AHEPA Chapter supports mission trip to Mexico

Tony Phyrillas, treasurer of the Gust C. Kraras AHEPA Chapter No 61, presents a check for $2,000 to the Mission Team from Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church to help fund the group's upcoming mission trip to Mexico.

The Gust. C. Kraras Order of AHEPA Chapter No. 61 donated $2,000 to support a mission trip to Mexico by members of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, PA.

The Mission Team, led by Father Cornelius Grandberry, will spend a week in Tijuana, Mexico, helping to build a house for a needy family.

The team has been raising money for the trip in recent weeks. It is selling authentic Mexican blankets and sponsored a Taco Sale during the church's fellowship hour on Sunday, June 28.

AHEPA member Ion Craciun, pictured on the right, is matching the chapter donation, so with the $2,000 from the chapter, the $2,000 from Craciun and the $1,000 raised during the Taco Sale, the Mission Trip collected $5,000 to cover expenses for the trip.

AHEPAN Tony Phyrillas honored as 'Father of the Year'

Parish Council President Chris Dikos, right, presents a plaque to Tony Phyrillas on Father's Day, recognizing Phyrillas as the 2026 Father of the Year at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, Pa. (Photo by Phil Macaronis)

After the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June 21, 2026, Phil Macaronis continued the practice of handing out red carnations to all the fathers in attendance. Macaronis has donated the flowers for many years in memory of his late father, Michael Macaronis. First in line on Sunday was Tony Phyrillas, recipient of the 2026 Father of the Year award presented by the church. (Photo by Chris Dikos)

Since 1987, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, Pa., has chosen one parishioner to honor as Father of the Year. The 2026 recipient is Tony Phyrillas. Parish Council President Chris Dikos presented Tony with a plaque honoring his dedication to his family and service to the church. 

Tony has served on the Parish Council for 31 years, including two terms as president. He is currently serving as council secretary and parliamentarian. Tony has also been a Sunday School teacher for the past 20 years at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church and has been chairman of the Gyro Room at the church's annual Greek Food Bazaar for the past 35 years. 

Tony has been a member of AHEPA Chapter No. 61 for 40 years, including serving multiple terms as chapter president.

More than 100 attend AHEPA Christmas Party

The AHEPA Chapter No. 61 Christmas Party was a big success with more than 100 in attendance. (Photo by Chris Dikos)

About 130 guests attended a Family Christmas Party hosted by the Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 Order of AHEPA on Monday, December 29, 2025, in the Kraras Hall at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading.

Those in attendance, including dozens of children, were treated to food and drink, music, a magician, and a ventriloquist.

Gino Caloiero and Sal Caloiero from Salvatore's Pizza, Pasta & Subs donated their time and talents to man the kitchen and make delicious pizzas, steak sandwiches and 'Greek' fries.

Erick Hershey dazzled children with his magic, and Marian & Friends captivated the kids with her ventriloquist act. The evening concluded with the singing of Christmas carols.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

Ventriloquist Marian Gehman with one of her puppet friends entertains a group of children at the AHEPA Christmas Party. (Photo by Chris Dikos)

Erick Hershey performs a magic trick for a group of children at the AHEPA Chapter 61 Christmas Party. (Photo by Tony Phyrillas)

Gino Caloiero and Sal Caloiero manned the kitchen at the Christmas Party, along with a few helpers. (Photo by Tony Phyrillas)

AHEPA Chapter 61 President George Giovanis welcomes everyone to the AHEPA Christmas Party on Monday, December 29, 2025. (Photo by Tony Phyrillas)

AHEPANS volunteered at the Chapter 61 Christmas Party. Pictured l-r: Alex Simotas, Tony Phyrillas, Chris Wagner, Jon Thompson and Bryant Shunk. (Photo by Anthony Koumaras)

AHEPAN Chris Kraras honored by Albright College

Chris G. Kraras in front of the newly-named Kraras Hall at Albright College in Reading, Pa. (Photo courtesy of Albright College)

READING, PA. - On Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, the Albright community gathered for the Building Dedication and Naming Ceremony as Rockland Hall officially became Kraras Hall. 

The dedication celebrates the extraordinary generosity and enduring commitment of Chris G. Kraras ’69 and Ann Baxewanis Kraras to Albright College’s mission and students. 

Albright College posted this message on the school's Facebook page: "This moment marks a proud and historic milestone on campus, symbolizing the strength of alumni support and a bright future ahead. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this meaningful celebration, and a heartfelt thank you to Chris and Ann Kraras for their remarkable generosity and unwavering support in helping build a bright future for Albright College!"

After the dedication ceremony, a reception in Chris' honor was held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

Chris Kraras is a longtime member of the Gust C. Kraras AHEPA Chapter No. 61. The chapter was renamed in honor of Chris' late father, Gust.

AHEPAN Peter Giorgi elevated to Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Peter F. Giorgi at the October 20, 2024, Investiture Ceremony for the latest group of Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh places a cross on Giorgi as Archbishop Elpidophoros of America smiles as he looks on from behind. (Photo by Dimitrios Panagos) 

On Sunday, October 20, 2024, following the Divine Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided at the Investiture of 28 new Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, including Peter F. Giorgi.

In his exhortation at the installation, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros remarked that since the new Archons are "the exemplary sons of the Mother Church," their "declarations of faith and devotion are no mere pronouncements." Rather, he continued, "They are bonds of duty and responsibility that bind you to Her in the fellowship of Archons around the world."

Peter Giorgi is President and CEO of Giorgi Global Holdings, Inc., Director of Can Corporation of America, and Director of The Giorgi Family Foundation.

