07 01 Pictures of my life - Petros Gaitanos

photography in my life

I like photography very much! I was fascinated with it since I was a little kid and soon thereafter I got myself a camera. Despite my immature level in photography I was taking photos of whatever was catching my interest and my attention around the village where I was born and raised and on my school trips as well throughout my school years. After graduating from high school I moved to Athens and bought myself a better camera by Zenith (lately Zenit). I was fascinated by the city of Athens which became my photographic subject for many years. I still remember the feeling of excitement and desire when I was going to pick up my printed photos from the photo studio on Charilaou Trikoupi street in downtown Athens on my way to Didotou street where I was taking music lessons at the Athens Conservatoire.

I still have more than two thousands of film roll negatives in color and in black & white which I keep in special cases protected with rice paper with descriptive notes included for each photo. I love being neat and organized ever since. I took a long break from photography and I focused on my career as an artist to a full and demanding circle of fifteen years filled with concerts, albums, interviews and appearances in the social media. After all of those years I felt the need to go back to photography, so I upgraded my camera by getting a digital one with all the new tech features and I restarted or maybe I continued this amazing journey with more skills and abilities. While I’m traveling around the world for my tours, by singing and sharing my talents I always find time to unleash and perpetuate sometime with my camera to catch different parts of the world. For about a decade now I never leave my camera behind during my travels. I like to travel and to eavesdrop different places, people, and to experience other cultures which I like to integrate into my art even though seems invisible with every deep experience of expression and behavior of any ancient or modern society that expands my concepts and enriches my education as a decisive element to upgrade me as an artist. At the same time I like to take out all of my experiences and imprint them in my way by framing them into photos like the lights on Broadway in Manhattan gazing and observing thought my camera lens as well as many other American cities I have visited, the Pyramids, beautiful Alexandria in Egypt, Turkey, The Holy Land, the penguins in phantasmagoric nature of Australia, many different cities and geodesy of Europe, icebergs and frozen earth throughout the world. I have photographed thousands of times parts of the country I love the most! My beautiful Greece! Greece is a country full of light and colorful images which makes it a paradise to the photographer’s eye, since light is the most decisive element following the aesthetics of focusing in photography. Greece is surrounded with God’s blessings, a country blessed with the grace of God even though I’m not sure if this applies to the spiritual power in general but definitely to the country’s natural beauty filled with the light of God, that of course can be applied to the finite and poor earthling reality. For this reason Greece constantly fascinates me and always inspires me to take more photos. When I’m on vacation half of my excitement is photography. I like to travel alone, driving my jeep in the most deserted and rural areas having my camera and lenses as my best company. At the same time I praise God for all the beauty around me, the blessed perfection of the earth created by His hands. Every time I enter a small chapel, I admire its interior and I like to chant or if I discover a deserted beach after a long walk I usually sing traditional songs or a Greek poet’s poem comes to my mind. I take photos while feeling very happy or cheerfuland questioning myself, why do people need the company of others in order to feel beautiful in life! Since this communication between us is blessed you are all welcome to be my guests on this endless journey, after all the primary subject in my photos is mostly people, so relax and let go to my camera’s click and look for the aesthetics and creations through my eyes. Also as an artist of speech I always like to add an unpoetic or a poetic or a spiritual quote on each of my photos to broaden our minds and our hearts in a way to express my feelings I experienced while taking each photo. I would like you to combine my songs and my interpretations the way you preferred so we can have an interactive game even though I always love your interactions on what I do! Fasten your seat belts and let’s get away. There are over a million of photos in my archives and many more new ones will be added. Last but not least I would like to combine all these photos and my photographic work and action into a wish in reposing the soul of my father Michalis because growing up I realized that my father also had a camera to capture moments of our family life! We had hundreds of photos at our home that were taken by my father. Besides all the values he taught me, he passed me his “photographic genes” as well.

Petros Gaitanos September 13, 2014 Athens, Greece Traveling around Greece.

I started traveling all over Greece and this year on a very relaxed mood and alone as I mostly like to travel. Right after my concert in Drama I went to Thessaloniki and here I was at the Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia and as I was checking in a sweet lady at the counter kindly told me that “we are very sorry Mr. Gaitanos even though you have booked a ticket with us unfortunately there isn’t any available seat for you due to a booking error on our behalf, if you don’t mind you can have a seat at the cockpit!”. My response was “Of course I don’t mind to be in the cockpit this a gift to me”. It was the most unique trip on the beginning of my vacation. After taking off I was so glad and during our an hour and ten minutes trip I was gazing at the Aegean Sea and I was fascinated for once more with the beauty of my country Greece. So much beauty of the aegean blue and the glowing light. From up there everything looks so different and beautiful! Fasten your seat belts and let me share some of my observations. Aegean flight after all.

Thessaloniki – Rhodes July 13, 2013 from the cockpit, let’s go. Join me. There is a continuation.

Rhodes airport ahead of us

Gyali, Greece Small volcanic island next to the island of Nisyros.

The island of Nisyros

Turkish Coast

Approaching the airport in Rhodes, Greece

Last announcement before landing in Rhodes, Greece

On the boat to the island of Halki, Greece

Outside of a Greek monastery!!!!!…..even the animal pets are calm and blessed in a different way…..

Just arrived in Halki and I love it very much!

Between the castles and the amazing beaches soon enough I was fascinated by the monasteries of Rhodes and somehow lost as usual in the most deserted places I found the road to the most beautiful monastery of Saint John the Theologian, a monk there recognized me and kindly asked me “can you chant the dismissal hymn of Saint John to hear it from you?”…..”…..father I don’t remember it!”…..”just chant it your way” he said and he directed me towards the psalter. Τhe book of Byzantine chanting in front of me…..second sound…..and the blessed sayings of the glorious Evangelist and Saint and dear disciple started to flow with my spontaneous chanting…..the monk remained pleased and silent…..very kindly he said to me “God gave you a big charisma and you should glorify Him continually”…..with the monk’s blessings I continued…..

Saint John’s the Theologian monastery. Rhodes, Greece

I’m photographing everything with my camera’s lenses…from people, animals, landscapes to images and of course I never miss the chance to photograph whatever beautiful around me…!!!

Butterflies in Rhodes, Greece

Special phases, special people!!…

Windsurfing and water sports at Prasonisi in Rhodes! A natural corridor, a narrow path in the south peninsula of the island and at the same time, strong winds on one side of a two meters wide road and an absolute serenity on the other…..

When I meet my young friends I become one with them and I enjoy the sand as much as they do! It opens my heart when I meet kids!

Butterflies in Rhodes, Greece

When I meet my young friends I become one with them and I enjoy the sand as much as they do! It opens my heart when I meet kids!

Βραδινή βόλτα στα κάστρα της Ρόδου, λιμάνι και το κάστρο της πάντα εκεί…

Kastellorizo, Greece

In a small chapel in Kastellorizo, Greece

Kastellorizo, Greece

Kastellorizo!!! Just got in it’s small port and I’m fascinated!!! I was welcomed by a sea turtle in the deep blue water! I was delighted and I caught the moment with my camera!…..such a simple beauty so harmonized and created by God in the hands of people! We are all equally worthy as the beauty around us since we’re created by His blessed hands!

