Emeritus Professor, University of Athens

Person-Centred Counsellor & Psychotherapist

Co-founder of ICPS

(1928-2008)

 

Ioulios was born in Thessaloniki in April 25, 1928. He was Anna and Aristeidis Iossifides’ first child. A few years later his younger sister Eugenia was born. He lived in a 2-storey house, with a beautiful yard; his life was simple and common, similar to that of all middle-class families. His parents’ roots were from Asia Minor; as a result Ioulios was brought up within propriety, tidiness and pride. Furthermore, he was initiated into the tastes and smells of “Constantinople cuisine” being thereby fond of good “sophisticated” food, a feature that has never abandoned him. The Experimental School of Thessaloniki and the principles of his family gave solid basis for young Ioulios – Theologos. He was often referred to those two stations of his life with tenderness. 

 

The restless, full of queries and interests child had soon social concerns. He organised groups of “mutual help” for students that had financial problems. Friendships were built; friendships that lasted many years.

 

During the World War II, he was a student. He participated in the resistance movement, even though he was just a young child, hidden from his conservative environment. He was proud of that part of his life; he did not show off, he seldom referred to it, but when he did, he did not talk about it broadly, as if it was his hidden treasure. His need to help people led him study Medicine. Human pain, its sources and its relief puzzled, bother and interested him throughout his whole life. 

 

In 1953, he was awarded with the Medicine Degree by the University of Thessaloniki and was instantly enlisted in the Greek army. Endless hours of fun and carelessness combined with study and learning. In 1955, he “spread his wings” in both literal and metaphorical way and went to the USA. He started specialty in Pathological Anatomy at Thomas Jefferson Hospital, in Philadelphia. 

 

This is how the “American period” of his life starts. From 1960 until 1977 he “served” medicine from various positions. During 1964-1967 he worked as a director of the Pathology Hospital Department at J.F. Kennedy hospital, whereas from 1978 until 1988 he held an important position at the Chicago hospital.  

 

To make the 27-year story in the USA short, the aforementioned period had some important features. 

 

That period was difficult as striving for survival - physical and scientific - was great and tiring.  It was full of experience and acquaintances with important people and interesting due to the different positions and responsibilities he has taken. That year was of great importance for another reason; his family was created then. Polly; the beautiful fellow student and – later on – his partner, his supporter, his stimulus, the person that could understand him, his love. His daughter, Marina; his greater weakness and pride. He adored both women. 

 

The “American period” is characterised by one more feature; heroism. From 1967 until 1974, a period during which the Military junta had criminal action in Greece, Ioulios and Polly, along with other friends, Greeks and Americans, with whom they shared similar beliefs, had resistance action. Members or not of resistance groups, they worked, feared, dreamed of, were moved and fought with enthusiasm and seriousness to bring democracy back to Greece. This was one more part of Ioulios’ life he did not want to talk about; one more personal treasure.

 

During 1983-85, Ioulios came to Greece as a visitor Professor to the “under establishment” University of Crete through the Fulbright Foundation. In 1985, he was elected Professor of Morphology (Anatomy-Histology-Pathological Anatomy) at the Nursing Department of the University of Athens. He studied, was fascinated by his fellow students and felt annoyed by the bureaucratic procedures of the system. He was constantly surprised by injustice and compromises, he felt puzzled and challenged.

 

During 1987-1990, he became Vice-President of Evangelismos Hospital, and at the same time was trained as Person-Centred Counsellor. It is amazing that after retiring as an Emeritus Professor from the University of Athens, he has consciously ended his professor – career and already planned a new course. ICPS has become his new scope, suitable for new conquests concerning the understanding of human mind and soul.

 

Conclusion

 

The above were just some features of Ioulios Iossifides. I wonder if readers can imagine Ioulios’ personality. I think that it cannot fit within a few pages though. 

 

Trying to be fair and honest I would also say that Ioulios wanted to help people, society, his country. He wished to help youngsters to learn and discover reality. He ended up helping people find their soul. He broadened and used all his abilities. He learnt listening to music that enraptured him; he discovered beauty by looking at a painting or touching an old handmade carpet. He enjoyed fine wine and taught us how to taste and evaluate it. He was thrilled with new and weird tastes and their combinations. He was talking about politics and became upset. He trained himself to discern depth without losing width. And all these with a playful attitude. He was able to see both the forest and the trees. He was fascinated by the dirt roads he did not know where they lead. He did not follow the initial destination in order to discover beauty or be disappointed by its absence. He allowed his emotions to become obvious. He was often frustrated, angry and yelled. But not towards his interlocutors. He was angry, probably, with the things he had done, had said, had decided, but not with other people; that is why after a while he used to invite them for a drink and a calm discussion. 

 

At his last birthday he said with excitement that he felt complete and vindicated between his beloved family, wife, daughter, son-in-law and grandson. He was happy for his life and the friends he had. He had teenage vitality and will to move on to new, significant challenges concerning teaching and education. 

 

But one July day, while preparing to enjoy a swim at the sea, he saw his own dirt road… the one that leads to eternity… and followed it…  

 

We would like to thank Anthoula Kipioti, Professor of the University of Athens and close friend of Ioulios Iossifides, for the editing of this text.

 

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