Greekshops.com Your Internet Shopping Connection to Greece
 June 2007 Newsletter
 This Month 
Watch Your Manners in Greece: Continuations of the Aghion Oros (Mount Athos) and "The End" Special Feature : Kleftiko
What's New!!!! Featured Destination: Samothrace 
Saint Namedays in June June's Recipe
Suggestions & Comments Subscription Information
June's Recipe:
"Kleftiko" Roast Lamb


 

Kleftiko is regarded as a delicacy of Cyprus and it is typically server with bread and potatoes.
 
Ingredients:
- 4 lamb fillets, each weighing 8oz/250g Juice of 1 lemon

- 1 tbsp marjoram, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp thyme, finely chopped
- 2 lb/ 1 kg small potatoes
- 1 scant cup/200 ml olive oil
- 3 large tomatoes, sliced
- 3 bay leaves
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
 
 
Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 300 F (150 C). Sprinkle the lamb fillets with lemon juice. Mix the marjoram, thyme, salt and pepper together and sprinkle over the meat. Brush oil over four large pieces of aluminum foil, lay a fillet in the center of each and wrap the foil around it. Place the wrapped fillets in a clay pot that has a lid, cover, and place in the oven. Leave to bake for about 3 hours. Meanwhile, peel and wash the potatoes and carefully make a few cuts in each one. Place in a roasting pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper, pour the olive oil over them and dot with butter. Place the sliced tomato on top of the potatoes, then season once more with a little salt and pepper and add the bay leaves. About an hour before the lamb is ready, put the potatoes in the oven and roast until they are golden brown. Serve the lamb fillets in the center of a plate with potatoes and tomatoes arranged around the and garnish with a few fresh herbs.

A fresh country salad is a good accompaniment to this dish
 

 
Excerpts from: "Culinaria Greece" by Marianthi Milona

Are you missing some pices and incredients for your recipe?




 

Important announcement on price and postage increases:


In the last few months we have experienced a significant increase in Euro to US dollar rates (over 10%) as well as increases in postal rates due to fuel costs (up 15%). The US Postal Service has also increased rates and modified its services effective May 15, 2007. UPS and FEDEX are also constantly adjusting their rates to match fuel increases. In the past we have tried to absorb the excess costs by reducing our margins but unfortunately the excessive increases have now forced us to adjust pricing to meet the mentioned increases in order to continue offering imported goods from Greece. We appreciate your understanding and are committed to reduce pricing as currencies and fuel costs decrease in the future. In the meantime we recommend bundling your orders to minimize the number of shipments and thus saving at least on shipping costs. Do note that ordering 2-3 items at a time is more cost effective than ordering and shipping the same items in separate shipments. For international shipments we now also offer a more reasonable Airmail option.

From time to time we are also going to be running promotions on overstocked items, or items received at reduced pricing from our manufacturers. Look in your email for these offers and do not forget to check our Clearance and "Special of the month" sections for instant savings.

For questions and tips in reference to shipping please consult our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section or email us at [email protected]
 

Watch Your Manners In Greece
At the Aghion Oros (Mount Athos) Part 2 & "The End"

Continued from April's Issue...
 

- The reception of all guests takes place at the "archontariki." There one is traditionally offered tsipouro (similar to raki) and loukoumi (similar to Turkish delight). The person in charge is the "archontaris," to whom one must show one's permit of residence. The visitor's book must then be signed.

- It is not explicitly stated, but all visitors should follow, as closely as possible, the monastery's programme (prayers, divine service, and mass).

- Whoever wishes to confess or receive Holy Communion must address the "archontaris" of the convent.

- The convent's doors close at dusk and open at dawn. Be aware that the "aghion Oros" does not use midnight (24 or 12hs) as a means to defining the hours; time is estimated according to sunset. Their calendar is also different - it accords to the Gregorian and not the Julian calender (a difference of approximately 14 days).

- If we are of different religion or atheists, we should not make any negative comments about the Christian religion, nor should we have an impertinent, opposing attitude.

- We should avoid disturbing the monk. All queries should be addressed to the "archontaris".

- Video cameras are strictly forbidden on the "Aghion Oros." During the customs check on departure, all videotapes are confiscated.

- Hunting is not allowed on the premises of Mt. Athos, and therefore hunting dogs and weapons are strictly forbidden.

