Xanthi Georgiou was born in Athens. She graduated from the Drama School of the Athens Conservatoire and from the Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Ioannina.

She also studied classic and modern dance (Royal Academy) and attended acting seminars (Summer Drama School of the National Theatre of Greece, Municipal and Regional Theatre of Kavala, body theatre – Grotowski method in Canada). She speaks English and Italian.

As a child, she used to do sports, athletics and cycling.

Xanthi Georgiou was the High Priestess of the Lighting and Handover ceremonies for the summer Youth Olympic Games of Buenos Aires. She has participated in the Lighting and Handover ceremonies for Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010, Nanjing 2014, Tbilisi 2015, Rio 2016 and PyeongChang 2018 as a Priestess and as a High Priestess in the Lighting and Handover ceremonies for Tokyo 2020.

Since 2009, she has collaborated with important theatre and cinema directors, in short and full-length films.

“I participated for the first time as a Priestess in the Lighting ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the “Beijing 2008” Olympic Games. The energy of the archaeological site, combined with the serenity of the place, captivated me from the first moment. I thought it was a blessing to be in Ancient Greece. When I walked through the Temple of Hera, I was in awe. The choreographer, Artemis Ignatiou had created the proper conditions for the whole team so that they could act as one body with one breath, in absolute harmony with nature.  When the Flame was lit, I was overcome with emotion, it was a special and a heart-touching experience. Every time, there is a form of mystagogy which occurs during the ceremony and touches me deep in the soul” says the High Priestess about her first experience at the Lighting ceremony of the Olympic Flame.

This year she played Queen Amalia at the National Theater, in the stage adaptation of the trilogy of M. Karagatsis ” The Kodjabashis of Castropyrgos”, directed by D. Tarlow. The play premiered, in a live streaming broadcast from the National Theater in 2021, as part of the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.

Katerina Lehou is a stage actress with a successful career in both television and cinema.

She was born in Athens where she lives permanently. She graduated from the Karolos Koun Art Theatre and has attended seminars at the UTA Hagen Studio in New York. She has participated in many theatre and film seminars and has attended song, piano, guitar and dance lessons.

She has participated in numerous theatre plays in leading roles. She has played the leading part in a modern adaptation of Euripides’ “Iphigenia in Tauris”. She also played the leading role of Helen in the Euripides’ “Trojan women” at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.

She appeared in a movie for the first time in 1989 and on television in 1993.

She was involved in swimming, basketball and volleyball from an early age.

Katerina Lehou was the High Priestess of the Lighting of the Flame for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the “Nanjing 2014” Youth Olympic Games, the winter Youth Olympic Games “Lillehammer 2016” as well as for the EYOF “Tbilisi 2015” and “Vorarlberg & Liechtenstein 2015”.

Ino Menegaki, born in Athens, studied at the National Theatre Drama School, where she was accepted with the highest scores at the entrance test. Most of her professional activity has been dedicated to Ancient Tragedy. Her first principal role at the Epidaurus Ancient Theatre was at the first worldwide play of Ypsipili of Euripides (as queen Eurydice) with the Amphitheatre of Spyros Evaggelatos and received particularly warm critics for her interpretation. She also acted in Oresteia of Aeschylus, Iona and Hippolytus of Euripides, with the Attis Theatre of Theodore Terzopoulos the Persians of Aeschylus on a tour in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil as well as with other theatrical organizations. She widened her theatrical studies in Paris with Anatoli Vassiliev and Le Theatre du Soleil of Ariane Mnouchkine and in Athens, with Minoas Volanakis, the Summer Academy of the National Theatre and the Ancient Drama Center “Desmoi”. Since 1996 she participates as a Priestess in the Lighting and the Handover Ceremonies of the Olympic Flame, and she was the “Estiada” (the Priestess who carries the Flame in the ceramic vase) at the Lighting Ceremony for the Beijing and the Vancouver Olympic Games. She was the High Priestess for “Sochi 2014” Winter Olympic Games, “London 2012” Olympic Games, the first Youth Olympic Games “Singapore 2010”, the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games “Innsbruck 2012” and the Winter EYOF “Liberec 2011”. She has studied classical song, music and the Art of Movement.

