The Greek American Educational Public Information System (GAEPIS) and Hellenic Public Radio – Cosmos FM honored Steve and Angela Zervoudis with its prestigious Phidippides Award at a well-attended Gala at The Union League Club in New York City.
The Award, this year being awarded for the 31st time, is named for the ancient Athenian running courier whose endurance and service inspired the marathon race. The Phidippides Award is presented each year to those “whose work reflects a sustained commitment to Hellenic culture and community life.”
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America offered congratulatory remarks to GAEPIS and Cosmos FM for their valuable gift to the Greek American community. His Eminence then praised the recipients of the award, Steve and Angela Zervoudis.
“Together with their children and their grandchildren, most of them are present this evening, as I see, all of them, they represent the best of our Hellenic and Orthodox Christian values,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said. “I am so proud to join my voice in a chorus of praise with all of you, in congratulating them and wishing them good health, prosperity in body and soul, and the reward of their many days.”
Steve and Angela expressed gratitude for the award and spoke at the event, Angela stating: “the need for unity in this endeavor is as urgent as ever. We must continue to work together, supporting and embracing the efforts of all those dedicated to this noble cause.”
GAEPIS Board of Directors Chair Amalia Bournias also commemorated the recipients of the award, commending their commitment to the Greek American diaspora.
“We gather to honor two extraordinary individuals whose generosity, faith, and vision have strengthened the Greek American diaspora, advanced Greek education, supported our ecumenical patriarchate, and uplifted the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America,” Amalia Bournias said. “Their philanthropy is not simply financial support. It is an act of stewardship. It is an investment in continuity. It is a declaration that our heritage matters, our faith matters, and our future matters.”
The event also marked the 39th anniversary of Cosmos FM. Bournias lifted praise for the outlet, stating that Cosmos FM serves as “far more than a voice on the FM dial. It is a living thread connecting generations of Hellenism, Orthodoxy, culture, language, memory, and identity across the world.”
“May this evening remind us that when we invest in our culture, our education, and our youth, we are not merely preserving a legacy. We are building a future together,” Bournias said.
In attendance was Ambassador Aghi Balta, Greece’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Also present were Consul General of Greece Iphageneia Kanara and The Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus in New York Kyriakos Pogiatzis.
CosmosFM’s Michael Stratis, the producer and voice behind Musical Masterworks, served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies.
Source: orthodoxobserver.org/ By / Photos by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
