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8 THE SHEPHERD • JUNE 2025 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO As the school year draws to a close, students and families across Greece prepare to celebrate a time filled with mean- ingful traditions and joyful rituals. The end of the school year marks not only a transition from academic responsibilities to summer freedom but also a cherished cultural moment steeped in customs that bring communities together. In Greece, the conclusion of the school year is often met with excitement and a sense of accomplishment among students. Many schools hold special ceremonies where stu- dents receive their report cards and outstanding achieve- ments are recognized. These events often include speeches by teachers and school leaders, student performances, and small celebrations with family and friends. One common tradition is the giving of flowers—symbols of growth and renewal—that students present to their teachers as tokens of appreciation, highlighting the deep respect for educators woven into Greek culture. As the school year ends in June, families begin planning for the long summer holidays. Students typically enjoy rec- reational activities such as spending time at the beach, ex- ploring nature, or attending summer camps. Across towns and villages, community festivals celebrate local history, music, and cuisine, featuring traditional Greek dances, live music, and shared meals that reinforce community bonds and cultural pride. At our Greek school, we proudly join in these time-hon- ored traditions. To celebrate the conclusion of our school year, we presented students with a variety of traditional Greek foods and snacks, allowing them to savor the rich flavors of Greece. We also taught them traditional outdoor games that Greek children play, fostering fun, connection, and cultural appreciation. During this special celebration, all students received their end-of-the-year report cards, recognizing their hard work and accomplishments. This moment was met with pride and excitement by both stu- dents and families. The end of the school year in Greece is truly a joyful blend of reflection, gratitude, and celebration. Our school commu- nity is proud to share these traditions, and we look forward to welcoming all our students back next year, eager to con- tinue their educational journey and deepen their connection to Greek culture. Until then, we wish everyone a joyful and restful summer, filled with family, tradition, and happiness. As we conclude the year, I would like to share that I will be stepping down from my role as Director of San Diego’s Greek Language School. I am expecting my first child and will be moving to Sacramento to begin this new chapter in life. I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support and love I have received from this community. This church has been my parish since birth, and it has been a true honor to serve in a role that allowed me to give back to a place that has given me so much. Thank you to all the families, students, and fellow educators who made this journey so meaningful. I carry with me the memories, the relation- ships, and the spirit of this community with immense ap- preciation and love. Nancy Provataris, PhD Greek Language School Director GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL The Orthodox Professionals Panel which took place on May 4th was a first-of- its-kind opportunity for our youth and their loved ones to hear professionals talk about how their faith has played an integral role in their professional lives. It was an inspiring and moving way to connect with mentors in our parish. The speakers came from a variety of back- grounds and stages in their professional lives, but all spoke with great conviction about their faith. The panelists included Dino Paraskev- opoulos, Prosecutor with the County of San Diego, Dr. Asimina Courelli, Oncol- ogy Surgery Resident at UCSD, Dr. Yota Courelli, Professor of Psychology at USC Keck School of Medicine, Kendall Defelippi, Associate Scientist at Neuro- crine Biosciences, Arjan Jooyan, Claims Supervisor at Berkshire Hathaway, and Dr. George Sakoulas, Infectious Diseas- es and Internal Medicine physician at Sharp Community Medical Group. Each participant offered their unique perspective on their professional and spiritual journey. Dr. Yota Courelli, mother of Dr. Asimina Courelli, ad- vised young people not to be too set on moving far from their parents and their support systems and encouraged all to use their faith to “be the light that illumines the darkness” as is written in Greek in the dome of our own church. Dr. Sakoulas spoke candidly how in his youth he had deprioritized church and faith but speaking now from a more mature place how critical it is to his life as a physician and a healer. Arjan Jooyan encouraged an exploration and devotion to your passions, explaining that he went to Harvard Divinity school because he wanted to study more about faith even if it didn’t directly impact his career choice it had a more profound impact on his life. Kendall Defelippi offered practical advice describing how in her early schooling she wasn’t sure exactly where to go professionally but let her love of math and science guide her towards a master’s degree in bioen- gineering. Dino Paraskevopoulos spoke of how his faith guides him when he needs to use discretion in the crimes he chooses to charge against a defen- dant. Dr. Stephan Barrington offered this advice via email which summed it up nicely: before you are anything you are first born to God and everything you become and accomplish in life, follows God. True words of wisdom we can all live by no matter what path our person- al and professional lives take us on. A question from a member of the au- dience at the Orthodox Professionals Speaker Panel: Q: To Dr. Yota Courelli: Working with troubled people, besides your faith, what other factors contribute to achieve change? Also, how many of those people actually become functional members of society? A: Dr. Yota Courellli: This is a great question! Besides spirituality which I incorporate in every session, I utilize all kinds of psychological techniques such as Motivational interviewing, MI, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, Self Model, etc., as needed, to facili- tate change. The people who sincerely embrace faith and spirituality as a ma- jor aspect / guiding factor, as a way of life, they do make positive long-lasting changes in their lives! I trust this helps! Orthodox Professionals SPEAKER SERIES