Kastellorizo, Greece

Kastellorizo! While on a boat ride with Antonis as our boat punter, Antonis said to me “ Petros, I would like to take you to Galazia cave and you will absolutely love it but please if you can chant a hymn while we are there my dream will come true”, so the next morning with his little boat and seven other people including three turkish tourists we were off to Galazia cave. When we arrived at the cave……….!!! I was taken by its beauty!!!!! We started to swim and I got lost with the beauty of the water that it felt like it was glowing in this rich unique and clear blue color, “oh my God” I said “Lord the Almighty how wonderful!!! Antonis and the rest of us finally made in into this magical place after we bent over and enter thought a fifty centimeters opening we made it in and Antonis said to me “ please do me a favor if you can”….. even though I don’t chant or sing if I don’t feel to but the place fascinated me and I respected the faith and purity of the request and I did it!…I chanted a verse from the psalms of David!!!…Antonis was standing still like something very sacred was taking place! He made the sign of the cross when I finished he thanked me and told me “ today I lived the most important moment of my life”…..”let’s make a gift to the turkish group who is with us as well” I said, so I sang a turkish song by Zeki Morren dedicated to mothers!…..they applauded me and they were delightful…..we all paused and went back to swimming in the deep blue water!!! We left and returned back to Kastellorizo…..while I was alone and I was pondering…..“ I was thinking that through my art I make people’s feelings stronger but most of all I elevate their mental uplift and communication with our Creator!”… and I thought “therefore this gift is given to me by our Father our Creator and doesn’t belong to me Glory to His name that He created for me in such a unique way and gave it to me in my earthly life”. Kastellorizo stole my heart!

Kastellorizo, Mandraki, Greece

Sunset in Kastellorizo! The island of Lady Ro is on the left!

At beach in Kastellorizo at the little island of St. Giorgi, Greeks and tourists are dancing like in an old Greek movie! Happiness and Greece!

In the blue cave, ( Galazia cave ) in Kastellorizo, Greece

Kastellorizo, Greece. Spontaneous moments, “ oh my cute little birdies even though you don’t notice it but I do share this paradise with you”. At the chapel of Agia Marina on the evening vespers in honor of her nameday!

Kastellorizo! Evening vespers at Agias Marina’s chapel in honor of her nameday …aaah and in the background the magical port of the island with my country’s flag!….. with its integrity and simplicity paints the eternal beauty of our land!

At the port of Kastellorizo I constantly saw the sea turtles swimming and get out of the water to breath with their tiny lungs!…my sweethearts…..

Kastellorizo! At the chapel of Agia Marina during the evening vespers in honor of her nameday!

Sea turtles at Kastellorizo!

The entrance of the blue cave Kastellorizo, Greece

In the blue cave, ( Galazia cave ) in Kastellorizo, Greece Blue magic!!

In the blue cave, ( Galazia cave ) in Kastellorizo, Greece

In the blue cave, ( Galazia cave ) in Kastellorizo, Greece Bathed in the deep waters of the lake…!!!

In the blue cave, ( Galazia cave ) in Kastellorizo, Greece From inside of the Galazia cave!…exit is on the left!

In the blue cave, ( Galazia cave ) in Kastellorizo, Greece There is no way not to dive in!…such a unique feeling…!!!

Karpathos island! At Panagia with the three fountains.

Karpathos island, Olympos Village! This island is full colors and smiles! I’m getting so much love at every place I go!…..more than I deserve!

Karpathos island, Olympos Village! I got lost in the small colorful alleys, a spontaneous scenery set up under the light of Greece!

Karpathos island, Olympos Village! I don’t let anything to go unnoticed!

Karpathos island, Olympos Village!

Karpathos island, Olympos Village! The icon of Panagia is decorated with handmade decorations made by the local women with all their heart!!!

Karpathos island, Olympos Village! Karpathos or Olympos!! Lord!!!!! Him, decorated as well with colors and materials from the locals with all their heart!!!

Mesohori, Karpathos island! When I arrived there I went right away to ask where was the church of Panagia and I was lucky enough to meet this local family of musicians! They invited me into their home, treated me with something to eat, gave me a tour and sang their local traditional music! I would like to thank the Malta family for their hospitality!

My break by heart at Mesohori, Karpathos island!

Karpathos and the imagination simply can be…..screwed…..everything has something to tell…..gazing at the open sea!

At a little chapel in Karpathos!…..I haven’t seen any funnier hagiography as this one!….. the monk there told me that there wasn’t any professional hagiographer available so an amateur one did this work!…..anyway I said!….average is better than nothing…..at least it’s something even though it’s ugly!…..

Karpathos island, Olympos Village!

Karpathos island, Olympos Village! Karpathos! Luckily and very often around at our islands people are meeting these blessed animals, sheep and goats! Here a young sheep trying to avoid me in my car!…..my pure little soul…..

Monastery at Kasos island!

At Prophet Elia’s chapel in Karpathos where hospitality continues nicely and tidy with plenty of love at the evening vespers!

At the monastery in Kasos! Handmade curtains decorating Panagia’s icon made by the local women with all their heart!

Kasos island

Kasos island My God and my Lord!!!

You are the Light my Lord! Glory to Your name! I’m getting lost at the monasteries and chapels. His miraculous Work and His truth are embroidering wonderfully my heart!

Look at this face…..another “wild little friend” in Kasos!

Kasos island! I laughed and I was sad at the same time at this church steeple when I saw this frame with the names of the donors who contributed money for the replacement of the church bell, with the percentage of their donation written and displayed as well…..Lord have mercy!!! What a donation!!! Looks like a sale’s sigh! Haven’t seen such I thing and I had to photographed it! Even though the sign is in public display I respected the privacy of the individuals by not showing theirs names in my photo! So I saw that too…..

Kasos island! Every point has its own beauty!

Kasos island!

Kasos island! The chapel of Prophet Elias…..and a passerby’s shadow…

Anafi island, Greece! Just let me know if you can find these colors someplace else?

Kasos island!

Anafi island, Greece

Anafi island…..here they’re my little friends!!!…look at their faces!…what features!!! As I’ve said before when I meet kids my heart changes, it gets simplified and I’m enjoying it a lot!

Anafi island

Chora in Anafi island!

Anafi island! Chapel of Panagia Kalamiotissa!!!

Αnafi island! The path to Panagia Kalamiotissa’s chapel!!!

Anafi island! Chapel of Panagia Kalamiotissa!!!

Santorini island! Greece!!!!!!!!!!!! Without words

Anafi island! The path to Panagia Kalamiotissa’s chapel!!!

Sunrise at Anafi island!!!!!

Anafi island! Full moon from my room’s porch!…..and here I was!…semi dressed I was photographing the silence that was flowing on the dimension of the earth…!!!

Anafi island! Monastery of Zoodohos Peghe from which the path to the chapel of Panagia Kalamiotissa starts!

Ancient city of Akrotiri at the island of Santorini!!!

Santorini island!! My God, what a beauty!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Santorini island!!

Santorini island!…Global beauty, Greece!!!!!

Santorini island! What was I telling about my little friends!…..this naturalness and spontaneity…

Santorini island!…Global beauty, Greece!!!!!

Santorini island!…Global beauty, Greece!!!!! The Red beach!!!!!

Santorini island! Global beauty! Greece!!!!! Sunset!!!!!

Santorini island!

Santorini island! Global beauty! Greece!!!!! Sunset!!!!!

At the monastery of Saint Georgios in Anydhro, Giannitsa in Northern Greece all the animals live peacefully there!!!

Mount Athos!!!

On my way to my next concert at the Volvi lake in Chalkidiki peninsula of Northern Greece!

Driving to my next concert!…..and since I like to avoid the highways I got lost again in the wilderness!…as lost as I was but always blessed to find myself at the small chapels and the icons in them like this one with Panagia’s eyes and young Christ!!!!! It feels like an hagiographer painted the sky and brought down the icons though the sun rays!!!!!

…..and the beauty is always there and accumulated at…..her sweet paths!

Driving to my next concert!…..and since I like to avoid the highways I got lost in the wilderness!…..Lost again in the blessings of the chapels I find on my way! How wonderful!!! A hagiographic section of the Assumption of Mary with Christ, the Son and God holding Her in His arms!!!

