This Week For Greeks! - Vol.1 Issue 18 - Friday, December 28, 2007

A Message from the Supreme President

Happy New Year from AHEPA!
Last Chance to Turn in Membership Dues!
On behalf of the entire AHEPA family and AHEPA Headquarters, I want to thank you for making 2007 a year for which AHEPA can be proud. I also want to take this last opportunity to remind you that Monday, December 31, is the last day Chapters have to turn in membership dues for 2007!

With that said, New Year's Day marks the half-way point of my current term as Supreme President. I want to thank each of you for helping me turn this challenge into a list of accomplishments we can be proud of, starting with AHEPA's rapid response to the wildfires in Greece. Through creative strategy, AHEPA activated our international network, our chapters on the ground in Greece, and our friends at Olympic Airlines and Swiss Air Cargo, to deliver an estimated $500,000 in aide to the fire victims.

Moreover, this year we looked at repositioning our approach to new technologies and the Internet. We redesigned our Website, making it easier to use and navigate, easier to sign-up and renew memberships, and easier to contribute to AHEPA's charitable work. We've also launched this new weekly e-Newsletter, helping you keep abreast of current news and updates on events across the country.

Additionally, 2007 also marked AHEPA's 85th Anniversary as a strong membership organization. And as we reach this year's end, I know that my Supreme Lodge and all the elected officials throughout the AHEPA domain are working diligently to keep our membership organization strong and meet the membership goal which I set at the beginning of my term. Please help us and your Chapter President ensure your membership stay in good standing and that your dues are turned in on time. The Deadline for turning in all dues to AHEPA Headquarters is this Monday, December 31, and it is vital your Chapter Secretary turns yours in on time.

In closing, I would like to extend my sincere thanks for allowing me to serve you as AHEPA's Supreme President, and wish you much health and happiness in 2008.

Fraternally,

Ike Gulas, Supreme President

News From Greece, Cyprus and the Patriarchate

Greece, Bulgaria, Romania Say Serbian EU Membership Not Linked to Kosovo Issue
ATHENS (AP) -- December 24, 2007 -- Serbia's future lies within the European Union and its eventual entry into the bloc must not be tied to developments in Kosovo, the foreign ministers of Bulgaria, Romania and Greece said Saturday. ... read more.

Amorgos Amorgos and Its History
AMORGOS (Dundee Messenger) -- December 26, 2007 -- Amorgos is one of the most visited islands in the Cyclades of Greece. This island has a size of about 120 km2 and inhabited by around 1800 people can be found at the east of the Cyclades, next to Dodecanese. ... read more.

Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece, Christodoulos Paraskevaides Health of Church Leader Worsens
ATHENS (Kathimerini) -- December 27, 2007 -- Doctors have put Archbishop Christodoulos, who is suffering from liver and stomach cancer, under close watch after the sudden deterioration in his health over Christmas. ... read more.

Bundled Euro Banknotes Cypriots Dragged Kicking into Euro Class
NICOSIA (Reuters) -- December 27, 2007 -- Cypriots will reluctantly be dragged into the euro zone on January 1, giving up one of the last remnants of their colonial past to forge closer ties with their EU partners. ... read more.

Turkish Paper: Northern Cyprus Eyes Kosovo Outcome
ANKARA (Turkish Daily News) -- December 27, 2007 -- Turkey's EU friends may come up with new solutions for Northern Cyprus inspired by Kosovo, a report says. ... read more.

Archbishop Chrysostomos I, Primate of the Church of Cyprus Hundreds Attend Former Cyprus Archbishop's Funeral
NICOSIA (Khaleej Times) -- December 24, 2007 -- Hundreds of mourners on Monday joined the funeral of former Cyprus Archbishop Chrysostomos I who died after succumbing to a long-term undisclosed illness thought to be Alzheimer's. ... read more.

Nativity Scene Jerusalem Heads of Churches' Christmas Message 2007
JERUSALEM (Worldwide Faith News) -- December 26, 2007 -- Dear Sisters and Brothers, Greetings. Another Christmas is upon us and still we seek Peace for this Holy Land amidst continuing hardships. At the sane time it is important for us to reflect carefully on what the Evangelist is trying to put before us about God's gift to us of Jesus, born in Bethlehem's manger, together with the clear response God asks of each one of us. ... read more.

Israeli High Court Halts State Recognition of Greek Orthodox Patriarch
JERUSALEM (Ynetnews.com) -- December 22, 2007 -- The High Court issued an injunction Wednesday, preventing the Ministry of Interior from recognizing Archbishop Theopilus III as the Greek Orthodox Patriarch in place of his predecessor, Irineos I. ... read more.

News From AHEPA

Koios Fund to Support Hellenic Education
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Education) -- December 28, 2007 -- During this holiday season, AHEPA encourages you to support the Koios Fund. AHEPA and Coeus International School (CIS) established the Koios Fund to support Hellenic education at Coeus International School. The Fund provides financial support for scholarships and program development. An International Baccalaureate Organization Candidate School, CIS offers a world-class international education.

Coeus is the only school in the Washington metropolitan area that offers K-12 dual-language immersion programs in English and Greek, in addition to Arabic, French, Mandarin and Spanish. CIS also teaches Hellenic civilization and culture in all grades. For more information about CIS, please visit www.coeusis.org.

The 2008 Supreme Convention Brochures Are In!
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Convention) -- December 20, 2007 -- The 2008 AHEPA Supreme Convention brochures are in! This year's Supreme Convention in Athens will be the trip of a lifetime for you and your entire family. If you're a current AHEPA member, you will be receiving the brochure in the mail soon, but if you're eager to find out more about the fantastic travel packages available, you can download the brochure online. Click Here to get download the brochure now!

AHEPA Golf Ball Upcoming Golf Tournaments!
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Athletics) -- December 13, 2007 -- AHEPA invites you find out more and join us for these three fantastic upcoming golf events:

2008 Citrus District 2 Epiphany Golf Tournament (January 5, 2008)
35th Annual Southeast Regional Golf Tournament (February 17, 2008)
Dr. Monthe Kofos 46th Annual AHEPA National Golf Tournament (April 6-12, 2008)

Save The Date!
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Events) -- November 27, 2007 -- The AHEPA 38th Biennial Banquet set for Friday, March 7, 2008, at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. Save the date and make your hotel reservations today! ...find out more.

Greek of the Week!

Who's Your Greek of the Week?
There are many heroes in our community who often sadly go unrecognized. You can help. Nominate someone to be AHEPA's Greek of the Week! Simply email a short, detailed nomination, along with a digital photo of them to webmaster@ahepa.org.

Please Take the Time to Send in your Dues!