family
Story by Drea Frondorf • Higher Grounds Photography
feature
Pictured: Kristy, Margarita, George, Agathoula,
Megan and Pete
fun! They are best described as loud and boisterous with lots of laughing, dancing, drinking
and singing. If you want quiet family time, their gatherings are not the place! It was quite
normal for the family to dance on tables while singing and enjoying each other’s company.
According to Agathoula, the funniest memory of the kids in this celebratory atmosphere is
when they had friends over and all the kids were dancing on the table... Until the table collapsed! Nobody was hurt, but kids were strewn all over the floor rolling in laughter!
The Gioldasis gatherings are always full of rich and diverse traditions and definitely a vast
array of foods, too! During Thanksgiving, you’ll find the traditional American culture foods,
including turkey (with all the trimmings) coupled with Greek feastings, including at least 10
desserts! Food and wine are a huge part of their culture and enjoyment.
The recent wedding festivities of Pete and Megan included about 500 guests, a two-hour
long ceremony with photos at the Greek Orthodox Church and a reception at the Florence
Country Club. Margarita is Pete’s koumbara, which is the religious sponsor for the couple.
This is a very big honor in the Orthodox Church. During a Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony, there is a crowning ceremony in which the koumbara will place crowns that are connected by a ribbon to the bride and groom’s head. This symbolizes the bride and groom as king
and queen of their own kingdom. Being the koumbara means that Margarita will always be
the godmother of the couples’ first born child.
“
Laughing
. . . IF YOU WANT QUIET FAMILY
TIME, THEIR GATHERINGS
ARE NOT THE PLACE!
“
a
AT THE GIOLDASIS HOME, family time and holiday gatherings are always times of great
(THE GIOLDASIS’S) ARE
DESCRIBED AS LOUD AND
BOISTEROUS WITH LOTS OF
The Gioldasis family has always been very thankful for their culture. They are passionate about their family and religion, and it spills out of each of them in distinct,
beautiful ways. Aside from the beautiful vacations to Greece every summer while the
children were growing up, the culture has given the children ever lasting friendships
they have made during Greek conventions, and the love they have for their church and
religious traditions. One day Pete, Kristy and Margarita hope to pass along the same
traditions to their future families.
With so much passion and honor for the sacredness of family, Agathoula has every
reason to be proud of her last name.
Agathoula Gioldasis resides in Florence, South Carolina, with her husband George. They are the loving parents of three children: Pete (married to Megan), Kristy and Margarita.
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NOVEMBER 2015
SHEMAGAZINE.COM