"THE END"

- Years ago, people wore mourning for long periods after a family death - in some cases for the rest of their lives. Today, however, this tradition is limited, depending on our relationship to the deceased. We usually mourn for between 6 months and a yeaar for a first degree relative.

- We may go to somebody's funeral whether we have personally or professionally met him/her. But we should not overdo it - as some politicians do by attending all the funerals in the electorate area, calling themselves "the deceased's friend'.

- The only people who mourn in white are European Queens.

- We notify the family and close friends either by phone or telegram.

- We avoid forcing young children to attend a funeral, unless they wish to do so.

- The funeral office arranges most details.

- The funeral's announcement in the newspaper must contain the following details:

- The deceased's name, his/her age and the date, location and time of the funeral (only for family members etc). The relatives, in the following order: spouse then children. If the children are married, the name of their respective spouses must also be mentioned, starting with the eldest. Grandchildren follow the deceased's siblings and their children.

- It must also be stated if the family wish to have money donated to charity foundations instead of floral wreaths being purchased.

- No matter how much of a hurry we may be in, we wait in line to console the deceased's family.

-Blabbing on and over-reacting about our pain and suffering is not appropriate. When we attend a funeral we should refrain from talking too much. Only words of consolation should be used. We should avoid heavy, clich-ed statements such as, "He was the last great man on earth." I'm sorry. Your husband was fine person" is enough.

- It is pointless to say at a funeral: "There's nothing once can do. Such is life, such is our fate."

- We should avoid offering condolences over the phone.

-It is most inappropriate to ask for the death's details after we have the read the funeral's announcement.

- Cremation is not allowed in Greece. It goes against the Orthodox Church's rules.

- According to an old tradition, the widow must go to the cemetery every day for forty days after her husband's death.

- According to a tradition of the Mani area (in Southern Greece), mourning is completed after three years (i.e. after the unburying).

 

- THE END



Excerpt from "Watch Your Manners In Greece" by Christos K. Zampounis


 

Special Feature:
Kleftiko -- the Delicacy of Cyprus

Before the Greek struggle for independence began in 1821 in protest against centuries of Ottoman rule, the mountains of Cyprus and Greece were full of wild bands of robbers. These men were universally feared, and not just on account of their cattle-stealing activities. These kleftes (robbers), with their growing sense of national consciousness, eventually became militant and successful freedom fighters, who later played an important role as guerrilla fighters in the Greek civil war. From then on, kleftouria has represented a way of life supporting the belief that a hunger for freedom and selfdetermination is justifiable reason for breaking laws. Since the robbers and rebels were obviously not able to satisfy their appetities for long on meat they had produced themselves, the kleftiko has gone down in history as the dish most famously associated with them. There is no way of proving for certain whether they really did prepare their meat in a well-hidden and buried clay oven, but one thing is for sure: the clay oven had to be made airtight and sealed for many hours, if not days, before the kleftiko meat was ready.

It is still prepared in the same way today. Kleftiko is made from lamb, kid, or beef from older animals since the meat is supposed to be hard and tough. It is cut into portions and rubbed with lots of lemon juice, then seasoned with salt and oregano. Then off it goes into the pot. For the dish to succeed, it is important to preheat the clay oven with charcoal to a low temperature. To prevent it being exposed straight away to high temperatures, broken bits of clay are placed over the hot coals. Only then is it safe to put the pot containing the meat into the oven. Bay leaves are used to improve the flavor of the meat. It tastes even better if is doused occasionally with beer or wine before the clay oven is finally sealed with yet more clay. The meat is ready to serve after three hours, but tastes even better, if you can leave it in the oven for 48 hours. By then, it will be crisp on the outside and very tender inside. thickly sliced sauted potatoes and fresh bread make perfect accompaniments to kleftiko.



     

Excerpts from: "Culinaria Greece" by Marianthi Minola
 

 What's New!!!
 Latest Greek Music arrivals
Ah Helidoni mou, Giorgos Dalaras sings Manos Loizos 2-CD set

Ah Helidoni mou, Giorgos Dalaras sings Manos Loizos 2-CD set
Rallia Hristidou, Ena Hadi Zesto

Rallia Hristidou, Ena Hadi Zesto
Thanos Petrelis, Eimai akomi Eleftheros

Thanos Petrelis, Eimai akomi Eleftheros
Antipas, Doro tin kardia mou

Antipas, Doro tin kardia mou
Giorgos Margaritis, To kalitero mbegleri

Giorgos Margaritis, To kalitero mbegleri
Nikos Vertis, Mono gia Sena CD w/ bonus DVD (PAL)

