Hellenic Society of Constantinople to Honor Consul General of Greece in LA

On Saturday, Jan 11th, the Hellenic Society of Constantinople of Southern California will hold its annual Gala at the Wilshire Country Club. This will be the 47th consecutive year for the organization’s main event which will honor the Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles, Elisabeth Fotiadou.

Every year the society honors a person of Greek descent at their annual dinner – gala. Past honorees included names of the entertainment industry such as Clint Eastwood, Jim Gianopulos, Costas Mandylor, Billy Zane and Nia Vardalos.

“We are very happy to honor the Greek Consul General in Los Angeles, Mrs Elisabeth Fotiadou who has promoted Hellenism and given so much to the Greek community of Los Angeles. The promotion of Hellenism is a big part of the virtue of being a Constantinopolitan, commented the president of HSC,” Mike Begakis.

The Hellenic Society of Constantinople was founded by a group of Greek Americans who came to the US from Constantinople (moden day Istanbul) looking for a better future. The Founders of the organization were Yani Begakis, Kleo Lee, Steven Chakiris, Gregory Kokkinos, Mike Tsakoumakis, Panos Chrisostomides and Christine Amato. The mission of the society is to maintain and perpetuate the traditions of the Hellenes of Constantinople.

The primary fund raiser is the Annual Vasilopita Dinner Dance with the traditional gold coin. Kleo Lee and Marika Begakis used to provide and bake the vasilopitas for the events. Mary Morrison continues the tradition by baking all the vasilopitas for the event. Vassilopita is a Greek cake made once a year, for New Year’s Eve (or for subsequent New Year’s celebrations). It includes a coin that brings luck to the person who gets it. (Related: The origins of Greek Vasilopita)

The cost of the ticket is one hundred and twenty five dollars, and checks may be made payable to The Hellenic Society of Constantinople. The goal of the Gala is to raise funds for charity organizations of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Where: Wilshire Country Club (301 N. Rossmore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004).
Date & Time: Jan 12th 2013 – 5.30pm
RSVP: For reservations or more information feel free to call,
Mary Morrison (818)500-0904, Jeanete Benetatos (323)660-5707