Just as they have for the past 37 years, thousands of Greek Orthodox youths from across the Midwest came together over the Memorial Day weekend to kick off the unofficial start of summer with games, food and camaraderie.
They came from dozens of parishes in the Metropolis of Chicago and from as far as Minnesota and Missouri to compete in the annual Junior Olympics at Saints Constantine and Helen Church in Palos Hills.
“There’s more to it than the games themselves,” said the Rev. Tom De Medeiros, pastor at the Palos Hills church. “These games bring together all the kids in fellowship and prayer.”
Besides competing in the games, the children eat and attend worship services together at the church.
“It’s just Christian fellowship,” said organizer Jim Stavrou. “It’s a way to get all the kids together and have a good time.”
And the event helps tie together communities of Greek Orthodox worshippers around the Midwest.
Parents Sophia Savinos and Sia Rodriguez, both of Addison and members of St. Demetrios Church in Elmhurst, whose teens competed in some of the events, said the games offer their kids — and themselves — a chance to meet new friends.
“It’s really fun because it gives me a chance to play with other churches,” said Theo Parianos, who attends Saints Constantine and Helen and is a sophomore at Stagg High School in Palos Hills.
The church’s Junior Olympics includes 14 events, such as volleyball, wrestling, and track and field.
Team and individual winners are awarded medals, just like the international Olympic games.
More Top Picks Best Awnings For Overlanding
Most games are played on site at the church, but some events, such as swimming, happen at nearby Stagg High School.
A 10K run, which is the only event adults also can participate in, took place at Moraine Valley Community College.
Mena Mastorakos, of Homer Glen, said while many of the children play sports for their school or park district, she sees the value in them playing other Greeks who share the same faith.
Her 10-year-old son played in a playoff basketball game at the church on Sunday, which is one of several events he participated in during the long and hot weekend.
One of the most competitive events was co-ed softball.
George Mantas, softball coach for the host team, the Connies, compares the rivalry between softball squads to the Crosstown Classic between the White Sox and the Cubs.
Before graduating high school six years ago he said he played softball and other sports for his school, but those experiences don’t compare to the Junior Olympics.
“It’s a little more fun,” Mantas said. “Greeks know Greeks.”
The Connies have won the gold medal in softball in 10 of the last 11 years.
And Mantas wasn’t about to break the streak this year.
But it didn’t look so good in the bottom of the fifth inning when The Connies were down 6-to-2 against the Ds of St. Demetrios in Elmhurst.
The home team’s offense woke up in the sixth inning to take a 14-6 lead.
The Ds threatened in the seventh and final inning, loading the bases, but they couldn’t score before the third out was made.
“They played with a lot of heart,” Mantas said about the Connies. “They really wanted to win in the end.”
The Connies didn’t celebrate their gold medal win long, as most of the players had to rush to play the next event, soccer, even in the 90-plus degree heat.
The games started on Friday and wrapped up on Sunday.
Organizers at the Palos Hills church are now preparing for their next big event, when they’ll invite the public to Greek Fest from Aug. 17 to 19.