CHERRY HILL, NJ –
On December 27, 2025, AHEPA held a testimonial Gala honoring its immediate Past Supreme President Savas Tsivicos at The Graycliff in Bergen County, NJ. Members of the AHEPA family, including its global leadership as well as leadership of the Daughters of Penelope, Maids of Athena, Sons of Pericles were in attendance. They were joined by many members of other Hellenic organizations, well -wishers, donors to the Journey to Greece Program and former student participants of the program itself.
The evening program was in fact a benefit to endow AHEPA’s Journey to Greece initiative. During his two -year tenure at the helm of AHEPA, Savas Tsivicos made it a priority to ultimately raise over one million dollars to secure the program’s future for generations to come.
Journey to Greece offers students the opportunity to earn college credit while studying in Greece through AHEPA’s affiliation with Webster University. Participation has grown steadily over the years, as AHEPA covers housing and tuition costs and encourages students to attend during the summer.
Tsivicos’ support for the program included extensive fundraising efforts, drawing contributions from family, friends, and numerous institutions—most notably AHEPA Housing—and building on last year’s generous $200,000 grant from Ahepan Tassos Efstratiades, Esq.
By the end of the evening, thanks to the generosity of so many and Savas Tsivicos’ tireless efforts, AHEPA successfully reached the One‑Million‑Dollar milestone in funds raised.
Savas hails from the Asbury Park Chapter of AHEPA, named the Thomas Edison Chapter 287. His Grace Bishop Athenagoras opened the long line of well -wishers, offering the congratulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Thereafter, the host Asbury Park chapter offered heartfelt remarks through its President Dimitris Geneas. Many others came to the podium to express their appreciation of Tsivicos’ efforts, including Nick Larigakis of AHI, Panos Stavrianides of the NJ Hellenic Federation and of course, Kyriakos Papastylianou of the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations.
The Sons of Pericles and the Maids of Athena came to the podium in the form of Sons Supreme Vice President George T. Horiates and Past Maids Grand President Mariana Pantelous. In recognition of the upcoming Centennial celebration of the Sons of Pericles, Sons Vice President invited Tsivicos forward and presented him with a special commemorative 100‑Year Anniversary Sons of Pericles pin, noting that many members of the Junior Orders have benefited from and participated in the Journey to Greece program.
They were followed by tributes from Past Supreme Governor Phil Vogis and former AHEPA Board Member Vassos Chrysanthou. Past Grand President of the Daughters of Penelope Margaret Dritsas and Past AHEPA Canadian President Emmanuel Constas also came forward, sharing reflections from their travels with the Supreme President and offering stories of brothers and sisters working together in service to Hellenism.
AHEPA Supreme President Chris Kaitson was the keynote speaker. He told the audience of Savas’ dedication to Hellenism from the perspective of having served as his Vice President. He noted AHEPA’s appreciation as the Journey to Greece fundraising continued after Savas’ term, stating the importance of continuing the dedication to Hellenism that is the hallmark of the honoree.
Then he called up the honoree along with his Supreme Lodge: Vice President Zenon Christodoulou, Treasurer Themis Frangos, Supreme Governor Dean Moskos as well as Past Supreme Presidents former Board Chair Nicholas Karacostas and current Vice Chair George G Horiates, who also served as Master of Ceremonies. AHEPA Supreme President Chris Kaitson presented its immediate Past President with AHEPA’s Defender of Hellenism Award to enthusiastic applause.
Maria Tsivicos, the wife of the honoree, offered warm remarks before inviting their son, Evangelos Tsivicos, to present his father. The tribute from the Tsivicos family was heartfelt and moving. Savas then took the stage to a standing ovation as the DJ played his favorite song, Ehi Ena Fengari Apopse.
In his remarks, Savas spoke graciously about the shared responsibility of passing the flame of Hellenism to future generations. He expressed his gratitude to the well‑wishers and attendees, as well as to the many contributors to the Journey to Greece program, acknowledging each one listed in the evening’s program.
Throughout the night, donors came forward to present checks, and Journey to Greece participants shared words of appreciation—fitting highlights to a brilliant evening for AHEPA.
