By Catherine Tsounis
“Come and Celebrate 205 years of Greek Independence” was the theme of this exceptional Long Island celebration. Hellenic American Heritage Day was celebrated in the morning and evening on Thursday March 26th, 2026, at the Press Room of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive Building at 1550 Franklin Ave, Mineola, NY. The Honorable Nassau County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman hosted the event with the Greek Orthodox Churches of Nassau County and AHEPA Family Chapters of New York. This celebration has been taking place for about six years.
In this time of Middle East unrest, the support of Greece and Cyprus in America has special significance in Greek Independence Day celebrations. The Chairman was Anastasi Stampolis, President of AHEPA Constantine Cassis Chapter No. 170 with assistance of his Executive Board members James Ginis, Gus Constantine, Paul Macropoulos, Anton Shrivanek, Peter Cosmas, Leo Yioupis, Aris Papangelopoulos. George Lavas, photographer of the AHEPA Constantine Cassis Chapter No. 170, Hempstead, NY., and Long Island AHEPA chapters.
The Program included: Welcome by AHEPA Family chapters of Long Island, Chairman Anastasi Stampolis; Invocation by the Greek Orthodox Clergy of Nassau County, Rev. Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos, Vicar of Nassau County, Constantinides, Father John Lardas who inspired the initiation of the event, Rev. Father Demetrios Kazakis Rev. Father Flavianos Katerinakis assisted by Deacon Mathew Kakis.
The program speakers were the following persons: Introduction by Honorable Bruce A Blakeman’s representative Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips; New York State Senator Jack M. Martins representative with a proclamation; who presented a proclamation; Introduction by Theodore A. Stamas, Esq., AHEPA Supreme Counselor; Introduction by Dean Moskos AHEPA Supreme Governor Region 3; Introduction AHEPA Empire New York State District 6 Governor Gus Constantine; Introduction of Daughters of Penelope Empire New York State District 6 Marshall Tatiana Srampolis; Introduction AHEPA Empire New York State District 6 Director of Athletics and Greek Independence Day Parade Liaison Paul Macropoulos; National Anthem & Greek National Anthem sung by Christos Vretzakis, AHEPA Constantine Cassis Chapter No. 170 Director of Hellenism. A complimentary reception preceded and followed the event.
“Our organization has four different orders,” explained Chairman Anastasi Stampolis. “We have AHEPA (the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association), the Daughters of Penelope, which is our sisterhood, and our junior orders, the Sons of Pericles and the Maids of Athena. On behalf of all of us, we organized this event for the family chapters of Long Island. Many members of the committee helped make this possible. I would like to thank everyone for their hard work, especially those on this panel who are here today.”
““Our County Supervisor Bruce Blakeman sends his regards, We celebrate every race, every religion in peace and harmony” said Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips. “let me say from my heart, the Greek community is different. You celebrate As a family. you teach your young people the importance of the work ethic, keep doing the great work,”
“This is not only a commemoration of the Greeks in the War for Independence; it was a fight for freedom,” said Theodore A. Stamas, Esq. “It was a struggle to preserve our identity, our culture, our faith, and the right to live under self-rule. Greece has been a steadfast ally of the United States through every conflict, and even now, as we face global challenges, this bond continues to grow stronger. You can see this today in the Middle East, where Greece is playing a central role in assisting this country. Our nations are bound by shared values, civic responsibility, self-governance, democracy, and faith.”
“They remind us that even after darkness, light can return,” said Dean Moskos, AHEPA Supreme Governor Region 3. “In 1821, 205 years ago, ordinary Greeks rose with extraordinary courage after centuries of Ottoman rule, and Greece rose again. They did not stand alone. Across Europe and the Americas, thousands of Philhellenes helped, turning the uprising into a cause the world could not ignore. Great powers—Britain, France, and Russia—were compelled to act, driven by strategy, public pressure, and the power of ideals. Greece, the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and Western civilization, reminds us that freedom must be cherished, protected, and renewed by every generation. May we honor their memory not just in ceremonies, but in how we live and instruct our children. Long live the United States.”
“God has blessed us here in Nassau County with a vibrant Greek American community,” stated AHEPA Empire New York State District 6 Governor Gus Constantine. “We have our churches, our clergy, and the organization of AHEPA that keeps democracy alive. The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association was founded in 1922. Today, we honor the ‘three plus one’—Israel, Greece, Cyprus, and America. We are united as one. Our civic responsibility in AHEPA is to assist all in America and around the world during times of crisis. Membership in AHEPA is open to everyone.”
“ I want you to give you a chance to glimpse through the eyes of our youth on what Hellenism means to them nowadays, believes Daughters of Penelope Empire New York State District 6 Marshall Tatiana Srampolis. “My daughter’s essay in the St. John Chrysostom Festival says “ Hellenism has become one of the most meaningful parts of my life, not because I was born into it. but because I was welcomed into it so completely that became part of who I am. From my church, I learned language, traditions, religion, and culture,. This is part of the rhythm of my life, and the community around shaping me. Hellenism means not just heritage, but a living culture built on faith, family, devotion, and the responsibility to show up for one another. One day, I hope to give my own children the same sense of community, tradition, my church and culture have given me. I want them to feel what I have felt here that home is not only a place, but people, faith, and the community that continues to hold me as I grow.
“I want to give you a glimpse of what Hellenism means to our youth today,” said Daughters of Penelope Empire New York State District 6 Marshal Tatiana Srampolis. “My daughter wrote for the St. John Chrysostom Festival: ‘Hellenism has become one of the most meaningful parts of my life—not because I was born into it, but because I was welcomed so completely that it became part of who I am. From my church, I have learned language, traditions, religion, and culture. Hellenism is not just heritage; it is a living culture built on faith, family, devotion, and the responsibility to support one another. One day, I hope to give my own children the same sense of community and tradition I have received. Home is not just a place—it is people, faith, and the community that shapes you as you grow.’”
“Join us for the Greek Parade on April 26th, 2026, in New York City!” said Paul Macropoulos, AHEPA Empire NY State District 6 Director of Athletics. “It will be a sunny, beautiful day, and we need everyone’s support to celebrate together!” For more information visit, 2026 NYC Greek Parade on Fifth Avenue | Nycgreekparade
“This is an opportunity to celebrate American Hellenic Heritage Night, hosted by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman,” said Proistamenos Rev. John Lardas of Archangel Michael Church in Brookville. “It is a chance for Greek communities to come together as one and demonstrate their strength in Nassau County. County Executive Blakeman has supported us tremendously. He has visited St. Michael’s Home, which is in his backyard and is now 80% complete.”
Continuation of the Hellenic-American Heritage was at 6 pm, at the same location. The program’s keynote speaker was Dr. Despina Afentouli, Journalist & Sociologist. The 2025 honorees included: Maria Nikolis – Panaghia, Island Park; Sotirios Grigoriou– St. Markella, Wantagh; Panagiota Perlegis – St. Demetrios, Merrick; John and Maria Papachristou– St. Paul Cathedral, Hempstead; Adonia Nikitopoulos-Holy Trinity, Hicksville; Vivian Casil – Holy Resurrection Church, Brookville; Charlie Marangoudakis – Archangel Michael Church, Pt. Washington and Manny Kratsios – St. Michael’s Home for the Aged. For a more accurate list of leaders, members, churches and organizations that participated in these event, email [email protected].
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