Driving to my next concert!…..and since I like to avoid the highways I got lost again in the wilderness!…as lost as I was but always blessed to find myself at the small chapels and the icons in them like this one with jesus Christ!!!!! It feels like an hagiographer painted the sky and brought down the icons though the sun rays!!!!!

Off to Mount Athos, Greece!!!

Mount Athos in Greece!!! This the most beautiful in such a great natural state place of my country and above all the most blessed and complete! Where people let God to bring His hands down and with His crystal clear spirit to shape the place and let it remain impact in a way to breath though an His irresistible breath!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mount Athos, Greece!!!

At the monastery of Saint Georgios in Anydhro, Giannitsa in Northern Greece!

At the monastery of Saint Georgios in Anydhro, Giannitsa in Northern Greece I had a warn welcome by the nuns where I chanted in front of Panagia’s icon while all the nuns remained silent like an army of angels without breath just listening to me as I was chanting!!!…such kind souls! Hospitality like this comes from the heart, very deep and true!

Monastery of Agia Anna at Mount Athos, Greece

Mount Athos, Greece!!!

Kiriako (central church) of Agia Anna monastery at Mount Athos, Greece

Mount Athos, Greece! You can get to Agia Anna’s monastery by foot or by mules when available!

Mount Athos, Greece!!!

Kafsokalivia monastery at Mount Athos, Greece

Simplicity at Desert (erimos!)…..Kafsokalivia monastery at Mount Athos, Greece

Mount Athos, Greece! At Kiriako (central church) of Agia Anna’s monastery and the books are always there like an eternal oblation…..

Desert (E rimos), Kavsokalivia monastery at Mount Athos, Greece …..Father Theodoros is talking with Father Neophitos of how to lighten the way!

Desert (Erimos), Kavsokalivia monastery at Mount Athos, Greece …..

Mount Athos, Greece!!!

Mount Athos, Greece!!! ……………………

Mount Athos, Greece!!!

Kiriako (central church) of Agia Anna monastery at Mount Athos, Greece

Mount Athos, Greece!!!

At Panagia I saw a swallows’ nest, three tiny mouths and their parents feeding them food surrounded by love…..this is consistancy, this nature.

Thasos island!

North Greece

Thasos island! North Greece

Springs of Angitis River near my hometown of Drama, North Greece!…..I grew up here!…..my childhood years felt like I was in paradise!

Springs of Angitis River near my hometown of Drama, North Greece,…..I grew up here!….. my childhood years felt like I was in paradise!…..someone blessed and talented engraved sweet Jesus on a tree trunk!…..Bravo to him!

S prings of Angitis River near my hometown of Drama, North Greece…..I grew up here!…..my childhood years felt like I was in paradise!…..I was photographing a spider and her wonderful web!

Springs of Angitis River near my hometown of Drama, North Greece!…..I grew up here!…..my childhood years felt like I was in paradise!

Chalki island, Dodecanese, Northeast Greece

Chalki island, Dodecanese, Northeast Greece Και το χρώμα επιμένει

Chapel at Agistri island with the calmness of God!

Agistri island, Greece…..meeting my little friends…..

Transfiguration of Our Savior church in Vilia, Attica, a beautiful church designed by architect Ernest Chiler where a few months ago a gave a concert there with hymns of Holy Week!

Agistri island!….. Argosaronicos Golf, close to Athens, everything that is connected with God always catches my attention!

Aponisos beach at Agistri island! Argosaronicos Golf, close to Athens

Dragonera beach at Agistri island! Argosaronicos Golf, close to Athens

Mariza beach at Agistri island! Beautiful times… Argosaronicos Golf, close to Athens

Aponisos beach at Agistri island! Argosaronicos Golf, close to Athens

Αγκίστρι, σε ένα υπέροχο ηλιοβασίλεμα

Mariza beach at Agistri island! Argosaronicos Golf, close to Athens

Agistri island! Argosaronicos Golf, close to Athens

Above the canyon of Angitis River at Alistrati Serres, North Greece!

Returning back from Alistrati, Serres, North Greece! With the photographer’s glance and the nature’s collaboration is where juncture of eternal creation continues in life!

At the ancient site of Filippoi, Vasiliki B in Kavala, North Greece

The M2 route at the Angitis River in Alistrati of Serres in Northern Greece canyon was like paradise!

At the ancient site of Filippoi, Vasiliki B in Kavala, North Greece

At the hot springs in Thermopylae, Central Greece!

The canyon of Angitis River at Alistrati Serres, North Greece!

The river at Lydia in Filippoi, at Kavala of Northern Greece the first Christian European female Lydia was baptized by Apostle Paul!

After the rain! Night at Thessaloniki, North Greece!

Samothrace island is the northern Aegean Sea of Greece!!! Panagia Kremniotissa!!! Relaxed right after swimming at Pachia Ammos beach I walked uphill to this amazing and blessed place!!!

Limnothalassa at Samothrace island in the northern Aegean Sea of Greece!

Samothrace island is the northern Aegean Sea of Greece!!! Panagia Kremniotissa!!! Relaxed right after swimming at Pachia Ammos beach I walked uphill to this amazing and blessed place!!!

Panagia Kremniotisa in Samothrace island in the northern Aegean Sea of Greece!!! On a relaxing mood right after swimming at Pachia Ammos beach I walked uphill to this amazing and blessed place!!! Manolis offered us his homemade goat cheese served with honey and sesame seeds, local and delicious!!! Luckily the music playing from the speakers wasn’t the one usually played at the night clubs and most restaurants but instead a sweet sound of an ud was traveling softly in the air of this wild place!!!

Samothrace island in the northern Aegean Sea of Greece!!! During my night walk in the alleys of Chora!!!

At the monastery of Saint Andreas in the point of the occupied Cyprus where something and the most beautiful emerged!!! Jesus!!! Christ!!!!! Always with me and always in search for Him, inside me and around me, what a wonderful feeling to meet Him imprinted throughout the eternal ways of expression of the Greek monasteries!

At the occupied Cyprus, a region with many and protected donkeys! What wonderful animals they are!!!

Ancient theater at Ancient Salamis in Cyprus! I was walking alone at night in the paths at the occupied Cyprus to search and to sense the passage of Paul the Apostle from this point where he came for his first teachings!

Acts of the Apostles “Savlos and Varnavas in Cyprus! Beginning of their first teaching! So both of them sent by the Holy Spirit went to Seleucia, Mesopotamia and from there took a boat to Cyprus. When they got to Salamis of Cyprus they started preaching the words of God at the Jewish Synagogues. John was their help. After they traversed through the island they arrived to Paphos, Cyprus. There they met a Jewish magician and pseudoprophet by the name Barjesus. He was a friend of proconsul Sergio Paul who was a wise person. Sergio Paul invited Varnavas and Paul who asked them to tell him the words of God. But Elymas the magician – that’s how he liked to be called – he was going against them by trying to obstruct the proconsul to believe. Then Savlos who was known as Pavlos was overflowed with the Holy Spirit gave him a perceptive glance and said to him “Son of the devil! You are full of every kind of cunning, full of scheme and you’re against of anything good. Wouldn’t you stop to misrepresent the right ways of God? Now, the hand of God will fall on you and you will be blinded and for a while you won’t be able to see the sun”. At the same time fog and darkness fell over him and he started to wonder here and there αsking to be manipulated. When the proconsul, witnessed what had happened, he believed because he was deeply impressed with the power of Lord’s teachings.”

An old church at Famagusta, Cyprus!!

Famagusta, Cyprus! The old church of Staint Nicholas!!!…now a mosque!!

