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AHEPA Delphi Chapter 25 Celebrates 100 Years
The Adelphi 25 AHEPA Chapter celebrated its 100-year anniversary with the Centurion Legacy Ball at the Harvard Club. Founded in 1923, AHEPA’s mission is to promote education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, integrity, and family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism. A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit ARISTEiA, the Institute for the Advancement of Research and education in the Arts, Science, and Technology.
Master of Ceremonies and President of Delphi Chapter #25, Dr. Sotirios Stergiopoulos gave the welcoming remarks: “It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you all tonight…as you can see this is a very beautiful venue of the Harvard Club, a club where we are very proud to be a part of steeped in rich tradition – one that honors the sacred values of knowledge, philanthropy, loyalty, brotherhood, and allegiance – something very dear to us as AHEPANS.” He noted that AHEPA Delphi Chapter # 25 has had some very honorable people, both of Hellenic background and philhellenes, surprising some of us with the mention that former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a Chapter member, “which is a huge, huge acknowledgment to what has been going on at Delphi 25 and AHEPA in general.” He went on to acknowledge that we have had some very honorable Greeks who have been president of the Harvard Club of NY, like Andreas Peroutsos, who had his own level of participation of philanthropy as well as work that had been done for the Greek community, and “we are very proud of both the fact that we as Hellenes have had a significant role in the community of New York but also at the Harvard Club of NY.” He added that AHEPA has experienced a significant revitalization with more than 300 members: “We are here really to honor past presidents, award recipients of the past 100 years, people who we term true giants, people we are proud to be affiliated with. They’ve upheld AHEPAs mission of promoting the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community and volunteerism. Many of the great giants unfortunately are no longer with us, but they leave behind a legacy that has helped shape communities and support those in need with attention to our most sacred Hellenic values. We are still blessed to have many here, such as our great benefactor, philanthropist, and friend to all the Hellenes, our Brother John Catsimatidis”. He noted that he has not been a past president but an award recipient who has made a great impact. He recognized past President Lou Katsos as “a great role model to many young AHEPANS. The amount of work that Brother Lou has done to bring the understanding of Hellenism to not only us here but also to the non-Hellenes, the philhellenes, who truly value what we have as our core and background as people.” In his speech, he also gave great merit to “some pillars of our community”. Dr. Marinos Petratos was one of those pillars who inspired him to become a physician and was a role model to many who have gone into medicine. He also acknowledged the late honorable John Tsoucalas. His words resonated the brotherhood that is AHEPA: “… through their positions have helped so many of us on an individual basis. I was affected by their kindness, their civility and sense of duty to our community, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I think many of us share a common feeling of gratitude of this reviltilization of AHEPA. I am honored to say that some of our past presidents such as Brother George Eliopoulos, Brother Michael Papahotes, and Brother Ted Klingos have provided a foundation for a strong future for a healthy 25. The backbone of the revitalization has been none other than my boys’ grandfather Brother Agryris Argitakos.” As the current president he spoke of how humbled he was by all their efforts. In his final remarks, and as a fitting tribute to veteran’s Day, he talked about the ICARUS project: “A support for the community has taken center stage. Recently through the leadership of Brother Dennis Seretakos we have created a project called ICARUS that has helped the families of the fallen airmen in Greece. Many of us know of the struggles that happened over the Aegean but also the struggles that happened with the fires and so many other things that happened. I am also proud to say that through another brother of ours, Brother Konstantine Drosatos, we have been able to, as recently as today, provide support for ARISTEiA that shows the support we give to arts and sciences.”
He acknowledged the presence of the the Daughters of Penelope District 6 Governor Lainy Damaskos-Christou, former US Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, District 6 Governor of the Maids of Athena Christine Fileas, Supreme Governor of the Sons of Pericles George Kalivas, and President of the Sons of Pericles Alex Economakis.
He introduced Dr. Marinos Petrakos who has been a member for over 55 years. Dr. Petrakos spoke of how proud he was of his service in the United States Army and reminded us of the importance of this day: “I would like to remind you that today is Veteran’s Day. This is a day celebrating the service of men and women in the armed forces of the United States in war and in peace.” He asked all veterans of the United States and the Hellenic Armed Forces to stand for a round of applause: “We salute you” Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral Music Director, Bass Baritone and Board of Trustees Delphi Chapter #25 Costas Tsourakis acknowledged his uncle the Honorable Judge John Tsoucalas as the inspiration and role model for him being there that evening and being part of the AHEPA community. He introduced the musical program Echoes of the Century adding that “in addition to the legendary service of AHEPA Chapter Delphi 25 and its Centennial, that legacy has been intertwined with some great music of the last 100 years, and this year we are especially commemorating the centennial of the soprano Maria Callas” The musical interlude was a nod to Greek composers Manos Hadjidakis and Mikis Theodorakis and arias made popular Maria Callas, performed by pianist Glafkos Kontemeniotis on the piano, Rafailia Kapsokavidi on the violin, and Metropolitan Opera soprano Olga Xanthopoulou.
