The Hellenic Congress of America (HCA) hosted its cutting of the Vasilopita on February 4 at St. Demetrios Cathedral’s Petros Patrides Cultural Center in Astoria with the organization looking forward to continuing its efforts to unify Hellenism. During its first eight years of operation, HCA was one of the organizations that pushed for Greeks living abroad to finally be able to vote from their place of residence.
HCA General Secretary Dr. Despina Afentouli, journalist and sociologist, gave the welcoming remarks and served as MC for the event.
HCA President Dr. Demetrios Markouizos emphasized that the goal of the Congress is “to creatively and progressively unite the Omogenia,” while he referred to the new goals that have been set, such as the writing of a World Greek History, but also the establishment of the Day of Greeks Abroad by the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
HCA Executive Advisor Demetris Filios spoke to The National Herald and recalled the establishment of the HCA in 2016 as everyone noted the contribution of the founding president and now President Emeritus Nick Apostolopoulos, who shared a greeting at the event. Theodora Abazis, HCA Advisor to the President and head of the event organizing committee, also shared her remarks and best wishes.
During the event, the Pan Arcadian Federation of America ‘Geros tou Morea’ Chapter was honored with the Hellenic Community Excellence Award which was accepted by the organization’s President Evaggelia Lamproulou Sarafoglou. Former president of the Pan Arcadian Federation of America ‘Geros tou Morea’ Christos Vournas and Society of Kastorians ‘Omonia’ of New York President Demos Siokis were also honored with the Hellenic Leadership Award.
The prayer and the cutting of the Vasilopita were presided over by the assistant priest of St. Demetrios Cathedral, Archimandrite Gedeon Varytimos, who represented His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, conveying his best wishes and support for HCA’s efforts. He also conveyed the best wishes of the Dean of St. Demetrios Cathedral Fr. Anargyros Stavropoulos. Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Director of Music Maestro Costas Tsourakis, bass-baritone, performed the National Anthems of Greece and the United States.
A traditional Greek meal was also served at the event, accompanied by live Greek music by Giannis Kyriazis.
Among those present were the Consulate General of Greece in New York Department of Economic and Commercial Affairs Head Nikos Thomopoulos, head of the Greek Public Diplomacy Office Mary Vaxevanidou, Pan-Arcadian Federation of America President Angeliki Vournas, Athenians’ Society President Panos Adamopoulos and General Secretary Sylvia Adamopoulos, former president of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York Cleanthis Meimaroglou, and HCA 1st Vice President Gus Lambropoulos.
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