NEW YORK – The Manhattan Chapter of the Order of AHEPA, Delphi 25, held their Annual Gala at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park honoring their distinguished Chapter members and benefactors the Pantelidis Brothers- Peter, George, and James.

The event celebrated these three great human beings for their many decades of service and dedication to the Hellenic community of the greater New York City area and beyond as well as the Brotherhood of the Order of AHEPA.

Delphi Chapter President Theodore Klingos gave the welcoming remarks and acknowledged the presence of many distinguished guests and community leaders. He then introduced Fr. Vasilios Louros, presiding priest of Zoodohos Peghe Church in the Bronx, to give the invocation on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros who was unable to attend.

Klingos then read a statement from Consul General of Cyprus in New York Michalis Firillas who was also scheduled to attend the event but could not be there. Firillas apologized for not being able to attend, but looked forward to future events and sent his best wishes, congratulating the honorees who “represent the best and brightest of Hellenism in the United States.”

Consul General of Greece in New York Konstantinos Konstantinou in his remarks spoke about how the AHEPA Delphi Chapter since its beginnings in 1923 helped the Greek immigrants and that the special event celebrating Hellenism and honoring the Pantelidis brothers highlighted how Hellenes not only can succeed at anything they put their minds to but most importantly that they appreciate family bonds. He thanked the Pantelidis brothers for their contributions and then said a few words in Greek, noting the great example set by the Pantelidis brothers, thanking them on behalf of the Greek government for their tremendous efforts, and sharing his best wishes.

AHEPA Empire State District Six Governor Dean Moskos and AHEPA Supreme Regional Governor Ted Stamas also shared their best wishes and congratulations to the honorees.

AHEPA Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas praised the honorees, noting that they never forgot where they came from, whether it was Chios or Brooklyn, and then presented and read the proclamation in their honor, pointing out the great love between the brothers that they asked for one proclamation for all three of them and not three individual ones. Klingos then presented the 2022 Delphi Award to the brothers who were greeted with a standing ovation from all those present.

Peter Pantelidis spoke on behalf of his brothers, thanking the historic Delphi Chapter especially, and noting that “it is a great honor for the three of us and our family,” adding that they began their business in 1972 and are still together. He spoke about the origins of AHEPA which was founded in response to the immigrant experience of discrimination in the 1920s. “Their businesses were being burned down, they were being beaten up,” Pantelidis said of the Greek immigrants in the early part of the 20th century, noting the many ways AHEPA helped them, including in education and learning English, in order to become “good Greek-Americans.”

Pantelidis spoke about the values his father taught, “My father loved this country, he loved Greece, he loved the diner, but he loved this country and we grew up the same… I believe that our father was the reason that we’ve been together and through this for so many years, he taught us hard work, he taught us how to be organized, he taught us respect for one another and to respect everyone else.”

George Pantelidis then offered his greetings and congratulations to AHEPA in Greek. James Pantelidis, known as Jimmy, then took the podium, thanking his wife, Stella, who he said “has kept me here, there, everywhere,” referring to his health struggles as a survivor of pancreatic cancer, and spoke about the decision to give a portion of the proceeds to the nonprofit organization Project People to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research.

He noted his purple blazer was given to him in honor of his Project Purple efforts, purple being the pancreatic cancer awareness color. Pantelidis mentioned that five years ago he met his friend, Dino Verrelli, the Founder and CEO of Project Purple, when he was introduced to the organization, and when he told him recently that he and his brothers would be honored by AHEPA, Verrelli replied “that’s great, I’m a member of AHEPA in Connecticut.” Pantelidis then addressed Verrelli: “Five years ago I met you as Dino Verrelli, after this evening it’s Konstantinos Varelis.”

Pantelidis thanked Klingos and Argyris Argitakos, Chairman of Delphi Chapter Events, “for giving us this opportunity to honor Project Purple” and thanked everyone for attending. “Tonight, I found out it was sold out and [that’s] just a reflection of how much we all care and that we’re there for each other,” he said.

Argitakos presented a check for $10,000 to Project Purple, accepted by Verrelli who said thank you in Greek following his remarks and best wishes.

Distinguished real estate professionals, the Pantelidis brothers together founded in 1972 their family owned and operated business, Pan-Brothers Associates, offering full Real Estate Development, Management and Brokerage services. Their firm began by acquiring residential and commercial properties in Brooklyn, NY with the focus on adding value by renovating and maximizing revenues. By maintaining its original investment practices and style of management for the past 42 years, Pan-Brothers Associates has steadily increased its investment portfolio by including larger scale commercial, retail and residential developments in New York, New Jersey, Florida, California and Ohio.

Peter, George and James were born in Brooklyn, NY. Their dedication to their Greek heritage and Hellenism started from a young age. All three brothers are members of Leadership 100, with James being Vice President and a board member of the organization. James and George are Archons and members of the Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation. James and George are board members of Cosmos FM, the Greek radio station.

All three brothers are also proud of their family heritage from the island of Chios. Peter, George and James were on the Welcoming Committee of the Patriarchal visit to Chios. They are also all members of the Chian Federation, the United Chios Society, and the Chios Vrontadosioun society. The three of brothers are Members of the Metropolis of Chios.

The Pantelidis brothers are dedicated to their Greek Orthodox community as evidenced by their work with their separate church communities. They are members of the Cathedral Church in Manhattan, Kimisis Theotokou Southampton, Kimisis Theotokou Brooklyn, and Holy Cross Brooklyn. All three are members of the AHEPA Delphi Chapter 25 and have been active benefactors during its recent revitalization efforts.

A portion of the net proceeds from this event will benefit Project Purple a Connecticut-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to raise awareness, support patients and families affected by the disease, and fund research efforts to defeat pancreatic cancer. It is a charity dear to the hearts of the Pantelidis brothers. For more information on Project Purple please visit: www.ProjectPurple.org.