Steve Condos receives Philadelphia Medal of Freedom (video)

The award was presented on Saturday evening, April 25, 2026, during the Federation’s formal dinner held in the Grand Ballroom of the historic Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The dinner was attended by the Evzones of the Presidential Guard, which participated in all the events of the Greek diaspora for the 205th anniversary of Greek Independence and in the grand parade of Sunday, April 26, 2026.

The National Anthem was sung by Athanasia Meziti, a talented Harvard student from New York, who surprised the audience with her talent. Athanasia performed the national anthems in the parade as well.

The Greek diaspora and dignitaries were welcomed by the head of the dinner organizing committee, Yiannis Vassiliou, who introduced the dignitaries and the host of the evening, Mike Emmanuel, a Fox News journalist.

The dinner was attended and delivered by, among others, the Metropolitan of New Jersey, Mr. Apostolos, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Embassy of Greece in Washington, Ambassador Nikolaos Sapountzis, Colonel Christos Georgantis on behalf of the Presidential Guard, the Supreme Chairman of AHEPA, Chris Kitson, the Pennsylvania State Assemblyman Steven Malagari and the current President of the Federation, Harry Karapalides.

The parade masters are also traditionally honored at the dinner. This year, the Parade Committee, headed by the Vice President of the Federation, Mike Economou, did something different and at the same time original for the Philadelphia community. He chose the living former presidents of the Federation as masters of ceremonies, honored them and expressed gratitude for their diverse activities and contributions to the Greek community.

Moreover, the presence of so many former presidents on stage alongside Haris Karapalides and the Metropolitan of New Jersey, Mr. Apostolos, aroused the satisfaction of the audience and reminded the three hundred and more diners that the leaders of Philadelphia “Belong to Us,” as General Makrygiannis also said.

Shortly before the awarding of the Medal of Freedom, a short video was shown about the life and activities of Steve Kontos, which piqued the interest of the audience because it unfolds the contribution of the honoree, as a businessman, as a family man and as a philanthropist.

During the dinner, the “Young Leaders Award” was also presented to Mr. Philip Voutsakis for his contribution to the annual Folklore Festival organized by the Metropolis of New Jersey.

Finally, we should note that this year's dinner was one of the most successful from a financial point of view, because in addition to what we mentioned, it is also the Federation's prominent fundraising event, which covers the increasing costs of the parade.