Nikos Vertis, Mono gia Sena CD w/ bonus DVD (PAL)
Konstantinos Hristoforou, I Alithia einai mia

Konstantinos Hristoforou, I Alithia einai mia
Vazaios - Giannoulis, Pes tou na paei 2CD set

Vazaios - Giannoulis, Pes tou na paei 2CD set
 
Odyssia, Mikis Theodorakis - Maria Farantouri

Odyssia, Mikis Theodorakis - Maria Farantouri
 
Efi Thodi, To megalo Panigiri

Efi Thodi, To megalo Panigiri
Alexiou - Malamas - Ioannidis Live at the Lycabettus theater 2-cd set

Alexiou - Malamas - Ioannidis Live at the Lycabettus theater 2-cd set
Souze Winter Mix 2007 by DJ Valentino 2-CD set

Souxe Winter Mix 2007 by DJ Valentino 2-CD set
Vasilis Papakonstantinou, Metopiki

Vasilis Papakonstantinou, Metopiki
 
Tamta, Agapise me

Tamta, Agapise me
 
Sotos Kappas, Cafe of Dreams CD

Sotos Kappas, Cafe of Dreams CD
Giannis Tasios, Tha mou Kanis Kala

Giannis Tasios, Tha mou Kanis Kala
 
Nikos Mihas, Trehei tipota?

Nikos Mihas, Trehei tipota?
 

Tamta, Tamta (featuring tornero - tromero)

Tamta, Tamta (featuring tornero - tromero)
Sarbel, Sahara Euro Edition 2-CD set

Sarbel, Sahara Euro Edition 2-CD set
Odes, Vangelis and Irene Papas

Odes, Vangelis and Irene Papas
Aroma Polis (Constantinople

Aroma Polis (Constantinople's Aroma) 3CDs
The Odyssos Folk Song Orchestra Live performance

The Odyssos Folk Song Orchestra Live performance
 
Vangelis and Irene Papas, Rapsodies

Vangelis and Irene Papas, Rapsodies

Rita Sakelariou, 40 years history 4-CD set

Rita Sakelariou, 40 years history 4-CD set
Tolis Voskopoulos, Ta Tragoudia mou 4-CD set

Tolis Voskopoulos, Ta Tragoudia mou 4-CD set
 
Stratos Dionisiou, Anthology 4-CD set

Stratos Dionisiou, Anthology 4-CD set
Stelios Kazantzidis, Anthology 4-CD set

Stelios Kazantzidis, Anthology 4-CD set
 
Giannis Parios, Erotas 8-CD collection of all his works

Giannis Parios, Erotas 8-CD collection of all his works
Grigoris Bithikotsis, Anthology 4-CD Set

Grigoris Bithikotsis, Anthology 4-CD Set
Costas Hatzis, Anthology 1961-2006 4-CD set

Costas Hatzis, Anthology 1961-2006 4-CD set
I pio orea epohi, Rare Songs from 78

I pio orea epohi, Rare Songs from 78's 4-CD Set
 
Manos Loizos, Me Faro To Feggari (4CD) recordings 1966-1995

Manos Loizos, Me Faro To Feggari (4CD) recordings 1966-1995
 
Notis Sfakianakis the EMI Years 4-CD Collection

Notis Sfakianakis the EMI Years 4-CD Collection
 
Mesogiakes Syntages me ton Elia Mamalaki, Audio CD

Mesogiakes Syntages me ton Elia Mamalaki, Audio CD
 
 DVDs for Children and Adults
300 The Movie (NTSC / Zone 1)

300 The Movie (NTSC / Zone 1)
(Release 7/31)
God and Goddesses in Ancient Greece DVD (NTSC)

God and Goddesses in Ancient Greece DVD (NTSC)
Helen of Troy DVD (NTSC)

Helen of Troy DVD (NTSC)
Last Stand of the 300, The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae DVD (NTSC)

Last Stand of the 300, The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae DVD (NTSC)
 
The True Story of Troy (NTSC)

The True Story of Troy (NTSC)
Ice Age 2 The Meltdown, In Greek (PAL Zone 2)

Ice Age 2 The Meltdown, In Greek (PAL Zone 2)
Ice Age In Greek, Epohi ton Pagetonon (PAL/Zone2)

