Pandelis Kallinikides & Sapho

Pandelis, Kalinikides Pandelis, Sapho In the spring of 1943, with the onset of the deportations of the Jews of Thessaloniki, Dr. Kalinikides Pandelis (b. 1894), a dermatologist, together with his wife, Sapho, gave refuge to Victoria Leon, her husband, Juda, and their two children, aged three and seven. Although the two families were not previously acquainted, destiny brought them together. One day, as the Leon family was desperately seeking a place to hide their children, the mother of one of their friends met Kalinikides by accident, and the latter expressed his willingness to save one or two Jewish children. At first, some inquiries were made about the couple to be sure they meant well, and then a meeting was held between the two families. Dr. Pandelis took Victoria and her two children out of the ghetto and opened up his home to them. He had two children at the time: Kostas, nine years old, and Sakis, seven. For one month Kalinikidis sheltered the mother and children, despite the risk. There was never any financial agreement between them. Before the Leons left the residence of Dr. Pandelis, they were given the address of Sapho’s relatives, where they found shelter until August 1943. Afterward they hid at the home of Yiorgos Mitzeliotis*, along wth Juda and other relatives. After liberation, the Leon family maintained a warm relationship with Dr. Pandelis and his wife. On June 8, 1986, Yad Vashem recognized Kalinikides Pandelis and Sapho Pandelis as Righteous Among the Nations.