Western Cyprus!!! Naturally amazing paths…Birthplace of goddess Aphrodite and the people are still irreparable in believing of the deity in stones and the xoana!…..and the place of course is well set as a commercial failure…..

Church of Staint Nicholas in Famagusta, Cyprus!!!

An old church in Famagusta, Cyprus!!

Church of Staint Nicholas in Famagusta, Cyprus!!!

At the occupied Cyprus, a region with many and protected donkeys! What wonderful animals they are!!!

At the occupied Cyprus, a region with many protected donkeys! What wonderful animals they are!!! Here a donkey mom is nursing her sweet baby donkey!!! I love so much to witness moments like this where any live animal is nursing its baby!!!…..when the foundation and the created being become one!!! What an amazing relationship!!!

Rizokarpaso at the occupied Cyprus…..

Samothrace island in the northern Aegean Sea of Greece! Lost at night in the alleys of Chora!!!

Samothrace island!!! !!!

Caves of Maara at my village! The most impressive cave in the planet at Kokkinogia in Drama region of the Northern Greece!!!

Returning from Samothrace island in the northern Aegean Sea of Greece!

Caves of Maara at my village! The most impressive cave in the planet at Kokkinogia in Drama region of the Northern Greece!!!

Returning from Samothrace island in the northern Aegean Sea of Greece!

Caves of Maara at my village! The most impressive cave in the planet at Kokkinogia in Drama region of the Northern Greece!!!

Returning from Samothrace island in the northern Aegean Sea of Greece!

Caves of Maara at my village! The most impressive cave in the planet at Kokkinogia in Drama region of the Northern Greece!!!

In Cyprus at Stella Georgiadou’s beautiful farm, here I’m holding in my arms a cute newborn baby donkey!!!!! The animals!…how much I love them!…..a whole good lesson towards the best!!

In Cyprus with Stella at an event wearing attire from the ancient period with celebrations at her beautiful farm to project the life of the ancient times to tourists!

Stella asked me to take a part of this event and I was very glad to do it and blended with the group right away! We were photographed by our friends and we immediately came into ancestral times! I love to have fun every moment of my life…to feel like a little kid…to change the time and to coordinate my expressions through it!…..Life is so beautiful when you’re enjoying it in a very simple way…like a kid……….!!!

At the silent lakes of the Macedonian land of North Greece!

At the silent lakes of the Macedonian land of North Greece! In company with the bridges!

t the endless magical tunnel!

At the silent lakes of the Macedonian land of North Greece!

Milos island, Cyclades Greece

The limits of the golden balance of nature with multiple consequences!

Porto Katsiki beach!!!!! Lefkada island in Ionian Sea of Greece!

Aegina island at the Saronic Gulf of Greece! Temple of Aphaia!

karia island, Dodecanese Greece! I love the game of the horizon when the light is lost in the orbits of the planet!!!

The port of Fournoi island of the Dodecanese, Greece!

aaaaah…..the bridge of Rio-Antirio near Patras, Greece!

Meteora near Kalambaka in the Thessaly region of Greece! Secretly…getting “vagrant” in the monastery!

Monastery of Saint Panteleimon at Nea Penteli in Attica, Greece!…..on my usual paths…..theoretical .

Tempi in Thessaly region of Greece! Delimiting the suspension bridge over the mythical Pineios River!

Most Holy Sepulcher of Christ in Jerusalem, Israel!!!

Τembi Nestou River at Xanthi in Northern Greece!…unbelievable moment and juncture, like an art canvas without any other interference just absolutely natural!!!

Lost at a mountain of the Macedonian land in Northern Greece where with my zoom lens I was photographing the eclipse of the moon…..

Lovely moments with this cute little cat at an old entry door in Edessa in the Northern Greece!

One of my most favorite photo since I like to photograph lighting strikes!!! On the road from Drama to Serres in Northern Greece in this wild landscape!

Koufonisia islands, Cyclades Greece! The Milky Cave!

Corfu island, Ionian Sea, Greece!!!!!

Even though I don’t remember where this photo was taken, the sea looks like a melted precious stone and the boat’s deck lines up with this magical night!

Cyclades, Greece!!!

Zagorohoria, Epirus in Northwestern Greece! An Exceptional and autonomous beauty with organized society,…..Greece is widening and twirling in the eternal beauty of its sky with its endless beauty!

Heraklion peninsula, Crete, Greece! Colors and beauties!

Even though I don’t remember where this photo was take, the sea looks like a melted precious stone and the boat’s deck lines up with this magical night where the moon is giving its solo show!

The bridge of Arta, Epirus, Greece!

Spinaloga, Crete, Greece!…The island of lepers, how to explain to people and how much should to forbear for them…..

At Crete in Greece with nice cold water and Greek coffee offered to me by fans of mine as I was wandering!

Thessaloniki, North Greece! An afternoon from my previous home!

Meteora in Thessaly region of Greece! Between earth and sky!!!!! Monastery of Agios Stefanos!

In the mid of the Aegean Sea from Kavala, North Greece to Thassos island of the northern Aegean Sea!

Tembi Nestou River, Xanthi in Northern Greece!!! Unique beauty of the Greek Macedonian land!

Meteora in Thessaly region of Greece! Between earth and sky!!!!!

An awesome lightning strike visible from my balcony!!!…in the sky!

Magic light, Greece!

oooooh Greece!!!

Kokkinogeia, My village Drama district, North Greece

Πόσο μου αρέσει να ταξιδεύω, με ρωτάνε όλοι, “καλά ταξιδεύεις μόνος νύχτα μέρα;”, Μα αυτή είναι η ομορφιά, να είσαι μόνος και να ξεδιπλώνεις με χαρά κάθε προορισμό και διαδρομή. Εδώ οδεύοντας στην ορεινή Χαλκιδική

Antipaxi island!!!!!!!!!

in Nevrocopi of Drama city in the Noth Greece. Spring !!!!

Έτσι βλέπω τα βράδια από το σπίτι μου την Αθήνα και τον Αργοσαρωνικό, έως την Επίδαυρο, στο μπαλκόνι μου.Αττική γη!!!!!

Ο δρόμος για την Αγία Κυριακή, το ξωκλήσι στο χωριό μου, βρίσκεται ακριβώς στην άκρη αυτού του δρόμου. Φανταστείτε τον μικρό Πετράκη στα δεξιά και αριστερά χωράφια του δρόμου να γνωρίζει τη ζωή με σκληρή δουλειά και χαρά, οικογένεια, χωριό, τόπος, Θεός και καλώς ήρθες ζωή. Εδώ η φωτογραφία είναι τραβηγμένη Φθινόπωρο, το καλοκαίρι που κάναμε και τις γεωργικές δουλειές, η φύση ήταν ένας παράδεισος!!!!

Ιαματικές πηγές Θερμοπυλών, ένας καταρράκτης να διαμορφώνει καθοριστικά τα πάντα γύρω του με μυστρί του το αλατούχο, θειούχο νερό από τα έγκατα της αιώνιας γης !!!!

Το Κάστρο του Πλαταμώνα βράδυ, σαν σε άλλη εποχή, ο χρόνος τόσο καθοριστικός και ανύπαρκτος εν τέλη ….

Λουτρά Πόζαρ Αλμωπία, ο μισός καταρράκτης με ζεστό νερό και άλλος μισός με παγωμένο………!!!! Όνειρο

Κάθε φωτογραφία μου έχει το δικό της στόχο, τι υπέροχο ειναι να μπορείς να κάνεις πολλά και τελικά να συμπίπτουν οι στόχοι πολλών μέσα από τη ματιά ενός……..!!!!

