The AHEPAN Summer 2022 - 11

H
onors, proclamations, and public citations to
commemorate AHEPA's centennial anniversary
are pouring in throughout the AHEPA domain.
For AHEPA's century of service to receive
recognition by any government body or public
official is meaningful and greatly appreciated.
However, when Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic
Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented the Order of AHEPA with the
Grand Commander of the Order of Phoenix, the highest honor
Greece bestows, well, that is truly a special honor-one that is
one hundred years in the making and earned through the hard,
selfless work of generations of Ahepans.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis presented the Order of Phoenix
to Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas at a dinner held for the
American Hellenic community in concert with the prime minister's
visit to Washington, D.C., May 17, 2022.
" It is with an immense sense of awe, weight, and responsibility
that I accept the Order of Phoenix on behalf of the Order
of AHEPA because this significant recognition is earned on
the blood, sweat, and tears of generations of Hellenes, many
of whom immigrated to the United States in search of a better
life, " Supreme President Kokotas said.
Supreme President Kokotas conveyed the Order's sincere
gratitude to Prime Minister Mitsotakis and asked that he extend
AHEPA's appreciation to President of the Hellenic Republic
Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and the people of Greece, for the
incredible honor bestowed to AHEPA.
Dignitaries present included U.S. Ambassador to Greece
George Tsunis, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the
U.S. Alexandra Papadopoulou, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez,
U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, and His Eminence
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, among others.
During the evening, Supreme President Kokotas also congratulated
the prime minister for a successful historic visit to
Washington where he met with President Joe Biden and Speaker
of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. He also delivered
remarks to a Joint Meeting of Congress, a first for a Greek
premier.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis presented 12 Order of Phoenix
awards at the dinner, five of which were presented to individuals
who are also Ahepans.
A Centennial Celebration in Chicago
The Blue Ribbon District 13 AHEPA family gathered for a banquet
on the outskirts of Chicago, March 5, 2022, to celebrate AHEPA's
centennial.
www.ahepa.org
Charlotte Marks Its Centennial
Ahepans of Marathon Chapter 2, Charlotte, N.C., celebrated the
Order's and the chapter's centennial anniversaries in grand style
by announcing nearly $50,000 in grants.
Summer 2022 · THE AHEPAN | 11
The gala served as one of the first of the year to mark the anniversary
as AHEPA's " Centennial Celebrations " kicked-off nationwide.
More than 300 persons attended, including Ahepans from
across the country.
The event paid homage to AHEPA family leaders, past and
present, from the upper Midwest, who volunteered, served, and
contributed to the Order's growth and mission since its inception.
Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas, Daughters of Penelope
Grand President Kathy Bizoukas, and His Eminence Metropolitan
Nathanael of Chicago delivered remarks.
Chicago
Top: Supreme Treasurer Chris Kaitson, Executive Director Basil
Mossaidis, Greek Consul General Emmanuel Koubarakis, and Supreme
Secretary Savas Tsivicos.
Bottom: Past District 12 Governor Panos Niarchos, Supreme
Governor Region 6 Sam Benjamin, Supreme Vice President Lou
Atsavas, and Past District 12 Governor Matthew Kochevar.
http://www.ahepa.org
The AHEPAN Summer 2022

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