St. Demetrios Cathedral Gavalas

Published by The National Herald, November 18, 2005

St. Demetrios Cathedral Honors One of its Own

NEW YORK – "I did nothing more than my duty," said businessman Nikos Gavalas upon receiving the 2005 Odysseus Award last Sunday, November 13, from the Saint Demetrios Cathedral community in Astoria.

Mr. Gavalas was clearly moved as he approached the microphone to accept his award in front of an audience, among whom were some of the community’s most prominent members. The event was held at Astoria’s Crystal Palace.

"My wife Eleftheria and I will continue to do our duty," he added, stressing his wish that members of the Greek American community will continue to assist the historic Astoria community.

This year marks the 78th Anniversary of the community’s founding. At the event, members of the community and guest speakers praised the community’s contributions to Hellenism in America.

"With God’s Grace, this pioneering community will keep fighting to keep the flame of our cultural and religious traditions burning brightly," said St. Demetrios Community President Demetrios Kostaras. "We have excelled in all our activities," he added, citing, among other accomplishments, the establishment of two churches and the community’s schools, which welcome students from pre-kindergarten to the twelfth grade.

"We will continue our sacred fight to reach the heights of progress, which will fill our hearts with pride," Mr. Kostaras added. "Our community’s 78 years of success gives us strength to move forward in a united manner, and the hope that we will prove ourselves worthy of our pioneering ancestors," he said.

Mr. Kostaras credited the community’s parish members and friends for their "support, love, genuine interest and generosity," without which, he said, the community would not be celebrating this anniversary.

The Oddysseus Award is a sign of recognition and gratitude to one such individual, he said, further praising this year’s honoree for his support: "Mr. Gavalas has offered valuable services and generous contributions to the church and our school. He is a simple, humble man; a tireless and compassionate parishioner; a generous donor; and an ardent supporter of every good initiative in our community.

Event Chairman, and Past President of the St. Demetrios community, Nick Andriotis served as the evening’s toastmaster. He also thanked the honoree for his dedicated service to his community.

Consul General of Cyprus in New York Martha Mavrommati congratulated the St. Demetrios community for its decision to honor Mr. Gavalas, and for "promoting the Greek language and Orthodoxy." Mr. Gavalas is a "worthy son of this community," she added.

Vice Consul of Greece in New York Irene Pentzaropoulou congratulated Mr. Gavalas and the St. Demetrios community on behalf of Consul General Catherine Boura, noting the St. Demetrios community’s "invaluable contributions" to the Greek American community, and stressing that the honoree was a "model parishioner.

The Very Rev. Apostolos Koufalakis, Pastor of St. Demetrios Cathedral, spoke about the difficulties of directing a large community: "St. Demetrios’ parishioners stand out for their respect towards priests, and for having strong community and family values," he said, adding that St. Demetrios School is a bright spot in the history of Hellenic education in America. "And Mr. Gavalas knows how to support Hellenic interests in America," the archimandrite said.

Speaking on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America at the event, Bishop Andonios of Phasiane invited those present to continue the community’s "glowing history," expressing his respect for "the Good Samaritan," Mr. Gavalas.
Bishop Philotheos of Meloa told the audience to ignore "pessimistic voices," and to have faith in the community’s progress and in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
"Orthodoxy and Hellenism will continue to persevere with leaders like Bishop Andonios of Phasiane," said Bishop Philotheos.

Mr. Gavalas hails from the Cycladic island of Amorgos. He was born in 1946 and immigrated to the United States in 1974 where he was initially employed by construction companies and as a hotel manager. He later used his experience to venture into the hotel business on his own, opening his first hotel in 1979.

Along with a successful career, Mr. Gavalas has been very active with philanthropic causes, focusing particularly on Greek-related causes. Apart from the St. Demetrios Cathedral, his monetary contributions over the years have benefited Saints Catherine & George Church in Astoria, the Amorgos Association, the non-profit organization for battered and abused women, Elpides, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Cultural Center in Astoria, and Zoodochos Peghe (Life-Giving Spring) Church in the Bronx.

For his generous donations, he has received numerous community awards, including one from the St. Demetrios School Parents & Teachers Association and its community, which declared him a grand benefactor in 1996.

Mr. Gavalas has also received honors from his native island of Amorgos. In 2000, he received the "Actions of the Righteous Enhance Life Award" from the National Outreach Program. He has also been honored by former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and this past October 23, he was made an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople.

Mr. Gavalas and his wife Eleftheria have three children: their daughter, Paraskevi, and their twin sons, Nick and Evan.



Volume 7 Number 46 - Wednesday, November 23, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY