AHEPA E-News
Volume 19, Issue 37 | Wednesday, December 3, 2025 |
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AHEPA Leadership Visits European Chapters |
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AHEPA Supreme President Leads Delegation on Historic Pilgrimage to Constantinople |
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The Order of AHEPA, led by Supreme President E. Chris Kaitson, embarked on a significant overseas pilgrimage to Constantinople during the historic visit of Pope Leo XIV to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The AHEPA delegation included Supreme Vice President Dr. Zenon Christodoulou, Canadian President Anastasios Moussas, Sons of Pericles Supreme President Basili Ronstadt, and Maids of Athena Grand President Stephanie Owens, Past Supreme Presidents Dr. John Grossomanides, George G. Horiates, and Savas C. Tsivicos, Past Canadian President Emmanuel Constas, Daughters of Penelope Past Grand President Anna Helene Grossomanides, and Mrs. Lisa Horiates. More than 153 participants traveled from across the United States on this “pilgrimage of peace,” with over half belonging to both AHEPA and the Order of St. Andrew (Archons). His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America warmly welcomed the strong showing of support. |
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One of the central highlights of the visit was the delegation’s attendance at the Divine Liturgy for the Feast Day of St. Andrew, the patron apostle of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Supreme President Kaitson led the AHEPA delegation to the Cathedral Church of St. George at the Phanar, where Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew hosted Pope Leo XIV for this unprecedented gathering of Orthodox and Catholic leaders. The liturgy drew thousands of pilgrims, and AHEPA was honored to have both the Sons of Pericles Supreme President and the Maids of Athena Grand President present for the occasion. |
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Throughout the pilgrimage, members of the AHEPA delegation participated in a series of significant events emphasizing unity, religious freedom, and global Hellenism. Supreme President Kaitson, joined by President Moussas, Supreme President Ronstadt, and Grand President Owens, paid an official visit to the historic Halki Seminary. Closed since 1971 due to restrictions imposed by the Turkish government, the seminary remains a central focus of AHEPA’s longstanding advocacy for religious freedom. Despite recent suggestions of possible reopening, no tangible steps have been taken. AHEPA remains steadfast in its efforts to ensure the institution’s return to full operation, honoring its legacy as a theological school that educated generations of church leaders, including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. |
The delegation also attended a Patriarchal dinner marking the 1700th anniversary of the Creed in Nicaea, where Supreme President Kaitson conversed with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Elpidophoros, and His Beatitude Theodore of Alexandria. Youth leaders Stephanie Owens and Basili Ronstadt further engaged with distinguished guests, reinforcing the role of young Greek Americans in strengthening ties with the Mother Church.
During their time at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Supreme President Kaitson was afforded the rare opportunity to extend personal greetings to Pope Leo XIV at the Cathedral Church of St. George, marking an incredible milestone in Order of AHEPA history. |
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The pilgrimage culminated in AHEPA’s participation in the historic mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in Istanbul, attended by nearly 20,000 faithful. The Order received an official invitation to join the visiting delegation, which included numerous global religious leaders such as the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Patriarch of Alexandria. AHEPA was honored to be represented at this landmark moment, reaffirming its mission to defend religious liberty and support the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The AHEPA family also came together for a celebratory dinner in Constantinople during the trip. Supreme President Kaitson hosted the delegation at Al Madina Restaurant, a beloved local favorite, where he expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who traveled overseas to join him at events honoring both Pope Leo XIV and His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. The gathering served as a warm reminder of AHEPA’s unity, shared purpose, and ongoing commitment to its Hellenic heritage. |
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AHEPA Senior Living Provides $1,000 Gift Card to Each of Its 88 Communities on Giving Tuesday |
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AHEPA Senior Living, a leading national nonprofit provider of affordable housing and aging services, delivered a $1,000 Giving Tuesday gift card to each of its independent living communities to provide community-wide meals for its residents, President & CEO Steve Beck announced yesterday. The effort is powered by AHEPA Senior Living’s Emergency Food Fundraising Drive, which has already raised $100,000 and will continue through Dec. 31, 2025. read more |
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Trenton Chapter 72 Celebrates Centennial |
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Late last month, Trenton Chapter 72 of Trenton, New Jersey, celebrated their centennial anniversary. Over 300 people came to celebrate with the chapter at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church's large reception hall in Hamilton, NJ. Trenton 72 has always been one of the very best in the Order of AHEPA with a proud history, with many members serving both on the district and national levels of AHEPA.
The evening was kicked off by Master of Ceremonies Lee J. Millas. The catered affair brought the Mayor of Hamilton Township, the Hon. Jeffrey Martin. Mayor Martin provided a proclamation and noted the work of AHEPA in providing scholarships and serving the local community. Chapter President Peter Tsilimidos provided Greetings, calling up each of the Past Presidents of the Chapter for recognition and a token of the chapter's appreciation. Former President Rick Roscoe provided a moving tribute to this group of Past Chapter Presidents. |
Honored guests included Sons of Pericles Supreme Vice President George T. Horiates. Bringing up the newly reconstituted Sons Chapter of Trenton, he discussed how the chapter celebration coincides with the Sons of Pericles' Centennial this upcoming January in New Hampshire. The Sons VP, with the assistance of the local Chapter's Sons members, brought forward each and every senior AHEPAN that was a member of the Sons of Pericles and provided each with the special Centennial Sons Collectors Pin in honor of the occasion.