Maria Nafpliotou, was born in Athens where she has been living until now. Since a very early age, she showed her talent in dance and acting.

While she was a student, she took courses at the professional dance school of Rodopi Kouvari and then she got a diploma from the state affiliated professional dance school of Rallou Manou. She had also won a scholarship for the state school of classical dance in Leningrad in the former Soviet Union.

After finishing her studies in dancing, she took courses at the “Synchrono Theatro Athinas” dramatic school and the Giannis Rigas theatre workshop.

She then started a very successful career as a dancer (1987) and theatre (1999), cinema (1992) and TV actress, earning positive comments from the public and the critics.

She was born in Athens in 1972 and is a graduate of the Drama School of the Greek Theater and the Theater Department of the University of Athens. She has also studied photography and piano. From a young age Thalia Prokopoiou loved acting and did not miss the opportunity to participate in every children’s theater performance during her school years. At one point he wanted to be a photographer, but in the end theater prevailed. She has participated in various projects and several TV series. She was first a priestess and then, since Sydney 2000, High priestess. “I cannot describe the emotions I feel at the Lighting ceremony. It’s unimaginable. It’s not a theatrical role, it’s an explosion of the soul, it’s something completely different. No matter how many days we talk, I will never be able to reproduce all that I feel,” explains Thalia Prokopiou, who played the role of High priestess for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, 2004 in Athens and 2002 for the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

She was born in Athens in 1972 and is a graduate of the Drama School of the Greek Theater and the Theater Department of the University of Athens. She has also studied photography and piano. From a young age Thalia Prokopoiou loved acting and did not miss the opportunity to participate in every children’s theater performance during her school years. At one point he wanted to be a photographer, but in the end theater prevailed. She has participated in various projects and several TV series. She was first a priestess and then, since Sydney 2000, High priestess. “I cannot describe the emotions I feel at the Lighting ceremony. It’s unimaginable. It’s not a theatrical role, it’s an explosion of the soul, it’s something completely different. No matter how many days we talk, I will never be able to reproduce all that I feel,” explains Thalia Prokopiou, who played the role of High priestess for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, 2004 in Athens and 2002 for the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

She was born in Athens and graduated from the Italian School of Athens. She studied dance at Maria Kondaxaki’s school, graduated from the faculty of Italian literature from Thessalonica University and obtained her diploma from the Drama School of Athens Conservatory. She participated in various theatrical groups, TV series but theater is not her main occupation. She worked as a public relations manager for spaces’ organization and exhibitions. “The High Priestess in the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame has intense emotions. It would not be an exaggeration if someone said that this particular moment is like a birth. There is magic in the ceremony but also in all the moments before and after. During rehearsals stress is evident” says Maria Pampouki. She lit the Flame for the Olympic Games of Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996.

She was born in Athens and graduated from the Italian School of Athens. She studied dance at Maria Kondaxaki’s school, graduated from the faculty of Italian literature from Thessalonica University and obtained her diploma from the Drama School of Athens Conservatory. She participated in various theatrical groups, TV series but theater is not her main occupation. She worked as a public relations manager for spaces’ organization and exhibitions. “The High Priestess in the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame has intense emotions. It would not be an exaggeration if someone said that this particular moment is like a birth. There is magic in the ceremony but also in all the moments before and after. During rehearsals stress is evident” says Maria Pampouki. She lit the Flame for the Olympic Games of Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996.

She was born in Athens, in 1962 and showed her aptitude for theater from an early age. She graduated from National’s Theater Drama School and continued her studies in New York. At the mean time she graduated from Athens University Philosophy School. She participated in many TV series, movies and theater plays. In 1984, she became High Priestess for the Los Angeles Olympic Games. That year there was no ceremony as a sign of protest on behalf of the Greeks regarding the commercialization of the sacred Flame. She was also High Priestess in 1988 for the Seoul Olympic Games. “I don’t have good memories from my first time as a High Priestess. However, my participation was imperative. There was an effort to tarnish our heritage, which is to give to the world this international symbol of peace. In 1988 everything was different. The Lighting Ceremony was a real celebration for us as for the Koreans. I remember that during my presence in Korea for the Games, the people of the country showed me great respect as a High Priestess”.

