AHEPA honored figures in Hellenic service, Philadelphia business, and religious-freedom advocacy at its Family Grand Banquet & Ball on Friday, July 31, at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown.
The banquet came near the close of AHEPA’s 104th Supreme Convention, held in Philadelphia as the United States marked its 250th anniversary. The organization presented awards to Pantelis Boumpouras, Pete Pahides and his late father, Gus P. Pahides, and Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis. George Horiates also received the 2026 AHEPA Medal of Honor for his work organizing the convention.
U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle welcomed members to what he called the nation’s birthplace, connecting the Greek-American immigrant experience with his own family’s Irish roots.
“That is the Greek-American story,” Boyle said after speaking about immigrants building businesses, emphasizing education and creating opportunities for their children. “Indeed, that is the American story.”
Boyle also spoke about Cyprus, which he visited in June. He told the audience that the continued occupation of the island’s northern territory “should end now.”
Boumpouras honored while remaining in Ukraine
Pantelis Boumpouras received the AHEPA Defender of Hellenism Award for his support of Greek communities, cultural institutions and humanitarian work in Ukraine.
Born on the Greek island of Limnos, Boumpouras developed his business career in Ukraine and has funded educational, cultural, athletic and charitable initiatives through his company and foundation. His projects have included Greek Square in Odesa and the restoration of the historic house linked to the Filiki Eteria, the secret society that helped organize the Greek War of Independence.
Boumpouras did not attend because he remained in Ukraine amid the continuing war. The award was accepted on his behalf by Andreas Zapounidis, an AHEPA member active in Europe and the organization’s work connected with Ukraine.
Zapounidis described Boumpouras as a key supporter of Greek institutions and communities in Ukraine during the war. He recalled visiting Boumpouras after nights of missile, rocket and drone attacks and finding the Greek flag still flying outside his office.
“For 30 years, Pantelis Boumpouras held the Greek flag high,” Zapounidis said.
Pahides family recognized for Philadelphia business legacy
Pete Pahides and his late father, Gus P. Pahides, received AHEPA’s Academy of Achievement in Business Award.
The Pahides family built Cedar Farms Foodservice Distributors, which grew from Gus Pahides’ wholesale butter, egg and cheese business into a large Northeast Philadelphia foodservice company.
Accepting the award, Pete Pahides credited his father with establishing the company through hard work, integrity and close relationships with employees and customers.
Pete Pahides took over after his father became ill in 1977.
“My goal has always been to fulfill the foundation that he created while helping the company grow for future generations,” Pahides said.
He credited his family, employees and customers, then invited relatives and members of the company team to join him at the front of the hall.
“I see the people that I am nobody without,” he said. “Without you guys, I’m nobody.”
Limberakis links Selma to current religious-freedom work
Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, received the AHEPA Archbishop Iakovos Humanitarian Award.
AHEPA Supreme President E. Chris Kaitson presented the award. Limberakis attended with his wife, Dr. Maria Limberakis, their children and other members of the family.
Limberakis centered his remarks on Archbishop Iakovos’ decision to travel to Selma, Alabama, in March 1965 after the killing of the Rev. James Reeb, who had joined the voting-rights campaign.
Despite threats against his life and warnings from advisers, Iakovos stood beside the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and later joined the civil-rights march in Selma.
“Archbishop Iakovos did not send a statement,” Limberakis said. “He sent himself.”
Limberakis linked Iakovos’ action to AHEPA’s founding in 1922, when Greek immigrants faced discrimination and Ku Klux Klan violence. He also connected it to the Archons’ current advocacy concerning restrictions imposed on the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the continued closure of the Halki seminary.
His speech extended beyond Orthodox Christian concerns. He cited the treatment of Uyghurs in China, attacks against Christians in Nigeria, and the repression of women and girls under Taliban rule.
“Religious freedom is not a Greek issue, nor a Christian one, nor even an American one,” Limberakis said. “It’s a human issue.”
He closed by returning to the example of Archbishop Iakovos.
“When history calls us, and it is calling us now, may God grant that we too have the courage to walk,” he said.
Horiates receives AHEPA Medal of Honor
The banquet included a separate recognition for George G. Horiates, a past AHEPA supreme president and chair of the Philadelphia convention organizing committee.
Horiates received the 2026 AHEPA Medal of Honor for his leadership, financial support and three years of work on the convention.
Introducing him, an AHEPA leader said staging the week’s program would have been considerably more difficult without his support.
The convention included meetings, elections and events throughout Philadelphia and South Jersey. Its public program featured an America 250 gathering overlooking Independence Hall, a reception at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a Cooley’s Anemia walk, and a Greek music evening aboard the Battleship New Jersey.
The banquet closed one of the convention’s final evenings with recognition spanning the war in Ukraine, a Philadelphia family business, religious-freedom advocacy and the local work behind the gathering.