AHEPAN Dr. Spiros Spireas was called up and recognized by the chapter for all of his outstanding contributions to the community. A former recipient of AHEPA Global's Hellenism Award, Dr. Spireas remarked AHEPA's efforts for Hellenism have proven to be unequaled in thought and deed. AHEPA Board of Trustees Vice Chair, PSP George G. Horiates gave an eloquent address on the future of AHEPA and on behalf of AHEPA Supreme President Chris Kaitson presented the chapter with a special framed AHEPA Diamond Centennial Certificate signed by the Supreme President to be displayed in the chapter's clubhouse. |
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SOP Centennial Weekend Tickets on Sale! |
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The Sons of Pericles Centennial Committee announced that tickets to their event, taking place January 30 - February 1, 2026 in Manchester, New Hampshire are now available for sale.
Guests can purchase tickets for the Centennial Gala alone, or for the full weekend of activities. Don't miss out on what promises to be a memorable weekend as the Junior Order of AHEPA celebrates 100 years! Tickets and sponsorships are available at the links below!
Active members of the Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena are entitled to a discount on their ticket cost and can receive it by contacting @sopcentennial on instagram, or emailing sopcentennial@gmail.com. |
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Calling all Current & Former Sons of Pericles! |
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As you may already be aware, the Sons of Pericles will be celebrating their Centennial anniversary in 2026. In order to prepare, the SOP 100 committee is asking you to give a brief testimonial of your time and experience in the Sons of Pericles! Visit the SOP 100 Page and submit your testimonial by clicking the link below, or email it directly to sopcentennial@gmail.com.
While we're at it, please save the date to join the Sons of Pericles of years past and present in Manchester, New Hampshire on the weekend of January 30-February 1, 2026 in order to celebrate! Hotel information is on the website and Gala ticket information will be coming soon! |
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AHEPA Supports the 27th Annual Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum |
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AHEPA is proud to support the 27th Annual Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum, to be held on December 8th at the Metropolitan Club in New York City.
The 'Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum', organized under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in New York, is an International Summit about Greece, held in New York. This prestigious event is organized in close cooperation with the New York Stock Exchange and the Athens Exchange Group, with Lead Sponsors including global financial powerhouses Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and TEN Ltd. It also enjoys the strong support of major global investment banks and financial institutions, further underscoring its significance. To learn more, please visit the link below. |
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| The Fall 2025 AHEPAN is Here!
Hot off the electronic press! The Fall 2025 issue of The AHEPAN is here! Read the latest issue of The AHEPAN today! |
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Publicize Your Chapter & District Events! |
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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. |
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Upcoming Events & Deadlines |
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December 8 | 27th Annual Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum 27 | Testimonial Dinner for AHEPA PSP Savas C. Tsivicos
January 4 | AHEPA Epiphany Golf Tournament, Innisbrook Golf Resort 5 | AHEPA Epiphany Banquet, Tarpon Springs, FL 30 - 31 | Sons of Pericles Centennial Celebration, Manchester, NH |
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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 |
Why Greece is now the world’s best place to retire CNN (December 1) Humans are living 20 years longer than they did in 1950 and a growing number of people are choosing to spend their later decades abroad. Selling up your home and leaving friends and family behind for a new life overseas is a major move which requires serious research before taking the plunge. The monthly magazine and website International Living has just released its Annual Global Retirement Index, which evaluates the world’s top destinations for retirees across categories including cost of living, healthcare, housing, visas, climate, and ease of integration. read more
Greece declares water emergency as nationwide supply measures accelerate The Jerusalem Post (November 30) Greece is confronting a growing strain on its water network as several parts of the country now operate under formal emergency status. Authorities have already issued declarations for Attica, Leros, and Patmos, and officials say Meganisi in Lefkada is likely to be added shortly.The expanding list reflects concerns about declining reserves and increasingly erratic weather patterns affecting regional supply. read more
Farmers block border in northern Greece Ekathimerini (December 2) Farmers in northern Greece blocked access to and from the Evzoni crossing on the border with North Macedonia on Tuesday, as they protest a range of issues, including higher production costs. The protesters, who arrived from the municipality of Paionia and the surrounding area, set up a blockade at noon, parking their tractors alongside the national highway leading to the border post. read more
A New Leader in Northern Cyprus Renews Hope for Reunification Reuters (December 2) When moderate opposition candidate Tufan Erhurman decisively won a presidential election in the breakaway state of Northern Cyprus in October, it gave a major boost to hopes that U.N.-sponsored reunification talks on the disputed island may soon restart. Those negotiations broke down in 2017, leaving in place the island’s longstanding division between a largely Turkish Cypriot breakaway state in Northern Cyprus—recognized only by Turkey—and the predominantly Greek Cypriot south, controlled by the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus. read more
Greek sheep and goat cull raises fears of feta cheese shortage BBC (November 30) Hundreds of thousands of sheep and goats are being culled in Greece, due to the outbreak of an infectious disease. It may affect production and exports of the country's famous feta cheese. Anastasia Siourtou walks through her deserted farm on the outskirts of Karditsa, a city in the Thessaly region of central Greece. read more
The Greek Business Putting a Modern Spin on Tsipouro The National Herald (December 2) A business started up by a group of friends and lovers of Greek tradition is transforming one of Greece’s most authentic spirits, tsipouro, with a modern twist. Rocks ‘Ν’ Grapes is a business based in Athens, founded by Alexandros Tselepis, Konstantinos Theodoropoulos, and Dimitris Pelekis, and several other investors who are committed to sharing the modern version of tsipouro with the world. It officially launched on October 6, 2024, and is described as a brand that puts a modern take on the authentic Greek spirit, tsipouro. read more
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Celebrating 100+ Years of Brotherhood |
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