AHEPA Family Celebrates Epiphany, Honors Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

 

AHEPA E-News Volume 16, Issue 2 | Wednesday, January 12, 2022 AHEPA Family Celebrates Epiphany, Honors Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Last week, the AHEPA family attended Epiphany celebrations in Tarpon Springs, Fla., and kicked-off events to commemorate AHEPA’s Centennial Anniversary. As part of the festivities, AHEPA held its 88th Annual Epiphany banquet where Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas presented the inaugural AHEPA Twin Pillars of Hellenism Award to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, who accepted the award on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Jan. 5, 2022, at the Spanos Hellenic Center at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. "I am proud to stand before you this evening in order to receive – on behalf of the Archdiocese – the inaugural AHEPA Twin Pillars of Hellenism Award," Archbishop Elpidophoros said in acceptance of the award. "It is spiritually invigorating to witness AHEPA’s commitment to Orthodoxy and Hellenism. AHEPA! One Pillar established one hundred years ago, together with the other, our Sacred Archdiocese — the premier Eparchy of the Ecumenical Throne. Together, we uphold what is best, as well as what is most noble and true of our shared Greek Orthodox tradition." Additionally, former U.S. Rep. Michael Bilirakis received the AHEPA Lifetime Achievement Award (accepted by his son, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis) and Manuel Pihakis received AHEPA Hall of Fame honors for excellence in Wrestling. In addition to Supreme President Kokotas, Daughters of Penelope Grand President Kathy Bizoukas, Maids of Athena Grand President Maria Ana Pantelous, Chairman of the Board Nicholas A. Karacostas, PSP; Sons of Pericles Supreme Secretary Dino Giallourakis, and AHEPA Family National Lodge officers and Board members, attended events throughout the week. The Supreme Lodge and Board of Directors also held meetings and AHEPA Chapter 16’s Epiphany Golf Tournament at the Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla., served as part of the festivities. Jan. 8, 2022. Archbishop's remarks | view images from Epiphany Day Top (l-r): ANHC President Carl Hollister, PSP; Board Chairman Karacostas, PSP; GP Bizoukas, Archbishop Elpidophoros, SP Kokotas, Board Vice Chair George Horiates, PSP; and Supreme Secretary Savas Tsivicos. Right: SP Kokotas presents the AHEPA Twin Pillars of Hellenism Award to Archbishop Elpidophoros, who is flanked by U.S. Rep and Ahepan Gus Bilirakis. (Photo credits: Dimitrios Panagos/GOA) 2022 National Scholarship Application Open The AHEPA Educational Foundation has made the 2022 National AHEPA Educational Foundation Scholarship Application available on the AHEPA website. Please visit the link to learn about eligibility criteria for the scholarship as well as the scholarships available this year. The deadline for submissions of the 2022 AHEPA Educational Foundation Scholarship will be March 31, 2022. Apply Today Sons of Pericles Launches Online Store The Sons of Pericles has revamped its website, sonsofpericles.org, just in time for the New Year! Visitors can pay Sons of Pericles dues online as well as shop for Sons of Pericles merchandise and gear in the first official online store. The site is still under construction. However, there's plenty of merch to buy with more on the way. So visit and stock up today! SOP Online Store Emergency Relief Fund Opened for Victims of Midwest Tornadoes Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas (pictured delivering food in Kentucky) announced the AHEPA Emergency Fund is open and accepting donations for the victims of the Midwest tornadoes that devastated the region over the weekend. Donations are being accepted online or via mail: AHEPA Emergency Fund c/o AHEPA Global Headquarters 1909 Q Street, NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20009 Coverage in Pappas Post Donate Today The Ahepan Winter 2021-22 Issue The Winter 2021-22 digital edition of The Ahepan magazine is out! Catch a recap of AHEPA's Dinner Tribute to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, find out where AHEPA Centennial Celebrations are happening, and see who our 2021 National Scholarship recipients are! Of course, get caught up on the activities and programs of our district and chapters as well as our National Housing program! read more AHEPA Centennial Convention Magic Awaits Us in 2022! AHEPA celebrates 100 years in 2022! To commemorate this historic event, we're taking you back to the happiest place on earth, the Walt Disney World Resort® in Orlando, Florida! Pack up the family and bring plenty of sunscreen and join us at this once in a lifetime celebration of a century of service! make a reservation and more info Upcoming Events & Deadlines January 14 | AHEPA Global Headquarters Closed February 25 - 27 | SOP & MOA Greeks in Miami Volleyball Tournament March 5 | AHEPA Region 6 100 Year Celebration hosted by District 13, Des Plaines ,Illinois Greek American News Digest  Editor's Note: Editorials, commentaries, opinion pieces, and articles are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members  ‘The Greeks’ Review: Hellenism Triumphant The Wall Street Journal (Jan. 7) It took centuries for ancient Athenians and Spartans to see themselves as ‘Greeks.’ After Alexander, ‘Greekness’ spread rapidly and widely. read more Building a Hub for New Art ‘Under the Shadow of the Acropolis’ New York Times (Jan. 7) Many associate culture in Athens with ruins and ancient artifacts. But the Greek government and several big philanthropic foundations want to put the city on the international contemporary art map. read more Greece hopes marble foot will get UK to return sculptures Associated Press (Jan. 10) It’s only the size of a shoebox, carved with the broken-off foot of an ancient Greek goddess. But Greece hopes the 2,500-year-old marble fragment, which arrived Monday on loan from an Italian museum, may help resolve one of the world’s thorniest cultural heritage disputes and lead to the reunification in Athens of all surviving Parthenon Sculptures — many of which are in the British Museum. read more Rising anger with Turkey drives calls for reunification in crisis-hit northern Cyprus The Guardian (Jan. 9) With the economy in freefall and allegations of political interference, people have taken to the streets to advocate for federal future. read more Greek-Canadian Jordan Kyrou a Rising Star in the NHL  The National Herald (Jan. 7) Greek-Canadian Jordan Kyrou, 23, is a rising star in the National Hockey League, playing for the St Louis Blues. He started the New Year with an impressive display in the NHL’s Winter Classic on January 1, the coldest outdoor game in NHL history, and was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week after recording seven points in two games. read more New Album by Former Ozzy Guitarist From Thessaloniki Ranked #2 by Guitar World Pappas Post (Jan. 5) Gus G, one of the most prominent guitarists in the world of hard rock and metal and a Thessaloniki native, had his latest record place number two on Guitar World’s list of best guitar albums in 2021. read more Now Available! Celebrating 100 Years of Brotherhood