Award-Winning Greek Film "Nyfes" ["Brides"] Touches Hearts in Southern Maine

Award-Winning Greek Film "Nyfes" ["Brides"]
Touches Hearts in Southern Maine

(HCS) Following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, October 29, 2006, St. Fotini Ladies Guild of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church served an informal luncheon in Drivas Hall to raise funds for refurbishing the parish's Sunday School classroom. Delicious pizza from Romeo's Restaurant in Scarborough, donated by owner Dimitrios Mihos, filled plates of the young and old alike. With salad and baklava sundaes to cap off the meal, donations poured in, netting the guild nearly one thousand dollars.

Parishioners surprised John Caras, a member of the church's Board of Trustees, with a birthday cake for his 50th birthday. Congratulations resounded after the parish sung a traditional "Happy Birthday" in three-part harmony with members of the church choir.

When plates had been cleared, members of St. Fotini showed a Greek film, "Nyfes," to the crowd. Mary Papoutsy offered brief introductory remarks about the film, while beverages and popcorn were served by Guild members. The film, known also by its English title, "Brides," describes the onboard experiences of young women from Greece and other parts of Europe and Asia who were sailing to New York as "mail-order" brides. The central plot revolves around a young female character, Nikki Douka, from Samothraki, who was sailing to the U.S. to fulfill a marriage contract and save her family honor. Her skills as a seamstress kept her busily sewing throughout the voyage to alter wedding dresses for the third-class voyagers. But along the way, she meets a young American photographer who was returning from the Middle East where he was snapping shots of the war in Smyrna, 1922. Her honesty, pride, and beauty attract the attention of the American who falls in love with her. Tribulations abound during the voyage, with subplots following the dramas of several unfortunate young women upon whom nasty characters preyed, as Nikki struggles with her feelings for the photographer. Questions of duty, honor, and love remain long after the final scene, making this poignant film a solid hit. Presentation of the film "Nyfes" was made possible by the Christos and Mary Papoutsy Charitable Foundation.

See also "St Demetrios Fashion Show in the Limelight" and "No Time to Bake Pastries? No Problem--Shop Early at St. Demetrios Bazaars."

St. Fotini Ladies Guild is a local organization dedicated to charitable activities and falls under the umbrella of the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church community. Over the decades this group has raised funds for the poor and elderly, as well as for a varity of ecclesiastical projects in the Biddeford-Saco area. Led by current president, Rhoda Conley, the group is launching a series of fund-raisers to refurbish the Sunday School classroom. The next major activity of the ladies' guild is their annual pastry bazaar, scheduled for Saturday, November 18, 2006 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church (186 Bradley St., [Route 5] Saco, 207-284-5651).

(Posting date 31 October 2006)

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