NEW YORK, NY – [Photo by Consulate General of Greece]
A highly warm and productive working meeting was held on July 1, 2026, at the Consulate General of Greece in New York between the Consul General, Ifigenia Kanara, and the newly elected leadership of the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Philadelphia and Greater Delaware, led by its new President, John Vasiliou.
The meeting reaffirmed the excellent level of cooperation between the two sides and laid the groundwork for a series of new institutional, educational, and cultural initiatives for the upcoming year.
Establishment of an Endowment Fund and Institutional Strengthening
The Federation’s leadership expressed its gratitude for the “open-door” policy maintained by the Consular Authority. Furthermore, they presented a historic milestone for Hellenism in the United States: the raising of capital exceeding $700,000, making the Philadelphia Federation the first nationwide to establish an autonomous Endowment Fund. This fund will secure the longevity and seamless funding of the annual Greek Independence Day Parade.
Concurrently, the Federation successfully completed its transition into official 501(c)(3) non-profit status, guaranteeing absolute institutional transparency.
On her part, Ms. Kanara congratulated the new board on their dynamic start and proposed a comprehensive series of collaborative initiatives.
Strategic Planning for the Philadelphia Marathon
Special emphasis was placed on the upcoming Philadelphia Marathon in November 2026. Following last year’s emblematic donation and presentation of gold olive wreaths from Greece for the race winners, the official Wreath Ceremony was finalized for November 19. The wreaths are also scheduled to be showcased in a special display at the event’s Sports Expo.
Additionally, the two sides discussed launching an Essay Competition for American public-school students focusing on the timeless values and modern messages of the Marathon. The winners will be honored during the official wreath presentation ceremony to the Philadelphia Organizing Committee.
The Head of the Public Diplomacy Office, Ms. Mary Vaxevanidou, underscored the strategic importance of coordinating with Greek and Greek-American media outlets to ensure the best possible promotion of these events.
Organization of a Consular Workshop
Aiming to better inform and serve the expatriate community, the Consulate General proposed organizing an informational Consular Workshop in Philadelphia.
The event is scheduled for November 4, 2026, in Upper Darby—the heart of the local Greek-American community. It will feature an informational presentation on the Consulate’s services, followed primarily by one-on-one sessions between community members and consular staff. These individual sessions will offer guidance on pressing consular matters such as citizenship, Greek passport renewals, and military service requirements.
This initiative was warmly and universally received by the Federation’s members, who expressed confidence that it will provide a vital service to the community.
Participation of Greeks Abroad in National Elections
Referring to Greece’s updated electoral legislation, Consul General Kanara informed the Federation’s leadership that Greek citizens residing abroad are now eligible to vote in national elections provided they are registered in the Special Electoral Registers, without the previous restrictive criteria (such as prior residency in Greece or recent tax filings). Diaspora voters can cast their ballots either via postal vote or in person at a polling station to be set up at the Consulate—or even in Philadelphia, provided the legally required minimum number of registered voters in the wider Pennsylvania area is met.
The Consul General noted that a comprehensive, widespread information campaign will soon be launched for the diaspora.
The Federation pledged its active support in raising awareness throughout the community and providing logistical assistance to facilitate the smooth exercise of voting rights by Greek citizens in the Philadelphia area.
Initiatives for Youth, Education, and Culture
In the fields of education and youth engagement, the Consul General suggested creating a network connecting Young Leaders from Philadelphia and New York. She also proposed organizing informational seminars regarding the new, highly competitive English-taught degree programs available in Greece.
Furthermore, perspectives for cooperation to promote Greek cinema, theater, and music through targeted events in Philadelphia were extensively discussed.
Scheduling of Events for the Greek Independence Day Parade
During the meeting, the Federation’s board briefed the Consul General on the official schedule of festive events surrounding next spring’s landmark Philadelphia Parade. The three-day lineup of core events is scheduled as follows:
• April 2: Greek Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall.
• April 3: The official community dinner, the “Eleftheria Gala”.
• April 4: The Grand Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade.
Consul General Kanara expressed the unwavering support of the Consulate General for these premier events, which serve as a timeless point of reference and pride for Hellenism worldwide.
Looking Ahead
The meeting concluded on an exceptionally positive note, reaffirming the shared commitment of the Consulate General of Greece in New York and the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater Philadelphia and Delaware to maintaining a close and productive partnership, an announcement from the Consulate notes.
Driven by a mutual vision of community outreach and tangible support for the Diaspora, both sides expressed absolute satisfaction with the scope of the agreed-upon initiatives and committed to working jointly toward the successful execution of their strategic planning.
The composition of the newly elected Governing Board of the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Philadelphia and Greater Delaware is as follows:
• President: John Vasiliou
• Vice President: Michael Economou
• Treasurer: Panagiotis Papadeas
• Corresponding Secretary: Carissa Falfalios
• Recording Secretary: Maria Agatsiotis
• Chair of the Board: Harry Karapalides
• Board Members: Georgia Chletcos, Dan Pithis, Stefanos Evangelopoulos, Artemis Tsingiropoulos, Dimitrios Rozanitis, Theodoros Kanellopoulos, John Mylonas, and Theanna Proithis.
