Photos (c) 2003 by Areti Bratsis
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Metropolis of Boston Confers Ministry Awards |
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Of the 57 honorees, 7 were recipients designed by His Eminence: Chrysanthe Dikos, Paraskeve Kantges, George Markakos, Christopher Pappas, Nicholas Philopoulos, George Toumpouras, and Arthur Triantafel. These persons received awards as “outstanding examples of what it means to be Greek Orthodox.” Fifty other dedicated stewards were nominated by their own parishes for the awards. Stewardship of time and talents is the basis for these annual awards. Connecticut The parish of Saint Sophia in New London, Connecticut, selected Joyce Aretakis; Holy Trinity congregants of Norwich chose Joe & Helen Homski. Maine Representing St. George of Bangor, Maine was Maria Muller. Antoinette Orestes of Holy Trinity of Lewiston, Maine stepped forward to receive her award. And Eugenia Lebares of Holy Trinity in Portland, Maine graciously accepted her certificate from His Eminence. Massachusetts
New Hampshire From New Hampshire there were 10 recipients: Theodoros Skafidas of Holy Trinity of Concord; George and Althea Coussoule of Annunciation of Dover; Bill and Elaine Ellis of Saint George of Keene; Presbytera Eleni Coulouras of Taxiarchae of Laconia; Costa Georgopoulos of Assumption of Manchester; Plato Canotas of Saint George Cathedral of Manchester; Nick Skarlos of Saint Nicholas of Manchester; Constantine and Marrietta Eftimiou of Saint Philip of Nashua; Bessie Juris of Saint Basil of Newport; Vasilios Pamboukes of Saint Nicholas of Portsmouth. Rhode Island From Rhode Island came three recipients: Charles Pournaras of Annunciation of Cranston; Michael Sisak of Saint Spyridon of Newport; Nicholas Georgitsis of Assumption of Pawtucket.
Vladimir N. Chernyshov of Dormition Greek Orthodox Church was selected to receive the ministry award from Burlington, Vermont. Participants and guests enjoyed a fine meal in the spacious and luxurious ballroom of Lombardo’s. Following dinner, the program opened with brief remarks by the Master of Ceremonies, Mary Papoutsy, followed by formal greetings from Angelo Stamoulis, representing the Metropolis of Boston Council, Helen Sampsonis, the Second Vice President of the Metropolis Philoptochos Board, the Very Reverend Constantine S. Bebis, President of the New England Clergy Brotherhood, and the Honorable Konstantin Bikas, Consul General of Greece in Boston. Attendees viewed a brief, but outstanding video presentation about the Metropolitan Camp and Retreat Center in New Hampshire, prepared by Christopher Pappas. Mezzo-Soprano Joanne Katsoulis again graced the dais with her lovely voice for a short Musical Interlude, accompanied by pianist Steven Morris. Together they performed Somewhere from the hit Broadway play West Side Story and To Fengari by Hatzidakis. His Eminence delivered a brief archpastoral reflection before presenting the awards. Assisting His Eminence were Rev. Athanasios Demos, Chancellor of the Metropolis, and Mrs. Sophia Nibi, Administrative Assistant to His Eminence. A number of sponsors contributed generously to the success of the event: George and Margo Behrakis, Christos and Mary Papoutsy, George and Pauline Toumpouras, The Demoulas Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Anton, the Archons of New England, George and Margo Chryssis, Community Credit Union of Lynn, Massachusetts, Leo and Evanthea Condakes, Mr. and Mrs. George E. Danis, Katerina and George Demeter and Family, Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos Board, the Katsiroubas Family, Angelo and Barbara Stamoulis, Mr. and Mrs. George G. Kalambokis, Prof. and Mrs. Peter Karvaites, Mr. and Mrs. James P. Lemonias, Dean Limberakis, Portia Pantages, and Chris Tsaganis. Award-winning photographer Areti Bratsis of Foxboro, MA, is a graduate of the New England School of Photography and is a member of state, national and regional professsional associations. Visit her website at www.aretiphoto.com  |
