AHEPA Congratulates Newly Elected President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides

 

AHEPA E-News Volume 17, Issue 7 | Wednesday, February 15, 2023

AHEPA Congratulates Newly Elected President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides

Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas sent a letter this week congratulating former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides on his election to serve as the Republic of Cyprus’s president.   “The entire AHEPA family, the Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles, and Maids of Athena, wish you the best as you strive to serve the people of Cyprus and to meet the challenges Cyprus faces,” Kokotas wrote. “We look forward to working with you and your government to further strengthen and enhance the bonds of friendship between the United States and Cyprus.”   Kokotas also shared with President-elect Christodoulides AHEPA's excitement about its plans to host the 2024 AHEPA Family Supreme Convention in Cyprus.   Kokotas added he looks forward to congratulating Christodoulides in person when he visits Cyprus in April.

AHEPA Congratulates Former Honoree, Super Bowl Champion George Karlaftis The Order of AHEPA proudly congratulates Super Bowl Champion George Karlaftis of the Kansas City Chiefs! Karlaftis was the 2020 AHEPA William Chirgotis Collegiate Scholar-Athlete Award honoree during his time as a standout defensive end at Purdue University. The AHEPA National Athletics Department has worked for decades to celebrate athletic excellence and promote programs to the community. Annually, the department holds a banquet at the AHEPA Supreme Convention to honor the best of the best in the athletic world, whether they be seasoned athletes, Olympians, broadcasters, or high school seniors winning an athletic scholarship so they can continue to pursue their dreams. The department also hosts golf, basketball, bowling, volleyball, tennis, and other athletic tournaments. Read More

Supreme President Visits Souda Bay, Crete

Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas was in attendance as members of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee visited Crete and toured Souda Bay. Supreme Secretary Savas Tsivikos accompanied him as they met with members of the U.S. congressional delegation. They were hosted by American Ambassador George Tsunis and appreciated the opportunity to meet with the ambassador and several legislators. AHEPA also attended a dinner in support of the delegation, who joined House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rodgers of Alabama, for a visit and briefing at the U.S. Naval Base at Souda Bay. As part of this impromptu visit, Supreme President Kokotas and Supreme Secretary Tsivikos also met with local Ahepans. Kokotas shared a meal with the brothers of Chapter HJ-6 in Chania, Crete and had the opportunity to visit with Supreme Governor Yianni Mitropoulos and District 25 Governor Kostas Varsamis.

Montreal AHEPA Family Raises $58,000 at Annual Saint Valentine's Ball

The Montreal AHEPA Family in collaboration with the AHEPA Charitable Foundation of Canada hosted their 22nd Annual St. Valentine’s Ball on Friday, raising $58,000 for the Habilitas Foundation, which supports organizations working with individuals living with physical disabilities and sensory impairments. The money raised will help equip the Philip E. Layton and Mackay Centre schools with a special playground built to allow wheelchair-bound children to experience the joy and freedom of play alongside their more able-bodied peers. The ball was co-chaired by District 23 Governor James Hutchison and DOP PCP Zambetoula (Betty) Drakontaidis. Vivian Cyriacopoulos, who serves as Honorable Consul of the Republic of Cyprus in Montreal, and Emmanuella Lambropoulos, who serves as a Member of Parliament for Saint-Laurent, served as honorary chairs of the event.  AHEPA family members attended from Canada and the U.S. to celebrate. DOP Grand President Georgette Boulegeris, MOA Grand President Maria Ana Pantelous, AHEPA Supreme Treasurer E. Chris Kaitson, AHEPA Canada President Emmanuel Constas, SOP Supreme Secretary Alex Houvardas, and MOA Grand Secretary Ally Tsenekos, attended.

AHEPA Family Call to Action

As the death toll continues to rise in Türkiye and Syria, AHEPA is looking to our chapters to support the endeavor of our brothers in AHEPA Chapter No. 601 in Constantinople. Since 1922, the Order of AHEPA has been a generous, philanthropic organization who digs down deep to help people in need. Today is such a day. The Supreme President, Jimmy Kokotas, has asked the entire Ahepa family to collect funds and send them to our chapter in Constantinople as we have since we were first made aware of this tragic event. The magnitude and scope of this natural disaster has not been properly conveyed to our chapters and our members. For those of you who wish to make personal donations, please feel free to do so through the AHEPA website by clicking on the charitable foundation link on the donation page. The funds collected during the months of February and March will go to efforts to assist people in need of food, water, blankets, and other necessities. Chapter 601 has visited the effected area, and the region is devastated. As a philanthropic organization, it is our duty to assist if we can. Donate online at ahepa.org/donate or send a check to AHEPA headquarters. God bless the first responders from all over the world who are on site helping save peoples lives.

AHEPA 2023 Supreme Convention - Save the Date!

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While It Lasts! Get Your AHEPA Centennial Merch

Get it while it lasts! AHEPA centennial commemorative merchandise is available that includes a commemorative coin and stand and decanter set. Years of service and chapter officer pins, award plaques, and AHEPA t-shirts, watches, patches, and more!  Check it all out in the AHEPA Marketplace catalog.

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

February 24 | Greeks in Miami March 31 | AEF Scholarship Application Deadline

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 Earthquake diplomacy: Greek foreign minister visits Turkey AP (Feb. 12) Greek foreign minister Nikos Dendias visited the earthquake-stricken areas of Turkey Sunday, accompanied by his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu. The visit was part of a new round of so-called “earthquake diplomacy” between the two uneasy allies, whose relations have often been frosty, if not downright hostile. Something similar happened in 1999, three years after the two countries almost went to war over two uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea. read more Cyprus politician Christodoulides wins presidential vote Reuters (Feb. 12) Former Cypriot foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides was elected president on Sunday in a runoff vote, promising a unity government tasked with breaking a deadlock in peace talks with estranged Turkish Cypriots. read more West Lafayette, Purdue football standout George Karlaftis wins Super Bowl with Chiefs Lafayette Journal & Courier (Feb. 13) George Karlaftis always has been driven by the motto "Prove them wrong." He did it in high school, going from a freshman with the West Lafayette Red Devils who barely understood the game to the national defensive player of the year. He did it down the street from his high school at Ross-Ade Stadium, becoming an All-American for the Purdue Boilermakers. read more  Greece Offers British Museum Antiquities Loan for Marbles Return The National Herald (Feb. 14) After rejecting the idea of a loan of other antiquities to the British Museum for the return of the Parthenon Marbles – details not set in stone – Greece has reportedly offered just that. It came as the Parliament controlled by the ruling New Democracy government approved a new law allowing rare treasures to be loaned outside the country and create satellite branches outside of Greece, which drew a backlash from critics. read more 3 Incredible Itineraries for Travelers Heading to Greece This Year Travel & Leisure (Feb. 8) In the past few years, tourism to Greece has boomed. With the summer high season only a few months away, now’s the time to lock in your own plans, whether they call for a tour of the classics or something a little more adventurous. read more Hellenistic Sculpture: Realist Art in Ancient Greece Art & Object (Feb. 9) The ancient Greek body is perhaps one of the most recognizable and influential forms in art history. The idealized and graceful figures crafted by Greek masters during the Classical and Hellenistic periods (ca. 480 – 31 BCE) are instantly recognizable and have influenced centuries of artistic creation from the Romans through the Renaissance and down to the modern day. read more Now Available!