Ice Age In Greek, Epohi ton Pagetonon (PAL/Zone2)
Little Mermaid I and II in Greek 2 DVD set (PAL Zone 2)

Little Mermaid I and II in Greek 2 DVD set (PAL Zone 2)
Over the Hedge in Greek, Pera apo ton Frakti (PAL)

Over the Hedge in Greek, Pera apo ton Frakti (PAL)
Days of 36, by Theo Angelopoulos (PAL)

Days of 36, by Theo Angelopoulos (PAL)
The Weeping Meadow, by Theo Angelopoulos (NTSC)

The Weeping Meadow, by Theo Angelopoulos (NTSC)
 

       
 New Beijing 2008 Pin Arrivals!
10 Parembaseis gia to Kypriako, In Greek

10 Parembaseis gia to Kypriako, In Greek
Athens and Southern Greece Travel Guide

Athens and Southern Greece Travel Guide
Buying a Property in Greece, In English

Buying a Property in Greece, In English
Pick Your Brains about Greece, by Caroline Sanderson

Pick Your Brains about Greece, by Caroline Sanderson
Greek Island Hopping 2007 - Travel Guide

Greek Island Hopping 2007 - Travel Guide
A night at the Museum - Mia nihta sto mouseio

A night at the Museum - Mia nihta sto mouseio
 
Learning the time with Winnie, In Greek

Learning the time with Winnie, In Greek
 
Ena Kairo kai mia fora Paramythia Haropa, In Greek

Ena Kairo kai mia fora Paramythia Haropa, In Greek
Jules Verne Journey to the Center of the Earth, In Greek

Jules Verne Journey to the Center of the Earth, In Greek
Ta Logia tis Ploris by Andreas Karkavitsas, In Greek

Ta Logia tis Ploris by Andreas Karkavitsas, In Greek
Underwater Dreams : A Modern Greek Tragedy by James Rouman

Underwater Dreams : A Modern Greek Tragedy by James Rouman
Encore, More of Popi

Encore, More of Popi's Athenian Cuisine Cookbook
     

Arrivals in our other departments

Lacta Milk Chocolate with Almonds, 85gr

Lacta Milk Chocolate with Almonds, 85gr
Lacta Milk Chocolate 85gr

Lacta Milk Chocolate 85gr
Papadopoulou Caprice Dark Chocolate 250gr

Papadopoulou Caprice Dark Chocolate 250gr
 
Red Peppers and Feta Tapenade

Red Peppers and Feta Tapenade
 
 
 

  Featured Destination: Samothrace


GEOGRAPHY.
Samothrace is located in the northeast Aegean, opposite Alexandroupolis, from which it is just 29 nautical miles distant. It belongs to the Prefecture of Evros and covers an area of 178 sq, km., has 58km. of coastline and a population of 2871. There is a local boat service from Alexandroupolis and, once a week, a connection with Kavala and Lemnos. A mountainous island (highest peak Fengar, 1448 m. a.s.l.) with dense vegetation cover and numerous monuments, it is still relatively untouched by tourism and may be recommended for quiet holidays. In addition to its capital, Samothrace, there are other villages on the island: Kamariotissa, Palaiopolis, Xiropotamos, Therma, Profitis Ilisas and Lakoma.


HISTORY
Samothrace was first inhabited in the Neolithic era. In around 1000 BC Thracian colonisers came here, intermarrying with the indigenous population. The island's present capital, Samothrace (Chora), is located on its west coast. A traditional town, it is dominated by the massive medieval castle. At Palaiopolis, on the north side of the island, there are traces of the ancient city, built in around 700 BC close to the sanctuary of the Cabeiroi (great gods). The sanctuary, which attained its zenith in Hellenistic times, was never totally destroyed and has been excavated by the American School of Classical Studies. Various sections of the Cyclopean wall, palace (6th century BC edifice), theatre, propylon and the foundations of diverse buildings of the sanctuary (temples, "ex votos", votive of Philip II and Alexander IV etc.) have been revealed. One may also visit the ancient cemetery (7th century BC - 2nd century AD) and remnants of medieval towers (15th century) nearby. Among the diverse finds displayed in its small Archaeological Museum is a plaster cast of the famous statue of the Winged Victory, discovered at Palaiopoli and nowadays housed in the Louvre, Paris. At Therma (13km. from the harbour), where there is a therapeutic spring, one ma enjoy the unique vista of the coast opposite, as well as the islands of Thasos and Lemnos. There are excursions by local boats to the southern shores (Ammos) of Samothraace with their dense vegetation, streams and brooks. There is little provision for tourists (just one hotel and a few rooms to let) and a very rudimentary network of roads.
 

