AHEPA Celebrates Pascha at the Patriarchate

 

AHEPA E-News Volume 19, Issue 16 | Wednesday, April 23, 2025 AHEPA Celebrates Pascha at the Patriarchate Members of the Order of AHEPA's leadership were honored to visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, Turkey during Holy Week. Led by Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos, the delegation of AHEPA Family members and prominent Washington D.C. leaders demonstrated steadfast dedication to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and its mission to reopen the Halki Seminary and ensure the freedom of movement for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. Later, Supreme President Tsivicos presented His all Holiness Bartholomew I with a donation on behalf of AHEPA. We give this gift annually as a symbol of our support of the work of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Supreme President was accompanied by Supreme Vice President Chris Kaitson, AHEPA Canada President Emmanuel Constas, Supreme Treasurer Themistocles Frangos, DOP Grand President Margaret Dritsas and AHEPA Executive Director Basil Mossaidis, amongst other members of the AHEPA family, throughout the visit. They had the honor of joining His all Holiness for Good Friday and Easter services, celebrating renewal and hope and embodying the AHEPA Family's spirit of unity and faith. Historic AHEPA Excursion Continues On April 17th, the Supreme President of the Order of AHEPA and members of his excursion participated in a reception for thirty-two members of the United States Congress at the King George Hotel in Athens. Joining the Supreme President were Supreme Vice President E. Chris Kaitson, AHEPA Canada President Emmanuel Constas, Supreme Treasurer Themistocles Frangos and Daughters of Penelope Grand President Margaret Dritsas. Chairman of the AHEPA Board, Nicholas Karacostas, PSP, and Executive Directors of the AHEPA and Daughters of Penelope were in attendance as well. During this event, the Greek government sent officials to meet and discuss current issues and relationships between Greece and the United States on multiple levels. AHEPA was glad for the ability to be able to assist in facilitating meetings and events for our elected officials. Following the King George reception, the 138 individuals from this historic delegation journeyed to the birthplace of democracy and western civilization and visited the Acropolis. Together with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, AHEPA led the members of Congress and their families through history, showcasing spots where Pericles spoke about society, Themistocles spoke about truth, and the goddess Athena watched over the city named after her. AHEPA had the honor of showcasing its renowned Journey to Greece Program as the delegation of Congress members were updated on Webster University's programs by University Rector Vasilis Botopoulos. Additionally, multiple students of the University volunteered their time to escort the Congress members through Monastiraki to give them a truly unique experience.   Later that evening, the members of Congress joined AHEPA for a memorable night at the Acropolis Museum. AHEPA hosted a dinner in honor of the visiting delegation that was supported by many members of the Greek government who emphasized the significance of strong US-Greece relations. Special thanks to AHEPA Brother Nikos Chatzis and our sponsor for the opportunity to promote AHEPA in Greece and on a global level. The dinner event was the culmination of an amazing venture and we're thankful to have been joined by over 200 people as we achieved yet another milestone! Supreme Lodge Visits Greek Ministry of National Defense, Receives Military Briefing An AHEPA Family leadership delegation, led by Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos, accompanied a U.S. Congressional delegation to the Greek Ministry of National Defense (known as the Greek “Pentagon”) for an in-depth military briefing on April 16, 2025. Deputy Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff Vice Admiral Theodoros Mikropoulos, HN, presented the briefing, which detailed Greece’s military capabilities and contributions to defense and security cooperation in the region. “For a century, AHEPA has prided itself for being the sturdy bridge between two longtime allies, the United States and Greece,” Tsivicos said. “Today is yet another example of AHEPA fulfilling this vital role. We sincerely thank Vice Admiral Mikropoulos and his team, as well as the members of the congressional delegation, for their full participation.” Time's Running Out! Important