WHITESTONE, NY – The Society of Kastorians ‘Omonoia’ New York on July 20 celebrated the Feast Day of the Prophet Elias, the Patron Saint of furriers and the fur trade which is so closely associated with Kastoria. The celebration began with the Divine Liturgy and Artoklasia service at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Whitestone, followed by a light breakfast at the Society’s Cultural Center also located in Whitestone, just a few blocks from the church.

Fr. John Capones from the Archangel Michael community of Port Washington presided over the services, assisted by Fr. Vasilios Bassakyros and Fr. Nicholas Soteropoulos, while Holy Cross’ presiding priest Fr. Nicolaos Paros was away.

Following the Artoklasia, Fr. Capones wished happy name day to all those celebrating and read a letter from the Society’s President Christos Yioves who is currently in Kastoria and shared his best wishes for the day to all while also noting that the Prophet Elias is the Patron Saint of furriers and the fur trade.

Fr. Capones in his remarks also spoke about the somber 50th anniversary of the illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus, and looked forward to seeing a just solution for a unified and free Cyprus with the blessing of the Lord, the Panagia, and the Apostle Andrew, noting that we will never forget.

Fr. Vasilios Bassakyros led the prayer at the breakfast held at the Kastorian Society’s Cultural Center. The Society’s Treasurer Gary Argyris Soufarapis gave the welcoming remarks on behalf of President Christos Yioves and the new Board of Directors, thanking those who organized the event, and noting that he has been involved with the Society since 1974 and was a past president of the Kastorian Youth Society.

“The vision of this Executive Board is not only to preserve the legacy of the last 100 years of the organization but the next 100 years,” Soufarapis said. “We aim to get the younger generation interested and involved, the way we were. To that end we will be focusing on events and activities to engage the next generation.”

He continued: “For those of you who don’t know, the Prophet Elias is said to be the sacred protector and patron of the furriers, the same fur industry that started and grew this society to where it is today with a real estate portfolio, helping people in need, contributing to worthy causes, giving scholarships to deserving students and many, many other charitable things. Since I was a young boy living on 22nd [Street] and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, I always knew that Prophet Elias was a big holiday for the Kastorians and that my parents and I always went to St. Eleftherios on that day to celebrate, but I never really knew or understood the history… Kastoria’s connection to the fur industry dates back to the 1500s and some historians say even the 1300s, if you look at the icon, the Prophet Elias is called the ‘fur-cloaked prophet’ and the Kastorian Fur Association is actually named Prophet Elias.”

Soufarapis concluded his remarks by thanking all those present for attending.

Pantelis Papazoglou, the Society’s Assistant General Secretary, read from a social media post which described how the Feast Day of the Prophet Elias was celebrated in the past in Kastoria. He also thanked everyone and looked forward to celebrating the Feast Day all together again next year.