Βερολίνο, Γερμανία

Οι δρόμοι……..!!!!!!! Τρελαίνομαι να τους διανύω και να τους παγώνω στο φακό μου, όπως εγώ τους βλέπω και τους θέλω…. Εδώ βράδυ γυρίζοντας από την Ξάνθη προς Θεσσαλονίκη έξω από την Χρυσούπολη. Εγνατία Οδός

Στο Νιαγάρα στα σύνορα Καναδά και Η.Π.Α, Μάρτιος και παγωνιά παντού, στο βάθος ρέει ένα μέρος του διάσημου ημικυκλικού καταρράκτη, φανταστείτε εμένα μέσα στους πάγους να τρέχω με χαρά σαν παιδάκι να φωτογραφίσω το ξένο μέρος και τη γη μου, τον παγκόσμιο τόπο μου!!!! 2007 ξεκλέψαμε μια εκδρομή κάνοντας περιοδεία σε όλο τον Καναδά με συναυλίες και χιλιάδες κόσμου στις αίθουσες……

Τι ευλογία αυτά τα χέρια των μανάδων!!! Τι ευλογία γενικά έχουν οι μάνες!!!! Πώς να χωρέσω την αγάπη τους που προκύπτει από όλα στο σώμα τους και τη μορφή τους; Τα χέρια!!! Τα χέρια όμως με συναρπάζουν, γιατί προδίδουν ανυπόκριτα τη θυσία. Γι’ αυτό όταν έδωσα τον τελευταίο ασπασμό στη μητέρα μου φίλησα τα χέρια της, γιατί με αυτά και με πολλούς ανυπολόγιστους κόπους με έκανε αυτό που είμαι, ήταν και τα δικά της τόσο ταλαιπωρημένα! Ας αναπαύεται η ψυχή της, όπως και οι ψυχές όλων των μανάδων των ευλογημένων! Εδώ μια μάνα που με περίσσια αγάπη μας κάλεσε να μας κεράσει κάπου σε ένα παλιό σπίτι στην Έδεσσα.

Μια ορισμένη ράγα και η ματιά που καδράρει και εστιάζει εκεί που δεν υποψιάζεται ο μη φωτογράφος, άλλη ματιά και ο καθένας με τη χάρη του και τη χάρη που του δόθηκε, εδώ ο Πετράκης αυθόρμητα ενεργοποιείται και κατευθύνεται σε πράγματα που είναι και δεν είναι, όπως το βλέπει ο καθένας….

Η συγκυρία της στιγμής!!!!!! Αυτό είναι βασικότατο στοιχείο της φωτογραφίας, Σαμοθράκη σε μία από τις πολλές βάθρες της, πέτυχα τη μια Λιβελούλα να πετάει… και την άλλη με ανοιχτά φτερά! Τα φτερά τους αυτά τα έντομα τα ανοίγουν για κλάσματα δευτερολέπτου, ενταγμένα και αυτά δόξα στο όνομά Του, στην τέλεια Δημιουργία Του!!!!!!!!!

Αθήνα!!!!!!!!! Οι στήλες του Ολυμπίου Διός

Ποντικονήσι! Κέρκυρα

Στη λίμνη στο χωριό μου, στα Κοκκινόγεια της Δράμας

Το ξωκλήσι του Αγίου Δημητρίου στο χωριό μου στα Κοκκινόγεια της Δράμας, κι εδώ κυλιόμουνα παιδάκι στη φύση και έμπαινα να ανάψω τις καντήλες του με χαρά!

Γιοφύρια!!!!!!!!! Άλλο αγαπημένο θέμα μου! Μου αρέσουν ιδιαίτερα αυτά τα παλιά και φθαρμένα γεφύρια που γίνονται ένα με τη φύση, αυτή όλα τα υποτάσσει ευλογημένα στον υπέροχο και αξεπέραστο χαρακτήρα της.

Ένα πάρκο στο Βερολίνο από το μπαλκόνι του ξενοδοχείου που έμεινα πηγαίνοντας στην Πολωνία για να δώσω μια συναυλία. Αυτό που με εντυπωσίασε, εκτός από τη σωστή εικόνα και συντήρησή του ήταν πως τα παιδάκια που έπαιζαν ήταν φρόνιμα και ειρηνικά και σκέφτηκα πως οι έλληνες λένε συνεχώς όταν φωνάζουν τα παιδιά τους ΄΄ παιδιά είναι τι να κάνουμε; … ΄΄, αυτά άραγε δεν είναι παιδιά; Πόσο βολεύουμε εμείς οι έλληνες την ατέλειά μας και τα χούγια μας τα ατελή με ωραίες δικαιολογίες……, ατέλειωτη η απαντοχή των ατελειών των ανθρώπων του τόπου μου

Ένας αρχαίος ναός στη Σίκινο, ένας τόπος ήρεμος και ήσυχος, όπου υπάρχει ερημιά εκεί κι εγώ……

Golden bridge, San Francisco USA, ήμουν εκεί για να δώσω συναυλία και δεν παρέλειψα φυσικά να περιηγηθώ στον τόπο που είναι ωραίος και οργανωμένος καταπληκτικά, το κλίμα μοιάζει με τον δικό μας και είναι ένας πολύ όμορφος τόπος, εκεί τραγούδησα σε έναν χώρο υπέροχο, σαν παραμύθι και οι Έλληνες μου έδειξαν πολύ αγάπη. Η γέφυρα αυτή είναι από τις διάσημες αφού γυρίστηκαν πολλά έργα του Hollywood την παλιά εποχή

Δρόμος η ζωή και οι δρόμοι της κτιστής της κατεύθυνσης μου θυμίζουν και με κατευθύνουν στην πνευματική πορεία, πολύ μου αρέσουν οι δρόμοι, εδώ στους κάμπους του Κιλκίς

Τα εκκλησάκια μου αρέσουν πολύ και τα φωτογραφίζω, είναι μια συλλογή τεράστια και ενδιαφέρουσα, κάθε ένα και ένας καημός και ένα τάμα….. ας λείψουν καλύτερα μαζί με τις συνήθεις αιτίες της κατασκευής τους και ας φτιάχνονται μόνον από αγάπη και θεοσέβεια. Εδώ νομίζω στη Μύλο

Στα μονοπάτια των ορέων που μόνος περπατώ και ζω τη χαρά, που και που τα φωτογραφίζω και εντάσσω σε αυτά τον εαυτό μου όπως κτιστά του αξίζει

Επίσκεψη σε ένα μοναστήρι, μπαίνοντας συνάντησα μια μοναχή που διάβαζε τον εξάψαλμο!!!! Πήγε κάπου και άφησε εκεί τα ευλογημένα γυαλιά της πάνω στο φθαρμένο βιβλίο, δες τε πόση ευλογία φέρει μαζί του αυτό το πλάνο!!!!! Φθορά από την παρουσία και την αναζήτηση της αφθαρσίας στη Δευτέρα παρουσία. Αυτά είναι άξια!!!!

Berlin………..

Night, different and Attican!

Μου αρέσει να περνάω τη γέφυρα του Ρίου – Αντιρρίου, εδώ δεν άντεξα κατέβηκα και φωτογράφησα την αρχή της από το Ρίο, μια άλλη φορά ήρθαν να με απομακρύνουν γιατί κάθισα στη μέση της και τη φωτογράφιζα θεαματικά, που και που μ’ αρέσει να “παρανομώ”…….

The roads are incorporated with the great tunnels!!!!! Egnatia Odos somewhere at the mountains of Grevena in Epirus Greece where the bears are passing by… how many dreams and impurities my anguish is causing me in this picture, I feel the bear is waiting for me at the end of the tunnel what I really want is worth and joyful, mmm I feel like when I was a kid and walking and knowing at the turn of the road would be other kids playing and couldn’t wait to get there to witness the moment and be part of the joy.

