AHEPA E-News Volume 17, Issue 34 | Wednesday, October 18, 2023

AHEPA Family Celebrates SOP PSP Marinos

AHEPA family members from all over North America headed back to where the organization began, Atlanta, Ga., on October 14, to celebrate Sons of Pericles Past Supreme President Ryan Marinos. AHEPA Mother Lodge Chapter 1 and Sons of Pericles Adelphi Chapter 86 of Atlanta, co-hosted the event that took place in the Thalia N. Carlos Hellenic Community Center at Annunciation Cathedral. AHEPA Supreme Treasurer Demetrios Kirkiles presented an award on behalf of Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos. Board of Trustees Vice Chairman George Horiates, PSP, presented Ryan with a gavel on behalf of the the board. Heartfelt presentations and speeches were made by Daughters of Penelope PGP Georgette Boulegeris, Maids of Athena PGP Maria Ana Pantelous, SOP PSPs Sandy Papadopoulos, Gregory C. Vourloumis, and Timothy Noitsis, the Sons of Pericles Supreme Lodge, Maids of Athena Grand Lodge, District 1 PDG John Shinas, and Ryan's mother, Susan Marinos. MOA PGP Stephanie Maniatis served as the Keynote Speaker. Congratulations, Brother Ryan, on a successful term. We wish you nothing but success in all your future endeavors. Axios!

Washington, DC AHEPA Celebrates 100 Years!

Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos had the honor of visiting Washington Chapter 31 in Washington, D.C., this past weekend to celebrate the chapter's centennial anniversary. Notable members of Chapter 31 include two AHEPA Past Supreme Presidents, V. I. Chibithes, and George Vournas. The chapter has played an important role in the Washington, D.C., political scene.  In 1949, Chapter 31 began to visit the gravesites of Greeks Americans buried at Arlington National cemetery. They continue this national initiative to this day on an annual basis. Every Saturday prior to Memorial Day, over 100 members from surrounding chapters come and assist Chapter 31 in the placement of memorial wreaths on the gravesites of 604 Greek Americans at Arlington National. The Supreme President stated that events like this honor the members who worked so hard to maintain and keep the AHEPA mission alive. As a part of the celebration, he presented Chapter President Stathis Balatsos with the AHEPA Diamond Certificate in honor of the chapter's 100 years. Additionally, Supreme President Tsivicos honored lifetime members, Past Executive Director Demo Kolaras and Past Board of Trustees Officer Steve Georgilakis with AHEPA Heroes Medals for their service to their country, the Order of AHEPA, and our Brotherhood. Congratulations to Chapter 31 Ahepans!

Supreme President's Appeal on Behalf of B'nai B'rith International

Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos appealed to the membership of AHEPA last week on the 180th anniversary of the founding of B’nai B’rith International to provide assistance to the B’nai B’rith Israel Emergency Fund.  Often referred to as the “Jewish AHEPA” because of their fraternal lodge system, commitment to humanitarian aid worldwide, combatting defamation and anti-Semitism, pride for their heritage, and being a provider of safe affordable senior housing, B’nai B’rith International began a series of events last week to commemorate its 180th anniversary. This should be a time of tremendous celebration. And although the members of B’nai B’rith International can swell with pride, as they should on this momentous occasion, it is a commemoration amid dark and tragic times for Israel and its people. Indeed, difficult days lie ahead. As we stated, AHEPA stands with, and provides its unwavering support for, the people of Israel. Individuals can donate online. Districts and chapters can send their checks, earmarked for the B’nai B’rith Israel Emergency Fund to: B’nai B’rith International 1120 20th Street NW Suite 300N Washington, D.C. 20036. In closing, we salute and commend B’nai B’rith International on 180 years of service as the global voice of the Jewish Community. We wish the organization and its members many more years! Read full appeal

Greek American Sports Website Launched

Former NCAA basketball player and Boston Ahepan Nick Tsiotos has launched the website greekamericansports.com "to fill and fuel a communication vacuum left in the Greek American sports community in the USA with the closing of major Greek newspapers that served as the vital voices of our community." The website aims to keep our Hellenic Heritage alive by highlighting the accomplishments of Greek American athletes and to unite, challenge, inspire and bring Arete through the impact of sport to our community. Nick Tsiotos is the Sports Editor of Greek Americans in Sports. He is a Boston Public School Teacher with dedication to excellence in the Boston School System. Nick has also worked as a journalist for The Hellenic Chronicle and was the Sports Editor for The Hellenic Voice newspaper. Nick has contributed articles for The Ahepan and has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows talking about topics ranging from The Olympics, Harry Agganis, Sports, Hellenism and The Boston Marathon. Visit the Website

Digital Issue of Fall 2023 The Ahepan Available!

Hot off the electronic press! The Fall 2023 Issue of The Ahepan magazine is available now! Read all about Supreme Convention in Las Vegas and everything that's happened in the AHEPA realm in the last quarter! The Ahepan Fall 2023

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

October 14 | Testimonial Dinner for SOP PSP Ryan Marinos, Atlanta, GA | Get Tickets! 20 | Deadline: Winter 2023-24 issue of The Ahepan November 4 | 100th Anniversary Celebration for AHEPA Chapter 30, Baltimore, Md. 11 | 100th Anniversary Celebration for AHEPA Chapter 25, New York, N.Y.

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 Migrant boat sinking off Greek island leaves 3 dead, 10 survivors AP (October 16) Two men reported missing after a migrant dinghy sank off the coast of an eastern Greek island Monday were found alive, Greece’s coast guard said, bringing the total number of survivors to 10. The bodies of a woman and two men had been recovered earlier from the sea after the dinghy sank overnight off the coast of the small island of Symi, which lies near Turkey. read more IMF: Greek economy to grow 2.5% in 2023 and 2% in 2024 Ekathimerini (October 11) The Greek economy is expected to grow by 2.5% this year and 2% in 2024, significantly exceeding average growth rates of 0.7% and 1.2% in the eurozone, the International Monetary Fund said in its World Economic Outlook report released on Tuesday. read more Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas: actress transforms into famous opera singer for Pablo Larraín’s next film Yahoo! News (October 10) Angelina Jolie stars as Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s upcoming biopic about the influential American-Greek soprano. The film, simply called Maria, follows the final days of the female opera singer, widely considered to be the greatest of all time, in 1970s Paris. read more Late penalty ends Greek dream of a miracle against the Dutch Ekathimerini (October 16) Greece fought hard to contain the Netherlands, but lost 1-0 in front of a sell-out crowd at the Agia Sophia OPAP Arena at Nea Filadelfia on Monday night. This means Greece is all but out of the race for the second place in its Euro 2024 qualifying group. The Dutch were given two controversial penalties and scored from the second, in injury time. read more Greece Fifth Most Expensive Airbnb Rental Destination in Europe The National Herald (October 17) On a path for a record tourism year, Greece ranked fifth on a list of European countries for the most expensive average daily rates for Airbnb short term rentals at 203 euros ($214.32.) That was according to a survey by the travel analytics company AirDNA that put Greece, behind the United Kingdom at fourth and Switzerland, Iceland and Monaco, which at 338 euros ($357) was far ahead of everyone. read more

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