Welcome to Kantyli - Custom Greek Gifts Since 2004
Let customers speak for us
Love my sign! I have gotten so many compliments when people see it on my wall. The shopping experience with Kantyli was great. My products came quickly and much care was given in the packing of the merchandise. I will shop with them again!
Pano was very helpful in ensuring the sign was just how I wanted it before shipping considering it was coming all the way to Sydney, Australia. Na'sai kala Pano!
The sign is perfect! It brings our village to the states.
Purchased the Grandfather and Father frames. Both were made solid and great quality. Originally I ordered to vertical frames but one came in horizontal. I notified owner, but didn’t expect anything in return. He immediately apologized and sent me a new one. Wonderful service. Thank you!
Unique gift for soon- to-be grandparents. Exactly what I requested. Good quality. Consider for those hard to buy for Greek friends in your life.
Very happy with my purchase! The box and the music it plays are beautiful. Can’t wait to buy another one to gift to my mom.
Very happy with my purchase, the Greek flag looks beautiful as a mask!
Ordered a village sign in memory of my Papou...great quality and fast service...
Thanks for a great product
Great products and communication with owner. Second time placing order. Will purchase again!!
Ordered a sign for the village my Papou was from in Crete.....it was great!!!!! excellent quality and the customer service was fantastic......Thanks so much
Well done, by Panos Fiorentinos! He should be the only one doing the rest of the Dioceses churches throughout the USA, and even further.
The signs are perfect. Each representing my parents' respective islands.
The sign turned out great! I actually got it for my gift shop which is close to the beach and thought it would be cute in the window.
Love the mugs. Got two for me and two for my childhood friend. This will be great to have coffee with him using the mugs... we use this gesture with each other regularly.
"A life-long member of Holy Trinity parish in San Francisco, Fiorentinos coupled his strong involvement in the Church with his new found ability with photography when he moved to Chicago a few years ago. There he began taking pictures of the exterior and interior of the many Greek Orthodox Churches in the area, eventually photographing all 59 parishes in the Metropolis (Diocese) of Chicago. The results of his labor of love and faith are beautifully displayed in a wonder new 'coffee table' book. Included are everything from great cathedrals to small chapels, as well as converted former Protestant churches, Jewish synagogues, and non-religious buildings, all now serving as houses of worship for the Greek Orthodox faithful in the Midwest. Through Fiorentinos'
lens, we see not only the varying styles of architecture, often striving to preserve some form of Byzantine traditions, but also a detailed look at the interior iconography and layouts in each parish. Together with more detailed excerpts of histories of the Greek communities of Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis, theses summaries give fascinating insights into the migration of Greeks to the Midwest and the importance they placed in establishing and fostering their Greek Orthodoxy in their new homeland. Finally, through scholarly well illustrated essays by noted Orthodox authors, Ecclesia provides the reader with a short course in church theology, history, iconography, symbols and lives of the saints for whom churches are named, making this volume a valuable resource on the Orthodox faith. It's is an ideal gift for anyone interested in church architecture and local community history."
Condensed from a review appearing in the Hellenic Journal 12/2004
"...I was surprised that such a book existed because I had no heard of such a book before. I bought the book to give to a friend for Christmas, but when it arrived at my house I enjoyed so much that I kept it myself. I was intrigued by the stories of each parish and how they came to be and the struggles that many of them face to survive. But what struck me the most was how beautiful the photographs were and how they reminded me of the beauty of our liturgy and how I value being an Orthodox Christian. I look at the book regularly especially when I need some inspiration. I highly recommend the book to all Orthodox Christians."
Reviewed 6/2006
"Allow me to go on the record as saying, your book is a masterful work of art and writing!"
Reviewed 6/2006
"We were pleased to see your article/press release in the Orthodox Observer - of course published late as usual. I left the paper on the table so I could cut out the article and Sophia as it on her own and was all excited - "Panos' book, Panos' book! It's in the newspaper !!" and ran around the house with it. Then I read her a few lines and she said "WELL, doesn't it say who he is MARRIED TOO?!!!!" Then she sang a song about Nouna (godmother) and Nouno (godfather) and ran around the house singing about how great you were. She is funny. I told if she acted nicer when she you in person it would be better than singing all this when you weren't here to hear it."
From an email 11/2005
"Thanks for letting me pick up those books. I kept one for myself and gave on to my father-in-law, who is a Lutheran minister. I can't express in words how much he loved the book and the poster. He was glued to the book and looked at every page. He said he couldn't wait to read the info on each church. I was also thoroughly impressed by the book. I knew that you worked your ass off and it shows. Congratulations once again."
From an email 12/2004
"Your book is beautiful, so well-done-and one that's never before been published in such an easy to read and understandable manner. Obviously such an enormous amount of time, effort and money devoted to producing such a masterpiece, and you are to be commended for undertaking such a task."
Review 5/2005
" To open this book is to open a jewel case filled with the resplendent richness of Orthodox tradition. Panos Fiorentinos brings together an enjoyable and easily readable accounting of Orthodox Theology, Tradition, Local History and Development of the Churches of the Chicago Greek Orthodox Metropolis. The book is exquisitely written and masterfully photographed. Mr. Fiorentinos presents us with the gifts of his vast knowledge and umcompromised artistic skill...it is a truly a work of love."
