“Ageless & Immortal: The Ionians in the Homeric Hymn to Apollo” lecture by Stamatia Dova – October 10, 2025

Dr. Stamatia Dova, Hellenic College Professor of Classics and Greek Studies presented a talk entitled, “Ageless & Immortal: The Ionians in the Homeric Hymn to Apollo,” in the Exhibit Room of the Maliotis Cultural Center on the HCHC campus. The talk, which was attended by HCHC students, faculty, and off-campus visitors, was followed by a light reception. Dr. Dova explored the Homeric Hymn to Apollo, focusing on its performance at Delian festivals around 522 B.C. Delos became a cultural and spiritual center for Ionians, who were portrayed as “ageless and immortal.”

“The Promise” Theatrical Performance – October 16, 2024

On October 16, 2024, the New York Life Insurance Company Center for the Study of Hellenism in Pontus and Asia Minor at Hellenic College, directed by Dr. Nicholas Ganson, hosted a moving theatrical event at the Maliotis Cultural Center titled The Promise. Internationally acclaimed storyteller Anna Conomos-Wedlock delivered a captivating performance that combined narrative storytelling, music, and drama to honor the Asia Minor Greek experience. Centered on the enduring bond between two girls during the 1922 Catastrophe, the story traced their separation and the emotional reunion fulfilled by their granddaughters generations later. The performance was enriched by Stefanos Karavas’s artistic interpretations, the St. Romanos the Melodist Byzantine Choir under Fr. Romanos Karanos, narration by Emmanuel Wedlock, and violin accompaniment by Matthew Carroll. Dr. Ganson praised Conomos-Wedlock’s performance for vividly bringing Asia Minor Hellenism to life and fostering hope and remembrance. The theater was filled to capacity, with emotional responses from audience members, including descendants of Asia Minor Greeks. A reception followed, hosted by the Maliotis Cultural Center. Sponsored by the New York Life Center, the event resonated deeply with attendees and emphasized the power of storytelling in preserving historical memory.

Cappella Romana Concert – “Out of the Ashes of Smyrna” – November 13, 2024

On November 13, 2024, the New York Life Insurance Company Center for the Study of Hellenism in Pontus and Asia Minor co-sponsored a memorable concert at Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Somerville, MA. Featuring the renowned vocal ensemble Cappella Romana, Out of the Ashes of Smyrna celebrated the chant traditions of pre-Catastrophe Asia Minor. Directed by Associate Music Director John Michael Boyer, the ensemble included founder Dr. Alexander Lingas and Protopsaltis Elefthérios Chasanídis. Dormition’s own cantor Richard Barrett, who also sang with the group, called the program a living tribute to the faith and culture of the community’s Asia Minor founders. The performance moved many to tears and earned a standing ovation. Greek Consul General Sýmeon Tégos remarked that the music “made the churches of Smyrna sing again.” Parishioners connected deeply with the concert’s historical and personal significance, particularly those whose families emigrated from Asia Minor. This concert formed part of Cappella Romana’s U.S. tour, which included a book launch at the Maliotis Cultural Center and a final concert in New Orleans. Dormition Church and the New York Life Center helped highlight the enduring American legacy of Smyrna’s Hellenic past.

“From Chant to Amanes” Anatoliama Concert – November 16, 2024

The concert From Chant to Amanes, held on November 16, 2024, showcased the breadth of Greek musical tradition, from Byzantine chant to Asia Minor folk music. Organized by Anatoliama Inc., the event featured master lyra player Sokratis Sinopoulos and renowned vocalist Aimilia Chalkia, both visiting from Greece. They were joined by the New England Greek Orchestra and the Byzantine choir of Holy Cross, St. Romanos the Melodist, directed by Fr. Romanos Karanos. The concert celebrated the continuity and diversity of Hellenic musical expression, tracing its journey across centuries and regions. The New York Life Insurance Company Center for the Study of Hellenism in Pontus and Asia Minor was one of the event’s key sponsors, alongside the Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art and Culture, the Maliotis Cultural Center, and the Behrakis Foundation. The concert drew a large and appreciative audience, affirming the enduring relevance of traditional music in expressing both historical identity and contemporary creativity. By supporting events like this, the New York Life Center continues its mission of advancing the study and preservation of the cultural heritage of Hellenism in Asia Minor.

Asia Minor Travel Seminar – Summer 2025

In the summer of 2025, the New York Life Insurance Company Center for the Study of Hellenism in Pontus and Asia Minor sponsored the biennial Asia Minor Travel Seminar, a four-week immersive academic program exploring Hellenic heritage across Asia Minor and the Black Sea region. Led by Professor Tom Papademetriou of Stockton University, the seminar gathered students from institutions such as Holy Cross, UC Berkeley, Fordham, Aristotle University, and more. The program included archival work in Athens at the Centre for Asia Minor Studies, visits to the Benaki Museum and Museum of Asia Minor Hellenism, and a sweeping tour of Pontic regions such as Trebizond, Amasya, and Constantinople. Students explored churches, monasteries, and historic refugee communities, culminating with a liturgy at the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Dr. Ganson, Director of the New York Life Center and Dean of Hellenic College, emphasized the seminar’s success in connecting students with sacred sites and refugee testimonies. The experience bridged academic study with emotional and cultural insight. Now in its sixth iteration since 2010, the program underscores the Center’s commitment to preserving and transmitting the historical memory and living spirit of Greek Orthodoxy in Asia Minor.