AHEPA Family Celebrates Greek Independence in Philadelphia & Chicago

 

AHEPA E-News Volume 19, Issue 14 | Wednesday, April 9, 2025 AHEPA Family Celebrates Greek Independence in Philadelphia & Chicago Photo by Cosmos Philly Philadelphia Members of the AHEPA Family participated in Philadelphia's annual Greek Independence Day Celebrations, hosted by the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Philadelphia and Greater Delaware Valley, between April 4-6, 2025. The weekend commenced with a flag raising ceremony at Philadelphia's City Hall and on Saturday evening, guests attended the annual Eleftheria Gala. The Eleftheria Gala introduced the Grand Marshals of the 2025 Greek Independence Day Parade, Boston AHEPA Ch. 24 member Drake Behrakis and Maria Exarhopoulos Behrakis, who grew up in the Philadelphia area. The AHEPA Family was represented at the Gala by Supreme Secretary Zenon Christodoulou, Maids of Athena Grand President Stephanie Owens and her lodge, Sons of Pericles Supreme Governor George T. Horiates, AHEPA Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees George G. Horiates, PSP, as well as many members of the AHEPA Family from Cherry Hill, NJ and Upper Darby, PA. On Sunday, the AHEPA Family was represented on multiple floats in the parade. Leading the parade were parade Chair John Vasiliou, Federation President The Honorable Harry Photo by Cosmos Philly Karapalides, both AHEPANS, and parade organizer Georgia Chletcos, who serves as DOP District 4 Lt. Governor. The AHEPA contingent, consisting of members of all four orders from throughout Districts 4 & 5, were led by Supreme Treasurer Themis Frangos and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees George Horiates, PSP. AHEPA members from throughout both districts followed on the AHEPA float, leading the way for the highlight of the parade, the Maids of Athena and Sons of Pericles float. In addition to the many Maids of Athena and Sons of Pericles of Districts 4 and 5 who filled the float, they played host to Greek-American International Recording Artist, Kalomira, and performed throughout their journey down the parkway to the delight of the crowd! Chicago The AHEPA Family of Hoosier District 12 and Blue Ribbon District 13 joined forces on April 6th to march down South Halstead Street in Chicago's Greektown in the Chicago, IL Greek Independence Day Parade. Led by AHEPA Supreme Governor George C. George, Supreme Athletic Director Chris Atsaves and Sons of Pericles Supreme Vice President Basili Ronstadt, the AHEPA contingent was comprised of representatives of all four orders from throughout Districts 12 and 13. The AHEPA float was one of the few floats in the parade highlighted by the Chicago Tribune in their photo spread from the event. AHEPA Leadership Meets with Christodoulides in Houston President of the Hellenic Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides meets with AHEPA leadership in Houston TX. Supreme Vice President Chris Kaitson represented Supreme President Tsivicos along with AHEPA Canada President Emmanuel Constas, Supreme Governors Dean Moskos & George Zioulas, and Ahepa Board Chairman Nick Karacostas. President Christodoulides is visiting Houston on official business and was hosted by the Greek and Cypriot community of Houston. Call to Action: New Greek 3+1 Security Bill Enters Congress This past week, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis introduced H.R.2510 — the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.  The bill, spearheaded by the AHI - the American Hellenic Institute, enhances “counterterrorism and maritime security cooperation and training within the “3+1” structure between the United States, Israel, Greece, and the Republic of Cyprus.” Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos supports this bill’s contents and commends the AHI’s efforts to bolster its introduction. Furthermore, he respectfully requests our grassroots network mobilize in support of the bill's passage.  Find your representative by visiting: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative Direct all further questions to stefanos@ahepa.org Supreme President Tsivicos visits Holmdel AHEPA Supreme President Tsivicos joined Garden State Chapter 517 of Holmdel, New Jersey as they celebrated their Chapter AHEPAN of the Year, Brother Demetri Demetriades, and honored additional members with pins commemorating their years of service to the Chapter. While in Holmdel, the Supreme President awarded the AHEPA Heroes Medal to Brother Kosta Koufides for his extraordinary work and his dedication to our brotherhood. Journey to Greece Application Deadline Nears We want to remind you that the application deadline for the 2025 AHEPA Journey to Greece Program is fast approaching! This incredible four-week experience, running from June 15 to July 11, 2025, offers students the opportunity to earn up to six college credits while immersing themselves in the rich history and culture of Greece. Since its founding in 1968, this program has helped thousands of students connect with their heritage, and we look forward to welcoming another group of eager participants. If you haven’t applied yet, be sure to do so before the April 30, 2025, deadline. Full program details, including costs, schedules, and course offerings, can be found on our website by clicking the links below. Thanks to generous donations, including a $200,000 contribution from the George W. Rentschler Foundation, AHEPA has continuously been working toward creating a $1 million endowment to ensure this program remains accessible to future generations. The earlier applications are submitted, the better we can accommodate students and continue expanding opportunities for even more participants. Don’t miss out on this life-changing experience—apply today and take part in a journey that promises lasting memories, valuable connections, and a deeper appreciation for Hellenic culture! Click to Learn More about Journey to Greece! Click to Apply to Journey to Greece! Application Station! Don't miss out on any of the exciting opportunities AHEPA has to offer students in the upcoming months! AHEPA Scholar Athlete Scholar Athlete Application Applications Due April 15 Download AHEPA Scholar Athlete Application AHEPA Journey to Greece Program Application Applications Due April 30 Click to learn more about and apply to Journey to Greece! Constantine and Patricia Mavroyannis Scholarship Applications Due June 2 Download the Mavroyannis Scholarship Application 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! Save the Date! Supreme Convention 2025 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! Click to Visit the Supreme Convention Page!