A Message from the Supreme President
Deadline for Membership Dues Extended to January 31, 2008
At the recent Supreme Lodge meeting held in Tarpon Springs, the Supreme Lodge wisely accepted a proposal to extend the December 31 deadline to January 31, 2008. The loss of Supreme Governor George Pantazelos caused a void in the AHEPA and an entire region for membership was left unattended so it was decided that in an effort to assist the Districts that it would be only fair to allow an extension of the deadline.
Epiphany Weekend In Tarpon Springs was Fantastic
I hope each of you had a joyous Epiphany celebration. The Greek community of Tarpon Springs, FL, and our strong AHEPA chapters in Florida, were gracious enough to host me and hundreds of other Ahepans from throughout the country for a series of events and celebrations.
A special thank you and recognition to the entire Supreme Lodge for attending the voluntary Supreme Lodge meeting at their own expense. The members who committed to attend, secured a wonderful show of solidarity for the betterment of AHEPA and the AHEPA Family.
Friday night's Supreme Lodge meeting focused on membership, the upcoming Biennial Banquet in Washington, DC, and the Supreme Convention in Greece. If you have yet to register for either of these upcoming events, please do so today! Saturday morning we teed off for a fantastic golf tournament, sponsored by AHEPA District 2. Following the tournament was a wonderful AHEPA Epiphany Banquet at the St. Nicholas Recreation Center. AHEPA's Citrus District 2 deserves a big round of applause for a wonderful day of events.
Watch Ike's Heartfelt Address at the AHEPA Epiphany Banquet.
Watch Archbishop Demetrios's Powerful Address at the AHEPA Epiphany Banquet.
Sunday, of course, was the Feast of the Epiphany. After Liturgy at St. Nicholas, it seemed as though the entire population of Tarpon Springs joined us for the traditional tossing of the cross into the Bay. At the behest of the Supreme President, Brother Harry Patsalides arranged that the Grand Lodge of the Daughters of Penelope sit with the AHEPA Supreme Lodge during church services. Special thanks to Brother Harry.
Tuesday night, Executive Director Basil Mossaidis and I had the honor of participating in a mass initiation of new members for AHEPA District 2, where many proud Ahepan fathers watched their sons become indoctrinated into the Order. US Congressman Gus Bilirakis officiated at the initiation. Stressing the importance of membership in the AHEPA, the Supreme Lodge has voted to extend the deadline to January 31, 2008. If you haven't turned in your dues or if you're not sure if you are or aren't delinquent, please contact your chapter representative today or AHEPA Headquarters for verification. If you are not yet a member, you can quickly join through the secure membership form on our website.
Fraternally,
Ike Gulas, Supreme President
News From Greece, Cyprus and the Patriarchate
Women Protest in Monk Sanctuary
THESSALONIKI (AP) -- January 9, 2008 -- A group of female protesters locked in a land dispute with the Greek Orthodox Church defied a 1,000-year-old ban and entered the all-male Mount Athos monastic sanctuary in northern Greece, a police official said Wednesday. ... read more.
Sex, Lies and DVDs Shake Culture Ministry in Greece
ATHENS (Times Online) -- January 9, 2008 -- It began as a tale of sex, lies and a secret video recording at the heart of the ministry charged with bringing the Elgin Marbles back to Greece. But after two apparent suicide attempts and allegations of blackmail and endemic corruption, the affair has called into question the moral authority of the Culture Ministry. ... read more.
Cyprus Intends to Restart Reunification Talks, Rejects Imposition of Solution
BUDAPEST (Budapest Business Journal) -- January 7, 2008 -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos reiterated on Friday his intention to restart reunification talks, but stressed that no one can impose a solution against the will of the Cypriot people. ... read more.
Turkey Guilty of Violating the Human Rights of Greek Cypriots
NICOSIA (Kathimerini) -- January 4, 2008 -- The European Court of Human Rights has found Turkey guilty of violating the human rights of Greek Cypriots, missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. ... read more.
Cyprus Church to Take Turkey to ECHR
NICOSIA (Financial Mirror) -- January 10, 2008 -- The Cyprus Church intends to take Turkey to the European Court of Human Rights for preventing the restoration of looted Orthodox churches in the northern Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus and for its continuing refusal to allow access to the Christian Orthodox pilgrims for worship. ... read more.
Boys Dive into Water After the Cross
TARPON SPRINGS (Tampa Bay's 10 News) -- January 6, 2008 -- Roads were closed and traffic was detoured as hundreds of people celebrated the 2008 Epiphany. People gathered at St. Nicholas Cathedral at 8 a.m. and headed to the water for the Blessing of the water. Dozens of teenage boys then dove in after a cross to get a year of blessing. The winner was then carried back to the church. ... read more.
Bartholomew I to Visit Pontiff
VATICAN CITY (Zenit.org) -- January 8, 2008 -- Benedict XVI will receive in audience Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, who will visit Rome to mark the 90th anniversary of the Pontifical Oriental Institute. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity confirmed the audience is scheduled for Thursday, March 6. ... read more.
News From AHEPA
AHEPA 38th Biennial Banquet -- Save The Date!
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Events) -- 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.
The 2008 Supreme Convention Brochures Are In!
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Convention) -- 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!
The AHEPA Convention Committee has been working hard to prepare a wonderful getaway for the entire AHEPA community. The AHEPA Family from Australiasia, Canada, Greece and Cyprus will be attending our event in Athens, Greece. Thousands of Ahepans, Daughters, Sons and Maids will work together for this family reunion. For more information, or to register for the 2008 Supreme Convention, go to ahepa2008.com.
Upcoming Golf Tournaments!
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Athletics) -- AHEPA invites you find out more and join us for these three fantastic upcoming golf events:
- 35th Annual Southeast Regional Golf Tournament (February 17)
- 7th Annual AHEPA of Fort Lauderdale Golf Classic (March 1)
- Dr. Monthe Kofos 46th Annual AHEPA National Golf Tournament (April 6-12)
In Memoriam - Brother John G. Pulos - Chapter 31, Virginia
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Education) -- The AHEPA Educational Foundation was saddened this week to learn of the passing of Brother John Pulos of AHEPA Chapter 31, in Virginia. A 90 year old, lifelong Ahepan, John cared a great deal for our commitment to education and gave generously to our scholarship program. AHEPA would like to thank the family of Brother Pulos for honoring his wishes to create a memorial trust from which The AHEPA Educational Foundation will be able to award annually two new scholarships for academic excellence.
Greek of the Week!
Nicholas Spillios, Past President of AHEPA Canada
The entire AHEPA Family wishes to congratulate Brother Nicholas G. Spillios on being recognized for his volunteer work for both The AHEPA Order and many civic organizations in his home country of Canada. Brother Spillios has recently been awarded the 2007 SAGE Award in Public Service.
Brother Spilios is the current President of the Friends of Canadian Libraries and Vice President of the Friends of the Edmonton Public Library. He is a key person to thank for the library's first Writer-in-Residence Program and for many film festivals celebrating aging, cultural diversity and Canadian works. Please join us in celebrating Brother Nick Spillios as AHEPA's 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.
This Week for Greeks is an electronic news service of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.
For more information visit the AHEPA Online Headquarters at www.ahepa.org.
1909 Q Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 Tel: 202-232-6300 Fax: 202-232-2140 Email: ahepa@ahepa.org