In Lourandianika
by Maria Whyte (nee Marcellos)
Wonderful people, whom I have never met me, responded to my request for Louradianika on Kythera to be found and photographed. My gratitude for these photographs which I will always treasure is enormous. Memories will never fade now, and Louradianika has been captured not only for myself, but for all Kytherians, on the Kythera website.
The photographs depict many changes since I last visited in April 1994. Such as a plaque on the blue doors I knew, saying "home of Panayioti Lourantos". I must say that the name is not familiar to me. It was at these doors I stood as a 15 year old girl with my beloved grandfather, when he explained to me, with such wisdom, that I do not need to attend a church for God to hear me. My grandfather, a Greek Orthodox priest, told me that as long as I believed, and my faith was strong, God would hear me, even if I was standing in an open field. Such were his beliefs, and these beliefs he passed on to me. These words have helped me over the years, as my health declined, and I did not have a Greek Orthodox Church where I could go and light a candle for my loved ones, and pray for them.
How I remember the lounge-room of my grandparent’s home. A simple home filled with love. I had gone to Louradianika with my grandparents to spend several weeks, and the three bedrooms were allocated to other members of the family, and my grandparents. My bed was to be a long wooden sitting-bench, covered with rugs made on looms, folded and placed on the timber to make it more comfortable for me. How I remember, as a mischievous 15 year old, running and jumping
on my bed, forgetting its hardness, but, after landing on my knees, I never made that mistake again.
Each morning I would awake to my grandfather sitting at the table and chairs, quietly reading his Bible. His gentle voice was so soothing. He would turn each page as he read. This may not sound as anything of interest, but my grandfather was almost blind, and as he turned each page, he “read” each word by heart. He did not falter once.
I would then dress warmly to battle the cold winds. I would put a scarf on my head, and then start my morning walk towards Kato Livadi, where a kind person would leave the special milk my grandmother required for her ailment. The sky still had the dark clouds of the night, and the winds were cold, and as I walked, the clouds would start breaking, and the sky would clear, and the sun shone through. The milk was left in a crumbling building, contained in some form of skin bag. And even though the cold blustery winds blew, I did not for one moment begrudge the need to get my grandmother’s milk. Nothing was too much trouble for my beloved grandmother, whom I adored.
The walls of my grandparent’s home echoed with the laughter of years gone by. The children who had been born there, the children who played with other children in this tiny village. Brothers, sisters, cousins, playing as children do, and my grandmother, always keeping a watchful eye on the children, would light the wood in the large wall oven, as all the mothers did in their individual homes, to prepare simple but nourishing food for their families. Being such a close-nit community, the children always had a watchful eye kept on them by the many relatives, receiving such love from uncles, aunts and cousins. I can see my grandmother with her sparkling blue eyes, so beautiful, with her blond hair now turned grey. Still beautiful.
As I stood in this now-empty house, many years later when I returned, I could imagine her, as she was, when she was a young woman, a loving wife and mother. Her children grew to adulthood with such high moral values, and these they passed on to their children and their children’s children.
Louradianika is perhaps no longer the village I remember, yet I will remember it always as it was. My deepest gratitude again to those who searched out this tiny village, taking so many photographs, and put my village more prominently on the map of Kythera. I also thank God for blessing me by bringing these wonderful people into my life.
To my beloved and much adored family, both living and passed, I dedicate this tribute to Lourandianika. It has been written with love and my deepest respect.
Maria Whyte (nee Marcellos) maria.wwhyte@gmail.com
.._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _
>REAL ESTATE
>HOUSE FOR SALE – PITSINIANIKA 2 BEDROOMS KITCHEN LOUNGE DINING ROOM BATHROOM/LAUNDRY LARGE UTILITY ROOM All aluminium windows & doors, tiled patio area, large garden. Situated high with great views. $300,000 AUD Contact: Jim Cassimatis Brisbane, Australia Ph: +61 407630313
..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _
>Prime property in Hora Kythera for sale
submitted by Spyro Calocerinos
Ideal position for development or ready to occupy the two houses with magnificent views .For details please check the website below: http://greekislandproperty4sale.com/
..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _
>Land For Sale In Platia Ammo
submitted by George Megalokonomos
Waterfront Land for sale , approximately 975 square meters 2 lands in one in Platia Ammo, next door to Minas Taverna and views to Neapoli. Ideal for development of apartments or bungalows. Please contact George Megalokonomos PO BOX 470 Narellan NSW Sydney Australia Tel 0423041398
..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _
>Mitata building Land: 25.000 Euros
submitted by Adoni Firos The land in the picture has a clear 360 view of Mitata, Agia Moni and the area around the new road leading into the Priniathika neighborhood of Mitata. From the first story of a house you would have a view to Paliopoli, Antikythera, and on a clear day, to Crete. The plot is about 1000 square meters. Water and electricity are easily available. The plot is within the town limits. Please contact me via Adoni@jombay.com' />
In Lourandianika
by Maria Whyte (nee Marcellos)
Wonderful people, whom I have never met me, responded to my request for Louradianika on Kythera to be found and photographed. My gratitude for these photographs which I will always treasure is enormous. Memories will never fade now, and Louradianika has been captured not only for myself, but for all Kytherians, on the Kythera website.
