American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Contact: AHEPA Headquarters Phone: 202.232.6300  Email: ahepa@ahepa.org

AHEPA Commemorates OXI Day

Today, we commemorate the 83rd anniversary of "Oxi Day." On this date in 1940, Greece issued a defiant "No" to the fascism of the Axis Powers, opting instead to state an emphatic "Yes" to freedom. In defense of their autonomy, the Greeks took a courageous stand against tyranny and fought heroically against the Italian army, pushing the invaders back into Albania after one week. It would prove to be a costly military campaign for the Axis Powers. Today, we proudly recall the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, an Ahepan, about Greece’s stand against the Axis Powers, during an April 25, 1941, meeting with the AHEPA Supreme Lodge. Roosevelt, an Ahepan since 1932 of Delphi Chapter 25 in Manhattan, New York, took note of the gutsy defensive stand the Greeks made of their beloved homeland against the Italians, and eventually, the Germans. He said: “The heroic struggle of the Greek people to defend their liberties and their homes against the aggression of Germany after they had so signally defeated the Italian attempt at invasion has stirred the hearts and aroused the sympathy of the whole American people.” As we mark Oxi Day, it is also important to recall that many Ahepans, including members of our Junior Order, the Sons of Pericles, fought heroically behind enemy lines in Greece during World War II. It is a day to celebrate freedom, justice, liberty, and the passion of the Hellenic spirit that burned within all who fought and defied fascism. Please take a moment to pause and reflect on this remarkable moment in our Hellenic history and grant consideration to how its spirit and message is still very much relevant today around the world.  Fraternally,

Savas C. Tsivicos Supreme President

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Contact: AHEPA Headquarters Phone: 202.232.6300  Email: ahepa@ahepa.org

Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos has issued the following statement upon U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes’ (D-MD) announcement that he will not seek reelection in 2024:   We are grateful for U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes’ near two decades of public service in the U.S. Congress as a champion of the American Hellenic community and as a dedicated public servant to the constituents of Maryland’s Third Congressional District. His staunch advocacy for the policy priorities important to AHEPA’s mission—foreign and domestic—will be missed greatly.   Moreover, we are proud to call him a Brother Ahepan. He has been by our side during some of our Order’s proudest moments in recent history. The presentation of the Pericles Award to Civil Rights Icon John Lewis, whom he introduced, in 2015, and our participation at the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March for voting rights, come to mind.   We are grateful for his appreciation and passion for volunteerism and service as demonstrated by his "Hellenism in the Public Service" campaign. The campaign aimed to shine a light on those ideals that we, as Ahepans, hold dear.    We wish him all the best in his next endeavor. We are confident that he will continue to contribute to the betterment of society.

Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, on the principles that undergirded its fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots service association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe.  AHEPA's mission is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.  For more information, please visit www.ahepa.org