2026 Hellenic Federation of NJ Gala Honors Pan Gregorian, George A. Tsougarakis and Grants Scholarships
A Night of Recognition
On June 7, the Hellenic Federation of New Jersey held its annual gala at Graycliff Manor in Moonachie, NJ. Federation President Dr. Peter Stavrianidis and the Board of Directors presented the Alexander the Great Community Service Award to Pan Gregorian Enterprises, Inc. and the P.G.E.I. of America Charitable Foundation, Inc., while George A. Tsougarakis, Esq. received the Alexander the Great Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, students Rafaella Foteni Lambrinos, Zoe Stella Mylonakis, Alyson Michaels, and Valentina Francesca Malo were honored with awards and scholarships. |
See the event program here
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Federation former President and Founder Elias Eliadis
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Federation Honorary President and Founder Andreas Comodromos
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Federation Vice President of South Jersey Adam Moraitis
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Federation President Panos Stavrianidis
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Celebrating Hellenism and Service
Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey opened the evening with warm congratulations, praising the honorees for their impactful social work and lauding the students as exemplary bearers of Hellenism. He emphasized that the Federation has consistently worked to spread the Greek Orthodox faith, foster communication among Greek communities statewide, and promote the homeland’s culture. Federation President Dr. Stavrianidis noted that the awards were created to acknowledge the diverse contributions of Greeks abroad and philhellenes, adding, “This evening is an affirmation of our shared mission to preserve and strengthen Hellenism, our faith, language, and values.”
Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey opened the evening with warm congratulations, praising the honorees for their impactful social work and lauding the students as exemplary bearers of Hellenism. He emphasized that the Federation has consistently worked to spread the Greek Orthodox faith, foster communication among Greek communities statewide, and promote the homeland’s culture. Federation President Dr. Stavrianidis noted that the awards were created to acknowledge the diverse contributions of Greeks abroad and philhellenes, adding, “This evening is an affirmation of our shared mission to preserve and strengthen Hellenism, our faith, language, and values.”
A Lifetime of Faith and Service Honored
George A. Tsougarakis, General Counsel of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America since 2020, was celebrated for his unwavering dedication to the Church and Greek American community. Metropolitan Apostolos described him as a quiet, respectful servant to clergy and faithful alike. Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia praised Tsougarakis’s integrity and expertise, while Federation President Dr. Panos Stavrianidis highlighted his intellect and humor. In a moving moment, Tsougarakis’s daughter, Kira, introduced her father, who humbly thanked those who shaped his journey, stating, “Hellenism is not just an ideal—it is a call to serve and uplift our community.”
George A. Tsougarakis, General Counsel of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America since 2020, was celebrated for his unwavering dedication to the Church and Greek American community. Metropolitan Apostolos described him as a quiet, respectful servant to clergy and faithful alike. Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia praised Tsougarakis’s integrity and expertise, while Federation President Dr. Panos Stavrianidis highlighted his intellect and humor. In a moving moment, Tsougarakis’s daughter, Kira, introduced her father, who humbly thanked those who shaped his journey, stating, “Hellenism is not just an ideal—it is a call to serve and uplift our community.”
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Honorees of Pan Gregorian Chris Karamanos and Michael Zavolas
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Honoree George Tsougarakis GOARCH General Counsel
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From left to right, George Pappas past treasurer and founding fember of the HFNJ, Elias Iliadis, MD, HFNJ Past President, Education Committee Chair, Adam Moraitis HFNJ Vice President of South Jersey, Dimitrios B. Kontolios HFNJ VP Government Affairs, and Gary Ahladianakis Esq. HFNJ Assistant Secretary
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His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia
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From left to right, Nikitas Tampakis HFNJ Treasurer & New Generation Chair, Despina Axiotakis HFNJ Event Consultant & Cypriot Federation VP, Minas Antoniou HFNJ Assistant Treasurer and Aphrodite Daniel
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His Eminence, Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey
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Consul General: Mr Kyriakos Pogiatzis and Despina Axiotakis HFNJ Event Consultant & Cypriot Federation VP
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Left to right: Consul of Greece in New York Petros Dorizas, Consul General of Cyprus in New York Kyriakos Pogiatzis, Kira Tsougarakis, Eva and honoree George Tsougarakis, Metropolitan Apostolos, Hellenic Federation of NJ President Dr. Peter Stavrianidis, and Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia. Photo credit: TNH/Michael Kakias
From left to right, Tassos Papaioannou (song), Panos Chrysovergis (keyboard), HFNJ President Panos Stavrianidis and Aphrodite Daniel (song - national anthems
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Master of ceremonies Jason Stavrianidis
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From left to right, Nikitas Tampakis HFNJ Treasurer & New Generation Chair, Despina Axiotakis HFNJ Event Consultant & Cypriot Federation VP, Father Panayiotis Lekkas (Protopresbyter), HFNJ Liaison to Metropolis of NJ, Dimitrios B. Kontolios HFNJ VP Gov. Affairs, Aggeliki Hionis HFNJ Member at Large, Angelo Athanasopoulos Ed.D. HFNJ General Secretary, Andreas Comodromos CPA, HFNJ Past President, Panos Stavrianidis, Ph.D. HFNJ President, his Eminence, Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, Dimitrios Arhontoulis HFNJ VP Central Jersey, Elias Iliadis, MD, HFNJ Past President, Education Committee Chair, Gary Ahladianakis Esq. HFNJ Assistant Secretary, and Dimitrios A Gonias HFNJ Vice President of North Jersey
The event in the Omogeneia press
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