Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

September Newsletter
ORDER OF AHEPA
SANTA BARBARA CHAPTER #243
“Promoting the Harmony of Greek Culture, Service, and Community”
“Keeping the Spirit Alive in 2005, and In the Mix for 2006”

We are happy to announce that our Chapter #243 now has its’ own web site which you can visit and find items of interest. Our site is located as: http://www.ahepa20.org/chapters and specifically at: http://www.ahepa20.org/~chapter243/ We hope you will visit and enjoy.

The spring issue of “The Ahepan” magazine (www.ahepa.org ) has an interesting cover story honoring Constantino Brumidi an Italian of Greek heritage dubbed the “Michelangelo of the Capitol” The artist painted the murals of the Capitol, six committee rooms, the President’s Room, the Office of the Vice-President(in the Fresco method),and created the glorious masterpiece “the Apotheosis of Washington” a 5000 square footwork of art that lies in the eye of the Capitol Dome.
His father, Stavros Brumidi(s) of Philiatra, Messinia, Greece went to Italy, during the Ottoman occupation and married an Italian woman. The son was surrounded by the beauty of art and architecture. It is important to note that classical wall painting originated in Greece and traveled to Pompeii where the exquisite design of figures and decoration filled the once great city. Constantino studied and copied the art of the masters. He mastered the techniques of Titian, Rubens, Raphael, da Vinci, and Michelangelo. He painted portraits of the famous people of the day. He painted the freeze under the Capitol Dome which is reminiscent of that found on the Parthenon in Athens.
He combined modern Americanism and Classical history that made him a legend. In Older countries of Europe he would have had a public funeral and laid to rest in a place reserved for people of distinction. This spring Ahepa and Italian groups worked together to bring honor and special recognition to this very important person.

Past Supreme President John T. Pappas donated priceless photos of Senators and staff that range from the late 18th century to the early20th century to the Senate Library the gift is significant not only because of the album’s contents, but because of the individual responsible for creating many of the photographs and the background and personal history of the donor. His very interesting story and the beautiful art of these stories may be found on the Ahepa web site.

Our own Santa Barbara Chapter has a long history of accomplished people and their involvement with Parish life and that of Ahepa. The first District 20 Governor was George Ellis who served from 1932-1933. His descendents and expanded family members are still active in the life of our Saint Barbara Parish and the Ahepa. They are the Ellis, Demourkas, and Compogiannis families. They carry on this legacy of achievement with effectiveness and modesty. They provide a standard by which we measure our actions
Please consider joining us if you have an interest in our work. You are always welcome

Please mark your calendar-NOVEMBER 5, 2005. That is the date for the Fall Glendi-a time of fellowship and fun. We hope to see you there. We Thank You For Your Support.

James Brown, President