Nikolas T. Pagonis was honored as "Greek Homogeneus of the Year for 2023", by the Association of Correspondents of the Hellenic Press Abroad (EAETE) and the Hellenic Society of Sports Medicine and Safe Sports AMKE (SPORTSMEDWORLD)
Athens, July 6, 2023 _ In an atmosphere of widespread joy and emotion, the award ceremony was held with great success as "Greek Uniform of the Year for 2023", of the author and former president of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal for five terms, Mr. Nikolaou T. Pagonis, which was organized by the Association of Correspondents of the Greek Press Abroad and the Hellenic Society of Sports Medicine Sciences and Safe Sports AMKE (SPORTSMEDWORLD), within the institution "Meet the Expert", on July 5, 2023, at the Alimos marina, on board the Bounty.
The event was graced by the presence of Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis, The Secretary General of Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yiannis Chrysoulakis and Regional Governor of Attica, Mr. Giorgos Patoulis, as well as Most Theophilous Bishop of Zenoupolis, and for many years Bishop of Montreal, Mr. Iakovos, and on behalf of the Canadian ambassador in Athens, Mr Charge d'affaires, Mr. Neil Swain. The expatriate also appeared Australian Federal Member of Parliament, Mr. Steve Georganas, the expatriate in America, former vice speaker of the Connecticut state house and for three terms President of the World Interparliamentary Union of Hellenism (PADEE), Mr. Dimitris Giannaros.
The event started with the greetings of the organizers: its president Association of Greek Foreign Press Correspondents, Mrs. Roulas Skurogiannis, and its president Hellenic Association of Sports Medicine Sciences and Safe Sports AMKE (SPORTSMEDWORLD), Mr. Dimitris Tsitsiropoulos, who praised the work and morals of Mr. Pagonis, who is a brilliant example of a Greek of the diaspora.
As part of the event, it was awarded by the co-organizers (EAETE & SPORTSMEDWORLD) honorary plaque to Nikolaos Pagonis, for his many years of social and philanthropic contribution to Homogenia and Hellenism. He handed over the plaque to Mr. Pagonis, Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis, who spoke with the warmest words about Mr. Pagonis' ethos and long-term contribution to the Community of Montreal, who is a brilliant example of a Greek who honors both his country of origin and the country in which he moved, joined society, offered and distinguished himself for his social work.
At the same time, the president Union of Correspondents of the Greek Press Abroad, Roula Skurogianni, announced Mr. Nikolaos Pagonis as honorary member of the Union, recognizing his many years of journalistic activity in the weekly newspaper Tachydromos and the Hellenic-Canadian Vima.
The awardee was warmly congratulated, for his part, by the General Secretary of Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Giannis Chrysoulakis, referring to the multifaceted and multi-year work of Mr. Nikolaos Pagonis, and his significant philanthropic and social contribution, from the position of President of the Greek Community of Greater Montreal. Mr. General did not fail to congratulate the organizers (EAETE & SPORTSMEDWORLD) for the realization of the remarkable event and referring to the 85-year history of EAETE, he pointed out that it has contributed positively to the communication with the Community and expressed the certainty that it will continue its remarkable work in the future. "We, at the General Secretariat of Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are always next to the bodies that promote relations with Hellenism Abroad and create bridges of cooperation and communication", emphasized the GAAEDD.
"It is no coincidence how much you love the world, friend Nikos Pagonis, a great Greek of the Homogenia!", said Regional Governor of Attica and president of the Medical Association of Athens, Mr. Giorgos Patoulis, addressing a short and heartfelt greeting to the honoree of the evening. "Beyond your important and integral action, in every word, in your texts, in every expression of your presence, your mission as a Greek of the world inspires emotion in the international community; and even greater love for our country. Today's event is a "sip of Greece" for your memories, which you will take with you to Canada. It is, however, also an immense hug from so many - anonymous and named, who appreciate you deeply - knowingly and unknowingly. And who find in your work the beacon to march with debt for the homeland, wherever they are!
The coordinator of the event, Mr. Agis Chrysafidis, jurist, who served as a Federal Judge of Canada, and a personal friend of Mr. Nikolas Pagonis, referred in detail to the more than 46 years, during which N. Pagonis served the great cause of preserving and promoting the Greek language, Greek culture and the Greek Orthodox Faith, with absolute devotion to traditions and clan chants. He emphasized that he dedicated a huge part of his life, many times at the expense of his professional advancement, to the service of the main expatriate organization in Montreal, the Greek Community of Montreal, which evolved into the Greek Community of Greater Montreal.
Excited o Nikolas Pagonis described the event in his honor as a very unexpected and pleasant surprise, explaining that the recognition in Greece for the work he offered in Montreal is not something common and warmly thanking the organizers. "Greece is my mother and Canada is my stepmother, who, however, made me feel like her real child, embracing me and opening all the doors. I never felt like a foreigner in Canada, a country that has included multiculturalism in its Constitution.".
In the context of the event, the honoree, Mr. N. Pagonis, offered his book, entitled: "Tell".
