AHEPA E-News Volume 18, Issue 40 | Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Journey to Greece Benefit a Great Success For the second year in a row, the AHEPA Foundation's Journey to Greece Christmas Benefit was a great success, shining a light on one of AHEPA's most successful and enriching programs. AHEPA family and friends gathered at The Graycliff catering facility in Moonachie, New Jersey to celebrate the holiday and bring attention to the Journey to Greece program and the experience that it offers our youth. Guests were welcomed by master of ceremonies George G. Horiates, PSP. Shortly after, the evening's program began with an invocation by His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey and greetings from DOP Grand President Margaret Dritsas and AHEPA Canada President Emmanuel Constas. The Honorable Iphigenia Kanara, Consul General of Greece in New York, spoke to attendees as well before SOP Supreme Governor George T. Horiates and MOA PGP Maria Ana Pantelous introduced four participants in the 2024 Journey to Greece Program, who spoke to the crowd about their life changing experiences. Following the student testimonials, Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos made a special presentation to Anastasios Efstratiades of the George W. Rentschler Foundation in thanks for becoming a grand underwriter of the Journey to Greece Program with his donation of $200,000. With the funds raised leading up to this event and from this event, AHEPA is close to meeting the goal of raising the $1 million necessary to establish the Journey to Greece endowment that will allow us to continue to offer this program to students at the lowest cost possible. Supreme President visitation to Ohio chapters On a whirlwind visitation to the Midwest last week, Supreme President Savas Tsivicos and Syupreme Vice President Chris Kaitson had the opportunity to meet with both Canton Chapter 59 in Canton, OH and Zeus Franklin Manios Chapter 88 in Warren, OH.

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AHEPA E-News Volume 18, Issue 39 | Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Kerkyra AHEPA Hosts Event for Cyprus

Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos had the opportunity to visit Corcyra Chapter HJ-34 in Kerkyra, Greece this week as they hosted an event to commemorate the 50 years that have passed since the brutal Turkish invasion and continued occupation of Cyprus. The two day event titled My Homeland is Divided in Two, was held on December 4-5, 2024, under the auspices of the Foreign Ministries of Greece and Cyprus. The program began with a musical tribute at the Municipal Theatre of Corfu, featuring renowned performer Melina Aslanidou, the Philharmonic Orchestra “Omonia” of Gastouri, and several choirs. Directed by Nikolaos Dimitropoulos, the event brought together distinguished conductors, musicians, and choirs in a collaborative effort. This marked the culmination of AHEPA’s year-long initiative, which began in Philadelphia and spanned cities across Europe and America to raise awareness of the invasion's lasting impact. The events continued on December 5 with the Corfu premiere of the acclaimed documentary VAROSHA – AMMOCHOSTOS: The Dead City and a presentation by Brigadier General Spyros Delli, who shared rare photos and insights from the Cyprus tragedy. Earlier that day, the documentary was screened for Corfu schools, providing students with an educational opportunity to learn about this significant chapter in modern Greek history. By hosting these events, AHEPA Corfu provided a platform to honor the memory of those affected and to deepen public understanding of the historical and political implications of the invasion.

 

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Contact: AHEPA Headquarters Phone: 202.232.6300  Email: ahepa@ahepa.org AHEPA Commemorates OXI Day Today, we commemorate the 84th 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 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.

AHEPA Family Preps for Historic Cyprus Supreme Convention

 

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association For Immediate Release | July 18, 2024 Contact: AHEPA Headquarters Phone: 202.232.6300 E-mail: ahepa@ahepa.org AHEPA Family Preps for Historic Cyprus Supreme Convention   WASHINGTON, DC -- The AHEPA Family will host the 102nd Annual Supreme Convention, July 21 – 26, 2024, at the Radisson Beach Resort, Larnaca, Cyprus. AHEPA will be hosting its Supreme Convention for the first time in Cyprus in a show of solidarity to mark the 50th dark anniversary of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus. Community leaders from around the world are expected to attend.  The delegates will deliberate on issues of importance to the global community of Hellenes and participate in events hosted by the Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Tourism that share and celebrate Cyprus’s rich history and culture. AHEPA is proud to announce the participation of several high-ranking public officials, who will be honored at events. Highlights include:  The Presidential Palace Event, hosted by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides (pictured), Wed., July 24, 8 p.m. Daughters of Penelope Honoree: First Lady of Cyprus Philippa Karsera 102nd AHEPA Grand Banquet, President Christodoulides to receive the AHEPA Socrates Award, Thurs., July 25, 8 p.m. Ambassadors’ Forum featuring U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Julie Fisher and U.S. Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis, Thurs., July 25, 5:30 p.m. Additional Honorees: Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Archbishop George of Cyprus, President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Annita Demetriou, and several ministry officials in President Christodoulides’ Cabinet. “Obviously, this is an emotional time for me, personally, and I cannot understate the significance of the AHEPA family gathering in Cyprus at this time, for the very first time, and its meaning to the people of Cyprus and Cypriots everywhere,” Supreme President Savas Tsivicos said. “I look forward to welcoming everyone to Cyprus, where we will bask in the island’s beauty and celebrate its rich history and culture.” # # # 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 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. This is an electronic news service of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Order of AHEPA | 202.232.6300 | 1909 Q St. NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20009 | ahepa.org

AHEPA | 1909 Q Street, NW Suite 500 | Washington, DC 20009 US

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Volume 18, Issue 23 | Wednesday, June 12, 2024

AHEPA Family Honors America's Fallen Heroes

This year marks the 100th anniversary of a time-honored annual tradition first performed in 1924. AHEPA proudly continued this by paying its respects on behalf a grateful American Hellenic community to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, democracy, and liberty at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery, on Saturday, June 8, 2024.   Supreme Counselor Themistocles P. Frangos represented Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos, who is overseas currently, and was accompanied by Col. Nicholas P. Vamvakias (USA, Retired), chair of the AHEPA Veterans Committee and Executive Director Basil Mossaidis as he placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Read full article Past Supreme Secretary honored by Alma Mater AHEPA Past Supreme Secretary James Stasios was recently recognized as the University of North Carolina Wilmington's 2024 Distinguished Citizen of the Year. This prestigious award is given annually by the UNCW Alumni Association to a member of the community who provides uncommon and outstanding service to the university and makes a difference. Brother Stasios is a 46 year member of Cape Fear Chapter 408 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Congratulations on such an excellent achievement! Read the full article about Brother Stasios' Award

 

AHEPA E-News Volume 18, Issue 12 | Wednesday, March 20, 2024 PSP Kokotas Honored in Brooklyn Two term Past Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas was honored with a testimonial dinner hosted by his home Chapter, Coney Island Chapter 200 of Coney Island, NY, on Saturday, March 16th at the El Caribe Country Club in Brooklyn. The dinner was well attended by almost 300 members of the AHEPA Family who traveled from all over to pay tribute to the Past Supreme President. Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos spoke on behalf of the AHEPA Supreme Lodge, highlighting Kokotas' service to the Order and his contributions to AHEPA as a whole before presenting him with a vintage AHEPA Fez in honor of his service. He was joined by many members of the Supreme Lodge, including Supreme VP Chris Kaitson, Supreme Secretary Zenon Christodoulou, Supreme Treasurer Demetrios Kirkiles, Supreme Counselor Themis Frangos, and Supreme Governors Dimitris Rozanitis & Marshall Monsell. AHEPA Board of Trustees Member Louis G. Atsaves, who served as Kokotas' Vice President, as well as Maids of Athena PGP Maria Ana Pantelous, who served two terms alongside brother Jimmy, and SOP Supreme Governor George Antonellis were also in attendance.