Di: Hi Angel, summer's flown, and there's so much to say...

Angel: I've got an idea. What if we submit my Godparents article from www.malista.com in loving memory of and gratitude to my Godmother Athena Hanzakos, who passed away yesterday (8.8.1921 to 10.13.2009)?

Di: A beautiful idea since I've been thinking about your Godmother Athena all day, and Malista (yes, in Greek) is your Godsister Elena's Detroit area site.

Angel: Amen to that, and now for the story.

The Importance of Godparents, by Angel Brock

Imagine two little Greek-American girls, Athena and Elle, born just two months apart; Athena in August and Elle in October, playing and laughing outside their childhood homes on Canton Street on Detroit’s east side in the 1920’s…

Fast-forward thirty years. Elle and husband Alexander have a second daughter, Angel, who needs to be sponsored in Baptism. Alex and Elle had naturally chosen Aunt Dinny (Elle’s sister) and Uncle Bill Anton as Koumbari (sponsors) for their own wedding and as Godparents for their older daughter Dianne.

Whom would they choose to baptize their baby daughter? For Elle, the choice was easy. She immediately thought of her best friend, Athena! Hence, the baby girl’s name became Angel Athena – Angel for Alex’s mother, Angeliki from Samos and Athena for Angel’s Godmother!

From the very beginning, it was a rare and special relationship. Angel would often spend weekends at her Godparents’ and would go to their restaurant, Ham Heaven, and to Sts. Constantine and Helen Orthodox Church along with her beloved Godsisters, Elena and Kathy. Angel was right between them in age. They had so much fun at sleepovers and themed birthday parties – one in particular was a Hawaiian Luau around the time Hawaii became an official state! There were also the other simple but fun childhood pursuits like board games, jumping rope, comic books (the Phantom), and all of the girls had Patty Play Pal dolls that were so life-like, even in size (they wore a size 2T).

The families also spent many memorable Thanksgiving holidays together, as well. The very comical Nouno (Godfather) George would state, “We are having turkey for Thanksgiving, but also some ham on the side to remind us where the turkey came from!”

Elena, Kathy and Angel attended Cass Technical High School and would often run into one another in the halls there, along with other very good girlfriends from church like Toni, Kris, Pat, Effie, Bessie, and Denise. The friends would also see one another at GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth of America) dances and other events such as Orthodox summer camp in Rose City, Michigan.

After college, both Elena and Angel worked for the State of Michigan and would often run into one another in downtown Detroit and have a very nice, unexpected lunch.

Angel separated from her first husband, and on the day of the divorce, right after it was final, she walked across the street from the City-County building and had lunch at Ham Heaven! Comfort food at its best! Not to mention being able to see her precious Godparents.

Over the years, the bond only became stronger. In later years, Elle would tell Angel, “Call your Nouna (Godmother)!” These words still ring in her head, today.

One of the last events Angel and Elle attended together before Elle’s death was the Daughters of Penelope Festival of Tables at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in October, 2000, right around Elle’s 79^th birthday. They, of course, sat next to Athena at her sponsored table.

Angel and Di’s beloved mother passed away on December 17 of that year. Elle, Di and Angel had also lost their amazing, eternally positive and cheerful Alex (Alexander the Great) in July of 1999, and then their precious Aunt Dinny reposed in May of 2000.

When Angel and Michael (her sweetheart she had met at age 15, also at Cass Tech) got married at Holy Cross Orthodox Church in July, 2001, Athena and George were, of course the Koumbari, doing the honor of sealing their love with the rings and crowns. And Elena made the beautiful koufeta (Jordan almond) favors.

And when Di and Eugene celebrated their Orthodox wedding (near the twentieth anniversary of their civil union), Aunt Dinny and Uncle Bill became their Koumbari , thus completing the cycle begun by Al and Elle.

They say that when one loses her parents, the Godparents take over. That became ever apparent to Angel. Even though she can still hear her mother’s words “Call your Nouna” she does not have to be reminded! She makes every attempt to see her Godfamily as often as possible.

This past June, Angel became a Godmother herself for the first time. She had prayed a long time to have a Goddaughter, and Tracey Vlahos was definitely worth the wait! Coincidentally (or not) Tracey is the daughter-in-law of Mary (Fountoukis) Vlahos;, Di’s best friend from childhood. Mary and her husband George (of blessed memory) catered Di and Gene’s Orthodox wedding reception, and Athena made the koufeta! Talk about connections! Mysterious ways, indeed…

They say blood is thicker than water, but the Holy Chrism (the most essential of all oils) is even thicker than that, sealing us all for eternity with Christ’s indescribably wonderful Agape love.

Di: Thanks to Angel for this blog and to our readers for their patience.

Angel: Many blessings to all!

www.youngliving.org/6422 www.youngliving.org/angelbrock

Please share your thoughts with us in the box below, and let us know about your Godparents, too.

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 [ELEOS BLOG (16): Embracing Love as Eastern Orthodox Sisters]

Comments (3)

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Wonderful Memories
written by Cheryl Berklich, October 14, 2009

Angel, What a wonderful story. I know Bill will also enjoy reading this. I remember Aunt Dinny, she was such a wonderful person.

Thank you so much for sharing!

Cheryl Berklich

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My nouno
written by Elaine Carabatsos, February 21, 2010

I hadn't, really, been in touch with my nouno since I was very young! He and I went to different churches. I joined his church 15 years ago and we have been very close ever since!!! It is especially poignant now because my dad and mom have passed away (recently ). I call that Divine intervention

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So glad you became close again!
written by Angel Athena-Tzouras Brock, March 21, 2010

Thank you for commenting on our blog, Elaine! I am so glad you became close to your Nouno and I know what you mean about it being more poignant since your parents have passed away. I definitely found it comforting to have the love and support of my Godparents after my parents died, as well. I agree about the Divine intervention part, also! Memory eternal for your parents.
Love,
Angel

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