AHEPA E-News

Vol. 14 Issue 26 | Wednesday, July 1, 2020

AHEPA E-News

U.S. Ambassador Statement on Hagia Sophia Applauded

AHEPA applauded a June 25 tweet by U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback on the status of the Hagia Sophia, and further, echoed the ambassador’s call for the Turkish government to maintain it as a UNESCO World Heritage site and its accessibility as a museum, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. Ambassador Brownback tweeted: "The Hagia Sophia holds enormous spiritual & cultural significance to billions of believers of different faiths around the world. We call on the Govt of #Turkey to maintain it as a @UNESCO World Heritage site & to maintain accessibility to all in its current status as a museum." The U.S Department of State's 2019 International Religious Freedom report on Turkey and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom's (USCIRF) 2020 report on Turkey each cited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's public calls to convert Hagia Sophia to a mosque in their findings. In 2019, USCIRF issued a statement on the matter. "AHEPA welcomes the findings in these reports and urges the U.S. government to implement their policy recommendations," Horiates said. In a 2016 statement, AHEPA stated Turkey must meet its responsibility as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention and called for UNESCO to intervene. In 2013, AHEPA wrote to UNESCO based on a threat by a then-high-ranking Turkish government official to convert Hagia Sophia to a mosque. AHEPA appealed to UNESCO to address the matter and to express concern about the loss of the Byzantine cultural tradition Hagia Sophia will surely encounter if converted to a mosque.

AHEPA Welcomes Support for U.S. Investment in Greece

AHEPA welcomed the support conveyed by a senior U.S. Department of State official and the head of a federal agency responsible for global development for proposed U.S. investment in Greece, and commended all the parties responsible, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. On June 26, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation CEO Adam Boehler wrote to Greece's Minister for Development and Investment Adonis Georgiadis to advise the minister, "I am pleased to inform you that we recently signed a retainer letter with ONEX Shipyards to pursue the purchase and renovation of Elefsina Shipyard." In a June 26 tweet, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and Environment Keith Krach wrote: "Great to see @AdamUSDFC support for @ONEXShipyards interest in Elefsina Shipyards, a key regional energy project. USA & Greece are working together to diversify energy supplies & create opportunities for US and Greek business." In response to Under Secretary Krach's tweet, AHEPA stated: "Another key development in US-Greece relations. If finalized, this action would spur US investment in #Greece, job creation & energy diversification. We welcome the support of U/S Krach & @AdamUSDFC & commend all parties responsible. #ONEX @MinDevGR @state_e @USAmbPyatt @DFCgov"

'Tis the Season for Zoom District Conventions

Supreme President George Horiates participated on 17 zoom district conventions during May and June. Full and/or partial conventions were held throughout the domain, including one in-person convention. Supreme Lodge executive officers and Supreme Governors also participated. Special thanks to Executive Director Basil Mossaidis who provided reports to ten districts and scheduled one half of the meetings.  The remaining districts are scheduled to hold four conventions during the balance of summer and four are scheduled in September.

Sad News | PSG Michael Manios Passes Away

AHEPA mourns the passing of Past Supreme Governor Michael Manios, who died June 26, 2020. He was 85. Brother Manios, a 62-year Life Member of Zeus Chapter 88, Warren, Ohio, also served AHEPA as a director on the National Educational Foundation for nine years, six of which were as its vice chairman. "We are grateful for Brother Mike's service to his country and to our Order, especially his many years of service on our National Educational Foundation," Supreme President George G. Horiates said. "He will be remembered as a wonderful and devoted Ahepan, and his warm presence at our national events will be missed. Our deepest sympathies are with the Manios family. May his memory be eternal." Brother Manios is the brother of Past Supreme President Franklin Manios. Brother Manios' obituary

