BOSTON, October 2026 — The Alpha Omega anniversary weekend marked 50 years of the Alpha Omega Council with three events in Boston and Watertown from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October.
The Boston-based Greek American philanthropic organisation held its Honors Gala, a concert at Agganis Arena and a Leadership Luncheon. Greek City Times previewed the three-day programme in June.
Alpha Omega anniversary weekend begins in Boston
Before Friday’s Alpha Omega anniversary weekend gala, Nancy Agris Savage hosted the Peter Agris Memorial Awards in the Saint James Room. The awards honour Council founder Peter Agris, her father.
This year’s six recipients were Fotini Anastopoulos, Christian Andriolas, Tyler Davis, Maria Manousakis, Calista Sybrant and Theodora Tsevas. All are pursuing or have recently completed studies in journalism, communications, media or public relations.
After a cocktail hour, the Honors Gala’s black-tie programme began in The Grand Ballroom. Co-Chairman Bill Galatis welcomed guests, while veteran journalist John Metaxas served as Master of Ceremonies. Dr Vivian Paraskevi Douglas and Peter Costarakis then performed the national anthems of the Hellenic Republic and the United States.
Later, Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America offered an invocation and remarks. Metropolitan Methodios of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston also addressed the Honors Gala.
Speliakos looks to the next 50 years
Following a 50th Anniversary video, Council President Costa Speliakos spoke at the opening event of the Alpha Omega anniversary weekend. He told guests that “Visibility creates awareness, awareness creates participation, and participation strengthens our ability to serve.”
Looking further ahead, Speliakos shared his hope for the Council’s future.
“My hope is that future generations will gather to celebrate Alpha Omega’s 75th anniversary and, ultimately, its 100th anniversary, and look back on this moment not simply as the occasion when we celebrated our first 50 years, but as the moment when we began strengthening the next 50.”
Costa Speliakos, Council President
Founders’ Award and Emerging Leader Award at the Honors Gala
Harry Vlachos then introduced the first major award of the Alpha Omega anniversary weekend. Nancy Agris Savage, whose selection Greek City Times reported in August, received the 2026 Founders’ Award during the Honors Gala. The award specifically recognised her lifelong commitment to education, Hellenic heritage and the Greek American community.
For more than three decades, Agris Savage has overseen the Peter Agris Memorial Awards. They have provided nearly US$1 million in grants to communications and journalism students. She also succeeded her father at the helm of The Hellenic Chronicle.
After dinner, Boston University received the Honors Gala’s 2026 Philhellene Award, which recognises work that promotes the ideals of Hellenism. Kelly Polychroniou, Head of Modern Greek Language Program at Boston University, accepted it.
Telemachus “T.A.” Demoulas then received the 2026 Emerging Leader Award. A fourth-generation member of the Demoulas family, he most recently led Market Basket’s grocery buying team. His great-grandparents, Athanasios and Efrosini Demoulas, who emigrated from Kalambaka, Greece, founded the company in Lowell in 1917.
Argiros plays Boston for the first time
On Saturday 3 October, the Alpha Omega anniversary weekend moved to Boston University’s Agganis Arena. The Council was local host for a Konstantinos Argiros concert in partnership with Dream Hospitality Group. According to organisers, it was Argiros’ first performance in Boston and the first time an international Greek artist had headlined there.
The venue honours Harry Agganis, the Boston University athlete and Boston Red Sox first baseman known as “The Golden Greek”. Organisers said more than 7,000 people from 46 US states, as well as Canada and Greece, attended the Alpha Omega anniversary weekend concert. They also described it as the second biggest concert in the arena’s history.
Fans heard Argiros’ first performance of ‘Revma’. He had previously appeared at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Chicago’s United Center and OAKA Stadium in Athens.
Leadership Luncheon honours 38 past presidents
The Alpha Omega anniversary weekend ended on Sunday 4 October at Taxiarchae/Archangels Greek Orthodox Church in Watertown. Before the luncheon, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston offered Orthros, Divine Liturgy and a Memorial Service for the Council’s deceased past presidents.
Nearly 200 people then attended the Leadership Luncheon at the Taxiarchae Parish Cultural Center, which Greek City Times previewed in September. It recognised the founders and all 38 past presidents, beginning with founding president Judge Monte G. Basbas (1976–1978).
Co-chairs Manny Frangiadakis and George Karalis spoke, as did Speliakos. Finally, family members and representatives of each past president accepted a custom crystal award from the co-chairs and Speliakos.
Since its founding in 1976, the Council has contributed millions of dollars to charitable causes and educational initiatives throughout New England. Organisers said the Alpha Omega anniversary weekend honoured those who built the organisation as well as those carrying its values forward.
Photo gallery of the event
All photos copyright Areti Bratsis