Deadlines Approach! FRIDAY, APRIL 25  Hotel Room Block for the AHEPA National Banquet & Capitol Hill Day Closes Book your room today by clicking the link below or calling the hotel at 202-347-3000 Book Your Hotel Room! WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 Deadline for 2025 Journey to Greece Program Applications Don't miss out! Click the link below for more information and to apply! Click to Learn More about Journey to Greece! Click to Apply to Journey to Greece! WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 Deadline for 2025 Sons of Pericles Scholarship Applications Don't miss out! Click the link below for more information and to apply! Click for more information and to Apply! SUNDAY, JUNE 1 Chapter Delegate & Alternate Reporting Forms Due Contact membership@ahepa.org if you have not received yours MONDAY, JUNE 2 Constantine and Patricia Mavroyannis Scholarship Applications Due Download the Mavroyannis Scholarship Application AHEPA Re-Launches Grassroots Network Join us! With legislative initiatives underway in the 119th Congress, and in the lead-up to our annual Capitol Hill Day, we are making a push to bolster our Congressional Grassroots Network.  The initiative will reside mostly in the form of an email list for all those interested.  Distributed in email will be: New legislation announcements & updates Call to action letters Requests to mobilize Supporting materials surrounding active legislation Template letters to members of Congress Information sheets & statements AHEPA letters of legislation support To join the network, click the link below. Presidents and Governors, please notify your Chapters and Districts of the effort – we request all able members participate.  Once joining, wait for further instruction. More information will come during and following this year’s Capitol Hill Day on May 22nd in Washington, D.C. Sign up for the Grassroots Network Here! AHEPA National Banquet Sponsorship Available! Join the AHEPA Family in Washington, DC on May 21, 2025 for our 2025 AHEPA National Banquet, to be held at the historic Mayflower Hotel! This event will be held in conjunction with AHEPA Capitol Hill day, which is scheduled for May 22, 2025 at 10am. AHEPA is currently selling tickets by way of full table sponsorships. Each table seats ten individuals. For more information about available sponsorships, ticketing, and reserving your hotel room at the Mayflower, visit the links below! Become a Banquet Sponsor! Click Here for more Information!   The Spring 2025 AHEPAN is Here! Hot off the electronic press! The Spring 2025 issue of The AHEPAN is here! Read the latest issue of The AHEPAN today! Read the Issue! Supreme Convention 2025 Sponsorships Are Here! Make sure your Chapter, District, Family or Business are represented at the AHEPA Supreme Convention! Put your name on one of our events, or just purchase an ad in our digital convention album. Explore sponsorship opportunities in the links below! Individual & Chapter Sponsorships Corporate Sponsorships   Click to Visit the Supreme Convention Page! Click for Discounted Park Tickets! Dust off your Mickey ears, The Order of AHEPA is going back to the happiest place on earth, the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida! We’ve got a week full of fun for the whole family that you’re not going to want to miss out on! Join us once again at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, where we’ve secured a special convention rate for our attendees starting at $199/night plus tax. You know the deal, these rooms are going to sell out quickly, so book now! Click to Book Your Hotel Room! Click to Book Your Airport Shuttle! Publicize Your Chapter & District Events! Is your Chapter or District hosting an event you want publicized on a National Level? Starting this week, you can submit your event to have it posted on the AHEPA Website! Fill out the form linked below with your event information to have it publicized. Remember that this information will be public on our website, so keep that in mind before you submit personal phone numbers or home addresses. We recommend listing an email address as a point of contact rather than a telephone number. Submit Your Events! Upcoming Events & Deadlines April 25 | Deadline to book hotel rooms for National Banquet & Capitol Hill Day 30 | AHEPA Journey to Greece Program Application Deadline 30 | Sons of Pericles Scholarship Application Deadline May 2 | Deadline for Submissions to the AHEPAN 3 | AHEPA Tennis Tournament, Corfu, Greece June 1 | Delegate/Alternate Reporting Forms Due 2 | Constantine and Patricia Mavroyannis