AHEPA Cares and it shows: A note of gratitude for your philanthropy

AHEPA prides itself on the strength of its chapters and members. With more than 400 chapters worldwide, AHEPA provides community service at the grassroots. In fact, AHEPA has been described as providing “boots on the ground” - a reference to our members and their valuable work in the communities. Working hand-in-hand with local and state community service groups, AHEPA excels at providing relief when times get tough. During this unprecedented time, the COVID-19 pandemic has AHEPA mobilized once again. Our support for the health care heroes on the front lines who are making sacrifices to attend to those infected by coronavirus is resolute. Supreme President George G. Horiates has been spearheading efforts to encourage our chapters to donate or volunteer time and energy to provide assistance. With the spirit of community service at the core of their mission, we are proud our chapters have responded superbly with safety as a priority. Ahepans are going to supermarkets (with appreciation to our grocery workers too) to buy food for those in need. They are visiting area hospitals and delivering food to the doctors and nurses who are in harm's way and to the elderly and the homeless. Ahepans are also donating blood. The AHEPA family is working together to provide assistance around the world.

#AHEPACares and it shows. We salute our members for their outreach. We can take pride we are fulfilling our founding fathers' vision of a community service fraternity. Supreme President Horiates thanks the AHEPA chapters that are practicing philanthropy and for sending us inspirational photos and stories. We applaud look forward to seeing more of our Order's great works! We encourage districts and chapters to engage in philanthropic and community service acts and please submit your good works to AHEPA Global Headquarters. Please remember to do so responsibly, according to government guidance, and above all else--safely! The list (below) is what we know at the time of distributing this edition of AHEPA e-news. AHEPA’s list of chapters that are playing a significant part in the communities they serve worldwide is unmatched…and will go on…

Donate to the AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund Visit our COVID-19 Resource Center Download & Distribute AHEPA Cares Flyer