Roads after roads……….somewhere in Crete, Greece if I remember correctly I was returning from Elafonisos in the south of the Chania county.

Seas!!!!!…..

Koufonisia islands, Cyclades Greece, right across Kato Koufonisi a great place much different than the rest of Greece! A feast!

Palaiokastritsa beach!!!!! Corfu island, Ionian Sea Greece!!!

The sky from my balcony never looks the same……!!!!!

In Chicago USA, I’ve been there many times for my concerts, in one of my concert in 2006 I found sometime to photograph whatever I could from this endless and interesting scenery despite how impressive it is but distant from the nature and this makes it very interesting!

Nisyros island, Dodecanese Greece! On my tour at the Dodecanese islands I was eavesdropping everything on my way, every island is a different reality, until I arrived at Nisyros island and I felt that I was in a different planet! I walked alone at the volcanic crater with 50C temperature and hot gas air throughout! A great experience! For a moment I thought with so mush heat and exhaustion and I was walking for a long time, maybe I would collapse and no one can find me but at the same time I felt something great! Even though I don’t like to take risks I felt great and it’s worth when vacations offer you many different experiences and educate you to become better and more experienced! Greece is so beautiful and at the same time complete!!!!!!!!!!

The Pyramids in Egypt in 2006, the night before my concert “Odi ston Mega Alexandro” while we were setting up the stage lighting was brought in to the venue by boat through the Nile River, I wouldn’t have miss this chance to photograph this place lightened up so beautifully for the first time since we were the first artists to set up such a show in the desert of this historic place. A very unique moment because this place couldn’t be photographed after sunset due to its closing! I enjoyed taking photos while rehearsing at night like a little bum lost in the middle of the desert!!!!!

I love to photograph big roads at night so I can catch the course of the lights in the highways, movement and stillness, in combination of material and flow of the time that passes uninterrupted. Here at the Platamonas Castle in North Greece!

Skra lake in Kilkis, North Greece! Roads and hours in the lost paths of this place and the landscapes secretly popping out mystically and revealing the beauty! Of course I swam in the cold water of the lake!

My precious friends!

Acheron River, Epirus Greece! Under the bridge for a fresh caught, broiled trout! I like this meal very much and mostly at places like this one! Great!

Acheron River, Epirus Greece! In the cold water of the springs! Great experience!

Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese Greece

Ikaria, Dodecanese Greece! A rare moment, I hurried to catch up the geometry of the bodies without the image.

Staring at this great icon Saint Nektarios wrote this amazing ode to our Panagia “Agni Parthene Despoina” which I had the joy to interpret in my album I recorded with hymns to our Panagia titled “Peghe tis Zoes“. Few days ago I visited the monastery of Saint Nektarios at Aegena island in Greece and when I came across this icon I got very emotional! It’s a very unique hagiography full of God, the figures have divine energy and Spirit! The Father after all has set in the eternity Mariam and Jesus with His crystal clear blessings! Let our sweet Panagia and our luscious Jesus always protect and bless us because He is the only alive God!!!!!!!!!! With joy, Petros Gaitanos October 30th 2014 Athens, Greece https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9oouiYs1l4

Nafplio, Peloponnese Greece

If you go to Nafplio, Greece do not forget to take a long walk around the rock of the Palamidi Castle where the natural landscape it’s beautiful and its history remains untouched in a way…..

Those steps which lead to chapels always are fascinating me!

If you go to Nafplio, Greece do not forget to take a long walk around the rock of the Palamidi Castle where the natural landscape it’s beautiful and its history remains untouched in a way…..

Walking around in the beautiful alleys and squares of Nafplio, Greece!

The space is trapped in the photo and sometimes it stands otherwise…..blessed and in order here.

When I saw this ripped flag of my Greece at the chapel of Prophet Elias in Nafplio, Greece it felt to me that this image was representing the ripped image of my country but what hurts me most are the hands of foreigners and the hands of natives as well that secretly and cunning put their hands on the flag and slowly rip it apart but the cross on it stays untouchable and rules even thought their incomprehensible heart doesn’t want to. This photo is a harmonized coincidence of the subject and the photographer’s soul. These encounters are dense and educational. The celebration of the artist’s expression who shares it by himself and that’s fulfilling to him and thereafter the moment freezes when anyone integrates the way he likes and suits him!

If you go to Nafplio, Greece do not forget to take a long walk around the rock of the Palamidi Castle where the natural landscape it’s beautiful and its history remains untouched in a way…..

In here the nature anyway integrates in its beautiful way what the human imposes but when his desire weaknesses the nature consequently harmonizes in what Him had created from the beginning it was considered well created by His blessed hands!

Walking around in the beautiful alleys of Nafplio, Greece!

If you go to Nafplio, Greece do not forget to take a long walk around the rock of the Palamidi Castle where the natural landscape it’s beautiful and its history remains untouched in a way…..Here the nature integrates either or in its great way or everything the human imposes but when his desire weakens, nature recovers so consequently to harmonize beautifully on everything He has created with His blessed hands!

Next to my hotel in Manhattan there was a church that of course impressed me, a Catholic Church dedicated to the artists saints…..as strange to us maybe strange to God in the people’s way!

For drinks at a Manhattan skyscraper!

At the point where the twin towers once existed the names of victims of this horrific attack have been engraved. The structure looks like the entry of Ades with all its greatness!

At the point where the twin towers once existed the names of the terrorist attack victims have been engraved on granite. The structure looks like the entry of Ades with all its greatness, this cute face caught me attention right away with his clarity and his shined look brought back the human beauty, a young boy was there between us like an angel, like an oblation in the innocent humanity at this very point of the vivid memories of the horrific moments in human history. I was touched because this little boy reminded of me!

At the point where the twin towers once existed the names of the victims of this horrific attack have been engraved. The structure looks like the entry of Ades with all its greatness! Everyone leaves something there from their heart and I wonder what’s the impact of this gesture to the world! I will always have this wonder…..

The new skyscraper of freedom is at the same place where twin tower once existed in New York! Let God bless the Americans to put in order this technical disorder. Today’s beauty against the horrific moments of that day.

Everything has its place and mostly when it stands out…..

Next to my hotel in Manhattan there was a church that of course impressed me, a Catholic Church dedicated to the artists saints…..as strange to us maybe strange to God in the people’s way…..here a moving glance of a pilgrim, from here and beyond…..

For drinks at a Manhattan skyscraper!

At this point where the twin towers existed the names of the victims have engraved in stone!

The Freedom tower is at the same place where twin towers once existed in New York, let God bless the Americans to put in order this technical disorder!

Mount Athos, Greece! Saint Andreas monastery, Serai Karyes.

Mount Athos, Greece, Saint Andreas monastery, Serai Karyes where very finely and vividly the holy figures and monks are remembered like this beautiful presence of the most recent monasticism eldest monk Joseph the Isichastis!!! How I love the figure of this eldest monk!!!!! Pain and love are combined with affection and fatherly care this is Love and the act of love!!!!! It’s very impressive how this kind of love is imprinted on the monks’ faces, these faces and those eyes and the monks of Spirit which I met during my trip to Mount Athos!

One of Saint Paisios Agioritis’ hagiographies!

Saint Andreas monastery, Serai Karyes, Mount Athos, Greece

At Saint Andreas monastery in Serai Karyes at Mount Athos, Greece old and big church bells from the Russian period which the’ve been removed since the last century.

At Saint Andreas monastery in Serai Karyes in the virgin nature at Mount Athos as I was walking around for many hours I smelled the various scents I used to smell while I was a little kid and today with the nose of my mine I’m delimiting tomorrow…..

