We go back in time and go to the distant but not erased from our memory, 80s. We do not know why, but everything about that time, we remember today with a sweet nostalgia. But as we speak, many managed to "seal" it and remain in history. From clothes, toys, to series.
And among the series that wrote their own story, setting a record for television viewing, are "Priests». And who does not remember her police turn ERT 2 starring and creator Thanos Livaditis? After all, it was her success that surpassed even the glory of the "Unknown War".
Until he made a television viewing record (82%) in the last episode. And to imagine that it aired only one season and had only 19 episodes. While it was never shown on state television, only later on regional channels called "Archaeologists». In fact, the second name was so successful that even today, many are confused about the original title of the series.
The actor was one of the important figures of the Greek theater, which served faithfully, mainly in classic roles. Besides, he had classical studies, while he had studied painting at the School of Classical Arts of the University of Athens. He also came from an artistic and intellectual family as he was the nephew of the great poet, Tassos Livaditis.
However, the Thanos Livaditis He became known to the general public through the cinema, where he starred in several films, most of them with his longtime partner, Mema Stathopoulou. In fact, there were many who had connected them as a couple. And if, for example, you said "Livaditis", Στα "Stathopoulou" came to mind and vice versa.
However, everything changed when the actor started his television career. A journey that lasted years, was a great success while it was "sealed" with the police roles that he played. Livaditis was no longer "Stathopoulou's cinematic match", but was the lawyer Angelos Karnezis and later the journalist Aris Martelis.
He was the "meter of the police series", creating his own television trilogy: "Reliable", "Priests", "Vendetta". Apart from being a creator, he was also the protagonist in the role of the tireless journalist, Aris Martelis.
The three series had one more thing in common: the same music in the titles, "Lovin, Livin And Givin" by Diana Ross in 1978. All three were very successful, but the one that broke every record was "The Sacred".
"Ierosylos" premiered on ERT2 on December 14, 1983 and ended in April 1984. And only 19 episodes may have been shown, but from the beginning they managed to captivate the audience who stood in front of the TV every Wednesday night waiting with a cut the breath of what other upheavals will be, since Livaditis made sure there is plenty of suspense.
The series was directed by Costas Lychnaras, while Thanos Livaditis was accompanied by a number of important names in theater and cinema, such as Dimitris Myrat, Nikos Galanos, Athinodoros Prousalis, Dimitris Ioakeimidis. However, young actors who later made their own careers, such as Eleni Filini and Spyros Bibilas, also participated.
The story: A spiral of priests photographs in various churches of the country images of great value to make copies and steal the originals. Before launching their plans, they consider it necessary to find an expiatory victim in order to confuse the people of the law.
"Ierosili" was an expensive production for the data of the time, which did not only stand in the suspense of the script, but also offered a spectacle to the audience. He had many outdoor shootings, many of which took place in Meteora. In fact, Meteora was the first shot with which the titles of the series began.
However, shooting took place even in Germany, specifically in Munich, where the archaeologist Hans Goering was from, who had come to Greece with his partner Linda Uldrich in order to create a gang of Greek petty criminals.
"Sacrificers" in the 1983-84 season was the most popular television program. In fact, the last episode aired on April 18, 1984, set a record viewing (according to measurements of the NSS - National Statistical Service) making 82%. A percentage that no one could overthrow.
And the series may have been so successful and loved by the audience, but no one knows why it was never shown again, as it was with other and other series. And if someone has it more "fresh" in his mind he had because years later the "Sacred" were broadcast by regional channels. Also, their grace in 1985, reached as far as Canada, after the ERT series was broadcast there.
From the series, also, apart from the song in the titles, no one forgets the white car of Livaditis.
Finally, a question that many will probably have due to other… experiences: are there "Sacrificers" in the ERT archive today? It is said, therefore, that by some mistake the episodes were deleted and only one survives. However, on the internet one can find some episodes uploaded by individuals.