She was born in Athens, in 1962 and showed her aptitude for theater from an early age. She graduated from National’s Theater Drama School and continued her studies in New York. At the mean time she graduated from Athens University Philosophy School. She participated in many TV series, movies and theater plays. In 1984, she became High Priestess for the Los Angeles Olympic Games. That year there was no ceremony as a sign of protest on behalf of the Greeks regarding the commercialization of the sacred Flame. She was also High Priestess in 1988 for the Seoul Olympic Games. “I don’t have good memories from my first time as a High Priestess. However, my participation was imperative. There was an effort to tarnish our heritage, which is to give to the world this international symbol of peace. In 1988 everything was different. The Lighting Ceremony was a real celebration for us as for the Koreans. I remember that during my presence in Korea for the Games, the people of the country showed me great respect as a High Priestess”.

She was born in Athens and studied the art of drama at the National Theatre where she performed for many years. She has participated in the majority of the Lighting Ceremonies of the Olympic Flame as High Priestess: Four times in total (1968, 1972, 1976 and 1980). She was presented with the City of Athens Medal in recognition of her extensive contribution to the dissemination of the Olympic Ideal. In one of her rare interviews, many years ago, she stated: “Creating the Olympic Light is an unbelievable feeling. Watching what happens next in the countries where the Olympic Flame is travelling is unbelievable. I will never forget the welcome ceremony held in Mexico in 1968, when the flame passed on streets paved with flowers. In 1972, for the Munich Olympics, I was at the border between Austria and Germany for the welcome of the Flame. There, the ceremonies were unbelievably beautiful as well. In 1976, in Montreal, the flame arrived through laser rays and I remember the Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau saying in his speech that if the ancient Greeks could see that lightning transmission of the Flame, then they would say that it happened with Gods’ intervention”. The Canadians presented her with a gold-plated torch and a big flag of the Games.

She was born in Athens and studied the art of drama at the National Theatre where she performed for many years. She has participated in the majority of the Lighting Ceremonies of the Olympic Flame as High Priestess: Four times in total (1968, 1972, 1976 and 1980). She was presented with the City of Athens Medal in recognition of her extensive contribution to the dissemination of the Olympic Ideal. In one of her rare interviews, many years ago, she stated: “Creating the Olympic Light is an unbelievable feeling. Watching what happens next in the countries where the Olympic Flame is travelling is unbelievable. I will never forget the welcome ceremony held in Mexico in 1968, when the flame passed on streets paved with flowers. In 1972, for the Munich Olympics, I was at the border between Austria and Germany for the welcome of the Flame. There, the ceremonies were unbelievably beautiful as well. In 1976, in Montreal, the flame arrived through laser rays and I remember the Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau saying in his speech that if the ancient Greeks could see that lightning transmission of the Flame, then they would say that it happened with Gods’ intervention”. The Canadians presented her with a gold-plated torch and a big flag of the Games.

She was born in Athens and studied the art of drama at the National Theatre where she performed for many years. She has participated in the majority of the Lighting Ceremonies of the Olympic Flame as High Priestess: Four times in total (1968, 1972, 1976 and 1980). She was presented with the City of Athens Medal in recognition of her extensive contribution to the dissemination of the Olympic Ideal. In one of her rare interviews, many years ago, she stated: “Creating the Olympic Light is an unbelievable feeling. Watching what happens next in the countries where the Olympic Flame is travelling is unbelievable. I will never forget the welcome ceremony held in Mexico in 1968, when the flame passed on streets paved with flowers. In 1972, for the Munich Olympics, I was at the border between Austria and Germany for the welcome of the Flame. There, the ceremonies were unbelievably beautiful as well. In 1976, in Montreal, the flame arrived through laser rays and I remember the Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau saying in his speech that if the ancient Greeks could see that lightning transmission of the Flame, then they would say that it happened with Gods’ intervention”. The Canadians presented her with a gold-plated torch and a big flag of the Games.

