Dionisia Lagogianis
Interviewer(s):
Angelo Laskaris
Theo Xenophontos
Project:
Greek Canadian Stories
INTERVIEW LOCATION:
London, ON
LANGUAGE:
English
DATE:
August 18, 2025

Interview Summary:

Born in Gastouni Ilias in 1939, Dionisia Lagogianis moved to London, Ontario, with her mother and younger sister in 1953. She married her husband, James Chelonis, at the age of 18, and after the birth of their second child in 1966, her husband became a priest. Dionisia took on the role of Presbytera, and together with her husband she moved to Panama, Nebraska, and Ontario in the years that followed. She describes her ties with the Greek language, the church, and her encounters with discrimination in Ontario.

Date and Location
August 18, 2025
London, ON
Interviewee(s)
Dionisia Lagogianis
Interviewer(s)
Angelo Laskaris
Theo Xenophontos
Languages
English
Reference ID
GICREF125
Project
Greek Canadian Stories
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Categories
Tags
Decades Referenced
Locations Referenced
Gastouni Ilias, Halifax, Stratford, Huntsville, Owen Sound, Sparta, London, Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, Nebraska, Madrid, Mexico, Kitchener, St. Catherines, Salento, Andravida, Peleponense
Occupation(s)
Gum Factory Worker
Parents Occupation(s)
Slaughterhouse Worker, Restaurant Worker
Names Referenced
James Chelonis, Bishop Ballester

[00:00:16] Childhood and migration to Canada

[00:06:32] Family memories

[00:08:39] Early life in London and racism

[00:12:13] Work, community, and marriage

[00:16:36] Presbytera life in Panama and the U.S.

[00:25:08] Living in Kitchener and St. Catherines

[00:28:59] Memories of her husband and Panama

[00:34:44] Parents and her homeland

[00:44:10] Life as an immigrant woman

[00:46:00] Greek community today and mixed marriages

[00:50:19] Decision to move to Canada and war memories

[00:55:09] Her mother and raising Canadian children

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