On Sunday, June 11, 2023, the 2nd Online Symposium on Byzantium took place,
with the subject: “BYZANTIUM AS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION IN THE MODERN WORLD”
NEW YORK – The Consulate General of Greece in New York Coordinating Office of Education, New York, under the auspices of the Greek Embassy in Washington, DC, and with the support of the Porphyra Foundation, presented the online Symposium, “Byzantium as a Source of Inspiration in the Modern World.”
The Symposium was unique in its scope, and the messages of the topics heard were full of useful and practical information.
The speakers, of which many of the participants were Greeks of the diaspora as well as non-Greeks, communicated and discussed, with a common consensus on the expressed belief that the Byzantine era was a brilliant page of Greek history that not only shaped but continues to influence the modern world in various fields.
Emphasis was placed on the fact that events and personalities can be better taught of this period through illustrated magazines, board games, cards, films, music, and even hobbyist miniature figurines. All this leads to a better demonstrative way to teach, at least especially to a young audience, our Romiosini- Byzantine (aka Eastern Roman) History. In this way, we spark interest in this incredible chapter of Hellenic and World History.
Scientists, content creators, and artists participated in the 2nd Online Symposium along with athletes/coaches, who presented their work inspired by Byzantium.
Dr. Eirini Grapsia, Acting Coordinator of Education of the Consulate General of Greece in New York Coordinating Office of Education, along with Mr Vassilios Chrissochos of the Porphyra Foundation, managed to cover with the organization of this Second Symposium on Byzantium, a gap in the field of its influence on the modern world. At the same time, this is a rally for the Diaspora to strengthen its connection with the Arts and Sports Community of Greece in national cultural issues.
Dr. Eirini Grapsia, gave the welcoming remarks and served as moderator for the event. She introduced the following prominent Greek government representatives who enthusiastically addressed the audience and the speakers for their subject matter:
1) Dr Markantonis Christos, Teacher Education Consultant, Fthiotida Organizational
Coordinator Regional Center for Educational Planning of Central Greece, PEKES-Lamia,
Greek Ministry of Education.
Dr. Christos Markantonis, Teacher Education Consultant of Fthiotida
Organizational Coordinator Regional Center for Educational Planning
PEKES) of Central Greece (headquarters, Lamia).
2) Ms Zika Vagia, Philologist Advisor of Xanthi, President of Philologists of the County of
Evros, Educator of new Technologies, Curator of the new Curricula in Ancient Greek from
a Translation, Greek Ministry of Education
κ.Ζήκα Βάγια, Σύμβουλος Φιλολόγων Ξάνθης, Πρόεδρος Φιλολόγων νομού
Έβρου, Επιμορφώτρια Νέων Τεχνολογιών, Επιμελήτρια σύνταξης Νέων
Προγραμμάτων Σπουδών στα Αρχαία Ελληνικά από μτφρ.
3) Mr Kokotas Dimitrios, Supreme President of ΑΗΕΡΑ, USA
κ.Κόκοτας Δημήτριος, Ανώτατος Πρόεδρος της ΑΗΕΡΑ Η.Π.Α.
4) Mr Moskos Dean, Governor of AHEPA District 6
κ.Μόσχος Κ., Κυβερνήτης ΑΗΕΡΑ District 6
5) Mr Stamas Theodore, Supreme Governor of AHEPA District 3
κ.Στάμας Θεόδωρος, Ανώτατος Κυβερνήτης ΑΗΕΡΑ District 3
6) Ms Sakellaropoulou Chrysavgi and Mr Theocharis Spyros Illustrator,Researcher, Comic Book Writer
κ.Σακελλαροπούλου Χρυσαυγή και κ.Θεοχάρης Σπύρος Εικονογράφος,
Ερευνητής, συγγραφέας κόμικ
Presentation title Τίτλος εισήγησης: «Byzantine Tales – Graphic novels»
«Εικονογραφημένα βιβλία εμπνευσμένα από τη Βυζαντινή Ιστορία»
7) Mr Georgas George, Instructor
κ.Γεωργάς Γεώργιος, προπονητής
Presentation title Τίτλος εισήγησης:
«Byzantine Martial Arts and how they are taught today»
«Οι Βυζαντινές Πολεμικές Τέχνες και πώς διδάσκονται σήμερα
8) Dr Alexander Billinis, Lecturer – Political Science, Honors College
Δρ Αλεξανδρος Μπιλλίνης, Λέκτορας – Πολιτικές Επιστήμες, Honors College
Presentation title Τίτλος εισήγησης :
«Byzantium as the Shield and Incubator of Europe»
«Το Βυζάντιο ως Ασπίδα και Θερμοκοιτίδα της Ευρώπης.
9) Mr Celdran Powee,
Byzantine history content creator and artist
κ. Σέλντραν Πάουϊ Καλλιτεχνικός δημιουργός σχετικά με το Βυζάντιο
Presentation title Τίτλος εισήγησης «Byzantium in Merchandise»
«Το Βυζάντιο στη σημερινή αγορά»
10) Mr. Chrissochos Vassilios,
Director of The Porphyra Foundation, Content Creator for “The Hellenic History Series”,
Educator at St. Demetrios Preparatory School in Astoria teaching Byzantine Studies,
AHEPA District 6 (NY) Director of Hellenism
κ.Χρυσοχόος Βασίλειος,
Δ/ντής του Ιδρύματος “Πορφύρα”, Δημιουργός περιεχομένου για τη σειρά
“Ελληνική Ιστορία”,Εκπ/κός Βυζαντινής Ιστορίας στο σχολείο St. Demetrios
Preparatory School in Astoria, Δ/ντής Ελληνισμού της ΑΗΕΡΑ District 6
A discussion followed the presentations.
You can find a link to our current 2nd Symposium here:
And you can also watch our 1st Symposium here:
Please do not forget to Subscribe to Hellenic History Series on YouTube while you’re there.
More information about the Consulate General’s Education Department is available online: https://syntedu.com.
The Porphyra Foundation: www.porphyrafoundation.org.
SOURCE; 2nd Online Symposium “BYZANTIUM AS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION IN THE MODERN WORLD”
