On July 26, 1922, eight Greek Americans, created an organization that would help combat ignorance and intolerance. They met at the Greek Orthodox Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and laid the foundation for the National Organization known as the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA). The organization was founded to protect individuals from the evils of bigotry and discrimination. The Order of AHEPA, is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, Greece and Cyprus.
On November 2, 1926, twenty-six Americans of Greek Extraction met in the old Eagle Hall on Church Street and formed Chapter No. 122 of Norfolk, VA. The Chapter’s name was selected at the time, to demonstrate publicly that the local AHEPANs and their families belong in Virginia. The first president was Brother Sam Douros and the first secretary was Brother George Pahno, who served in that capacity for almost half a century. Brother Pahno was the initial driving force, and often referred to by his peers, as the “backbone” behind the formation of the AHEPA Chapter in Norfolk, VA.
The Mission of AHEPA is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.
Chapter Officers (2021-2023)
Chapter Vice-President - J. Chris Coureas
Email: coureas@aol.com
