AHEPA E-News Volume 16, Issue 8 | Wednesday, March 2, 2022 Appeal for Ukraine Humanitarian Aid Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine as they bravely defend their country from a brutal, devastating, and unprovoked invasion by Russia. We hail the Ukrainians’ defense of democracy and freedom. The humanitarian ruin and loss of life will be catastrophic. Europe will soon face its “largest refugee crisis this century,” according to the UN Refugee Agency. The agency warned that, as of March 1, about 660,000 refugees have fled Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the last six days, with more than 150,000 leaving in the last 24 hours. We are proud of the Greek government and the people of Greece for the ways in which they are helping Ukrainian refugees and for securing the evacuation of Greek and Cypriot nationals from Ukraine. We mourn all loss of life and convey our sincere condolences to the Greek government and the people of Greece for the loss of life of ethnic Greeks as a result of Russia’s senseless and unjustified invasion. The Order of AHEPA stands in solidary with Ukrainian refugees and families. The AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund is open to receive donations for humanitarian aid to assist the people affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. read our full appeal Call for Applications | AHEPA Journey to Greece During our 100th Anniversary, we are proud to offer emerging leaders the exciting opportunity to participate on our premier educational program, Journey to Greece. Established in 1968, the Journey to Greece program provides an opportunity for our youth to visit Greece and earn six college credits in the process. This year, we are proud to work with Webster University in Athens for a 17th year.  The 2022 Journey dates are July 5 to 30. Learn More Apply Today! Supreme President Concludes Visitation to Greece Chapters Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas concluded his visitation to AHEPA chapters in Greece with a visit to Ioannis Trantas Chapter HJ-15, Kozani, Greece. Supreme President Kokotas visited the Municipal Library of Kozani where the mayor of Kozani, Lazaros Maloutas, welcomed him. He also visited the Church of Agios Nikolaos and the Folklore Museum. Supreme Governor Region 10 Yannis Mitropoulos and Hellas District 25 Governor Kostas Varsamis accompanied the supreme president. view more Sons & Maids Host Successful Volleyball Tournament The Sons of Pericles Supreme Lodge and Maids of Athena Grand Lodge co-hosted the Greeks in Miami Beach Volleyball tournament last weekend in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Proceeds from the tournament benefitted the SOP and MOA National Project, the Ronald McDonald House Greek Division. Congratulations to the first place team from Miami and the second place finishers from Ft. Lauderdale.  Sons and Maids representing chapters along the East Coast and from eastern Canada participated. New! Supreme Convention Pre-Registration Form Released The 2022 Supreme Convention pre-registration form is available from AHEPA Global Headquarters. Please note that in order to register as a Delegate or Alternate, your chapter must report you as one. If you have not been reported as a Delegate or Alternate, you will be charged the guest price, so please coordinate with your chapters early. Download Registration Form Learn More Download Agenda Last Call! Monthe Kofos Memorial Golf Tournament There's only a few days left to book for the 2022 Monthe Kofos Memorial Golf Tournament! This year's tournament will be hosted at the fabulous Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa, Palm Springs, California, April 5 to 9. This amazing resort has incredible amenities for the entire family, a Pete Dye and Gary Player signature course, with stunning views. It has been a while since we’ve been to California, so don’t miss out on this event! Book by March 5, 2022. Informational Flyer Payment Form Call for Applications: Scholar-Athlete Scholarships, Athletic Hall of Fame Honors Annually, AHEPA presents scholarships and awards to outstanding athletes, scholar-athletes, and former athletes at the AHEPA Family Supreme Convention. Don't miss this opportunity! Do you know of a standout athlete who excels in their individual sport(s) or who displays excellence in the classroom and volunteerism? Or a former athlete or sports industry leader worthy to join the ranks of 150-plus members of the AHEPA Hellenic Athletic Hall of Fame that includes the likes of Harry Agganis, Alex Karras, Pete Sampras, and other greats?  Deadline: March 15, 2022 Hall of Fame Application Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Application 2022 National Scholarship Application Open The AHEPA Educational Foundation has made the 2022 National AHEPA Educational Foundation Scholarship Application available on the AHEPA website. Please visit the link to learn about eligibility criteria for the scholarship as well as the scholarships available this year. The deadline to submit an application for the 2022 AHEPA Educational Foundation Scholarship is March 31, 2022. Apply Today Upcoming Events & Deadlines March 5 | AHEPA Region 6 100 Year Celebration hosted by District 13, Des Plaines, Illinois 5 | Deadline: Register for the Monthe Kofos Memorial Golf Tournament 15 | Deadline: AHEPA Athletic Hall of Fame, Scholar-Athlete Scholarship applications 20 | Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade 21 | Man of God nationwide release 25 | Greek Independence Day 31 | Deadline: National Educational Foundation Scholarship application 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  Mitsotakis Again Rips into Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Backs Sanctions The National Herald (March 1) Throwing diplomacy to the wind, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis leveled another blast at Russia for the ongoing invasion of Ukraine and said Greece will welcome Ukrainian refugees. read more Mitsotakis calls Zelensky, reiterates support for ‘tough sanctions’ against Russia Ekathimerini (Feb. 26) Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his “full support and solidarity” to Ukraine and its people in a call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday and reiterated Greece’s support for “tough sanctions” against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. read more Greece sending military, civilian aid to Ukraine (Ekathimerini) 50 Greek and Cypriot nationals transferred to Greece via Bucharest (ANA-MPA) President of Ukraine expressed his gratitude to Ecumenical Patriarch for the manifestations of support Orthodox Times (Feb. 28)  On Sunday evening, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, communicated by telephone with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and described the prevailing situation in his country after the military invasion by the Russian Federation. read more Stolen antiquities taken from billionaire's collection repatriated to Greece ABC News (Feb. 23) Dozens of stolen antiquities, including "The Kouros," a sculpture valued at $14 million, were repatriated to Greece in a ceremony at the New York District Attorney's office in Manhattan on Wednesday. read more I lost my underwear on the trail of Odysseus in Ithaca, Greece The Guardian (March 1) Research for a new guide book meant climbing a rock face on the Greek island crucial in Homer’s story, then crawling through spiky undergrowth. An epic in itself. read more Greece’s river to the ‘underworld’ now lures adventure travelers National Geographic (Feb. 22) Acheron, the mythical waterway to Hades, is popular for birdwatching, river trekking, and zip lining. Is it sustainable? read more Now Available! Celebrating 100 Years of Brotherhood

