ATHENS – Perfection hovering above them in the lovely Athenian dusk, the splendid 99^th Anniversary AHEPA Supreme Convention drew to a heartwarming close at the AHEPA Family Event at the terrace restaurant of the Acropolis Museum with the Athens skyline dominated by the Acropolis and Lykabitos Hill as an inspiring backdrop.

Wrapping up a historic two-year tenure with thanks and best wishes for all, past Supreme President George Horiates presided over the delightful event the evening of July 30.

Honored guests receiving awards expressed their appreciation to Ahepans from all over the world for all they do for their communities, Hellenism, and Greece and Cyprus, and their admiration for their successful convention that was planned and presented during a pandemic.

(Photo by Constantine S. Sirigos)

The leaders of AHEPA in turn thanked Greek government officials for their substantial and vital help behind the scenes.

The honorees included Athens’ Mayor Kostas Bakogiannis, who impressed with a thoughtful yet down to earth speech welcoming and thanking the Ahepans, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, President of the ‘Greece 2021’ Committee for the celebrations of the Bicentennial, and Harry Theoharis, Minister of Tourism. Adonis Georgiadis, Minister of Development, was invited but could not attend due to illness.

The evening event was also a most auspicious occasion for the presentation of AHEPA’s new leadership: Jimmy Kokotas, Supreme President; Kathy Bizoukas; Grand President of the Daughters of Penelope; Tim Noitsis, who returns for a second term as President of the Sons of Pericles; and Mary Ana Pantelas; President of the Maids of Athena.

(Photo by Constantine S. Sirigos)

During the concluding week of her tenure as Grand President Celia Kachmarski paid continuous tribute to Alexandra Apostolides, the visionary Founder of the Daughters of Penelope, setting the stage for next year’s celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the Order of AHEPA.