Peter Giorgi is a member of the Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 of the Order of AHEPA and a parishioner of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, PA. 

His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Archon Peter F. Giorgi pose for a selfie at the end of the Investiture Ceremony for the 28 new Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. (Photo by Dimitrios Panagos)

Reading High School Alumni Association honors Tony Phyrillas as Distinguished Alumni

The 2023 Reading High School alumni honorees are from left: Aigné Goldsby, Linda Kelleher and Tony Phyrillas. 

READING — Three "Distinguished Alumni" - including AHEPAN Tony Phyrillas - were honored on May 20, 2023, by the Reading High School Alumni Association at its Annual Reunion and Recognition Banquet.

The event, which also featured the awarding of $2,000 scholarships to 15 graduating seniors, was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton.

The 2023 honorees:

• Tony Phyrillas, a 1979 graduate of Reading High School who has been editor of The Mercury in Pottstown, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning daily newspaper, since 2016. Phyrillas has received numerous state and national awards for journalistic excellence during his 40-year career and was also honored for his community service. Tony has served 2 years on the Mount Penn Borough Council, 5 years on the Central Berks Regional Police Commission, helped founded the Kiwanis Club of East Penn Valley, and has been a member of the Parish Council at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church since 1996 and a member of the Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 of the Order of AHEPA for 35 years.

• Aigné Goldsby, a 2007 Reading High School graduate who went on to complete law school and is an attorney in Connecticut. She is also an author, career coach, motivational speaker and founder of Black Esquire LLC, which is dedicated to increasing the number of Black lawyers in the U.S.

• Linda Kelleher, a 1976 graduate of Reading High School who serves as City Clerk for the City of Reading, a position she has held since 1996. Kelleher oversees and coordinates Reading City Council’s legislative action, committee agenda development, budget policies, programs and project management operations.

The banquet concluded with the awarding of scholarships to 2023 Reading High School graduating seniors.

The three Reading High alumni honorees are joined by the 2023 scholarship winners.

AHEPAN Tony Phyrillas to be honored by Reading High School Alumni Association

One of our AHEPA Chapter members will be honored as a Distinguished Alumni at the Reading High School Alumni Association Annual Reunion and Recognition Banquet on Saturday, May 20, 2023. 

Tony Phyrillas, a 1979 graduate of Reading Senior High School, is currently the editor of The Mercury, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning daily newspaper in Pottstown. Phyrillas is being recognized for his 40-year career in journalism and his volunteer work at his church and the Berks County community. 

Phyrillas has been a member of the Reading AHEPA Chapter for 38 years.

Reading High alumni and guests are invited to attend the luncheon at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 701 Penn St., Reading. Festivities begin at 10:00 a.m. with lunch served promptly at 12:00 p.m. 

Cost is $35 per person. Reservations forms were included in the Spring issue of the Alumni Newsletter and can also be made online at https://readinghighschoolalumni.org/banquet/ 

Tables of 8 can be reserved if you want to sit with a group. 

The reservation deadline, including your food selection, is May 8, 2023.

Highlights from 2020 Senior Recognition Dinner at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church

 Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church and the Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 of the Order of AHEPA recently teamed up to host a Senior Recognition Dinner in honor of graduating high school seniors who attend the church in Reading. Students and their families were treated to a dinner in the church Social Hall and each graduate received a "College Survival Kit" prepared by Rev. Theodore Petrides and Lay Assistant/Youth Director Dino Alexandrides. The kit contained a variety of items that the students can take with them to college this fall, including the Orthodox Study Bible, a prayer book, a T-shirt and candles. The students are formally recognized during the last day of Sunday School and at the AHEPA Scholarship Banquet, but the shutdowns forced by the coronavirus outbreak canceled both events. The students attending the Recognition Dinner were Peyton Kraras, Mackenzie Kraras, Amara Midouhas, Dante Porcaro, Anna Caloiero, and Gabe Koumaras. (Toni Dikos and AJ Futrick were unable to attend.) Each of the students was also awarded scholarship money by the AHEPA chapter.

Below are some photo highlights from the Senior Recognition Dinner courtesy of Phil Macaronis.

AHEPAN Christ Kraras featured in Reading Eagle

Christ G. Kraras is President of White Star Tours.

AHEPA member Christ G. Kraras was featured in the Reading Eagle newspaper discussing his business, White Star Tours. You can read the article here: http://www.readingeagle.com/sections/article/getting-away-for-the-weekend

AHEPAN George Zeppos featured in Reading Eagle

Reading AHEPA Chapter member George Zeppos was recently featured in an article in the Reading Eagle. George and his wife Eleny are taking over food and beverage management of the YR Club in Wyomissing. Read the full article at the newspaper's website: http://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/yr-club-changes-with-the-times

AHEPAN Tony Phyrillas featured on Pennsylvania Cable Network TV program

Tony Phyrillas, pictured above on the left, was a panelists on the "Journalists Roundtable" television program on the Pennsylvania Cable Network. The program was aired on Thursday, April 19, on cable systems across Pennsylvania. Phyrillas is the Editor of The Mercury newspaper in Pottstown, Pa., where the program was taped. It was Tony's 21st appearance on the weekly program, which features working journalists from across Pennsylvania discussing state and national political issues.

AHEPA Members Volunteer at Greek Food Bazaar

All members of the Gust C. Kraras AHEPA Chapter No. 61 are asked to volunteer this coming weekend (Oct. 20-21-22, 2017) at the 47th Annual Greek Food Bazaar at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, Pa. As you can see from these photos, many chapter members have been working hard in preparation for the annual church fundraiser. Help is needed throughout the weekend festival.