AHEPA Honors Phillip T. Frangos

LANSING, MI – Led by AHEPA Supreme President John Galanis and Daughters of Penelope Grand President Connie Pilallis, members from across the country convened in Lansing, MI, and joined the local community in honoring and paying tribute to immediate Past Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos.

He was honored for his many years of service to AHEPA, the church and the community. He was elected Supreme President at the 2014 Supreme Convention in New Orleans.

In addition to proceeds from ticket sales, contributions were tendered by chapters and individuals as patrons of the event. All net proceeds are being given to the AHEPA fundraising effort for the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero. As that time, with funds still coming in, the net proceeds were approaching
$20,000.

The dinner, attended by some 180 guests, was held in the Social Hall of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. In addition to Presidents Galanis and Pilallis, speakers included Past Grand President Anna-Helene Grossomanides, AHEPA ExecutiveDirector Basil Mossaidis, former Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelley, and Father Mark Sietsema. Special presentations were made by Supreme counselor George Horiates and Past Supreme Governor Philip Vogis.

Other Supreme Lodge officers Present included Vice-President Andrew Zachariades, Secretary George Loucas,
Treasurer Carl Hollister, Sons of Pericles Advisor James Kokotas, Governors Frank Fotis, George Kalantzis and Tom Gober, and AHEPA National Housing Corporation President Angelo Kostarides.

In his remarks Frangos thanked the Lansing community for embracing him when he arrived in in that city as a young lawyer from Chicago: “it is most humbling to be honored for work done as a labor of love on behalf of Hellenism and Orthodoxy. Such activity is its own reward.”

Frangos remembered those who have passed but whose actions and deeds established Greek Orthodox parishes and AHEPA chapters in Michigan and acknowledged their influence and mentorship. He thanked his peers within hi
s community, the state of Michigan, and across the AHEPA domain for their positive contributions to his growth
and work on behalf of Hellenism and Orthodoxy. Frangos had special thanks for the counsel, patience, understanding, and support over the years extended him by his wife, Tula, and their children, Themistocles and Maria.

During his year as Supreme President, Frangos traveled over 60,000 miles throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He helped lead an increase in AHEPA membership and worked to raise funds for the St. Nichola
s Church. At the special groundblessing last October, he laid a cornerstone on behalf of AHEPA. Frangos led
fundraising efforts for humanitarian relief in Greece including the raising of funds to ship millions of dollars of medical supplies to that economically distressed country.

In November, Frangos joined Archbishop Demetrios in a special delegation attending the historic meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew in Constantinople. During two visits to Greece and Cyprus, F
rangos met with the prime ministers and presidents of both countries.

He met with members of Congress, whom he briefed on the meetings and political developments in Greece and Cyprus. In March, Frangos led an AHEPA delegation to Selma, AL, and participated in the 50th Anniversary commemoration of the historic march led by Martin Luther King.

In April, Frangos met President Obama and Vice President Biden at the White House reception celebrating Greek Independence Day. Also in April, he met with and presented the Aristotle Award to House Speaker John Boeh
ner. During his second visit to Europe in May, Frangos had a special audience with Patriarch Bartholomew. Frangos
was installed as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2013 because of his service as a respected leader of the Orthodox Christian community.

Frangos was born and raised in Chicago to parents who emigrated from Greece. He holds BA and JD degrees from Northwestern University. He moved to Lansing on a Ford Foundation Fellowship, where he worked as a legal
counsel in the Michigan House of Representatives. Frangos worked for the State of Michigan for 32 years with his last position being Chief Deputy Secretary of State.