January 2010
Volume 1, Issue 1

YEAR-END STATEMENT FROM SOP SUPREME PRESIDENT, DEAN TSELEPIS

The Sons of Pericles year has gotten off to a great start. Once the summer came to end and September rolled around, we found ourselves in Washington, DC for the annual Governors Conference. The conference was truly a success with over twenty delegates participating in the weekend’s meetings and activities. Over the next few months, new Sons were initiated in Flushing, Queens and Waterbury, Connecticut, while a new chapter was formed in Michigan. In Paramus, NJ, the Marathon Chapter #46 hosted their Annual Halloween Party and then the Sons were back in Washington, DC co-sponsoring Pan-Hellenism Weekend.

As we enter the Holiday Season, the Sons are looking forward to various Christmas Gift Drives and fundraisers over the holiday season held by our chapters. In early January, the New Port Richey, FL West Pasco Chapter #323 will once again dive for the cross. In Albany, on February 6, 2010, the Sons and Maids will be hosting their Annual Valentine’s Dance. The following weekend, February 12 15, 2010, will be the Western Regional Basketball Tournament in Los Angeles, CA.

In the spirit of truly growing our orders, the Sons of Pericles, along with the Maids of Athena, recently completed and printed new brochures. These will serve as a reference for the Sons when promoting our Order. The brochures highlight the most important aspects of the SOP including history, philanthropy, education/careers, Hellenism, leadership, athletics and friendships. With a brief explanation of each, a potential Son can better understand what we are all about and all we have to offer. We are truly excited to promote to and initiate new members. Look for a Son touting these new brochures at a Hellenic event near you!

Fraternally,

Dean Tselepis
Supreme President
Sons of Pericles

SONS OF PERICLES WESTERN REGIONAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT & GREEK WEEKEND ANNOUNCEMENT

The Sons of Pericles have announced that this year's Western Regional Basketball Tournament will be held in Los Angeles, CA from February 12-15, 2010. So leave your cold winter at home and come enjoy the LA weather, sights, nights, people, and basketball. A group rate has been arranged at the stylish boutique - Hotel Angeleno in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. The basketball tournament will be held at UCLA, which will coincide with after-hours nights planned in conjunction with DJ G. Sverk of Goodtime Productions.

SONS OF PERICLES NATIONAL PROJECT TO BE NAMED IN HONOR OF BROTHER GEORGE CATSULIS

It is with great sorrow that we report the passing of Mr. George Catsulis, a Brother AHEPAN and father of Brothers Peter and Spiro Catsulis. Peter currently serves a Supreme Governor on the Supreme Lodge of the Sons of Pericles. This year’s Sons of Pericles dual National Projects are the ALS Association (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and The Cyprus Children’s Fund. It is the unanimous decision of the Lodge and the Advisory Board to donate all proceeds raised for the ALS Association in honor of Brother Catsulis's memory. Mr. Catsulis suffered from ALS, and it was for this reason that we chose to support this exceedingly worthy cause. Our primary form of fundraising will be a national raffle, with prizes to be drawn at the upcoming Supreme Convention. I ask that your prayers are with Mr. Catsulis's family and that you please do your best to support this cause in his loving memory.

SOP CHAPTER REACTIVATION & INITIATION IN DISTRICT 10

District 10 is pleased to announce the formation of a new Sons of Pericles Chapter! As part of a District-Wide initiative to re-energize the Order, Pete Tecos (Governor, AHEPA District 10), in conjunction with Olga Tecos (Governor, DOP District 10), Elena Kerasioitis (PDG and Chairperson District 10 Educational Foundation), and Kathy Katikos-Livingston (Past President, Maids of Athena), identified several candidates for creating a SOP Chapter based at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in St. Clair Shores, MI. In a ceremony that took place on November 8th, directly after the Liturgy, 10 young men took the Oath of our Order and created the new Chapter. Elections were held immediately after the ceremony. The chapter is excited about their bright future.

PARAMUS, NJ HALLOWEEN BASH REVIEW

The holiday season got off to a festive start on Saturday, October 31st, 2009, when the Paramus, NJ Sons of Pericles Marathon #46 hosted its Annual Halloween Bash. Held at Biagio's Ristorante in Paramus, NJ, over 100 people danced and mingled at the buffet and open bar costume party to raise money for various causes. The Paramus Sons President Paul Toronidis beams, "The party was a huge success. We're looking forward to an even bigger turnout at future events." Proceeds from the Halloween parties contributed to the installation of new light bulbs in the St. Athanasios auditorium. Pictures from the party have been posted on the Sons Photo Gallery.

EXPLORE HELLENISM: THE STORY BEHIND OXI DAY

Brothers, on October 28th of every year, Greece and it´s communities around the world celebrate Επετ ειοςτου «Οχι», (Anniversary of the "No"). It commemorates Ioannis Metaxas´s rejection of the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Mussolini on October 28, 1940.

On the eve of October 28, 1940, Italy´s ambassador in Athens, Emmanuele Grazzi, handed an ultimatum from Mussolini to Metaxas. In it, the Duce demanded free passage for his troops to occupy unspecified "strategic points" inside Greek territory. Greece had been friendly towards National Socialist Germany, especially profiting from mutual trade relations, but now Germany's ally, Italy, was to invade Greece. Metaxas rejected the ultimatum with the words "Alors, c´est la guerre"(French for "Then, it´s war."). In this he echoed the will of the Greek people to resist, a will which was popularly expressed in one word: "Οχι". Within hours Italy began attacking Greece from Albania.

Shortly thereafter, Metaxas addressed the Greek people with these words: "The time has come for Greece to fight for her independence. Greeks, now we must prove ourselves worthy of our forefathers and the freedom they bestowed upon us. Greeks, now fight for your Fatherland, for your wives, for your children and the sacred traditions. Now, over all things, fight!" In response to this address, the people of Greece spontaneously went out to the streets singing Greek patriotic songs and shouting anti-Italian slogans, and hundreds of thousands of volunteers, men and women, in all parts of Greece headed to the Army's offices to enlist for the war. The whole nation was united in the face of aggression.

The Greek victory over the initial Italian offensive was the first Allied land victory of the Second World War, and helped raise morale in occupied Europe. Despite the ultimate triumph of the Axis powers in the Greek campaign, the Greek resistance to the Italian invasion greatly affected the course of the Second World War. More specifically, the need for a German intervention delayed Operation Barbarossa, and caused losses, especially in aircraft and paratroopers during the airborne invasion of Crete, which affected its outcome. Adolf Hitler, in conversation with Leni Riefenstahl, would bitterly say that "if the Italians hadn't attacked Greece and needed our help, the war would have taken a different course. We could have anticipated the Russian cold by weeks and conquered Leningrad and Moscow. There would have been no Stalingrad." Furthermore, the need to occupy the country, suppress the partisans and defend it against Allied actions, tied down several German and Italian divisions during the course of the war.

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Contact Us

2nd Annual SOP Volleyball Invitational
Wyckoff, NJ
Chapter #317
January 9, 2010

SOP & MOA Valentine’s Dance
Albany, NY
February 5-7, 2010

2010 Western Regional Basketball Tournament & Greek Weekend
Los Angeles, CA
February 12-15, 2010

2010 Eastern Regional Basketball Tournament
Wyckoff, NJ
Chapter #317
April 10-11, 2010