Reviewed 3/2007
"Your book is magnificent! I have to be honest and tell you that I have not read it yet. Most of the churches that were photographed so beautifully by you hold so many memories for me that I kept getting misty-eyed just looking at them and that made it impossible to read."
Reviewed 12/2007
"Many thanks for the copy of your beautiful work-the mock-ups we looked at the one afternoon in the back of the church couldn't begin to do it justice. I've only begun to look at it, but my impressions are overwhelmingly positive: striking photography, an important historical record and fine comments by Fr. Daniel Christopoulos. Thank you both again-your work is outstanding, bravo!"
Reviewed 11/2004
" To open this book is to open a jewel case filled with the resplendent richness of Orthodox tradition. Panos Fiorentinos brings together an enjoyable and easily readable accounting of Orthodox Theology, Tradition, Local History and Development of the Churches of the Chicago Greek Orthodox Metropolis. The book is exquisitely written and masterfully photographed. Mr. Fiorentinos presents us with the gifts of his vast knowledge and umcompromised artistic skill...it is a truly a work of love."
Reviewed 3/2007
" I believe this book to be an amazing reminder of the love of God through His Holy Church. I grew up in the Metropolis of Chicago, and upon reading this incredible work of Panos Fiorentinos, I never realized the remarkable growth and strong presence the Church has had for so many years. More importantly, because of Panos; tireless dedication towards the completion of this very special project, it brings to light the fruits of all those who labored in the vineyard of the Lord, both clergy and laity, in order to build such beautiful places of worship, particularly our beloved immigrant ancestors who came to this country with noting but the faith they carried in their hearts for a better life. What a message to us, who have everything, the the Church must be our priority. This book is an incredible resource and testimony of faith, and as one born and raised in Chicago. I will always cherish it with profound respect and a resounding sense of humility for the past and great hope for the future."
Reviewed 12/2005
"This book is an extraordinarily beautiful, comprehensive, historical, architectural and visual documentation of all the Greek Orthodox churches in the six-state area of Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. There is a brief introduction to the Orthodox faith, an explanation of the worship service, liturgy and iconography. Each church entry has a brief history of the community, where the immigrants came from, how and when they built their churches and how the communities grew and evolved over time. Each entry is beautifully illustrated with color photography of the exterior and interior of the church.There is a richness to this book the reflects the Orthodox faith and it's expression in the houses of worship. This book is a the product of three years of careful research, extensive interviews, good, clear writing and brilliant photography. An easy read and a delight to the eye, a compendium of the Greek Orthodox tradition and worship life in the middle of the United States. I heartily recommend it to all who wish to learn about these treasures of faith and Greek ethnic identify in our communities.
Reviewed 7/2005
"Throughout ECCLESIA, the reader is bestowed with many different styles of Eastern Orthodoxy iconography ans seen in the numerous churches illustrated. Iconostasis, ceilings, walls and stained glass all yield a rich array of art models ranging from byzantine and strict traditional to Western European and modern. ECCLESIA is thus a text which is only aesthetically and intellectually pleasing but also prompts questions as to the growth of Orthodox faith, ritual, and art in the United States and external/ internal influences which have affected its evolution. Hopefully, the author will eventually embark upon sequels to the book, (in which he will photograph and document the Greek Orthodox Churches of the Western and Eastern U.S.), volumes which will help current and future Orthodox scholars chart the creative and spiritual course of Eastern Orthodoxy in America."
Reviewed 12/2004
"ECCLESIA, by Panos Fiorentinos, is a thoroughly commendable book, en grossing read, and certain to enrich anyone's understanding and appreciation of the richness of Orthodox iconography and architecture among the fifty-nine churches of the Metropolis of Chicago. The unique splendor of the interior of each church is shown in vivid color, as well as the magnificent exterior of each temple. The three chapters of the book cover, The Immigrants Story, A Brief Introduction to the Orthodox Faith, and Iconography in the Orthodox Church. You will be greatly inspired by this luxurious coffee table size volume
highlighting the splendors of the Orthodox faith. "Beauty through icons is a way of knowing God and being united with Him" (Leonid Ouspensky)"
"Throughout ECCLESIA, the reader is bestowed with many different styles of Eastern Orthodoxy iconography ans seen in the numerous churches illustrated. Iconostasis, ceilings, walls and stained glass all yield a rich array of art models ranging from byzantine and strict traditional to Western European and modern. ECCLESIA is thus a text which is only aesthetically and intellectually pleasing but also prompts questions as to the growth of Orthodox faith, ritual, and art in the United States and external/ internal influences which have affected its evolution. Hopefully, the author will eventually embark upon sequels to the book, (in which he will photograph and document the Greek Orthodox Churches of the Western and Eastern U.S.), volumes which will help current and future Orthodox scholars chart the creative and spiritual course of Eastern Orthodoxy in America."
Reviewed 12/2004