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Vol. 15 Issue 11 | Wednesday, March 17, 2021


AHEPA E-News

New York Ahepans Help to Solve Hunger


 
Working with the New Rochelle, N.Y. community, Ahepans secured the donation of more than 40,000 dairy-based protein shakes from Delta Greek Foods and arranged for their delivery to Feeding Westchester for distribution to individuals in need, March 1, 2021.
Supreme Governor Thomas Dushas and Eva Dushas orchestrated the donation. They received assistance and support from Chapter 405 Board Chairman Joe Keane, William McKinley Chapter 91 President Steve Eoannou, Past District 5 Governor Dr. Zenon Christodoulou, and Despina Kartson, a member of the Philoptochos of Holy Trinity, New Rochelle. The group delivered the donation to Feeding Westchester's Director of Operations Ryan Brisk (Pictured l-r above: Brisk, Dushas, Keane, and Kartson).

 
 
"The AHEPA Cares initiative continues to give back and respond in these trying times, making a difference in people's lives," Supreme President George G. Horiates said. “Through their outstanding teamwork, I commend the philanthropic service of the New Rochelle community, and I sincerely thank Delta Greek Foods, to help address hunger in Westchester County.”
Through a network of nearly 300 community partners and programs, Feeding Westchester sources and distributes food and other resources to towns across Westchester helping to ensure that no one in the county goes hungry.

AHEPA Sponsors Reenactment of 1827 Greek Ball held in support of Greek Revolution



AHEPA's campaign to celebrate the Greek Bicentennial continued with a unique event to pay homage to one of the many fundraising events organized by American Philhellenes to support the Greek War of Independence.

AHEPA sponsored a reenactment of the Greek Ball of New York which was held originally at the Park Theater in Manhattan, February 27, 1827. AHEPA staged the reenactment, which featured professional Broadway actors and actresses, at the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York's Stathakion Center, Astoria, N.Y., March 13, 2021.

Consul of Greece in New York Lana Zochiou participated. She recited from memory a heartfelt rendition of the famed communication of the first Governor of Greece Ioannis Kapodistrias to then-U.S. President John Quincy Adams.
read more | CosmosPhilly | Ekathimerini




"The ball given last night at the Park Theatre, for the doubly patriotic purpose of honoring the birthday of the great father of this country, and for contributing to the fund which our benevolent citizens are accumulating to alleviate the distresses of the suffering Greeks, and, if possible, to accelerate their march to freedom and independence, was all that could have been anticipated or desired. The company began to assemble a few minutes before eight o’clock and continued to arrive until eleven when the number of ladies and gentlemen was about two thousand."
– an excerpt from the newspaper, US Gazette

AHEPA Releases Global Greek Bicentennial
Schedule of Events



AHEPA, the largest Hellenic-based organization worldwide, released a comprehensive schedule of events for the Greek Bicentennial. AHEPA’s districts and chapters globally will commemorate the Bicentennial of Greece in the upcoming months, with social distancing and public health being of primary concern.
To view the schedule, which is comprised of AHEPA communities throughout America, Canada, Europe, Greece, and Cyprus, please click here.
Toolkit | Help Commemorate the Greek Bicentennial through Outreach and Awareness

AHEPA Requests States to Commemorate the Bicentennial of Greek Independence
Supreme President George G. Horiates has written to the governors of each of the 50 states to request them to promote Greek Independence Day by issuing proclamations to observe the landmark 200th anniversary of Greece’s Independence. He also encourages the community to mobilize and make the same request of their state governments.

“The ancient Greeks forged the notion of democracy which inspired our nation's founding fathers to create our form of representative government,” Horiates said. “We celebrate Greek Independence Day for numerous reasons; one of them being the reaffirmation of our common democratic heritage. In this especially unique year, it is crucial for all Greek Americans and philhellenes to become involved and do what they can to ensure the Bicentennial of Greek Independence is honored at the state, and even local, levels of government.”

Take Action | Provide State Governors, Legislators with a Sample Greek Independence Day Proclamation

 

Catalog | View and Share Works that Celebrate the Bicentennial of Greek Independence and America's Contributions to it
Pictured: Daniel Webster

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence, AHEPA shares with its audience links to publications, articles, and webinars that mark Greece's Bicentennial and America’s contributions to the Greek Revolution.