Scholarship Application Deadline 15 | Early Bird Supreme Convention Registration Ends 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 Greece announces 1 billion euros in financial benefits after posting 1.3% budget surplus ABC News (April 22) Greece’s prime minister on Tuesday announced 1 billion euros ($1.15 billion) in financial benefits for lower-income households and the public investment program, after the country became one of the few European Union members to post a budget surplus in 2024. Only six of the EU’s 27 member nations posted a surplus for 2024, figures released by Eurostat showed. Greece’s surplus of 1.3% of gross domestic product — compared to an overall EU deficit of 3.2% — was a marked improvement in financial performance for a country that was deeply mired in a debt crisis that roiled the EU and international financial markets about a decade ago. read more Ultra-Processed Foods Are Fueling Childhood Obesity in Greece To Vima (April 22) A typical day for a Greek child might start with a sugary cereal, continue with packaged cookies for a mid-morning snack, and end with takeout pizza, burgers, or hot dogs for dinner—because, let’s face it, saying no to the kid isn’t easy. The child is only nine years old, yet 40% of their daily calories come from ultra-processed foods. These aren’t just regular processed foods. By definition, ultra-processed foods are essentially products of industrial food engineering rather than nature. They contain five or more industrial ingredients such as added sugars, saturated fats, oils, salt, antioxidants, stabilizers, and preservatives. read more Celestyal Cruise Ship Makes Sustainable Travel History in Greece Travelpulse (April 22) Offering more sustainable sailing, boutique cruise line Celestyal Cruises has announced that Celestyal Discovery has become the first-ever cruise ship to operate in Greek waters using a marine biofuel blend. The milestone delivery to the Port of Lavrion in the southeastern part of Attica was conducted by Coral Marine Products, SA, part of Motor Oil Group, in partnership with Celestyal. read more Big Spring Start for Greece’s Tourism Shows Another Record Year Likely The National Herald (April 22)  It’s only April but it looks like summer for tourism in Greece, with the Orthodox and Catholic Easters coinciding and Athens and the islands filling with people even before the peak season, indicating a third straight record year is coming.’ Even 20,000 earthquakes that hit Santorini and nearby islands in the winter haven’t slowed the desire to go there, nor an international economic slowdown and uncertainty over American tariffs and trade wars rocking the world. read more Italian string quartet makes Cyprus debut Cyprus-Mail (April 22) One of the most exciting young string quartets to emerge from Italy in recent years is coming to Cyprus for a one-night-only concert in Nicosia. The Shoe Factory in the old town will host the four musicians on May 2 and the event is expected to be a highlight for the island’s music scene. Formed in 2016 at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome, the quartet quickly distinguished itself for the freshness and depth of its interpretations, earning the prestigious Farulli Prize from the Italian Music Critics as part of the Franco Abbiati Prize in 2018. read more Cyprus’ economy set to slow down, says IMF Kathimerini Cyprus (April 22) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its expectations for how much Cyprus's economy will grow over the next two years. While earlier predictions were a bit more optimistic, the IMF now sees Cyprus's economy expanding by just 2.5% in 2025, instead of the 3.1% it had forecast last autumn. For 2026, the growth estimate is slightly better at 2.7%. That’s a noticeable downgrade and doesn’t align with the Cyprus Finance Ministry’s own forecast, which still expects a stronger performance, 3.1% in 2025 and 3.2% in 2026. read more Greek-yogurt maker Chobani to invest $1.2 billion in New York plant Reuters (April 22) Greek-yogurt maker Chobani said on Tuesday that it would be investing $1.2 billion in building its third U.S. dairy processing plant in New York, and expects to create more than 1,000 full-time jobs. The privately held company, which announced a $500 million expansion in Idaho last month, said the new facility in upstate New York would help it keep up with rising product demand and also boost new innovations. read more Click the link above for the latest in Greek American Sports News! Celebrating 100+ Years of Brotherhood

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