The Society Kapareliton of Boston-Saint Nicholas (Manthirea, Arcadia, Greece) marked its 100^th Anniversary on November 11^th, 2006 with a wonderful celebration at the 57 Ballroom in Boston, with the participation of five generations.

Several years ago the Society Kaparelioton of Boston established a website with the goal of creating a virtual village to keep the spirit of Kapareli alive and enable fellow Kapareliotes, descendents from Kapareli and Philokapareliotes from around the world to connect. This movement generated worldwide interest and momentum for this celebration, and challenged the Society’s Board to deliver something unique for what became the 250 anniversary participants from throughout the US and Canada.

The ringing of the village church  bell (traditionally rung in Greece during church liturgy, emergencies, and to announce deaths) was electronically reproduced in the ballroom and focused the attendees for a moment to consider our rich Greek heritage, long and storied Greek history and the values of our immigrant forbears.  A worldwide live phone connection with representatives from the village itself in Greece, Australia, Canada and throughout the US kicked off this historic celebration.

The highlight of the night was when a number of representatives between the ages of 10-84 danced their way in to the ballroom, dressed up with Greek ethnic outfits.  Panos Bitsikas lead the dance with the ceremonial battle arms, Greek and American flags, and clarinets.  Another unique moment was when Konstandina Fotopoulos, a 93 year old great grandmother sang several traditional village songs. Finally, three children, Heather Berner, Stacey Kourtis, and Athanasia Kourtis were each recognized for their submissions in a youth essay contest on the topic of the importance of Kapareli and their Greek heritage.

The following morning a special memorial service was held at the Hellenic College/Holy Cross Chapel in memory and honor of our predecessors, followed by wonderful luncheon to further get to know our fellow villagers from around the world.

Many anniversary participants brought family and village memorabilia with them.  An interesting sidenote of efforts to develop content for the 100^th Anniversary commemoration book and video was our discovery that there is great amount of Greek history and memorabilia of Greek history  here in the US, of the type that was often lost in Greece during World War II and the Greek Civil War.  One was a photo of my great grandfather from the 1920s that we had never seen before, and another was of the Mikrasiatic military campaign disaster (the Katastrofi) during which my grandfather was held hostage and then considered dead until he suddenly walked into the village one day.

We ended the evening with a reminder of one constant refrain of a long-time Kapareli priest, Fr. Doukas, during the post Civil War period: “Na Agapas, Na Sinxoras kai Na Boithas” (to love, to forgive and to help).  Zito to Kapareli, Zito H Ellas, and God Bless America!

Kapareli Society to Celebrate 100 Year Anniversary in Boston

The Society Kaparelioton of Boston “Saint Nicholas” is preparing to celebrate its 100^th anniversary the weekend of November 11^th, 2006. Like many other descendants from Greece, Kapareliotes immigrated to Boston during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s to build better lives for themselves and to help their families, who were suffering the hardships of poverty and war.  Two major waves of Kapareliotes immigrated around the world, to destinations in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

Kapareli was the Turkish name of the village located in the center of Peloponnese, near Tegeas, in Arcadia, whose classical Greek name of Manthirea has now been restored. Manthirea is located on the main road that connects Tripoli and Sparta, about 13 kilometers south of Tripoli, overlooking Tegea, Tripolis and Lake Taka. The views of the valley and lake from this mountain village are spectacular. 

A large number of families immigrated to the New England area and officially established the Society Kaparelioton in Boston in 1906, based on existing records.  At this time, there are more Kapareli descendants in the New England area than in Manthirea.  The Society Kaparelioton of Boston “Saint Nicholas” over the years has contributed to a number of philanthropic causes in Greece, in Kapareli village itself and now in New England. In Greece, the Society has participated in infrastructure improvements to build and maintain churches, schools, cemeteries, memorials for war victims, water systems, roads, and has helped poor families and accident victims.   In New England it has supported the Hellenic Nursing Home, the Hellenic Cardiac Fund, and many Boston Metropolis parishes. Many local Bostonians may remember the annual Kapareliotiko summer fundraising picnics at Pappas Picnic Grounds in Braintree (now happily the future site of St. Catherine’s Church).  However, today its main goal, and challenge, is to maintain the bonds of fellowship between fellow Kapareliotes (including Phil-Kapareliotes and Kapariliotes-by-marriage) and pass on our holy Greek Orthodox Christian faith and proud Hellenic heritage of self-respect and individual dignity, hard work, and love of learning to our children and grandchildren.

The dedication of those Society founders and all those who have served and supported this organization over the past 100 years is reflected in the historic 1906 Society’s Constitution.  In this document, the Society members agreed to substantial monthly pledges to support the Society’s goals.  In addition, each member solemnly pledged to each other member that if a member became sick and was unable to work any longer (verified by three physicians) the Society would arrange and pay for their transportation back to Greece, and if a member died, the Society would pay for burial if the deceased’s family were unable to do so.

During the past 5 years, the Society has maintained a web site (www:mantirea.netfirms.com) that has enabled us to connect with Patriotes around the world in the click of a button. But as the ancient Greeks said:  «Ο Τολμών Νικά» “O Tolmon Nika”, Those Who Strive Win, we need to continue our mission for the next 100 years. We invite all Kapareliotes and fellow Hellenes and Philhellenes to celebrate our 100^th Anniversary with us.  Please see our web site: www.manthirea.netfirms.com for details.