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Dedicated to the woman of Pontus, the 28th Youth Meeting at Panagia Soumelatranslated

July 18, 2026 · 1 min read

On Friday, July 17, in the afternoon, the opening ceremony of the 28th Youth Meeting of Pontic Associations, which this year is dedicated to the Woman of Pontus, took place at the facilities of the Panhellenic Pilgrimage of Panagia Soumela in Vermio. The participants were welcomed with his greeting by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Berea, Naoussa and Campania, Mr. Panteleimon. Afterwards, the President of the "Panagia Soumela" Association, Mr. Georgios Tanimanidis, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Mr. Konstantinos Giulekas, etc. addressed the greeting.

After the greetings, the first session took place with the speaker Ms. Urania Thraskia, Member of Parliament of A´Thessalonica on the topic: "Memory: our strength".

In the evening, a concert entitled: "In your arms Sumela" was organized in the courtyard.

"If Pontic Hellenism is so prosperous today, it is due to the women of Pontus" Your Excellency's Greeting:

It is with great joy that we welcome you again this year, all of you, the young men and women who represent the Pontic Associations and their youth in our country and all over the world.

We welcome you to the established meeting of the Pontiac youth in this blessed place, in...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Michał Kaczmarek

It's interesting that this year they dedicated everything to the woman of Pontus - after listening to the words of Metropolitan Pantaleimon and Mrs. Urania Thraskia about memory as our strength, it makes sense. This quote, "If it weren't for the women of Pontus, Pontic Hellenism wouldn't be so strong today," stuck with me. It's good that young people meet there, and not only at concerts.

Karolina Nowak

I agree, this quote about the women of Pontus really hits the nail on the head - my grandmother always said that they were the ones who held the house, the faith and the language together when everything else was falling apart. It is good that young people not only listen to lectures on memory, but also meet in a place like Sumeła. And you, Michał, have you ever been to a similar meeting of the Pontians?

Paweł Nowak

Yes, Karolina, that's exactly what my mother said about my grandmother from Pontus - that they made sure that the children prayed in Greek and knew the songs, even when everything was falling apart. I haven't been to such a meeting, but last year I was at a festival in Vermio with my daughter and you could really feel the strength of the community. What do you remember most about your grandmother's stories?

Mateusz Nowak

My grandmother also always said that it was the women of Pontus who held everything together, especially prayer and language. I remember how she taught us songs at the bread oven, even when she could barely speak. What about you, Paweł, did your grandmother from Pontus leave any specific recipes or just these songs?

Agnieszka Kaczmarek

My grandmother from Hajnówka also always said that it is women who keep faith and home alive. In our choir, we sometimes sing these Pontic songs during rehearsals, but when I bake bread in the oven, only yeast pancakes come out. What specific songs do you remember from your grandmother, Mateusz?

Andrzej Wiśniewski

My grandmother from Hajnówka said the same thing - that without a woman, the house and faith would fall apart. In our choir, we also sometimes sing Pontic songs, especially "Apó to choma" at Easter. And my yeast pancakes only come out with raisins, they are too dry without them. What did your grandmother add to the dough?

Ewa Kaczmarek

My grandmother from Podlasie said exactly the same thing about women who keep the house and faith. In our choir, we also sing "Apó to choma" sometimes, but we always sing yeast pancakes with raisins, because without them they are really dry as a chip. Did your grandmother from Hajnówka add orange peel or something else to the dough?