Home Community Cyprus Welcomes AHEPA’s 102nd Supreme Convention

Cyprus Welcomes AHEPA’s 102nd Supreme Convention

WASHINGTON, DC –

Cyprus is hosting for the first time, this coming week, the 102nd Supreme Convention of the Order of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association), the largest association of American citizens of Greek heritage with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

Scheduled to open on July 21, with a memorial service in honor of those who perished in 1974 at the Holy Monastery of St. George “Kontou” in Larnaca, officiated by Metropolitan Nektarios of Kition, the Convention is expected to draw approximately 1,000 leaders from around the world.

Supreme President of AHEPA, Savas Tsivicos, said the Convention aims to convey a message of unity and solidarity with Cypriots, showcasing the ongoing commitment to the liberation of Cyprus, as the island nation is marking 50 years since the Turkish invasion in the summer of 1974.

The Official AHEPA Welcome and Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for July 22, with a concert and a show of traditional Cypriot and Greek Music, hosted by the Ministry of Culture as well as a welcoming speech by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides.  The Order of AHEPA will honor Archbishop Elpidophoros of America with the 2024 Inaugural Holy Cross Scholarship and will bestow the 2024 Archbishop Iakovos Award to Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus

The delegates of the weeklong Convention will deliberate on issues of importance to the global community of Hellenes and participate in events hosted by the Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Tourism that share and celebrate Cyprus’s rich history and culture.

Highlights include: The Presidential Palace Event, hosted by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, on July 24, during which the Daughters of Penelope will honor First Lady of Cyprus Philippa Karsera, the Ambassadors’ Forum featuring U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Julie Fisher and U.S. Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis, on July 25, and later that evening, the 102ndAHEPA Grand Banquet honoring President Christodoulides with the AHEPA Socrates Award.

Additional honorees include President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Annita Demetriou, Andreas Vyras, Mayor of Larnaca, Lt. General Georgios Tsitsikostas and several ministry officials in President Christodoulides’ Cabinet.