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

IOCC,update

Please continue praying for everyone affected by the crisis in Ukraine, and for the teams who are serving them on the ground.

Partners in Response

With long-standing relationships in the region, including in Romania and Moldova, IOCC has mobilized to serve people affected by the crisis in Ukraine.

As refugees flee Ukraine—mostly elderly persons, people with disabilities, and women with infants and young children—and enter neighboring countries, IOCC is working with local partners to make sure their needs are met.

While word on the ground in Romania and Moldova is that even the most basic items—like food, water, and milk products—are in short supply in shops, IOCC and its partners there are purchasing items in bulk and distributing them to people in need.

You can support our work today, and together we can help Ukrainians who have fled receive necessities.






Your Love in Action


Even as Christ faced his own death, he called His followers to serve Him by helping others: “I was hungry and you gave Me food. I was thirsty and you gave Me drink” (Matt. 25:35). Dedicated supporters like you have answered this call, and we see your faith in action every day through the work you’ve made possible.

As a small token of thanks, we’d like to offer you some resources to support you in your Lenten journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Each week between now and Pascha, we'll be sharing stories of how you've reached someone in need through IOCC, with fast-friendly recipes to accompany your faith in action. And each Friday, we’ll share a spiritual reflection from this year’s Lenten collection.

You can find these resources and more at iocc.org/lent, with everything you need for a fruitful and peaceful Lent. Thank you for supporting IOCC and continuing to serve Christ through serving others.




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