She was born in Athens and studied the art of drama at the National Theatre where she performed for many years. She has participated in the majority of the Lighting Ceremonies of the Olympic Flame as High Priestess: Four times in total (1968, 1972, 1976 and 1980). She was presented with the City of Athens Medal in recognition of her extensive contribution to the dissemination of the Olympic Ideal. In one of her rare interviews, many years ago, she stated: “Creating the Olympic Light is an unbelievable feeling. Watching what happens next in the countries where the Olympic Flame is travelling is unbelievable. I will never forget the welcome ceremony held in Mexico in 1968, when the flame passed on streets paved with flowers. In 1972, for the Munich Olympics, I was at the border between Austria and Germany for the welcome of the Flame. There, the ceremonies were unbelievably beautiful as well. In 1976, in Montreal, the flame arrived through laser rays and I remember the Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau saying in his speech that if the ancient Greeks could see that lightning transmission of the Flame, then they would say that it happened with Gods’ intervention”. The Canadians presented her with a gold-plated torch and a big flag of the Games.

She was born October 19, 1918 in Athens and was a student of Koula Pratsika as well as a student of Karolos Koun’s dramatical school. She was an actress with a faultless technique, discipline in the sense of art, an artist with personality and mental radiance. She was also a woman of rare beauty. She married the film director Pelos Katselis and had two daughters, Nora and Louka.

In 1943, she appeared for the first time on the theatre stage and then she had a long career in the national theatre. She was the leading actor in many films and theatre plays. She lit the Olympic Flame for the Summer Olympic Games of Melbourne (1956), Rome (1960) and Tokyo (1964).

Before she died, on the 11th of September 1994, at the age of 74, the great lady of the theatre stated about the mystagogy of the Lighting Ceremonies:

“The first time, in 1936, I was at the side of Koula Pratsika and I don’t remember feeling much. But later, when I lit the Olympic Flame I thought that I was addressing to Zeus, I thought that I was speaking to that superior God that once lived in Olympia. The methexis was not an easy task; you had to be transubstantiated, to be spiritually elevated, you had to feel that you were speaking to the superior power of the ancient. Before lighting the Torch, before receiving the sunrays, you had to glow both in your body and soul».

In 1964, she travelled to Tokyo, invited by the Japanese organisers:

“When I arrived there, after a 20-hour trip, I was feeling very tired but what I saw at the airport left me speechless. Officials, photographers, journalists were focused on me. I cannot describe the manifestations of joy and respect of these wonderful people”.

She was born October 19, 1918 in Athens and was a student of Koula Pratsika as well as a student of Karolos Koun’s dramatical school. She was an actress with a faultless technique, discipline in the sense of art, an artist with personality and mental radiance. She was also a woman of rare beauty. She married the film director Pelos Katselis and had two daughters, Nora and Louka.

In 1943, she appeared for the first time on the theatre stage and then she had a long career in the national theatre. She was the leading actor in many films and theatre plays. She lit the Olympic Flame for the Summer Olympic Games of Melbourne (1956), Rome (1960) and Tokyo (1964).

Before she died, on the 11th of September 1994, at the age of 74, the great lady of the theatre stated about the mystagogy of the Lighting Ceremonies:

“The first time, in 1936, I was at the side of Koula Pratsika and I don’t remember feeling much. But later, when I lit the Olympic Flame I thought that I was addressing to Zeus, I thought that I was speaking to that superior God that once lived in Olympia. The methexis was not an easy task; you had to be transubstantiated, to be spiritually elevated, you had to feel that you were speaking to the superior power of the ancient. Before lighting the Torch, before receiving the sunrays, you had to glow both in your body and soul».