Reflections on 1821: A discussion with Mark Mazower | World-renowned historian Mark Mazower, a professor of History at Columbia University, gave an online celebratory lecture co-hosted by the Consulate General of Greece in Boston and College Year in Athens. watch here

“1821 Before and After” | The Benaki Museum is offering an online preview of its monumental exhibition for the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution ahead of its physical opening to the public. Visit benaki.org

University of Michigan Classical Studies/Modern Greek | Constantine G. Hatzidimitriou, ed., “Founded on Freedom & Virtue”: Documents Illustrating the Impact in the United States of the Greek War of Independence, 1821–1829 (New York/Athens: Caratzas, 2002).

AHEPA-published book | “The 1821 Greek War of Independence and America’s Contributions to the Greek Cause“

"The Cause of the Greeks": Philadelphia and the Greek War for Independence, 1821—1828

Philhellene Samuel Gridley Howe in the Greek War of Independence (Greek Reporter)

Poetry in Honor of the Bicentennial of Greek Independence (The National Herald)

Senate Resolution Recognizing 200th Anniversary of Greek Independence Introduced -
Ask Your Senators to Co-sponsor!

Thank you to everyone who has outreached to their U.S. Senators and who have secured their co-sponsorship! We've received quite a few emails of your success stories.

AHEPA welcomes the introduction of a bipartisan Senate resolution commemorating the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence Day, by U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and John Barrasso (R-WY).


The resolution, S.Res.34, celebrates the commitment to democracy that Greece and the United States share as well as the two nations’ lasting partnership and rich history of friendship, according to a statement from Senator Menendez.


The resolution:
Recognizes the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence Day
Celebrates Ancient Greece as the birthplace of democracy and the enduring commitment of the Greek people to democratic principles
Acknowledges the important role that Greece has played on the global stage in addition to the country’s strong relationship with the United States


"AHEPA sincerely thanks Senators Menendez and Barrasso for introducing this resolution that recognizes the landmark bicentennial of Greece’s independence,” Supreme President Horiates said. “We encourage the community to outreach to their senators to urge their co-sponsorship of the resolution. We call for the U.S. Senate to pass it swiftly."

Take Action | Find/Contact Your U.S. Senators

Read the Resolution Text

Greece Is the Word in 2021
Make Reservations! | Athens Supreme Convention

AHEPA is preparing for the 99th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention to be held in Athens, Greece, July 25 to 31, 2021. The official convention hotel will be the Hotel Grande Bretagne. Reservation deadline is March 31, 2021.

Emirates Airline is the official airline partner of the 2021 AHEPA Supreme Convention. A special AHEPA-only rate will be announced in March.

Greece will be celebrating the bicentennial of its independence in 2021 and the AHEPA family will be there to join in the celebration! See you there!
New! Make Reservations | more info

Don't miss out!
100th anniversary member data project underway

AHEPA recently launched a comprehensive 100th Anniversary member data verification project, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates.

"We are requesting all members of AHEPA to contact us for this important project and encourage you to be a part of the Centennial celebrations," Horiates said, adding that members should have received an email with detailed instruction this week. "We've assembled the information currently listed in our member files and now need your help to confirm the accuracy of your data and fill in any information gaps."

Up-to-date member information is critical in helping AHEPA promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism. That's why it's so important to call.

Please call 1-888-827-6103 (toll-free) to take care of this important matter today.

