle, built in Byzantine times (10th century), many Genoese and Turkish influences are also preserved. In addition to sections of the ramparts, towers and a gate are also preserved. The wall was separated from the harbor by a moat, which no longer exists. Within the walls is the old Turkish quarter, ruins of the Giustiniani palace, the mausoleum of the Turkish admiral, Kara Ali, who ordered the 1822 massacre, a Byzantine chapel, Byzantine cistern and Turkish baths. Notable monuments in the town include the Early Christian basilica of St. Isidore, in which a significant 7th century mosaic floor was found, and the cathedral (metropolis). In the Korais library, one of the finest in Greece, there is a collection of rare books and manuscripts and, on the second floor, the Philippos Argentis collection of folk art is displayed. There is also an Art Gallery and Archaeological Museum in which finds and coins from excavations throughout the island are exhibited.

South of the town of Chios (6 km.) is Kampos, a particularly beautiful region with richly planted orchards and mansions set in their midst, the summer residences of the island's leading families. Most of them date from the 18th century and their architecture has distinct Genoese influences. Nowadays many have been abandoned but that on the Argentis estate has been restored and is in good condition, as is the Kazanova mansion near the torrent of Kokala, the Mavrokordatos residence at Frangovouni and those of the Zygomalas (Merminga) and Kaloutas families. Further south, near the village of Vavyloi, stands the Byzantine church of the Virgin of Krina, a 12th century building in which three layers of wall ¬paintings have been revealed. Also in the vicinity is the Genoese settlement of Sklavia where there are remains of medieval houses and churches. Close to the village of Aghios Georgios Sykousis stands the church of that name, in its present form a 19th century structure, but originally built in the 12th century. Continuing southwards, at the village of Kallimasia, on a knoll beside the Zevoi tower, stands the 13th century church of the Virgin of Sicily. There is another Byzantine church of St. John Argentis (14th century), in which notable wall-paintings can be seen, at Katarraktis, 15 km. south of Chios. At Nenitas (19 km. south of Chios) is the monastery of the Taxiarchs and at Kalamoti (20 km. south of Chios) the important monument known as the Virgin of Agrelopos (basilica in the orientalising order) in which there are 14th century wall paintings. To the north (approx. 2 km.), near e village of Armolia, in a moderately good ate of preservation, is the Kastro Apolychon, one of the major fortresses on the island, built in 1440.

In this part of southern Chios there is a considerable number of medieval villages, founded the 14th and 15th century, of outstanding architectural interest since they are built like dresses and the houses are mainly of medieval aspect. These villages were fortified against piratical raids and in order to facilitate better exploitation of mastic, they were also ¬known as the Mastichochoria. Most of the ages were destroyed or damaged in the 1 earthquake and their character altered. Pyrgi and Mesta are the best-preserved. Pyrgi km. south of Chios) is a scheduled village (state protected) with a distinctly medieval appearance, the house facades being embeled with geometric and linear designs, and fortress-like atmosphere. The central fortification ¬with its large tower still stands, as well as important churches: Holy Apostles and Dormition, and a Folk Art Museum. South of Pyrgi, at Dotia an interesting Genoese tower survived. 9 km. southeast of Pyrgi at Emion, excavations conducted by the British School of Archaeology have brought to light remains of buildings, a temple of Athena, on of which an Early Christian basilica with baptistery was built. 7 km. from Pyrgi is yet another medieval village, Olympoi, in which central bastion has also survived. South of here, beside the sea at Fana are remnants of sanctuary of Apollo (an early Classical edifice). The best-preserved medieval village, ever, is Mesta (40 km. southwest of Chios 11 km. from Pyrgi). Even though its central tower no longer stands, because a large basilica was erected in its place during the 19th century, the corner bastions of the defensive wall, gates, central square and narrow alleys are preserved and the houses all date from the 14th and 15th century.

North of the town of Chios (5 km.), in the locality known as Vrysi tou Papa, near Vrontados, stands the monument popularly know as Daskalopetra and associated in local for with Homer. It is actually an outdoor sanctuary of the goddess Cybele and the view of the sea from here is magnificent. The tomb Yannis Psycharis is not far away. At Vrontad there are two museums sponsored by to cultural associations: that of the —Philopr odos Omilos— (folk art and ecclesiastical objects) and that of the Intellectual and Culturb Movement (folk art). North of the Village (2 km.) is the Mersinidiou monastery and near Langada (9 km. from Chios) is the ancient Delphinion where excavations of the British School of Archaeology have brought to light the main Athenian naval base (5th century BC). The north side of the island differs considerably from the south both in its natural environment and density of settlement; the villages are fewer and smaller than in the south. The largest is Kardamyla (27 km. from Chios built in a richly vegetated region. At Volis (40 km. northwest of Chios) there is a well-preserved Venetian fortress on top of the hill and the monastery of St. Markella. At Ag Gala (98 km. northwest of Chios), close tot village of Ayasmata with its undeveloped curative springs, the earliest remains on the island (Neolithic period) were discovered inside cave. There has been no intervention in t cave to attract the public, even though it is of stalagmite and stalactite formations. Just by the cave mouth is the Byzantine chapel St. Thalelaios with significant wall-paintings.

The most important monument on Chios Nea Moni, some 15 km. west of the main to The monastery was founded in the middle the 11th century by the emperor Constant the Dueller (Monomachos) and is dedicated the Dormition of the Virgin. Its katholikon (octagonal type) is decorated with marble revetments and mosaics, among the finest examples of Byzantine art and contemporary with those at Daphni and Hosios Loukas. The refectory, a side chapel, underground cistern and bastion on the west face have survived, as well as a few deserted cells and ruined buildings of 18th and-19th century date. Nea Moni is generally regarded as one of Greece's outstanding Byzantine monuments. To the north (14 km.) is Anavatos, a semi-abandoned fortress-like village with impressive houses and Postbyzantine churches, notably that of St. George. Medieval towers which served as reconnaissance posts still stand at intervals along the coast (Pasha Limani below Mesta etc.).

The shores of Chios are excellent for both swimming and fishing and can be reached by bus, private transport or caique. For those with a boat a sail all around the island is a memorable experience (refueling stations in the harbor at Chios, Kardamyla, Pasha Limani). The mountains provide good hunting. Tourist facilities are of a high standard and accommodation is available in hotels, rooms and furnished apartments.

Oinouses (Inousses): Lying opposite the northeast tip of Chios (9 nautical miles) and very close to the Asia Minor coast is Oinouses, which belongs administratively to the Prefecture of Chios. It is just 14 sq. km. in area, has 48 km. of coastline and 703 inhabitants. There is a daily boat service from Chios. The island is renowned for its illustrious tradition in seafaring. There is no provision for tourists and it is visited exclusively by expatriate sailors and ship-owners who mainly return for the summer vacation. Its small natural harbors with their little beaches, mansion churches and Maritime Museum are the sole features of interest.

 

Mastic Products - produced and imported from Chios
Mastic Greek Spoon Sweet	Mastic Gum from Chios (w/ sugar) - Mastixa Xiou	Sarantis Sugar-Free Mastic Gum	Greek Mastiha Spice - Mastic Net Wt. 0.5 oz

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 Saints' Name days in January

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