Panepirotic Federation of America Announces New President and Board of Directors Following Successful Triennial Convention in Illinois

Panepirotic Federation of America Announces Election of New President and Board of Directors

May 4th, 2026

The Panepirotic Federation of America announces the election of Anastasia ‘Stacy’ Koumbis as President, along with a newly elected Board of Directors, following its Convention held May 1–3, 2026, in the greater Chicago area.

The Convention took place in Lincolnshire, Illinois, at Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church, bringing together delegates from across the United States to reflect on the Federation’s accomplishments, discuss future initiatives, and reaffirm its mission. The gathering highlighted the strength of the Epirotan community and its shared commitment to unity and engagement across generations. During the Convention, delegates elected a new Board of Directors to lead the organization through its next term.

In accepting the role, Ms. Koumbis expressed her gratitude for the confidence placed in her leadership and emphasized the importance of collaboration, community involvement, and engaging the next generation.

 “I’m grateful for the profound sense of community amongst the Epirotans in the US. Our efforts moving forward will remain focused on strengthening the Epirotan community nationwide as we continue to support our brothers and sister in Epirus and N. Epirus.  I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to John Katsimbaris for his stewardship of the organization for the past six years.”

Outgoing President John Katsimbaris commented on the success of the Convention and expressed his confidence in the Federation’s future leadership.

“This Convention reflected the unity and commitment of the Epirotan community in the United States,” said Katsimbaris. “I congratulate the new President and newly elected Board of Directors and wish them continued success in advancing the Federation’s mission.”

The Panepirotic Federation of America extends its sincere appreciation to the host committee, clergy, volunteers, delegates, and attendees whose dedication and support contributed to the success of the Convention.

The following are our new Board of Directors:

President – Anastasia (Stacy) Koumbis
Vice President – Dimitri Carapanos 
Secretary – Niki Pallas
Rec. Secretary – Paul Economou
Treasurer – Chrisoula Zikopoulos
Assistant Treasurer – George Nanis
Board Members:
Petros Gkikourias
Aleka Kaloudelis
Eva Kantlis
Yiannis Katsimbaris
Stavros Zhongas
Alternate Board Members:
Lilly Economou
Margarita Denekos
Olga Fotos

PFA Statement on the passing of Petroloukas Halkias

Statement by the Panepirotic Federation of America on the Passing of Petroloukas Halkias
  It is with profound sorrow and deep respect that we mourn the passing of Petroloukas Halkias, one of the most iconic figures in Greek traditional music and the living soul of the Epirotic sound.Petro was more than a master of the clarinet—he was the voice of our region. Through every note, he expressed the longing, strength, pain, and beauty of Epirus. His music carried the weight of our history and the spirit of our ancestors. He gave life to the sounds of our mountains, our stone-built villages, our panigyria, and our deepest memories as a people. He reminded us of who we are.But to us, he was not only a cultural treasure. He was also a dear friend of the Panepirotic Federation of America. Over the years, he stood beside us, played for our community, and inspired new generations of Epirotes in the diaspora to remain connected to their roots. His presence was a blessing and his friendship a source of pride.On behalf of the Panepirotic Federation of America, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, his collaborators, and all who were touched by his music. We pledge to carry forward the tradition he so beautifully upheld and to keep his memory alive in our hearts and our celebrations.May his music never fade, and may his memory be eternal.

Αιωνία του η Μνήμη.

Panepirotic Federation of America

PFA President Yanni Katsimbaris Statement on the passing of Archbishop Anastasios

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Compatriots,
As you all have heard, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Dirahion and all Albania, passed away last week.
The Blessed Metropolitan Anastasios was the driving force behind the resurrection of Orthodoxy in Northern Epirus and all of Albania! 
He was the beacon of Christianity in an atheistic and morally destroyed society! 
At the risk of his life, he acted and steadfastly continued his work until his last breath!
The Panepirotic Federation of America is infinitely grateful to him! Memory eternal!
Αιωνία του η μνήμη!
The Panepirotic Federation of America will publish the attached memorial statement in the National Herald next weekend!
I would also like to draw your attention to the article on Archbishop Anastasios of our Honorary President, Nicholas Gage in the National Herald from this week and also an upcoming article by him in Greek in the Kathimerini newspaper next Sunday.
Thank you.
Best regards,

Ioannis (John) Katsimbaris

President 
Panepirotic Federation of America

Panepirotic Federation of America Declaration on the Conversion of Aghia Sophia

The Panepirotic Federation of America is appalled by the decision of Mr Erdogan and the Turkish authorities to initiate the use of Aghia Sophia of Constantinople as a mosque. 

Aghia Sophia was declared a museum by Kemal Ataturk for a reason! 

It was a turning point of the Turkish state and society, bringing the country closer to humanistic and democratic principles of the western world. 

Aghia Sophia was treated as ‘spoils of war’ by the Ottoman Muslims, the way barbaric traditions were performed by humans during that era. Many of its marvelous frescos, iconographies and mosaics were destroyed or covered with plaster, a primitive way to show power and imperialist supremacy! 

Human soul and behavior has evolved since the 15th century and mankind does not need primitive ways to show superiority. 

Islam has its own architectural wonders, does it really need to steal from Christianity, occupy a Christian Cathedral in order to feel superior? Don’t the Turkish authorities and Mr. Erdogan understand that it is actually their own religion they are offending by using a ‘former’ Christian Cathedral for their prayers and rituals, as if they do not have any monumental mosques built exclusively for that purpose? 

Even if immature Ottoman rulers behaved as such 500+ years ago, do Turkish leaders have to repeat such primitive behavior over again in the 21st century? 

As Hellenes from the region of Epiros, we know what inhumane conditions our ancestors had to endure under Ottoman Islamic rule. It is just over a century that most of Epiros was liberated from Ottoman occupation. The remnants of autocratic oppression can be seen in form of monuments on Epirotan soil! 

Mr. Erdogan does not respect the dignity and human rights of his own citizens, why would he respect the dignity of monuments of some other religion. He is unfortunately repeating the mistakes of the Ottomans namely, oppression, brutality, violence, imperialism! He is catapulting Turkish society 500+ years back! We urge him to look into the translation of the formal Cathedral and museum he is undignifying, “Aghia Sophia” the “Holy Wisdom”! Even a minuscule piece of wisdom should be enough to let Mr Erdogan and the Turkish authorities rise to the expectations of the 21st century! 

Kemal Ataturk brought Turkey to the 20th century by making Aghia Sophia into a museum. He reached out a hand of friendship to the multiple ethnicities of Constantinople alias Istanbul and to the developed world. He rose to the expectations of his era! Recep Tayip Erdogan is catapulting a whole state and society back to the 15th century! 

Aghia Sophia of Constantinople was not the first former Christian Church to have been converted into a museum and reconverted into a mosque by the Turkish authorities under Mr Erdogan. Aghia Sophia of Trabzon, a small church from the 13th century, had the same fate 7 years ago! Evidently, it was a tryout, the world did not protest much. Various other reconversions followed. 

The Turkish authorities under Mr Erdogan have shown that, as also in the case of pastor Andrew Brunson in 2017, they will not budge from their extremist and primitive acts if there is no international pressure from countries they fear. In 2017, President Trump managed to take actions that lead to the release of pastor Brunson! 

President Trump, as Americans, citizens and residents of this great nation, roughly 3.5 million Americans of Greek decent, many from the region of Epiros, look up to You for leadership concerning Aghia Sophia! President Trump, take action, do the right thing! 

For the Panepirotic Federation of America, 

John Katsimbaris
President