The invocation was given by the Archimandrite Chrysostomos Panos, along with the Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Fr. Chryostomos Gilbert. Congratulatory remarks on the Chapter’s 100-year anniversary were offered by Fr. Panos on behalf of Archbishop Elpidophoros Peter Tagoussis, AHEPA Empire State District Six Governor, came up to the podium and introduced himself: “I am the District 6th Governor of NY. I am not supposed to be following that act, but I am a man of small words. I am honored to be here tonight in this amazing place. I didn’t think I would ever make it to Harvard but this is as close as I will ever get.” He joked in Greek that he arrived by remarking “eftasa”, the Greek word for having arrived. He proceeded to thank all the veterans that were there that night and thanked them for their service. He talked about his own service as Governor of the District: “Being the governor for the past five months, I have visited many chapters, attended many events, and have had a wonderful experience in doing so. There are so many events and projects going on in this wonderful district of ours in NY, kind of like what Delphi has done in the past 100 years, with their promotion of the program for the ICARUS Foundation, helping the fallen Hellenic air force pilots, protecting the sacred grounds of Greece. I want to commend the Delphi Chapter for taking that initiative and moving forward to make it a program of AHEPA worthy of donations to this wonderful cause.”
The Order of AHEPA Supreme President Savas Tsivicos then took the floor to congratulate the Chapter: “It is an honor and a privilege to be standing in front of you celebrating 100 years of exceptional service to Hellenism, orthodoxy, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, individual and family excellence, and, as we celebrate this wonderful occasion we must stop and remember that today, as the president said, is a very special occasion, as we observe Veteran’s Day. We shall pay tribute and salute our veterans. Thank you all for your service.” He continued to talk about AHEPA and its growth and the value it has upheld in the community: “When AHEPA started in 1922, and this chapter was organized in 1923, nobody could foresee the future of our community. We have come a long way. We were considered third and 4th class citizens and look my friends where we are today. We should not just rest on the laurels of our past. Now it’s our time…We must step up to the plate and we must our write our own history and we must reinforce the foundations so this organization can celebrate another 100 years. We have a responsibility to those who came before us, but we have a greater responsibility to those who will come after us. As we go forward, we have the ability to make this organization more prevalent than ever. We must civically engage. That is how we can make a difference…The responsibility is greater than the title. I attempt to do my very best and I attempt to lead by example because it is one thing to stand on the shoulders of giants and one thing to carry the torch and deliver it to the next generation…We must remember one thing. Hellenism is not simply an ethnic identity. It is an ideal, and we have the responsibility to preserve it and pass it on to the next generation. Our fight continues until Hellenism is fully preserved and Cyprus is liberated.”
NYC Mayor Adams was the last to speak and present the Chapter with a proclamation for its historic achievement. His eloquent speech on what it means to be American was a unifying moment for all who emigrated here in search of the American dream: “What is unique about this country is you are not called American Greeks, American Chinese, or American Polish, or whatever. America says hold on to your country, your culture, hold on to your spirit, your energy, and have it infused with the foundation of America, and what you have brought to this country in so many ways…you believe in business. You believe in family. You believe in education. You believe in family. You believe in public safety. You believe in the basic principles that I believe makes our country great in the first place. No one is lining the borders of America to leave. People are lining the borders to come. We have a good product as one of the best products. No other country on the globe has a dream attached to its name like the American dream. Your love affair with Greece is proven to your love affair that’s here. When I hear in polls that state 52% of Americans won’t protect our country if it is attacked by foreign enemy, what I know is that you are part of the 48%…You can love your motherland and embrace your adopted land and your contribution to America. For 100 years these amazing organizations and chapters have contributed to everything that is great about this city and great about this country. So I thank you.”
With his humor and affection for the Greek community, Mayor Adams presented the proclamation: “And I am here tonight to give you a proclamation on behalf of the people of the city of New York, 8.3 million with 35 million opinions. I am honored to be mayor of this city with more than 3.2 million immigrant New Yorkers who enhance every facet of life in our Metropolis. Greek New Yorkers have strengthened the fabric of the five boroughs and they will continue to play a crucial role as we take more steps to move our great global city forward… I commend the greatness of this organization… I only ask please move back to Astoria so we can get some Spartan in there, and not from where you’re seated back there.”
For more information about ARISTEIA and how to help, their website is: aristeia.us
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