December 2020

Καλά Χριστούγεννα kαι Kαλή Χρονιά!

On behalf of the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood, I would like to wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a happy & healthy New Year!  I pray that everyone remains safe during these trying times, but also optimistic for the future.  I’m confident, that soon we will all be together dancing the Ikariotiko!

While this year’s pandemic has challenged us in countless ways, it has also required us to be creative and innovative in how we communicate with each other.  In the year ahead the Supreme Lodge and Foundation will be working to introduce even more ways for us to stay engaged and actively involved in the Brotherhood’s mission.  Together we can emerge from this pandemic fortified.

Finally, I’d like to thank you for your great generosity and support for the Brotherhood and Foundation during this difficult year. Your donations have been instrumental in our success and ability to accomplish so much throughout the years.  It has been inspiring and a great honor to serve as President of this great organization and I look forward to the year ahead.


Fraternally Yours,



Damianos T. Skaros

Supreme President

Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America “Icaros”


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Pan-Icarian Foundation!

Ellene(Nina) Tratras Contis – Chair

Stanton P. Tripodis – Vice Chair

George Koklanaris – Director

James G. Lakerdas – Director

Terry Platis – Director

Christina Contes – Executive Secretary

As this unusual and challenging year draws to a close, our thoughts go to what we have accomplished this year.  For the Pan-Icarian Foundation, we are proud to help sponsor the academic success of our students through our Scholarship programs.  

This 2020 year we were able to offer scholarships to 90 undergraduates and 20 graduate students both here in the US ($192,5000) and in Greece (€40,000 ). 

We are appealing to you during this holiday season to help with your donations to our Scholarship funds. 

Help us continue to help others.  Please make a donation.

Make checks payable to the Pan-Icarian Foundation

PO Box 79037

Pittsburgh PA 15216-0037


* Photo: The “Karavaki” or Christmas Boat is carried by children on the Greek islands as they go door to door singing “Kalanda” (Christmas Carols). The roots of this custom may be linked to the December 6 celebration of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and children.  This large version in on public display during the holidays in Greece.

Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Έτος από το Pan-Icarian Foundation! Ellene 

Καθώς αυτή η ασυνήθιστη και δύσκολη χρονιά πλησιάζει, οι σκέψεις μας φτάνουν σε αυτό που έχουμε επιτύχει φέτος. Για το Ίδρυμα Pan-Icarian, είμαστε περήφανοι που βοηθάμε να υποστηρίξουμε την ακαδημαϊκή επιτυχία των μαθητών μας μέσω των προγραμμάτων Υποτροφιών μας. 

Αυτό το έτος 2020 μπορέσαμε να προσφέρουμε υποτροφίες σε 90 προπτυχιακούς φοιτητές και 20 μεταπτυχιακούς φοιτητές, τόσο στις ΗΠΑ (192.5000 $) όσο και στην Ελλάδα (40.000 ευρώ). 

Σας παρακαλούμε κατά τη διάρκεια αυτής της εορταστικής περιόδου να βοηθήσετε με τις δωρεές σας στα κεφάλαια Υποτροφιών μας. Βοηθήστε μας να συνεχίσουμε να βοηθούμε άλλους. Κάντε μια δωρεά. 

Οι δωρεές στην Αδελφότητα Pan-Icarian και στο Ίδρυμα μπορούν να σταλούν με επιταγή απευθείας στο:
Ίδρυμα Pan-Icarian
PO Box 79037
Pittsburgh PA 15216-0037

* Φωτογραφία: Το “Καραβάκι” ή το Χριστουγεννιάτικο σκάφος μεταφέρονται από παιδιά στα ελληνικά νησιά καθώς πηγαίνουν από σπίτι σε σπίτι τραγουδώντας τα “Kalanda” (Χριστουγεννιάτικα Κάλαντα). Οι ρίζες αυτού του εθίμου μπορούν να συνδεθούν με τον εορτασμό του Αγίου Νικολάου στις 6 Δεκεμβρίου, του προστάτη των ναυτικών και των παιδιών. Αυτή η μεγάλη έκδοση εμφανίζεται σε δημόσια προβολή κατά τη διάρκεια των διακοπών στην Ελλάδα.



Chapter Events

Chapter Icaros’ New Year’s Eve 50/50 Raffle! 

Dear PIB Brothers and Sisters,

Don’t miss your chance to get your ticket for Chapter Icaros’ New Year’s Eve 50/50 Raffle! Below are details.

How will the winner be selected and when? Winner will be selected based on the two-digit Pennsylvania Lottery “Pick 2” Evening Drawing on New Year’s Eve – Thursday, 12/31/2020 at 7:00 PM. Winner need not be present to win.

How much money will I win? Winner will win up to $5,000.

How much is each ticket? Tickets are $100 each.

How many tickets are available to be sold? Only 100 tickets are available (numbered “00” thru “99”), and will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. We anticipate selling all 100 tickets. If you purchase a ticket, then your chances of winning are 1 in 100. The more tickets you buy, the more chance you have at being the lucky winner!

We expect to sell all 100 tickets, however, please note that any and all unsold tickets as of Wednesday, 12/30/2020 at 11:59 PM will become property of Chapter Icaros.

Once again, we anticipate selling all 100 tickets, so get yours ASAP! If you have any questions or wish to purchase tickets, please contact Niko Kouknas at 412-519-6226 or [email protected].

Thank you in advance for supporting Chapter Icaros. We hope you are staying safe and wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!