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Global Educational and Maritime Leaders Sign Significant "Blue Frontiers" Agreement at ACS Athens to Champion Ocean Stewardship

Global Educational and Maritime Leaders Sign Significant "Blue Frontiers" Agreement at ACS Athens to Champion Ocean Stewardship (0)

ACS Athens proudly hosted the signing ceremony for the Blue Frontiers Program, an inspiring international partnership between Roger Williams University, the International Propeller Club Port of Piraeus, the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, and ACS Athens. This collaborative initiative establishes a strategic alliance dedicated to advancing maritime education and ocean stewardship for the next generation of leaders.

The program, centered on a commitment known as "Our Pledge," offers students a real-world summer exploration of the Earth’s oceans and the burgeoning global Blue economy. By combining academic rigor with scientific research and industry networking, the partners aim to inspire youth to protect and sustainably manage marine environments.

The event featured impactful remarks by ACS Athens President Dr. Peggy Pelonis and Mr. Costis Frangoulis, President of the International Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus, whose vision and leadership continue to champion environmental stewardship and youth opportunity. The ceremony also welcomed Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, Greek Prime Minister’s Envoy for the Ocean and Chair of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Protection, who underscored the national and global importance of such initiatives.

A significant highlight of the partnership is the generous scholarship support provided by Mr. Frangoulis and the Propeller Club, which helps make this transformative experience accessible to students. Additional insights were shared during the ceremony by Ms. Carla Tanas, Dean of the Institute, and Ms. Beatriz Tintoré of the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, who both emphasized the vital intersection of research, sustainability, and experiential learning.

Through the Blue Frontiers summer program, students are challenged to embrace Conscious Global Citizenship—applying their skills, compassion, and learning to protect the oceans and improve life and living for future generations.

The official agreement was signed on May 13, 2026, at ACS Athens, marking a new chapter in international educational collaboration for the benefit of the global maritime community.

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Greece to simplify repatriation process for US-trained doctors

Greece to simplify repatriation process for US-trained doctors

In a significant step toward reversing the country's long-standing brain drain, the Greek government has announced new legislation aiming at easing the return of Greek doctors trained in the United States. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced recently, stating that a forthcoming bill will allow automatic recognition of specialty and subspecialty titles for US-trained Greek medical professionals provided that the titles will “be valid and will correspond to positions available” in the country.

Marika Vafiadis passes - St. Nicholas issues funeral announcement

Marika Vafiadis passes - St. Nicholas issues funeral announcement

To the Faithful of the St. Nicholas Community,

Christ is Risen

With faith in the uncreated Light that shines forth from the Life-Giving Tomb of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, and in the certain hope of the Resurrection, I write to inform you of the falling asleep in the Lord of Marika Vafiadis, the beloved mother of our own Archon and devoted parishioner, Dr. Dean Vafiadis.

Marika reposed peacefully in the Lord on May 6, 2025, at the age of 92. Born on August 3, 1932, in the village of Vessa on the island of Chios, Greece, she immigrated to North America after meeting her husband, Nick Vafiadis. Together they built a life rooted in family, faith, and hard work — first in Montreal, Canada, and later in Bayside, Queens, New York.

Marika was a woman of radiant faith, humble strength, and deep love. A longtime friend of the Church, she offered her talents as a dressmaker and countless acts of service to St. Nicholas in Flushing and St. Basil Academy. Her voice graced the choir, her hospitality welcomed many, and her famous loukoumades became symbols of her generosity and joy. Her life bore witness to the living Christ through action, compassion, and steadfast devotion to her Orthodox faith.

She is survived by her son Dr. Dean Vafiadis, his wife Helen, and their children Krystina, Nicholas, Natasha, and Peter; and by her late son Peter’s wife, Christine Jennings, and their sons Kyle, Ryan, and Sean. Marika is also survived by her brothers Mike and Alex Koutsoubis, along with numerous nieces, nephews, godchildren, and extended family. She is preceded in death by her husband Nick, her son Peter, and her brothers George, Bill, and John.

As we commend her soul to the mercy and love of our Risen Lord, we remember Marika as a model of Orthodox womanhood — rooted in prayer, charity and quiet faithfulness.

We pray the Lord grants rest to her soul in the place of the righteous, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.

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St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church
353 East Clinton Ave, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Sunday, May 11, 2025 | 6:00–9:00 PM

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Funeral Service
St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church, Tenafly, NJ
Monday, May 12, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

In lieu of flowers, donations in her blessed memory may be offered to:
St. Basil Academy for Children, Garrison, NY

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