History of the Order of AHEPA - The Years 1927-29 (Includes 388 Names)

The following is courtesy of the ORDER OF AHEPA - Taken from the book "The History of the Order of Ahepa (The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) 1922-1972" by George J. Leber, Executive Secretary of the Order of Ahepa.  Published by the Order of Ahepa, Washington, D.C. 1972.

This book is available through the U.S. Inter-library loan program, you can work with your local library to obtain a copy.

CHAPTER THREE:  The Years 1927-29

Fifth Supreme Convention

August 29 - September 3, 1927

Miami, Florida

The officers of the Convention business sessions were:  Achilles Catsonis, Chairman; Philip Stylianos, Vice Chairman; and Alexander Page, Secretary.  There were 122 delegates present, including ten Supreme Lodge officers, seven members of the Mother Lodge, and 105 Chapter delegates.

The Chapter Delegates to this convention were:  

Tony Hadji, Charlotte, N.C.

Nick Giannaris, Charleston, S.C.

Dr. G.M. Saliba, Savannah, Ga.

George Smitzes and N. Contax, Tampa, Fla.

T.M. Parsons, Tulsa, Okla.

A. Horologas, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Elias Smitzes, Tarpon Springs, Fla.

Charles Dixie, Dallas, Texas

George Demeter, Boston, Mass.

Dean Alfange and John Dounoukos, New York City

Michael Dorizas, Philadelphia

James Karambelas and John Billias, Asheville, N.C.

James Cafcalas, Houston, Tex.

Nicholas Sakelos, Baltimore

George Thomaides, Washington, D.C.

Arthur Karkalas, Pittsburgh

Philip Stylianos, Nashua, N.H.

C.A. Tsangadas, Cleveland

Achilles Catsonis, Syracuse, N.Y.

Alex D. Varkas, Brookline, Mass.

Alex Patrellis, Detroit

Peter Catavolos, Brooklyn

E.A. Coronis and George A. Stathes, New York City

J. Papador, Milwaukee

Soterios Docos, Manchester, N.H.

William Roussis and D. Parry, Chicago

E. Rassias, Waterbury, Conn.

A.C. Kirios, Lynn, Mass.

George Veras, Yonkers, N.Y.

John Givas, Newark, N.J.

G. Theodorou, St. Louis

Andrew C. Angelson, Paterson, N.J.

George Demopoulos, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Peter Stavropoulos, Brockton, Mass.

P. L. Adams and Peter Demos, Canton, Ohio

John Stathius, Allentown, Pa.

J. Toulas, Reading, Pa.

Steve Kremastiotes, Bridgeport, Conn.

John D. Petrou, Akron, Ohio

Nicholas Notarys, Harrisburg, Pa.

E.J. Lagouros, Bethlehem, Pa.

A. G. Galanes, Astoria, N.Y.

Mike Frangos, Lancaster, Pa.

Peter Skokos, Trenton, N.J.

Alex J. Page, Kansas City, Mo.

George Lagakos, New Brunswick, N.J.

Jerry Nickas, Sunbury, Pa.

Peter A. Romas, Binghamton, N.Y.

P. E. Volo, Gary, Ind.

John Pappas, Chester, Pa.

Dr. Anthony Vamvas, Worcester, Mass.

E. Malas, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Louis Constantine, Portland, Me.

Rev. S. S. Spathy, Richmond, Va.

James Veras, Scranton, Pa.

George B. Andronicos, Springfield, Mass.

George J. Gibas, Jamaica, N.Y.

John Borovilos, Nw Castle, Pa.

John Aronis, Warren, Ohio

Const. G. Economou, Youngstown, Ohio

P. Nicholson, Danbury, Conn.

J. I. Evans, Buggalo, N.Y.

Gus Pappas, Steubenville, Ohio

Dr. C. J. Thomas, Chicago

Peter G. Sikokis, Chicago

John Govatos, Wilmington, Del.

P. Siniaris, Clarksburg, W. Va.

Anthony Rallis, New Haven, Conn.

Peter Marianopoulos, Stamford, Conn.

J. S. Stratigos, South Bend, Ind.

Steven S. Johnson, New Bedford, Mass.

Soterios Sampatacos, Lowell, Mass.

J.H. De Metro, Weirton, W. Va.

Achilles Joahnides, Providence, R.I.