Calendar of Events & Deadlines

March

25 | Bicentennial of Greece's Independence

31 | Deadline: AEF scholarship applications
Apply here

31 | Deadline: 2021 Supreme Convention
reservations

April

15 | Deadline: 2021 Supreme Convention Delegate/Alternate reporting form

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In our own words. What AHEPA means to us.
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American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association

March 16, 2021

AHEPA performs Greek Bicentennial Reenactment of the Greek Ball of New York

On Saturday, March 13, 2021 the Order of AHEPA presented a unique show for the ages. In Astoria, at the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York’s Stathakion Center, AHEPA paid homage to the American support to the Greek War of Independence. Many fundraisers were made during the war to assist the Greek cause. This reenactment was of the Greek Ball of February 27, 1827. The original event was at the Park Theatre, located in Manhattan and which no longer stands. Thus, AHEPA went to excruciating detail to replicate the Park Theatre of the times and to replicate in detail many aspects of the evening from newspaper accounts. The spectacle when entering Stathakion, was beautiful and imposing. A large display of the Park Theatre circa 1827 was stationed at the entrance to the Greek Ball reenactment. In fact, the large hall had many displays designed to take you back with historical accuracy. A newspaper display from the US Gazette of 1827 explained: The ball given last night at the Park Theatre, for the doubly patriotic purpose of honoring the birthday of the great father of this country, and for contributing to the fund which our benevolent citizens are accumulating to alleviate the distresses of the suffering Greeks, and, if possible, to accelerate their march to freedom and independence, was all that could have been anticipated or desired. The company began to assemble a few minutes before eight o’clock, and continued to arrive until eleven, when the number of ladies and gentlemen was about two thousand.                                               US Gazette

To the left and right of the staged reenactment were two large portraits of General Lafayette and indeed, the Father of America, first United States President George Washington. Historical accounts were that these monumental paintings were as they were in 1827, to the left and the right of the room itself. They were adorned with cornucopias as then – emblems of peace and plenty. Flowers were suspended above the banners representing that the cause of Greece is the cause of all. The Grecian Cross was on display as well as it was during the evening of the actual event. AHEPA previously reported in the AHEPAN Winter edition kick-off to the year’s events that the Grecian cross was a symbol of the Greek struggle for years in New York. In September 1823, a huge cross appeared in Brooklyn Heights, raised by citizens at their own expense. It carried the wish, “May the Grecian Cross be planted from village to village and from steeple to steeple until it rests on the Dome of St. Sophia.”  As if not enough, the production included professional New York Broadway actors and actresses. They were dressed in authentic evening wear of 1827. From top hats to gowns, manicures to impeccable hairstyles, the cast at first danced and regaled on their own as one would imagine in 1827. Dancing to waltzes and concertos of the day transformed Stathakion to a place it, and the Greek community, has never been.

The highlight of AHEPA’s Greek Bicentennial Reenactment of the Greek Ball was Consul Ms. Lana Zochiou of the Consulate General of Greece. Ms. Zochiou, surrounded by the cast, recited from memory a heartfelt rendition of the famed communication of the first Governor of Greece Ioannis Kapodistrias to then United States President John Quincy Adams. The letter was sent a short time after the original Greek Ball. In it, Kapodistrias thanked the United States with “the sentiments of gratitude with which the liberal conduct of the America nation has filled the nation over which he presides.” The cast applauded and proceeded tear eyed to dance with Ms. Zochiou. Then something remarkable occurred. The cast and the AHEPA members continued, masks on, to mingle together. The mixture of costumes and suits was a stark contrast between the two vastly different time periods. It also underscored the 200 year nature of the alliance between the United States and Greece. Supreme President George G Horiates explained the significance of each element to the actors and actresses and the attendees from AHEPA District 6. Ahepans from the Empire Distrct participating in the reenactment were Supreme Governor Tom Dushas, his wife Eva Dushas, Hermes chapter members Bill Chryssochos, Peter Argyropoulos, and NY Federation former Presidents Jimmy Kalamaras and Elias Tsekerithis. The President of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York Cleanthis Maimoroglou was a gracious host, and a participant as well.   AHEPA thanks the actors and actresses of the cast of Greek Bicentennial Reenactment of The Greek Ball, Consulate General of Greece Lana Zochiou , Vasilis Keisoglou of Cosmos Philly, Shana Lang of Washington Talent Agency, Orth Graphics, Philip Christopher of PSEKA and the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York. Take a bow everyone, that’s showbiz ! [Ahepa’s Greek Bicentennial Reenactment of the Greek Ball can be found on ahepa.org, Ahepa’s facebook page, Ahepa’s You Tube channel AhepaHQ and on Cosmos Philly website]