John Aivazoglou is a Greek-born attorney, philanthropist, Archon, and co-founder of Hellenic Hearts, with a life rooted in family, church, community, and the Greek-American experience.
In this Cosmos Philly interview, sponsored by the Greek American Heritage Society of Philadelphia, Aivazoglou speaks with Eleftherios Kostans about his roots in Thessaloniki, Atlantic City, and Eddystone, as well as the churches, youth groups, basketball courts, and family ties that defined his upbringing in the Delaware Valley.
He also reflects on his legal career and the philanthropic mission that began with a birthday fundraiser and has since grown to support scholarships, emergency aid, Orthodox institutions, and people in need.
For Aivazoglou, Hellenism is not only heritage. It is service, faith, and action.
“When I’m in Greece, I’m an American. When I’m in America, I’m a Greek,” he says. “So we are a hybrid of something very important, and I’m very proud to be a Greek American.”