Mount Athos, Greece. Monastery of Saint Andreas Serai Karyes, the way a monk would see the church as making a deep repentance right in its center. The photographer’s glance moved by his inner need…..and the click becomes already his inner camera!

At Saint Andreas monastery in Serai Karyes at Mount Athos, Greece old and big church bells from the Russian period which the’ve been removed since the last century.

Saint Andreas monastery, Serai Karyes, Mount Athos, Greece

Mount Athos, Greece! Saint Andreas monastery in Serai Karyes where at night everything looks different…..and the Spirit of prayer gets ready to be applied to the blessed road of God.

Monastery of Saint Andreas in Serai Karyes at Mount Athos, Greece! Athoniada Ecclesiastical Academy.

Saint Andreas monastery in Serai Karyes at Mount Athos, Greece, where very finely and vividly the holy figures and monks are remembered like this beautiful presence of the most recent monasticism the respected and beautiful eldest monk Ephraim of Arizona the Filotheitis!

Saint Andreas monastery, Serai Karyes, Mount Athos, Greece

“trapped” the human’s games and the nature’s reflections! Saint Andreas monastery in Serai Karyes at Mount Athos Greece

Saint Andreas Monastery, Serai Karyes, Mount Athos, Greece

I walked for two hours to meet Father Efthimios in Kapsala at Mount Athos I walked by building ruins and regenerative souls…..I was very impressed by this eldest monk!!!!! Undeniable and revealing signs!!!!! The eyes!!!!! the eyes!!!!!

The forehead of Saint Andreas the Apostle at the monastery of Saint Andreas in Karyes at Mount Athos, fragrant…..!!!!!

While I was working on my new project for a very important figure of God I visited Simonopetra monastery at Mount Athos for the relevant blessings…..

And people always standing out…..

Tinos island, Cyclades, Greece! How special it is when the obedience is making whatever that is harmonized in the will of God, like this house entry with dry weeds into a wonderful theme of coexistence! Like humans when the obey in God’s will, by themselves or with others, everything transforms into unexpected result of true beauty!!!

Tinos island, Cyclades Greece! At the church of Panagia there are people at all the times who are going to worship!!! Many people feel to kneel from the port to the church of Panagia! While I was visiting there like an optional illusion a lady passed me by who a short while ago she was kneeling from the port to the church ….. Souls and bodies are expressing and they’re looking to…..

At Panagia in Tinos island walking out from the main entrance I went and went back I couldn’t get enough of the blessings!!!

Sunrise at Syros island in Cyclades, Greece!

Tinos island, Cyclades Greece! The magnificent Panagia the Evagelistria for almost two centuries people are worshipping Her, a place of deposition in the search of many souls…..like a big open gate up in the sky to find Panagia on the immediate way to emerge immaterial and blessed!!!

Syros island in Cyclades, Greece!

Agape village at Tinos island in Cyclades Greece!!!

Syros island in Cyclades, Greece!

With Costas the good hearted!

In the port of Cyra Panagia island

The natural materials are very impressive and very humble at the small monastery at Kyra Panagia in the northern Sporades region in Greece, lost in the sea at the sea park of Sporades. Amazing moments!

How nature gets self framed! And how when a human touches it artistically then nature refers to it and greets you! North Evia, Greece

In the port of Cyra Panagia island!

Alonnisos island, Aegean Sea, Greece

Mantoudi Evia, Greece, I was waiting for my boat boarding to Alonnisos island and my attention gets caught to everything holy around me!

At the lectern of Kyra Panagia’s church the way everyone sees it…..and the camera lens follows! Here we did some beautiful services for two days where I stayed with the kind monks in the monastery and the blessed dean of the monastery the eldest monk Onoufrios, I got up and awake I chanted. These early morning chants are the decadence that is defining me…..what can I say!…..it’s this bare, the simple, the natural with all the charm, after all I got all the blessings! Glory to God! This beauty was completed when I returned to worship at Saint John the Russian’s monastery in Evia, Greece when I chanted at the first Salutations of our Panagia! The priest was late and who knows how he was probably running to minister the people! We all sat down and waited for him as Saint John was resting in his perfect peace! The service started and the humble chanter asked me to chant, which is something that I don’t usually like to do but since it was for Panagia and Saint John’s body was right there it felt to me that they were telling me “please our child chant for us” and then I walked towards the church’s lectern and got ready to chant. Father Constantinos with his sweet voice who was a guest there chanted with me to our beautiful Panagia. At the end the priest who was doing the service invited me to the altar and told me holy words, gave me deep blessings, so wanted! Then the priest gave me a small icon of Saint John with a small piece of the Saint’s changing garment and told me: “My child Petros, I have this small piece with me for many years and I would like to thank you for chanting with us tonight and I would like to give it to you, wishing you that Saint John protects you and stand with you, we love you and we would like you to come back…..” I felt so joyful but my imperfections and weaknesses could fit in anyplace….. What a joy to chant for Panagia at the Saint’s home having the feeling that Panagia and Saint John were present as well, those are the joys that are missed from today’s world because unfortunately we don’t look forward to good and the innocent attire of love…..let God lighten our ways….. Petros Gaitanos, Athens, August 3, 2016

During the making of my new project for our Panagia while I was selecting photos from the place where Panagia lived! I was photographed as I was talking to Father Isihios from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem when I visited the Holy Land in Israel, Palestine and Jordan! With the company of the kind Metropolitan I worshiped and I learned a lot by his well informed and knowledgeable tour!!! Here in May 2010 Petros Gaitanos, Athens, February 2, 2017

Lefki beach!!!!! Othonoi island, Diapontia islands, northwest of Corfu island, Greece Alone with seagulls as my company!!!

Othonoi island at the sunset spot!!!!! In the distance is the Adriatic Sea. Diapontia islands, northwest of Corfu island, Greece!!!

I saw the most gorgeous girls at Palaiokastritsa beach…..and handsome men…..lalalalalalalalalaaaaaaaaaa

Ereikousa island!!! Diapontia islands, northwest of Corfu island, Greece

I saw the most gorgeous girls at Palaiokastritsa beach…..lalalalalalalalalaaaaaaaaaa

Little chapel at Sithonia Chalkidiki in Northern Greece! Summer 2017

Lefki beach at Othonoi island!!! Diapontia islands, northwest of Corfu island, Greece

Port of Othonoi island. Diapontia islands northwest of Corfu island, Greece!!!

Sithonia Chalkidiki, North Greece Summer 2017

Port of Othonoi island. Diapontia islands northwest of Corfu island, Greece!!!

Othonoi island at the sunset spot!!!!! In the distance is the Adriatic Sea. Diapontia islands, northwest of Corfu island, Greece!!!

Lefki beach at Othonoi island!!! Diapontia islands, northwest of Corfu island, Greece

Port of Mathraki island!!! Diapontia islands, northwest of Corfu island, Greece

Hot springs at Eleftheron in Kavala of North Greece

Sithonia Chalkidiki, North Greece Summer 2017

Othonoi island port and all….. Diapontia islands northwest of Corfu island in Greece

Lefki beach at Othonoi island!!! Diapontia islands, northwest of Corfu island, Greece

Calypso cave at Othonoi island!!! Diapontia islands, northwest of Corfu island, Greece!!!

Hot springs at Eleftheron in Kavala of North Greece

Calypso cave at Othonoi island!!! Diapontia islands, northwest of Corfu island, Greece!!!

Hot springs at Eleftheron in Kavala of North Greece

Flying over the basin of Drama, right below is my favorite village my Kokkinogia. In these valleys I learned all about life!