The photographs depict many changes since I last visited in April 1994. Such as a plaque on the blue doors I knew, saying "home of Panayioti Lourantos". I must say that the name is not familiar to me. It was at these doors I stood as a 15 year old girl with my beloved grandfather, when he explained to me, with such wisdom, that I do not need to attend a church for God to hear me. My grandfather, a Greek Orthodox priest, told me that as long as I believed, and my faith was strong, God would hear me, even if I was standing in an open field. Such were his beliefs, and these beliefs he passed on to me. These words have helped me over the years, as my health declined, and I did not have a Greek Orthodox Church where I could go and light a candle for my loved ones, and pray for them.
How I remember the lounge-room of my grandparent’s home. A simple home filled with love. I had gone to Louradianika with my grandparents to spend several weeks, and the three bedrooms were allocated to other members of the family, and my grandparents. My bed was to be a long wooden sitting-bench, covered with rugs made on looms, folded and placed on the timber to make it more comfortable for me. How I remember, as a mischievous 15 year old, running and jumping
on my bed, forgetting its hardness, but, after landing on my knees, I never made that mistake again.
Each morning I would awake to my grandfather sitting at the table and chairs, quietly reading his Bible. His gentle voice was so soothing. He would turn each page as he read. This may not sound as anything of interest, but my grandfather was almost blind, and as he turned each page, he “read” each word by heart. He did not falter once.
I would then dress warmly to battle the cold winds. I would put a scarf on my head, and then start my morning walk towards Kato Livadi, where a kind person would leave the special milk my grandmother required for her ailment. The sky still had the dark clouds of the night, and the winds were cold, and as I walked, the clouds would start breaking, and the sky would clear, and the sun shone through. The milk was left in a crumbling building, contained in some form of skin bag. And even though the cold blustery winds blew, I did not for one moment begrudge the need to get my grandmother’s milk. Nothing was too much trouble for my beloved grandmother, whom I adored.
The walls of my grandparent’s home echoed with the laughter of years gone by. The children who had been born there, the children who played with other children in this tiny village. Brothers, sisters, cousins, playing as children do, and my grandmother, always keeping a watchful eye on the children, would light the wood in the large wall oven, as all the mothers did in their individual homes, to prepare simple but nourishing food for their families. Being such a close-nit community, the children always had a watchful eye kept on them by the many relatives, receiving such love from uncles, aunts and cousins. I can see my grandmother with her sparkling blue eyes, so beautiful, with her blond hair now turned grey. Still beautiful.
As I stood in this now-empty house, many years later when I returned, I could imagine her, as she was, when she was a young woman, a loving wife and mother. Her children grew to adulthood with such high moral values, and these they passed on to their children and their children’s children.
Louradianika is perhaps no longer the village I remember, yet I will remember it always as it was. My deepest gratitude again to those who searched out this tiny village, taking so many photographs, and put my village more prominently on the map of Kythera. I also thank God for blessing me by bringing these wonderful people into my life.
To my beloved and much adored family, both living and passed, I dedicate this tribute to Lourandianika. It has been written with love and my deepest respect.
Maria Whyte (nee Marcellos) maria.wwhyte@gmail.com
.._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _
>REAL ESTATE
>HOUSE FOR SALE – PITSINIANIKA 2 BEDROOMS KITCHEN LOUNGE DINING ROOM BATHROOM/LAUNDRY LARGE UTILITY ROOM All aluminium windows & doors, tiled patio area, large garden. Situated high with great views. $300,000 AUD Contact: Jim Cassimatis Brisbane, Australia Ph: +61 407630313
..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _
>Prime property in Hora Kythera for sale
submitted by Spyro Calocerinos
Ideal position for development or ready to occupy the two houses with magnificent views .For details please check the website below: http://greekislandproperty4sale.com/
..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _
>Land For Sale In Platia Ammo
submitted by George Megalokonomos
Waterfront Land for sale , approximately 975 square meters 2 lands in one in Platia Ammo, next door to Minas Taverna and views to Neapoli. Ideal for development of apartments or bungalows. Please contact George Megalokonomos PO BOX 470 Narellan NSW Sydney Australia Tel 0423041398
..._ _ _..._ _ _..._ _ _
>Mitata building Land: 25.000 Euros
submitted by Adoni Firos The land in the picture has a clear 360 view of Mitata, Agia Moni and the area around the new road leading into the Priniathika neighborhood of Mitata. From the first story of a house you would have a view to Paliopoli, Antikythera, and on a clear day, to Crete. The plot is about 1000 square meters. Water and electricity are easily available. The plot is within the town limits. Please contact me via Adoni@jombay.com" />
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