AHEPA Attends Greek Independence Celebrations
The AHEPA family celebrated the 196th Anniversary of Greek Independence at a
White House ceremony held March 24, 2017. President Donald J. Trump, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, White House Director of the Office of Public Liaison George Sifakis, and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, provided remarks. Vice President Mike Pence also attended.
"We sincerely thank President Trump for issuing a Proclamation that calls on the people of the United States to observe Greek Independence Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities," Supreme President Andrew C. Zachariades said.
In Pictures | Celebrating Greek Independence
Greek Independence Day was celebrated in cities, small and large, through Proclamations, parades, and flag-raising ceremonies. Catch a glimpse.
Media Share | AHEPA Marches Down Fifth Avenue
Deadline Extended | Journey to Greece
Study abroad this summer and earn 6 college credits in Greece. AHEPA, in partnership with Webster University, is sponsoring 20 students to visit locations like Athens, Delphi, Meteora, Hosios Loukas, Arachova, and Crete -- all while earning college credits!
Deadline Extended: Apply Today
Watch & Share: Journey to Greece Promo Video
More Info: Click Here
Call for Applications | 2017 AHEPAcademy Session
Join a select group of Greek American students from across the country for AHEPAcademy, June 25 - July 1, 2017, at George Mason University, outside Washington, DC. Learn more
Early Application Deadline: April 1, 2017
Final Deadline: April 15, 2017
Download Application: Download
Watch & Share: AHEPAcademy promo video
Rebuild St. Nicholas Campaign
AHEPA is determined to meet its Saint Nicholas Capital Campaign fund raising goal of $1 million. Donations--large and small--keep pouring in for AHEPA's #RebuildStNicholas capital campaign.
Visit our #RebuildStNicholas campaign webpage
Check Out: Our panel of donors
AHEPA Chapter 41, Brooklyn, N.Y. announces its $20,000 donation for the campaign to help rebuild Saint Nicholas.
TAKE ACTION!
Has your district or chapter organized a fundraiser for the campaign to #RebuildStNicholas? Take action and support AHEPA's campaign today! Please tweet about your fundraising activity by using #RebuildStNicholas to share your work with the broader community!
Share Media
St. Nicholas Appeal Video
AHEPA has produced its latest appeal video to help #RebuildStNicholas.
TAKE ACTION: Donate Today!
MORE TO SHARE: Initial appeal video released at the 94th Grand Banquet!
Project Update
MEDIA COVERAGE: New York Times: Cross Takes Its Place, Temporarily, Atop Shrine at World Trade Center
Live Webcam!
Thanks to a live webcam, you can watch progress being made with a first-hand look at the site where Saint Nicholas National Shrine will be build.
Top: A look at Tower 1 at the World Trade Center through the dome of St. Saint Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center. (Photo credit: Theo Nicolakis, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese)
Washington Update
U.S. Senate Passes Greek Independence Day Resolution
The U.S. Senate passed a resolution authored by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) recognizing the 196th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating democracy in the United States and Greece, March 22, 2017. The resolution, S.Res.81, had 26 co-sponsors.
"AHEPA is grateful to the U.S. Senate, and the efforts of Senators Menendez and Barrasso, for commemorating the 196th anniversary of Greek Independence," Supreme President Andrew Zacharaides said.
It's a New Congress! Help Grow the Hellenic Caucus!
The 115th Congress is well underway. And with it, the work renews for the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, led by Co-chairs U.S. Reps. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY). The Hellenic Caucus begins the 115th Congress with 120 members.
Is your U.S. representative a member of the Hellenic Caucus? Click here to find out.
Download & Share: Action alert to help you outreach to Congress
The Hellenic Caucus has been an active, bipartisan group in Congress since its founding in 1995.
Upcoming Events & Deadlines
March
31 | Deadline to apply for an AHEPA National Educational Foundation
Scholarship
April
1 | Early Deadline: AHEPAcademy Application
2 | Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade
11 - 23 | AHEPA Family Leadership Excursion
15 | Final Deadline: AHEPAcademy Application
30 | Chicago Greek Independence Parade
May
3 | AHEPA Family Capitol Hill Day
21 | AHEPA Day
22 | AHEPA Wreath-laying Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
Greek American News Digest
Editor's Note: Editorials, Commentaries, and Opinion pieces 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.
Greek-US ties set to strengthen significantly
Ekathimerini (Mar. 26)
Greece is examining US proposals for military cooperation which would widen ties to an extent not seen in the last three decades, Kathimerini understands. According to sources, Washington’s desire for stronger ties stems from its view that Greece has a significant geopolitical role to play as a pillar of stability in a volatile region. read more
U.N. to host Cyprus leaders April 2, first since breakdown in February
Reuters (Mar. 27)
The leaders of Cyprus's estranged Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities will meet over dinner next Sunday in a first encounter of the two since peace talks were abruptly interrupted in February, the United Nations said on Monday. read more
Making Athens Great Again
The Atlantic (April 2017)
What happens when a society, once a model for enlightened progress, threatens to backslide into intolerance and irrationality—with the complicity of many of its own citizens? How should that society’s stunned and disoriented members respond? Do they engage in kind, resist, withdraw, even depart? It’s a dilemma as old as democracy itself. read more
Time for high-level US-Cyprus contacts, spokesman says ahead of Priebus meeting
Cyprus Mail (Mar. 26)
It was high time for a Cyprus-US meeting at the highest possible level, as a recognition of the strategic partnership between the two countries, Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides has said ahead of a meeting he will have on Tuesday in Washington with White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. read more
‘A World of Emotions’ in Greek Art Unmasks the Stony Faces
New York Times (Mar. 23)
The first line of one of the oldest poems in Western literature, Homer’s “Iliad,” begins with the ancient Greek word for anger, or superanger: wrath. And from that emotion an entire epic driven by hatred, hubris, lust, grief and violence spins out. The poem dates from around 700 B.C., a wild and woolly time, no doubt. Leap ahead four centuries and things have changed in Greece. The calm of reason has descended; emotions are under control. Or so we’re inclined to imagine from looking at the buff Apollos and poised Aphrodites of the Classical Age. But we’re wrong. read more
Giannis Antetokounmpo helped Oregon's Tyler Dorsey become a March Madness star
SB Nation (Mar. 24)
When the Oregon Ducks have needed buckets to get them through the tough times the NCAA tournament brings to every team, there’s been one man who’s been most reliable: Tyler Dorsey. read more
White House’s Priebus says Cyprus is ‘reliable, predictable partner’
In Cyprus (Mar. 28)
Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides on Tuesday met with White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus with whom he discussed the Cyprus problem and how to further strengthen US-Cyprus bilateral relations. Their talks in Washington DC also focused on regional energy issues with Christodoulides telling incyprus.com: “Their (US) intention is to strengthen relations with Cyprus, they consider us a reliable and predictable partner." read more