SANTA BARBARA AHEPA CHAPTER #243
"Promoting the Harmony of Greek Culture, Service, and Community"
"Keeping the Spirit Alive in 2005 and in the Mix in 2006"
In 1922 The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) was formed to provide services to the Greek Immigrants who arrived in America seeking a better life. The AHEPA assisted our forefathers by helping them to learn English, become United States citizens, and by being a source center to assist in many ways unique to each individual.
The association also became a place where news of Greece could be obtained, where one could associate with people of the same culture and values. Community was established. Eventually an important part of Greek life and culture emerged-our local Eastern Orthodox Church. The AHEPA played an important role in the life of oour local parishes and that synergy exists to this day.
Your local AHEPA Chapter is currently collecting and organizing our history so that we can more easily see how closely the AHEPA and our St. Barbara Parish are aligned. We hope to have portions of this heritage on display soon.
As it is with all people who are busy in our Parish, you will find AHEPA members wearing different hats as they involve themselves in areas of interest. You will find us in the Parish Council, choir, leaders of youth groups, and in other areas of church life.
In future newsletters you will read about our Chapter's rich history of motivated people who established programs for the general good. An example is the District Scholarship program initiated by members of this chapter which has evolved to the District level and provides scholarship opportunities for youth of members of the AHEPA family. The principle has grown to $342,000 which produced interest of $18,000 which was recently distributed to our youth.
Our Chapter is working behind the scenes in many areas: our close ties with the Greek Consulate, with local elected officials, and our contacts on the State of California level. Indeed our President George Bush and his father renew their AHEPA membership every year. We contribute to our local Parish by funding programs of Greek heritage-Greek school, dance groups, youth groups, and their functions. We contribute monies and people when possible to assist in religious observances. Currently we are palnning our out reach to neighboring colleges to let Orthodox youth know that the St. Barbara Parish is there for them, and our annual November Glendi. In addition to our customary slate of activities we are also planning a romantic Valentines' Dance and a spring BBQ with Spanish overtones. Our Chapter is a Team that is optimistic, and goal orientated.
Membership is open to everyone: you do not have to be of Greek descent to join us. If you have an interest in our work, leave a note in the church office. You are always welcome.
REMEMBER The Fall Glendi, Nov. 5, 2005. SEE YOU THERE. We thank you for your support
James Brown President
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
AN AHEPA ALERT
YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION IS REQUIRED
There are a number of Congressional House of Representatives and members of their staff who plan to go to Occupied Cyprus. The problem is that they are flying to an airport in the occupied area. The Turkish government sanctions this and so does the State Department of the U.S.
This is against International Law. A direct flight from Turkey to an illegal port of entry in occupied Cyprus is inconsistent with International Law and violates the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus. The legal manner in which to visit occupied Cyprus is through the republic of Cyprus.
Please contact your Representative and advise them of the proper way to visit Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus encourages visits to the occupied area through legal ports of entry, which is consistent with International Law.
Please contact Director of Public Affairs-Andrew Kaffes,
-akaffes@ahepa.org- or 202-232-6300, ext 204 with any questions.
Thank You,
JB @Santa Barbara Chapter #243
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