Stylianos (Stelios) Apodiakos welcomes us with his characteristic warmth and profound love for his homeland. His family has deep roots in the Kampos of Chios, specifically in the Giazos area—named after the prominent Genoese Ghersi (Giazi) family, owing to the numerous estates they once owned there.
The ancestral estate, located on Argenti Street directly opposite the renowned Argentikon, constitutes a living piece of Chian architecture and tradition. With genuine passion and utmost respect, he personally oversees its preservation.
Preserved within the estate to this day are the old wheel-well (manganopigado) and a water cistern (sterna), adjacent to which stands a magnificent marble basin (gourna). Perched above the cistern is a small room constructed using the traditional bagdati technique (lath and plaster)—quite possibly the only surviving example of its kind in Kampos. It is an architectural gem, evoking eras long past but certainly not forgotten.
Of particular significance is the small chapel of Agios Stylianos, which once stood within the estate but was destroyed during the catastrophic earthquake of 1881. Stelios made sure to salvage whatever he could: a wooden cross, historic icons, and various sacred objects, which today reverently adorn his home.
An impressive estate tower also once stood on the property, which likewise collapsed during the devastating 1881 earthquake. Of the original tower, only the ground floor survived. Upon this foundation, two modern residences were later built: one on the ground floor, where his sister, Theodora (Rika) Apodiako, currently resides, and one on the upper floor, which serves as his own home.
The narrative takes on a grand historical dimension when Stelios speaks of an ancestor from the Ghersi family who lived in the early 1800s. According to oral testimonies, he was a deacon who later discarded his clerical robes—becoming an apodiakos (un-deaconed)—to join the armatoloi guerrillas. Local lore states that he traveled to Mount Athos, where he crossed paths with the revolutionary hero Georgios Karaiskakis, subsequently fighting in numerous battles against the Ottoman forces. He survived the horrific Massacre of Chios in 1822, and the family still preserves a photograph of him taken in his advanced years.
Following the passing of their parents, the two siblings dedicated themselves with unwavering devotion and respect to the care of the family estate. Every corner, every stone, and every tree keeps the memory of their ancestors alive, reflecting the love and tradition bequeathed to them. With reverence and patience, they continue to honor the past, tending to the property as if it were a living cell of their family history.
Stelios, possessing a deep love for tradition and respect for the architectural heritage of the region, safeguards these sacred family heirlooms that bear the imprint of his forebears. Through his every action, he embraces not only the weight of the past but also the responsibility to carry this flame forward to future generations, ensuring that the history of his family and of Kampos will never fade.