BOSTON, MA –
The Alpha Omega Council of Boston, a Greek American organization cultivating the ideals of Hellenism by uniting Americans of Hellenic descent and Philhellenes through philanthropy and fellowship, hosted its annual Greek Heritage Night with the Boston Red Sox (vs. Atlanta Braves) at Fenway Park on June 4, 2024, welcoming an estimated 5,000 Greek Americans to the stadium in celebration of Hellenism.
In its 7th year, Greek Heritage Night is a fundraiser to benefit charities supported by Alpha Omega Council. 2024 Greek Heritage Night with Boston Red Sox paid tribute to the memory of the great Harry Agganis, nicknamed “The Golden Greek”, and honored the Metropolis of Boston Camp (MBC), who was the beneficiary of the evening. Net proceeds from Alpha Omega Council’s sell out of 2,400 tickets benefitted the Metropolis of Boston Camp Gym Field House Project that is currently underway at MBC’s St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center in Contoocook, New Hampshire.
Greek Heritage Night transformed Fenway Park into an evening packed with Hellenism. Prior to the game, there was a Heritage Pregame Ceremony on Jersey Street with members of the local Greek Community as well as Greek dance groups, such as Metropolis of Boston Dance Group, the Boston Lykeion Ellinidon, the Sons & Daughters of Alexander the Great, and Annunciation Church of Brockton Dance Group, who performed traditional Greek dances.
The festive evening kicked off with the singing of the National Anthem by Greek American, Grammy-award winning musician, and Harvard University & Berklee College of Music undergraduate student Dessa Kavrakis; the throwing of the first pitch by Metropolis of Boston Camp Program Director Louis Stamoulis; and an on field ceremony, which recognized a series of well-deserving honorees.
The on-field ceremony recognized Alpha Omega Council Chairperson Christos Chrisafides; Alpha Omega Council President Paul Tsitsopoulos; Greek National Baseball Manager Chris Demetral; Greek National Baseball Players Noah Zavolas and Loukas Soukeras; St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center and Metropolis of Boston Camp Executive Director Michael Sintros; Metropolis of Boston Camp Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries Panos Coufos; The Order of AHEPA Lynn, MA Aristides Chapter #50 President Chris Markos; and the Consul General of Greece in Boston Honorable Symeon Tegos who was accompanied by his daughter.
“Greek Heritage Night with the Boston Red Sox has become such a wonderful way for us at Alpha Omega Council to promote Hellenism and bring thousands of Greek Americans together from all over New England to enjoy a ball game together,” said Alpha Omega Council Chairperson Christos Chrisafides. He adds, “We have been blessed to be able to utilize this platform to raise both awareness and funds for such good causes that impact our community and recognize just a few of the many talented and worthy honorees and organizations in our community! It has been my honor to serve as Chairperson for the past several years on the wave of those who started this platform such as Bill Galatis and The Boston AHEPA. And of course, this event wouldn’t be possible without the Boston Red Sox Organization.”
“We are excited to dedicate all net proceeds from this year’s event towards the new Field House and Gym Project at the Metropolis of Boston Camp. The camp is a special place where thousands of Greek American youth have attended and built lifelong friendships while strengthening their Hellenic American roots,” said Alpha Omega Council President Paul Tsitsopoulos. He concludes, “The addition of the Field House and Gym will expand the camp’s offerings and allow it to serve a greater number of youth, especially during the winter camp months.”
Cretan-native and HELPIS founder & president Joyce Deliyiannis was recognized during the Hats Off to Heroes home game program. Presenting Colors, who carried the Greek and American Flags, as well as the Massachusetts State Flag and the Alpha Omega Council Flag, were the Metropolis of Boston dance group members Alexander Athanasiou, Chistopher Chronopoulos, Evan Meltsakos, Nickolas Potamitis, Harry Theodore and Paul Tsiomplikas. Honorable attendees also included His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston and Chancellor Father Ted Barbas. His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, who is celebrating 40 years as our spiritual leader here in New England, has been the visionary behind the Methodios Faith and Heritage Center at Metropolis of Boston Camp.
The Alpha Omega Council members who served on Greek Heritage Night’s planning committee were Chairperson Christos Chrisafides, Co-Chair John Mokas, Alpha Omega Council President Paul Tsitsopoulos, Costa Sideridis, Nick Rizos, John Pappas, Teddy Demitriades, George Karalis, Kosta Alexis and Tom Gatzunis.
Greek Heritage Night with the Boston Red Sox was Alpha Omega Council’s third Greek Heritage Night to take place in 2024, following Greek Heritage Night with the Boston Celtics on March 20, 2024 and Greek Heritage Night with the Revolution on March 23, 2024. With every Greek Heritage Night, the Alpha Omega Council identifies a charity to benefit from the proceeds. Thousands of Greek-Americans are expected to be in attendance for this year’s Greek Heritage Night with the Boston Red Sox. For more information on Alpha Omega Council, please visit www.alphaomegacouncil.org and for more information on the 2024 Greek Heritage Night with Boston Red Sox, please visit GreekHeritageNight.com.
About the Alpha Omega Council:
Alpha Omega Council is a non-profit philanthropic organization, based in Boston, Massachusetts, and, its mission is to promote patriotism to the United States and to cultivate the ideals of Hellenism, by supporting various scholarly, athletic, medical, charitable, scientific, literary, religious and educational activities throughout New England and the United States. The Alpha Omega Council is comprised of Americans of Hellenic ancestry in Business, Education, Academia, Medicine, Law, Politics, Science and other fields. Since its inception, the Alpha Omega Council has contributed over $2,000,000 to various philanthropic causes, not including the annual Peter Agris Memorial Journalism Scholarship Awards. Alpha Omega Council hosts various annual fundraising events including the Boston Marathon Wreath Ceremony, Greek Heritage Night, Golf Classic and more. For more information on Alpha Omega Council, please visit www.alphaomegacouncil.org.
About The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston Camp (MBC):
MBC is the Camping Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston. Its mission is to enhance the lives of its participants by bringing campers and staff into a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ, their Orthodox faith, and Hellenic culture. MBC provides the opportunity for young people of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston to foster a life-long appreciation and love of their Orthodox faith, friends, and cultural heritage. For more information, visit www.metropolisofbostoncamp.org.