CLEVELAND, OH – After a year off, the first Pan-Icarian Supreme Convention since the 2019 Detroit event, was held in Cleveland September 4-6. A great deal of credit was given to the Cleveland Chapter for all their hard work putting together a very successful conference for all the visiting attendees and delegates from around the country.

The event committee led by Jim Gemelas, chair, Maria Tripodis and Gus Katsas, co-chairs, really shined the entire weekend with a full schedule of meetings and a number of events throughout the four day weekend. This Pan-Icarian Brotherhood organization along with its Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America Foundation are doing so much to preserve and support Icarian – Greek culture throughout the United States and back on Icaria through annual chapter events, youth programs and volunteer activities, along with annual scholarships and donations. All Icarians should be very proud of their organization!

At the 117th Pan-Icarian Supreme Convention, Gus Katsas, co-chair, and Jim Gemelas, chair of the event. Photo by Nick Phillips

Presently, the main office in Pittsburgh is spearheading an initiative to electronically scan and digitize the organization’s over a century of paper archives. The hope is that by preserving their history, they can share their strong culture with others and preserve it for generations to come. In addition, this organization is actively adding new members and adding a few new chapters, reviewing, discussing and voting on needed and urgent causes for the foundation’s donations, video taping stories from older members, and improving its website and social media pages.

Cathy Pandeladis from the Pittsburgh Chapter was voted the new Supreme President, taking over for Damianos Skaros from the Buffalo Chapter who served an extra term due to the pandemic year. Damianos said: “One of the greatest parts of being involved with the Brotherhood is the fact I'm able to serve an organization that I care so deeply for, but also am able to meet members from around the world, interact with them and learn of their passions and vision for the future. I met Cathy through this organization and we have become great friends. She is a great individual, full of energy and enthusiasm and I am confident the Brotherhood is in very capable hands. I wish her the very best!”

While the Brotherhood’s National Convention is very much like a family reunion, it has blossomed into an amazing annual event that highlights and preserves the strong and proud Icarian heritage and traditions, but it also allows this group to set goals and plan out philanthropic initiatives for the future.

The 117th Pan-Icarian Supreme Convention was held September 4-6 in Cleveland. Photo by Nick Phillips

Through the Brotherhood’s Foundation, more than 65 scholarships were awarded to members’ children. The scholarship program is an invaluable element of the Brotherhood, which invests in the future leaders of the organization. The Brotherhood has a youth leadership program that has been designed to help their youth members connect, establish lasting friendships, and set goals for the future. A youth leadership conference is held each year in order to bring the youth leaders together for an annual meeting. Additionally, the Icarian youth meet each month electronically.

The Pan-Icarian Foundation works very closely with the Supreme Lodge on many philanthropic endeavors. Through the Foundation, medical assistance, emergency support and other endeavors have been provided, both domestically and abroad. The Foundation supports the hospital of Icaria, an old age home and other needs such as scholarships and medical assistance on the island.

The Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America “Icaros” is the oldest Greek Fraternal organization in the northern hemisphere and the fact that it has remained mainly true to its goals, objectives and initial design is a testament to the members of this great organization and the passion they have.

More information about the Brotherhood is available online: www.pan-icarian.com. Donations, chapter information, news and future events are also available through the website.

Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America:

PO Box 79037

Pittsburgh, PA 15216

www.pan-icarian.com

www.facebook.com/PanIcarian