AHEPA’s Historic Manhattan-based Delphi #25 becomes the Organization’s Largest Chapter

Thirty seven Greek-Americans and Philhellenes were initiated into the historic Delphi #25 chapter of the Order of AHEPA at Gallagher’s Steakhouse in Manhattan on January 23, 2019 and the Chapter achieved the position of “The Largest Chapter in the AHEPA global domain” ! This remarkable achievement was attained after a dynamic three year revitalization path under the new administration and the lead of its current President Brother Louis Katsos (who also serves as Lt. Governor of the AHEPA Empire State District Six ). The Delphi Chapter # 25 was founded in NYC in 1923 and is one of the most storied chapters in the history of the international fraternal organization with many esteemed past and current members including the late Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), President of the USA.

AHEPA Supreme Vice President Jimmy Kokotas making official that Delphi #25 is the organization’s largest

Befitting this historical event was the attendance of the Supreme Vice President Brother Jimmy Kokotas who recognized the Chapter’s many accolades and announced the position attained by Delphi Chapter # 25. Past Supreme President and Member of the Board of Trustees, Brother Andrew C. Zachariades was also in attendance and was beaming with pride as he has always been a staunch supporter of all the Chapter’s many events and initiatives. Governor of District 6 Brother Demi Pamboukes spoke of the Chapter’s many endeavors in espousing and promoting Hellenism (Chapter President, Brother Lou Katsos, also serves as Vice – Chairman of the National AHEPA Hellenic Cultural Committee) and also expounded on some of AHEPA’s Scholarship programs and its AHEPA Journey to Greece educational and cultural program for youth. The event was also well attended by many other current and past members of AHEPA’s hierarchy and several Presidents from other local Chapters as well as the Director of Hellenism of Chapter HJ-1 from Athens, Greece Brother Takis Karamoutsos.

New members being initiated

During the event it was further announced that the Sons of Pericles New Renaissance Chapter #5 (which was originally founded in 1930 and is part of the Manhattan AHEPA Delphi Chapter # 25 family) was reactivated with 12 new members in attendance. The Chapter was reactivated on November 13, 2018 with the help of SOP Supreme Secretary Brother Paul Pavlakos and Past SOP Supreme President Andreas Christou (both current members of Delphi 25).

Delphi President Louis Katsos with members of the reactivated Sons of Pericles New Renaissance Chapter #5

All the new Initiates, Delphi 25 and Sons of Pericles 5, were surrounded by banners and placards presenting the historical figures of Delphi 25 and the Hellenic and American values of the organization, which were reflected in the oath they took, the Greek and American national anthems, and the invocation offered by Very Rev. Archimandrite Vasilios Bassakyros, Presiding Priest at the St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church located in Gramercy Park Manhattan.

The Initiation Oath was administered by the Supreme Vice President Brother Jimmy Kokotas who also hails from New York City. At the appointed time the new Initiates were escorted to the front of the room, they were then asked to place their left hands on the shoulders of their fellow recruits and to raise their right hands and were administered the oath of The Order of AHEPA.

From left, Michael Papaphotes, former District 6 Governor, Jimmy Kokotas AHEPA Supreme V.P., Lou Katsos, Takis Karamoutsos, AHEPA Hellas, Argyris Argitakos

The Annual Delphi Chapter Vasilopita cutting event is dedicated to the memory of the late James A. Poll (1920-2013), who had served The Order in many capacities most notably Past Supreme Secretary, Past Chairman of AHEPA’s Saint Basil Academy (In its 97+ year history, the AHEPA family has donated more than $1.75 million to the Saint Basil Academy for the construction and ongoing maintenance of its facilities) as well as Past President of Delphi Chapter # 25. Dean Poll, son of James Poll and a member of Delphi 25, is the owner of Gallagher’s.