C.G. Poulakos, Erie, Pa.

Nick D. Maousmoules, Jersey City, N.J.

John Catsampas, Pottsville, Pa.

John Marcopoulos, Norwich, Conn.

Nicholas Florides, Dayton, Ohio

E.G. Vaffeus, Plainfield, N.J.

Peter D. Bekeros, Newburgh, N.Y.

A.A. Adams, Toledo, Ohio

George Skaliotes, Peabody, Mass.

James M. Kotsobolos, Moline, Ill.

S. Logaras, Norfolk, Va.

P.C. Karavassos, Morgantown, W. Va.

John Manos, Schenectady, N.Y.

M. Frangidakis, Lewiston, Me.

J. Dellis, Bluefield, W. Va.

Const. Pellias, New Orleans, La.

J. Constand, Lynchburg, Va.

E. Apostolou, Roanoke, Va.

Louis Pappas, Fall River, Mass.

N. Katis, Flint, Mich.

S. Vlakousis, Lansing, Mich.

Tom N. Katris, Utica, N.Y.

Harry Zaharas, Elyria, Ohio

S. J. Tsenes, Joliet, Ill.

Thomas Jennett, Cincinnati, Ohio

The Supreme Lodge elected by the Miami convention was:

Dean Alfange, Supreme President

George E. Phillies, Supreme Vice President

Achilles Catsonis, Supreme Secretary

George J. Willias, Supreme Treasurer

Philip Stylianos, Supreme Counsellor

Supreme Governors:  Alexander Varkas, James Veras, Philip Peppas, George G. Smitzes, P.E. Volo, S. S. Spathy, C. R. Nixon, G. Theodorou, Alexander Petrelis, N.C. Calogeras, and Geroge C. Peterson.

Formation of "The Maids of Athens" at Springfield, Mass., by the Chapter, under the direction of Brother E. L. Janetis.  The first officers of The Maids of Athens Chapter were:

Maria Perivolas, President

Lucy Cokkinias, Vice President

Democlia Janetis, Secretary

Beatrice Soticopoulos, Treasurer

Helen Andricopoulos, Governor

Toula Saris, Governor

Helen Megas, Governor

Athina Hassapeli, Priestess

Catherine Caranicolas, Warden

Helen Kotopodas, Sentinel

Ahepa Scholarships awarded to:  E. Perivolas, Nicholas Argyr, John Sakellaris, Const. Gatsos, Cl L. Orphanides, M. G. Stratidakis, Arthur Hassiotis, Vasilios Vasiliou, Dan Pananicles, George Vanson, Peter Louris, and T. Protopapas

In a letter dated March 19, 1928 from the City Alderman of Ypsilanti, Mich., the City officially accepted the offer of the Order of Ahepa to erect a monument in their city in honor of Greek Revolutionary hero Gen. Demetrius Ypsilanti, after whom the city was named.  The Ahepa Committee in charge of the project was:  Supreme Governor A. Petrelis Perry, D. G Christopoulos (Chairman), Dr. Hale, Dr. Moisides, N.A. Nicholson, Charles Diamond, Constantine DeMoes, C.A. Tsangadas, J. Vouvakis, and James Balas.

The Sixth Supreme Convention

August 27 - September 1, 1928

Detroit, Michigan

The 1928 convention in Detroit was the largest in history to that time, with 164 delegates present.  Besides the Supreme Lodge, Mother Lodge Members Harry Angelopoulos, John Angelopoulos, Nicholas D. Chotas, George A. Polos, and P.J. Stamos, the following delegates represented their Chapters:

A.E. Constantine, Atlanta

Theodore Gianaris, Charleston, S.C.

Dr. G. M. Saliba, Savannah, Ga.

Frank Demetrios, Jacksonville, Fla.

N.N. Contax, Tampa, Fla.

Tony Crystal, Tulsa, Okla.

Gregory Constantine and George Morris, Miami

A. J. Horologas, St. Petersburg, Fla.

John T. Diamandis and John K. Douglas, Tarpon Springs

Sam Georges, Ft. Worth

George Cordes and Peter Vouchelas, New York City

George Cambanis, Phildelphia

James K. Karambelas and Pete Trouros, Asheville, N.C.