THANK YOU! Chapter 1 Atlanta, Ga. - Donated lunches to the first responders of Emory Decatur Hospital Chapter 3 Birmingham, Ala. – 100 meals donated to Children’s Hospital of Alabama Chapter 25 Manhattan, N.Y. – Meals donated and funds raised for ventilators Chapter 26 Philadelphia – Brother Dr. Theoklis Zaoutis is actively advising Greece's Ministry of Health on COVID-19 Chapter 40 Detroit/District 10, Michigan – $15,000 donated to Detroit-area churches Chapter 59 Canton, OH - Donated N95 masks and fed elderly in housing project Chapter 64 Harrisburg, Pa. – Brother Dr. Chronis providing medical analysis for COVID-19 and the chapter donated $1,750 to four central PA food banks to feed families in need Chapter 69 Cherry Hill, N.J. – 200 meals donated to Virtua Hospital and other area hospitals Chapter 72 Trenton, N.J. – 280-plus meals an 80 face masks delivered to three major hospitals in Central N.J. Chapter 78, Merrillville, Ind. – Donated $17,000 to charities that assist and provide relief to victims of COViD-19 Chapter 80 Worcester, MA - Donated meals to staff of Holy Trinity Nursing Center Chapter 88 Warren, OH - Donated meals to Mahoning County for Developmental Disabilities Chapter 94 Chicago, IL - Donated funds to the Greater Chicago Food Depository to feed 5000 people Chapter 95 Wilmington, DE - Donated 200 meals to the community Chapter 98 New Haven, CT - Established a relief fund Chapter 110, Norwich, Conn. – Presented a $1,000 grant to fund the Backus Hospital's Mobile Outreach Van Chapter 113 Dayton, OH - Donation of over 650 sandwiches to the House of Bread Chapter 121 Pawtucket, RI - Fundraising for COVID-19 Treatment by Dr. Thomas Walsh and supporting Pawtucket Soup Kitchen Chapter 145 Denver, CO – Donated and served meals to hundreds of first responders and homeless. Delivered thousands of face masks to the city and county of Denver Chapter 156 Canonsburg, PA. – Donated $2,000 to feed 400 area families Chapter 157 Calumet, IN – Meals, masks, gloves and hand sanitizer donated to the community's front line heroes Chapter 158, Poughkeepsie, NY – Provided lunch to first responders upon city's reopening Chapter 186 Astoria, NY - Served 150 meals and delivered another 35 meals to the community at-large Chapter 219 Phoenix, AZ – Donated N95 face masks to essential workers Chapter 250, New London, CT. – Ahepans donated and delivered meals to residents of five elderly housing communities Chapter 319 Port Jefferson, NY– Secured & donated 1,000 masks and 3,000 pairs of gloves for the community Chapter 326 Flushing, NY – Presented scholarship grants to 3 students while adhering to social distancing and guidance Chapter 408 Wilmington, NC– The board of AHEPA 408 Senior Apartments donated "Care Bags" with essential items to the residents. Face masks and thermometers donated to St. Nicholas. Chapter 445 & Sons of Pericles 290 Upper Darby, PA – Delivered food to the ER dept. at Jeanes Campus Temple U. Hospital Chapter 489 New Port Richey, FL – Donated meals to elderly residents at AHEPA 489 Apartments Chapter 500 Greenlawn, NY – Held a food drive that amassed 400 lbs of goods to benefit the area shelters Chapter 515 Radnor, PA – Donated and delivered 100s of meals for healthcare, ER & admin staff at Inova Alexandria Hospital Chapter 517 Holmdel, NJ - Donated funds to local hospital Chapter 545, Middletown, NY – Raised $2,000 to provide financial aid to families recovering from illness, donated 500 "Gyros for Heroes," and is undertaking a goods collection drive Chapter CJ-1 Toronto, ON – Implemented the Greek Easter Relief Food program, providing low-income families with a voucher to ensure everyone had access to an Easter meal Chapter 601 Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey – Donated food to Orthodox churches for Easter Chapter HJ-1 Athens, Greece – Ahepans provide support to Evangelismos Hospital Chapter HJ-3 Thessaloniki, Greece – AHEPA Hospital is treating COVID-19 patients Chapter HJ-10 Holargos, Greece - Assisted and donated items for the Police Force & Riot Gear Chapter HJ-26 Larissa, Greece – Coordinated blood donor drive with several Ahepans donating Chapter HJ-34 Corfu, Greece – Coordinated blood donor drive, donated face masks and health supplies to Corfu General Hospital and vulnerable populations Chapter HJ-38 Palio Faliro, Greece – Donated and delivered meals and necessities to a local food bank for the municipality's elderly and vulnerable Chapter HJ-41 Kalamaria, Greece – Delivered care packages of food and water to the elderly Chapter HJ-43, Nea Smyrni, Greece – Donated and delivered hygienic supplies valued at €14,000 to Leros and surrounding islands Chapter CY-1 Nicosia, Cyprus – Contributed to District 27's countrywide blood drive with hundreds of units of blood collected Chapter CY-4, Idalion, Cyprus – Donated financial aid to assist five families in need Chapter 614 Vienna, Austria - Activated a hotline for immediate response and delivered meals to the needy with local DOP Chapter. Chapter 615 Westminster, England - Supported and fed those in need affected by the pandemic Chapter 617 Frankfurt, Germany - Supplied 12 refurbished defibrillators to different areas in Greece District 10, Michigan - Donated $23,300 to 11 Michigan-area Greek Orthodox churches

The Ahepan | Summer 2020 Edition

Hot off the electronic press -- the Summer 2020 edition of The Ahepan! Rising-up in response to COVID-19 The U.S. Greek Battalion of WWII Rallying support for Greece News from our senior housing program, chapters worldwide, and more! Read it here

Book Announcement "Greek Orthodox Church in America: A Modern History"

The AHEPA National Educational is pleased to provide the following book announcement for "Greek Orthodox Church in America: A Modern History," by Alexander Kitroeff. In this sweeping history, Kitroeff shows how the Greek Orthodox Church in America has functioned as much more than a religious institution, becoming the focal point in the lives of the country’s million-plus Greek immigrants and their descendants.  order online | download flyer