Abdul Smmoil Ess, the owner of the Greek restaurant Athens Tavern at the North Robinson Street in Richmond has enjoyed two decades of appreciation from his patrons. Smmoil Ess attributes his restaurant’s uniqueness to traditional Greek recipes he learnt from his mother. With 30 years of cooking experience, the items on the menu have a consistent flavor and relish. Even the wines are imported from different regions of Greece. Fresh ingredients and a home-made style of cooking is Smmoil Ess’ way of extending the Greek culture to his new homeland.

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Sweet Memories from Greece

 

Greek-American John Bletsos has managed to balance his homeland values in his home.

After living more than three decades in America, Greek native John Bletsos swiftly displays an affectionate smile on the mention of his homeland - Greece.

Bletsos had left his home when he was 19 years old to pursue higher education in the United States. Yet the thick Greek accent, close bond and respect shared with his wife and children and a sturdy commitment towards religion assures the lessons learnt in his birthplace Avia, Greece haven’t been forgotten. “Greeks believe in living harmoniously with each other. We have tightly-knit families and we live, celebrate and worship together,” said Bletsos.

At 19, Bletsos was barely acquainted with Americans and the English language. Evangelos Bletsos, John’s elder brother claims he was the smartest of the three brothers. “John has been very interested in science since school and we expected him to enroll in medical school and become a doctor, but he was determined to accomplish his educational goals in America,” he said. The dream of becoming a doctor came with a lot of financial burden on the family. Hence Bletsos started to prepare for a 10-year student journey for acquiring a Ph.D.  

At first Bletsos wasn’t sure that at the completion of his education he would get a job and settle in America. “I remember the first christmas I was away from home, family and friends. That was very painful for me,” said Bletsos. The majority of three million Greeks living in United States would have gone through similar emotions. Bletsos found his reason to stay here. “My education has more value and rewards here than in my country. I am extremely happy with the progress I have made professionally,” said Bletsos, who has worked for Dupont, a science, technology and chemical company as a chemist for the last 20 years.

Yet at 52, the whiff of his mother’s moussaka brings back fond memories of the time spent during family feasts praying, laughing, dancing and indulging on some delicious Greek delicacies. Bletsos still finds himself calling Greece and asking for recipes from his mother and ordering oregano from his hometown. “Oregano is a very essential ingredient in our cooking and I am not pleased with what is available here. The fine-tasting quality is grown in dry weather and there is a definite difference in taste when it comes from Greece,” Bletsos said.

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A wedding is a ceremony that sets cultures apart. Greeks share a lot of similarities with American weddings; the bride walks down the aisle wearing white and the couple start a new journey as husband and wife in presence of God. Yet on a closer look the ceremony has its significant differences, highlighting the beliefs and spirituality of the culture. There are various chants and prayers spoken by the priest and the entire congregation. During that time the couple isn’t supposed to talk to each other. Further in the ceremony the couple is crowned as king and queen of their kingdom. They then take three circles around the table symbolizing their life being rooted in Jesus Christ.

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Born as a priest’s son, he has been exposed to religion and church worship from the very beginning. He smiles talking about visiting church with his father. “I was 13 when I joined the church chorus. That is when I learned to interpret written music literature called Byzantine music,” said Bletsos.

Sylvia Evans has known Bletsos for the last four years while working in a non-profit Greek organization called Hellenic Society Paideia of Virginia. Evans has great respect for Bletsos’ contribution for spreading Greek culture. She said, “John represents the best of both worlds. He has embraced his traditional values to enhance his life and adapted to the international world of business showing a great sense of balance.”

Bletsos has moved a lot since his student days, beginning with Boston and then Pittsburgh followed by starting his career with Dupont in Delaware. He later moved to West Virginia and finally settling in Richmond for the last eight years. This never interrupted his involvement with the church or being part of the liturgy. In Richmond, Bletsos has been a chanter during the weekend service at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Malvern Avenue.

His wife Calypso and his children Vassili and Marina join him in church regularly. The children have been born in America. Bletsos has felt it was essential to cultivate similar seeds of culture and tradition in his children. Besides weekend church service, Vassili who is 15 years old and Marina who is 12, are enrolled in after-school Greek dancing lessons. This experience has given them insight into the various forms of ethnic dancing and the uniqueness of its music.  

“Greeks are very independent by nature. It was a difficult decision for my family and me at 19 to leave home and stay in a foreign country, but my parents always supported my progress as a person. I want to continue that with my kids,” Bletsos said.

Calypso Bletsos vouches for her husband’s ability to remain objective. “It is always John who is laying down the rules, but I really admire him for being calm through the roughest of situations,” she said.

Traditional at heart, Bletsos has had his American influences, more evident in his eating habits. Even his sister-in-law Ellen Bletsos from Massachusetts feels that Bletsos has changed his diet preferences. Bletsos has consciously switched to a cholesterol-free diet by sticking to Greek salads and soups for most meals. “It’s rude in Greece to not eat every item offered on the table and you are watched like a hawk on every morsel consumed. It’s over-hospitality but John still is picky about the contents of his plate,” said Ellen Bletsos.

The passions keep changing for Greek-Americans but the sentiment remains the same – love for family, religion, food and celebration of life.  John Bletsos made his well-rounded place in a foreign country exploring his professional potential to the fullest and standing firm on his cultural beliefs.

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Facts about Greek Culture

 

The most prominent features of the Greek culture are religion, family life, food and the passionate expression of each. With three million Greeks living in United States, the presence is mostly felt through their cuisine. In Richmond the Greek festival has helped popularize the culture's native recipes and traditions. When it comes to Greek weddings, the ceremony involves religious prayers, chants with a definite decorum followed by the bride and groom. Greeks need no excuse to get together with their family and celebrate with food and dancing. Their passion is contagious and Richmond as a city has been experiencing that little by little.  

(Reported in July 2008)