John L. Nicholas, Houston

Angelo Schiadaressi, Baltimore

George C. Vournas and Const. Placokefalos, Washington, D.C.

Arthur A. Karkalas, Pittsburgh

Const. A. Tsangadas, Cleveland

N.D. Spinos, Syracuse, N.Y.

George D. Raptieu and Charles N. Diamond, Detroit, Mich.

Thomas S. Themelis, Brooklyn

Zacharias E. Djimas and Emanuel G. Psaki, New York City

Stanley Stacey and C. C. Canellopoulos, Milwaukee

A. J. Bafallis and Soterios Docos, Manchester, N.H.

D.E. Alex and P.J. Prattes, Chicago

Milton Gounaris, Lawrence, Mass. 

Peter N. Laskas and Nicholas Anastos, Waterbury, Conn.

C.J. Critzas, Yonkers, N.Y.

John A. Givas, Newark, N.J.

John Karzin, St. Louis

A.C. Angelson and Samuel Aros, Paterson, N.J.

James Steliotis and Athanasios Petropoulos, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

James Tzimoulis, Hartford, Conn.

Andrew Nickas, Canton, Ohio

George Fullas, Allentown, Pa.

Louis Sofianos, Reading, Pa.

James G. Sentimentes, Bridgeport, Conn.

John D. Petrou, Akron, Ohio

Nicholas Notarys, Harrisburg, Pa.

Chris N. Geanakopolis, Minneapolis

Constantine Austin, Rochester, N.Y.

William Essaris and Pete Vamis, Wheeling, W. Va.

Thomas Shissias, Camden, N.J.

Soteris Lagges, Lancaster, Pa.

Michael D. Konomos, Kansas City, Mo.

Nick Orphan, Massilon, Ohio

George Lagakos, New Brunswick, N.J.

Louis Daniel, Sunbury, Pa.

S.G. Gianakouros, Binghamton, N.Y.

Louis H. George, Gary, Ind.

Nicholas D. Diacumakos, Chester, Pa.

Dr. Ph. Kyritsis, Worcester, Mass

Nick Paikos, Ft. Wayne, Ind.

L.K. Constantine, Portland, Me.

George Subley, Richmond, Va.

Peter Chakiris and Paul Kaldes, Scranton, Pa.

Elias Janetis, Springfield, Mass.

Nicholas Lampadakis, Jamaica, N.Y.

George Karides, New Castle, Pal

Chris Charnas, Warren, Ohio

Const. Economou, Youngstown, Ohio

Chris Demopoulos, Buffalo, N.Y.

Louis Fronistas, Steubenville, Ohio

A.A. Pantelis and M.N. Lambros, Chicago

George A. Kyriakopoulos and Harry G, Boolookos, Chicago

Alexander Poulicos and Steve Sarafis, Clarksburg, W. Va.

George E. Johnson, Astoria, N.Y.

Anthony Rallis, New Haven, Conn.

Peter Maryannopoulos, Stamford, Conn.

Nicholas A. Kandis, South Bend, Ind.

Steven Johnson, New Bedford, Mass.

Dr. T.A. Stamas, Lowell, Mass.

Gust Barbush, Steve Doulis, Weirton, W.Va.

John Koliopoulos, Oak Park, Ill.

George K. Demopoulos, Providence, R.I.

George K. Alexander and Const. Morris, Jersey City, N.J.

Carl Dakis, Pottsville, Pa.

John Romas, Elmira, N.Y.

Peter G. Giftos, Pittsfield, Mass.

Const. Zahars, Dayton, Ohio

E.G. Vaffeus, Plainfield, N.J.

Peter Bekyros, Newburgh, N.Y.

Alex Chanaka and George Laskey, Uniontown, Pa.

Anthony A. Adams, Toledo, Ohio

James N. Kotsovolos, Moline, Ill.

George Pahno, Norfolk, Va.

G.D. Skufakis, Hammond, Ind.

P.C. Karavassos, Morgantown, W. Va.

John Manos, Schenectady, N.Y.

Peter C. Malas, Cincinnati, Ohio

Costas Athan, Joliet, Ill.

George D. Panos, Bluefield, W. Va.

A.E. Couloheras, New Orleans, La.

Peter Zenings, Pontiac, Mich.

Nicholas D. Duskas, Watertown, N.Y.

J.N. Castros, Roanoke, Va.

