We are thrilled to kick off season 7 of the Syrtos podcast with Charissa Gianos from Denver, CO! Thank you Charissa for your patience as we navigate a new recording set up for season 7! Don't miss the Kefi at Mile High Dance Workshop and Glendi, September 20-22, in Denver, CO! Also, be sure to listen to the entire episode to learn about some of the amazing CDs Charissa has recorded. Charissa Gianos is the Director of the Denver Dynamis Hellenic competition dance group, and Vice Chair of the Hellenic Dance Academy, a.k.a. HDA, a ministry established at the Assumption of the Theotokos Cathedral in Denver, CO under the guidance of Fr. Jordan Brown. She has been actively dancing in the Denver dance group since she was 10 years old, performing at all their festivals and other city venues, and began instructing younger groups at her church at 17 when their dance instructor moved to California. She's always had a passion for Greek Dance, coming from a very musical family who always sang and danced Greek, even in their home growing up. Throughout her dance career she remained steady in the church's program, taking a hiatus while having two children, and started instructing again when her son began middle school. She taught throughout his middle/high school years, and then continued with her daughter's middle/high school years. Eight years ago she established their competitive dance group, Denver Dynamis Hellenic who has successfully competed at HDF with a group between 17 - 20 dancers of which her two kids are a part, winning Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards! The HDA Committee established a beautiful mission statement, which embodies the ethos of what Greek dance means to our ministry: To Instill Our Greek Orthodox Faith through Prayer, Almsgiving and Worship; To Continue the Tradition of Hellenism from our amazing Greek Heritage in Orthodox Youth and Adults; To Embrace and Value Traditional Greek Folk Dances and Authentic Costumes throughout Greece through Music, Song and Fellowship. Charissa believes Greek dance brings Kefi to one's life, which in a deeper sense joins us to the rich heritage and beauty of our Motherland Greece. Greek dance is good for the heart and soul, and when hands are entwined together in dance, a bond takes place creating connection between people and producing an amazing richness of joy.  Zito O Horos!! ----------- PARAKLESIS to the Pantanassa (Mother of God) Healer of Cancer  2023 NEW Cd Release:  “Paraklesis to the Pantanassa, Healer of Cancer”.  This latest release of the Akathist to the Mother of God is for all people to pray for healing of cancer and all diseases. This Paraklesis Cd is a full Paraklesis Service. The Service is taken from the Greek Service sung in Greek by the monks from the Monastery of Vatopedi. This is the latest of Charissa Gianos’ three Cd’s, having also recorded: First Cd release:  “Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children” in 2009 Second Cd release: “Akathist to the Mother of God, Healer of Cancer” in 2015 About the Chant: The music is Byzantine Chant sung in English by Fr. Chrysostomos Gilbert, Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in NYC, and Charissa Gianos.  Charissa Gianos is a parishioner at Assumption of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Denver and has sung on several Cds including each of Fr. Apostolos Hill’s Cds, as well as all five Cds produced by the Denver Choir under the Directorship of Dr. James N. Maniatis, being featured as a soloist. She also recorded with Eikona on their Cd: “Abundant Mercy, The Polyeleos”. Charissa has also written three Orthodox children’s books: “Yes! Christouli Loves Me”, “Yes, The Theotokos Loves Me!”, and “Yes, We celebrate Pascha!” All Cd's are streaming and can be found on several...