Greetings Brothers and Sisters,
As we enter the month of March, we reflect with pride on Greek Independence Day, a day that holds deep meaning for Greeks around the world. This historic day commemorates the beginning of the Greek War of Independence and the courage and resilience of those who fought for our freedom. Many members of our Brotherhood participate in parades and celebrations across the country, proudly honoring our heritage and traditions. It is a day we always hold close to our hearts, remembering the sacrifices made for the freedom and culture we continue to celebrate today.
March also marks the beginning of Great Lent, a sacred season of reflection, faith, and preparation. As we journey through this period of spiritual renewal, we look ahead to the joyful celebration of Pascha, the most important feast in our faith, when families and communities gather to celebrate the Resurrection with prayer, tradition, and fellowship.
This past month was a very productive and memorable one for our Brotherhood. The dance in Clearwater was a wonderful gathering filled with great food, great company, and a strong sense of community. Most excitingly, we were proud to present a brand new chapter — Chapter #31, Ftero, out of Jacksonville, Florida. This is a tremendous milestone for our organization, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations and warmest welcome to our newest chapter and its members.
The celebrations continued up north as well. The dance in New Jersey, hosted alongside our brothers and sisters from the Philadelphia chapter, was a huge success. By all accounts, it was a fantastic evening where everyone came together, celebrated our culture, and danced the night away.
Looking ahead, we are excited for the 2026 Youth Leadership Conference, hosted by Chapter #11 Lychnos of San Francisco, CA, from May 1–3, 2026. This event remains a vital opportunity to empower our youth and invest in the future of our Brotherhood.
That brings us to our countdown for the 2026 Convention, which will be hosted by Chapter Eirini #28 of S/E Virginia. Please continue to support their raffle ticket fundraiser, available at: https://convention.pan-icarian.com/chapter-eirini-convention-raffle-tickets/
Your support plays an important role in ensuring another successful convention.
Please also be sure to visit the News section of our website (https://pan-icarian.com/news/) for updates on upcoming events and chapter initiatives. We continue to encourage contributions to our magazine as well. Submission details are available at https://pan-icarian.com/magazine/ or by emailing magazine@pan-icarian.com.
Thank you all for your continuous support. None of this would be possible without the dedication, commitment, and passion of our members. We are grateful for each and every one of you who helps keep our Brotherhood strong.
With gratitude and fraternity,
Evangelos J. Fragos
Supreme Lodge President
Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America