Angel Triffon, Columbus, Ohio

Harry Katsiginis, Albany, N.Y.

Thomas Petrou, Flint, Mich.

Spiros Kahriman, Lansing, Mich.

Thomas N. Catris, Utica, N.Y.

Harry Zahars, Elyria, Ohio

James G. Dikeou, Denver

Jean N. Blaetos and Chris Harvalis, Omaha

Thomas Kademenos, Yorkville, Ohio

John H. Stampolis, San Francisco

A.A. Ladas, Fresno, Calif.

S. D. Christie, Los Angeles

Nicholas S. Chekos, Portland, Ore.

Charles Nicholas, Hopewell, Va.

William E. Contos, Washington, Pa.

George Spiridakis, Indiana Harbor, Ind.

John J. Pappas, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

G. Pappas, Bridgeton, N.J.

John Vouvakis, Detroit

Anton G Kochias and James L. Lesson, Beloit, Wisc.

P.S. Marthakis, Salt Lake City, Utah

Alex Keriakedes, Lincoln, Nebr.

James Camaras, Grand Island, Nebr.

Claibourne G. Perry, Bridgeport, Nebr.

Harry Delucas, Atlantic City

James Bouloukos, Freeport, N.Y.

George Giaksas, Bronx, N.Y.

J.J. Zefkeles, Seattle

V.I. Chebithes, New York City

Andrew Katsinos, Springfield, Ill.

George A. Stephano, Sioux Falls, S. Dak.

George M. Paradise, Sioux City, Ia.

John D. Smith, Des Moines, Ia.

The convention officers elected were:

C.R. Nixon, Chairman

Const. A. Tsangadas, Vice Chairman

Const. G. Economou, Secretary

The Detroit convention elected the following Supreme Lodge:

Dean Alfange, re-elected to the office of Supreme President

George E. Phillies, re-elected Supreme Vice President

Achilles Catsonis, re-elected Supreme Secretary

John Govatos, Supreme Treasurer

C.A. Tsangadas, Supreme Counsellor

Supreme Governors:  Elias Janetis, James Veras, Philip D. Peppas, George C. Vournas, George S. Smitzes, C.R. Nixon, Peter G. Sikokis, Alexander Petrellis Perry, P.S. Marthakis, and George C. Peterson.

March 4, 1929 Inaugural Parade in Washington 

The Ahepa marchers were:  

James Koliopulos

A.B. Nicol

J. Paul Smith

John N. Collas

John P. Callas

Mike Sallas

John Nacopoulos

John Stamatakos

Thomas Phiopilis

George Papoutsis

Mike Procopiou

James Pananes

William Geckas

James Touloumis

C.H. Contos

Brother Mantis

Peter L. Dounis

Dr. Charles J. Demas

George H. Chaconas

Nick Manos

Nicholas Sakelos

Costas Paxenos

S. Kapiris

G.S. Andoniades

Themistocles N. Gounaris

Harry D. Nicholson

George Theodorou

Louis Lampros

George Katsaros

George G. Gouvas.

Supreme Lodge Photographed with President Calvin Coolidge

On February 4, 1929, the Ahepa Supreme Lodge visited President Calvin Coolidge at the White House in Washington, D.C., and the the President graciously walked out onto the White House lawn, where he was photographed with the entire Supreme Lodge.  Photographed with President Coolidge were:  Supreme President Alfange, Supreme Vice President Phillies, Supreme Secretary Catsonis, Supreme Treasurer Govatos, Supreme Counsellor Tsangadas, and Supreme Governors Janetis, Veras, Peppas, Vournas, Smitzes, Nixon, Sikokis, Perry, Marthakis, Peterson, and Volo.

Ahepa Scholorships 1929

Nicholas K. Matsoukas, Chicago

George J. Blaetus, Omaha

James A. Mitchell, Pittsburgh

Constantine Gatsos, Cleveland

D. Daniel Pananicles, Syracuse

John Leacacos, Cambridge

John Rodites, Brooklyn

Peter Kourides, Manchester

C.S. Stephanides, Ithaca

E. Athanasiades, Worcester

D. Diamandides, Springfield

George E. Loucas, Weirton

S.S. Aridas, Newark

George Phalares, Chicago

C. Orphanides, Worcester

August Pantages, Aberdeen, Wash.