She deserves all the beauty! Outside of Panagia’s Panton Vasilissis Church! Nea Triglia, Chalkidiki, North Greece

At the bridges of Egnatia Odos in Metsovo of Epirus region, Greece

Othonoi island with Ereikousa island in the distance! Diapontia islands, northwest of Corfu island, Greece

With Alexandros at Lefki beach!!! Othonoi island, Diapontia islands, northwest of Corfu island, Greece

Lefki beach at Othonoi island!!! Diapontia islands, northwest of Corfu island, Greece

Cheromylos beach in eastern Evia island, Greece

How much I love livestock, the wonderful and natural leadership of the Greek land!!! Alonnisos island, Aegean Sea, Greece

At Alonnisos island, Greece! Agios Dimitrios beach! A corner of earth in the open sea where a shallow beach in ten meters becomes decades of meters deep and the wild marine life of this place where wonderfully and right away appears but you definitely need a diving mask in order to enjoy this ocean floor!!!!!

Alonnisos island, Aegean Sea, Greece! When people have a great taste and it shows natural and unseen…..

Pepe at Alonnisos island, Greece!

Vincent at Alonnisos island, Greece!

At Alonnisos island and right across is the island of Peristera!

Alonnisos island, Aegean Sea, Greece! The indolent fishing boats are fascinating me!

These types of nature paths particularly in the islands have a charm that I like to stroll around and travel through their routes! This path leads to Agios Petros beach in Alonnisos island, Greece!!!

Alonnisos island, Aegean Sea, Greece! When people have a great taste and it shows natural and unseen…..

Sea and forest combined! Alonnisos island, Aegean Sea, Greece

At Alonnisos island and right across is the island of Peristera! The indolent fishing boats are fascinating me along with the vineyards in Alonnisos island, Aegean Sea, Greece

Ένα υπέροχο λιμανάκι ψαράδων στην ανατολική Εύβοια, Άγιοι Απόστολοι λέγεται και στέκει ευτυχώς ακόμη φυσικό και πανήρεμο!

On the path in the mountain near the monastery is the holy hermitage of Agios Dionisios en Olympos, 16th century AD Holy Monastery of Agios Dionisios en Olympos Olympos Pieria, Greece

Holy Monastery of Agios Dionisios en Olympos! The old! Olympos Pieria, Greece

Roads…

Olympos Pieria, Greece Prionia place!

Holy Monastery of Agios Dionisios en Olympos! The old! Olympos Pieria, Greece

On the path in the mountain near the monastery is the holy hermitage of Agios Dionisios en Olympos 16th century AD Hike and secret meetings….. The footpath Holy Monastery of Agios Dionisios en Olympos Olympos Pieria, Greece

On the path in the mountain near the monastery is the holy hermitage of Agios Dionisios en Olympos, 16th century AD Holy Monastery of Agios Dionisios en Olympos Olympos Pieria, Greece

Olympos Pieria, Greece Thesi Enipeas or Miloi

People and holy traditions! Olympos Pieria, Greece

North Evia touching the tip of the main land, Greece…..

Kythnos island, Cyclades, Greece Kolona beach. A stripe of a sandy beach that connects the little island with the island according to the season!

Kythnos island, Cyclades, Greece “three grandchildren”…..a space for a ride…..come on kids, hop on over and let’s go….

Kokkinogia Drama, North Greece! At this valley in my village I learned everything about life! This blessed small chapel dedicated to Agia Kyriaki.

Κύθνος, Κυκλάδες! Αχ αυτές οι στιγμές που το φως και η θέση μου στη συγκυρία που τόσο μοναδικά συναντιούνται !!!!!

Kokkinogia, Drama, North Greece! I learned all about life at these valleys!

Kythnos island, Cyclades, Greece I wonder those eyes!…..these creatures do they portray the paradise and the footprints of the hands of the Creator?!!! I love them very much!

Kythnos island, Cyclades, Greece The Lord!!! Worshipping at Panagia the Kanala!

Kythos island, Cyclades, Greece Panagia the Kanala, history, assumptions and people walking around the mighty and the Panagia there an absolute and immaculate Mother of us all!!!

Kythnos island, Cyclades, Greece Loutra, the ports are strongly dominating even though they stop…..

Always people have an interest which they promote it simply and naturally!

What can you say here! A little pony is nursing from his mom!

Always people have an interest which they promote it simply and naturally!

Beauty! A young horse!!!

Greek fauna is beautiful from everywhere because it’s consistent in the natural and given!

At Alonnisos island, Billy the seal was a surprise! He stole our hearts by coming out in this beach he made us to love him! In the marine park at the northern Sporades region of Greece there are many Monachus- monachus seals a Mediterranean monk seal type and gladly not one of the endangered species!

Chalkidiki in northern Greece and wild nature!

At this place where we went swimming the employees of the beach gave us color chalks and asked us to draw a picture on the blank space if we would like so they’ll remember us…..I got the chalks and started drawing with them and enjoyed it very much by expressing my inner me! It will stay there time permitting! I colored it with lots of joy like a little kid as I always like to do away from cunning, anything bad, jealousy and hypocrisy, from the heart…..

We had a wonderful time at this beach and we will soon be back again ….. Chalkidiki in northern Greece!

Next to Prophet Elia’s chapel in Sithonia, northern Greece! Very beautiful!

My heart broke when I came across of this dead dolphin at the beach in Alonnisos island but people from the environmental protection agency informed me that possibly the dolphin had passed away in the sea and few days later was washed ashore…..

A humble blessing left at the myriad roads of bitterness, and the whole country is bloomed by this bitterness that coordinates me!

How dwellings like this can be missed?!…..Simplicity and naturalism like in a fairytale!

he inaccessible charm of people…..

Meganisi island in Ionian Sea, Greece

My only existence!…how much you are fascinating me, what grace you have! I wonder if someone has touched you and imprinted his beauty on you or it’s simply your own?

Meganisi island in Ionian Sea, Greece

Like fashion models, my sweethearts. Unfamiliar tourists, but cute, geometry everywhere and always, wisdom and blessed creation. Their bodies form a right angle, the boy’s legs are defining it and the girl’s hands are settling it and…..their structural source as it looks spontaneously expresses the love, so beautifully it belongs to them because especially and confirmed by the Creator through His original and indefinable laws of law….. Meganisi island, Ionian Sea, Greece

Papanikolis Cave, there are rumors that the famous World War Two submarine was hidden there! An exceptional cave! Meganisi island, Ionian Sea, Greece

Greece is full of colors! Wherever you are based I do feel your beauty!

A long dangerous hike through the cliffs where the charm of the wild and natural are giving the fragrant of God. At Meganisi island you have to look to find the road and if you find it carries you in an amazing journey from the north to the south, where a path becomes a big rock, with the sea on the left and right and everything looks inseparable but the very same source defines the beauty which redefines it and revitalizes it! All and nothing! Take me road take me a get me to Him where wholeheartedly I desire to live eternally! Right across is the Aetolia-Acarnania at the Central region of Greece, vertical and strong, nature’s relationship in a unique affair! Meganisi island, Ionian Sea, Greece

Patrone is with us! A gorgeous and quiet dog!

Beautiful geodesy! Different Ionian Sea! Here at the islands East of Lefkada, Ionian Sea, Greece Olive trees and humble flora, indiscreet and precious with crystal clear blue water, wet and eternal. Meganisi island, Ionian Sea, Greece

Aaahhh this beach always excites me, one more time until the next! Porto Katsiki beach Lefkada, Ionian Sea, Greece

his moment, this moment and a festival around me, the people in the ugliness and in the charm as well and me like a little kid wandering from one place to another in a coexistence! Vasiliki Lefkada, Ionian Sea, Greece