
PENNSAUKEN, NJ – [Story- photos by Steve Lambrou]
The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Philadelphia and the Greater Delaware Valley held its annual Vasilopita dinner on January 9. The event was hosted by the Pan Icarian Brotherhood Philadelphia chapter at its Atheras Center in Pennsauken, New Jersey.
The Federation President Judge Harry Karapalides and his officers welcomed His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey who, accompanied by many clergy from the 14 Greek Orthodox parishes in the Delaware Valley conducted the Blessing of the Waters service. Members of the various churches and the member -societies received the blessing of His Eminence. The service included a blessing of the Atheras Center itself. Addressing the attendees, His Eminence shared a message of hope and his best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year for the members throughout the Delaware Valley area.


After dinner, Metropolitan Apostolos blessed and cut the vasilopita distributing the pieces to everyone in attendance. Judge Karapalides thanked His Eminence for elevating the Federation’s works, noting that the Philadelphia Greek Independence Parade, the largest in the Metropolis and amongst the best in the nation, is on April 6.
George Horiates, past Supreme President of AHEPA and the Pan Icarian Brotherhood, congratulated on behalf of all attendees His Eminence as he marks the 10th anniversary of his ordination on January 13. Georgia Chletcos, chair of the Federation’s Board of Trustees also spoke, thanking the Metropolis, the societies and all attendees and saying that she is looking forward to the upcoming dinner-dances of the societies, the Metropolis Youth Festival in Philadelphia in February, the Philadelphia Greek Independence Parade on April 6 and all their events throughout this New Year.