In 1964, she travelled to Tokyo, invited by the Japanese organisers:

“When I arrived there, after a 20-hour trip, I was feeling very tired but what I saw at the airport left me speechless. Officials, photographers, journalists were focused on me. I cannot describe the manifestations of joy and respect of these wonderful people”.

She was born October 19, 1918 in Athens and was a student of Koula Pratsika as well as a student of Karolos Koun’s dramatical school. She was an actress with a faultless technique, discipline in the sense of art, an artist with personality and mental radiance. She was also a woman of rare beauty. She married the film director Pelos Katselis and had two daughters, Nora and Louka.

In 1943, she appeared for the first time on the theatre stage and then she had a long career in the national theatre. She was the leading actor in many films and theatre plays. She lit the Olympic Flame for the Summer Olympic Games of Melbourne (1956), Rome (1960) and Tokyo (1964).

Before she died, on the 11th of September 1994, at the age of 74, the great lady of the theatre stated about the mystagogy of the Lighting Ceremonies:

“The first time, in 1936, I was at the side of Koula Pratsika and I don’t remember feeling much. But later, when I lit the Olympic Flame I thought that I was addressing to Zeus, I thought that I was speaking to that superior God that once lived in Olympia. The methexis was not an easy task; you had to be transubstantiated, to be spiritually elevated, you had to feel that you were speaking to the superior power of the ancient. Before lighting the Torch, before receiving the sunrays, you had to glow both in your body and soul».

In 1964, she travelled to Tokyo, invited by the Japanese organisers:

“When I arrived there, after a 20-hour trip, I was feeling very tired but what I saw at the airport left me speechless. Officials, photographers, journalists were focused on me. I cannot describe the manifestations of joy and respect of these wonderful people”.

She graduated from the Lyceum “Arsakeion” and was a student at the famous school of dance of Rallou Manou.

At the age of 20, Xanthippe, born in Athens, was selected by Rallou Manou herself for the role of the High Priestess. Aleka Mazaraki-Katseli was pregnant at that time. Thus, Xanthippe Picheon-Theologiti became High Priestess of the Lighting Ceremony for the “Helsinki 1952” Olympic Games.

The civil war that plagued Greece at that time prevented the Priestesses and the High Priestess Aleka Mazaraki, to travel to Ancient Olympia. It is said that the bus that was carrying them could not pass from the Isthmus of Corinth and returned to Athens.

Thus, a 17-year old girl from Pyrgos, Maria Aggelakopoulou, was selected for the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the “London 1948” Olympic Games. She was the daughter of a teacher of French Literature, Dimitris Aggelakopoulos. Her brother Aggelos Aggelakopoulos, also participated in the Torch Relay of 1948.

A photograph depicting Aleka Mazaraki with the Olympic Torch, has no relation with the ceremony in Ancient Olympia, but was taken in Sounio after the pressure put by the British organisers for the needs of the TV.

Thirteen women have played the difficult role of High Priestess in the lighting of the Olympic flame at ancient Olympia from 1936 to the present. The beginning was made in July 1936 with the first High Priestess in history, the great Koula Pratsika. She is still considered the pioneer of classical dance in our country. She was born in Patras on November 24, 1899, just three years after the revival of the modern Olympic Games in Athens. She studied music and dance at the Athens Conservatory and at the innovative “Helerau-Laksenburg” dance and rhythm school in Vienna. She obtained two diplomas: music and kinesiology. After returning to Greece, founded a dance school for amateurs and enforced a respectful attitude towards the art of dance, which until then was not particularly appreciated. Later she founded a professional school, which she bequeathed to the Greek state in 1972. She loved and learned about Greek antiquity and worked to revive the Delphic idea. She died alone in Athens on January 26, 1984, at the age of 85.

Later the legendary Maria Hors will say about Koula Pratsika: “I was dazzled then by that first ceremony. Pratsika was perfect, genuine, wonderful, very Greek and conveyed tremendous enthusiasm. I also remember that German woman who filmed the ceremony and the games, Riefenstahl. I feel very proud to have been a student of Koula Pratsika. She was a great legacy to the next generation.”