 

 Travel Guides and Information for your trip in the area


Greek Island Hopping 2007 - Travel Guide

Greek Island Hopping 2007 - Travel Guide

Around Greece in 80 Stays by Jacoline Vinke

Around Greece in 80 Stays by Jacoline Vinke

Alistair Sawday

Alistair Sawday's
Special Places to Stay - Greece

Cruise Greece DVD

Cruise Greece DVD

Visions of Greece DVD Travel Documentary (NTSC)

Visions of Greece DVD Travel Documentary

Going to Live and Work in Greece

Going to Live and Work in Greece
2005 edition

 

Buying a Property in Greece, In English

Buying a Property in Greece

Greece Road Map Set - 10 maps

Greece Road Map
Set - 10 maps

Michelin Greece Country Map

Michelin Greece Country Map

Cyclades : Discovering the Greek Islands of the Aegean

Cyclades : Discovering the Greek Islands of the Aegean

 Saints' Namedays in June

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
   
 
  1

 
2

 
3
All Saints

Martyrs Lucillian & Paula

Athanasios the Wonderworker
 

4
Apostles Fast Begins

Metrophanes, Pat. of Constan
Mary & Martha, sisters of Lazarus

5

Nicandrus, Gorgus and Apolonus and those with them

 

6

Hilarion of Dalmation Monastery
Attalos the Wonderworker
7

Theodotos, Bishop of Ankyra Righteous Panage (Basia)
8

Relics of Theodore the Commander
Kalliope the Martyr

9

Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria
3 Virgin-martyrs of Chios

10
2nd Sunday of Matthew

Alexander & Antonina, Martyrs Timothy, Bishop of Proussa

 

11

Bartholomew and Barnabas
Revelation of the Axion Estin

12

Onouphrios the Great
Peter the Athonite

13

Akylina the Martyr of Syria
Eulogios, Pat. of Antioch

14

Elisha the Prophet
Methodios, Pat. of Constan.

15


Amos the Prophet
Righteous Hieronymus
16
Tychon the Wonderworker

40 Martyrs of Rome
17
3rd Sunday of Matthew Father's Day

Isaurus & Companions of Athens
Manuel, Sabel, & Ishmael
18

Leontios, Hypatios, & Theodoulos the Martyrs of Syria

19

Jude the Apostle

20

Methodios, Bishop of Olympus
Kallistos I, Pat. of Constan.

21

Julian the Martyr of Tarsus
Terentios, Bishop of Iconium

22

Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata
Zenon & his servant Zenas

23

Agrippina the Martyr of Rome
Aristocleus, Demetrius
Athanasius

24
Nativity of John Baptist

Elizabeth, Mother of the Forerunner
25

Prokopios the New Martyr
Righteous Febrionia

26

David of Thessalonika
Icon of the Theotokos of Tikhvin

27

Sampson the Innkeeper
Joanna the Myrrhbearer

28

Relics of Cyrus and John
Pappias the Martyr

29
Holy Apostles

Peter&Paul, the Holy Apostles

30
Synaxis of the Holy Apostles

Michael, New Martyr of Athens

 


Icons depicting the celebrated Saint, make great gifts for namedays.
Shop among our great collection of icons at our store. Also available, namedays, birthday, holiday, special occasion greeting cards, and our exclusive Greek name customized mugs

Gold and Silver Icons Hand Painted Icons Icons by Zafiris
Gold and Silver Icons
 
Hand painted Icons
 
Icons by Zafiris
 
Want to know more about Orthodox Saints?
Complete biographies of Orthodox Saints are now available.
 

 Share With Others!!!!


Let your family and friends share the savings by forwarding them this email.
 

 Suggestions & Comments


Dear Greekshops.com customer,

Thank you for contributing to our effort to bring unique and hard to find Greek products to your home. We value your opinion, so please let us know if you have any concerns, suggestions, comments that will improve and help us grow. Send us your feedback at: [email protected]

 

 Subscription Information


Missed an issue of our
newsletter? Now you can access past newsletters by visiting
http://www.greekshops.com/newsletters_archive

 

We value your time and email receipts so if you choose to unsubscribe from our mailing list please click here
 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2007 GreekShops.com All rights reserved.