ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
By Nick Stamatakis
This April, Greece’s elite presidential guards—the Evzones—are appearing across major Greek-American communities in the United States.
In Chicago, the Enosis Federation of Illinois will host “An Evening with the Evzones” on April 17 at the Chateau Ritz. The program features a cocktail-style reception, cultural interaction, and photo opportunities. Tickets are $75, with proceeds supporting the Evzones’ visit. It seems that the unlawfully elected and even more unlawfully proceeding (he has formed a board filled with “conflicts of interests” – basically his family, friends, and associates) new President of the “Enosis”, George Reveliotis, a known follower of the corrupt Mitsotakis system, has made all the “arrangements”…
A week later in New York, as you see in the flyer above, the Hellenic Initiative will hold a New Leaders reception on April 24 at Kellari Taverna. This $100 networking event includes an appearance and discussion with members of the guard. A fireside chat with the Evzones!! Unbelievable!! It looks like the main “actor” behind this is Costas Ouranitsas, who was at the center of many questionable acts during the last 3-4 Parades… At some point, last year, Ouranitsas dared to threaten me at Stathakeion!! Apparently, he doesn’t understand what Helleniscope stands for… Why doesn’t he ask his priest friends to explain how many times Helleniscope was victorious in and out of court? Does he want me to remind him of the praises Judge Hagler expressed on the record in August 2020?
Both events are private, ticketed receptions rather than public ceremonies. Organizers frame them as opportunities to connect the diaspora with Greek heritage while supporting philanthropic initiatives.
And yet, on top of this abusive and demeaning atmosphere, there is a more uncomfortable reality.
Hope-less AB Elpidoktonos, who has for years tried to closely associate himself with the Evzones, appears eager to leverage their presence to reinforce his public image and cultivate an aura of national leadership, to shake off his “Turkish smell” and appear as an Hellenic “Ethnarch”. Initially, four years ago, he wanted to have the Evzones almost exclusively… Now he seems to “share” them… He brings them in his Saint Nicholas “Temple” and shows them off for half a day… But please do not ask him to put the Greek and American flags outside St. Nicholas!! His national pride stops with the Evzones… But at least the Archdiocese pays a good chunk of their expenses (although I think they should NOT be involved AT ALL: mixing “παπαδες και τσολιάδες” – priests and Evzones – religious and national symbols is totally inappropriate, and I should add un-American…
Let’s Be Clear: The Evzones Are Not Entertainers…
The Evzones are not entertainers. They are symbols of sacrifice, discipline, and national memory.
Yet today, they are increasingly placed within ticketed environments—cocktails, networking, curated access:
$75 in Chicago.
$100 in New York.
Yes, the causes may be worthy. But when proximity to such a symbol carries a price tag, something shifts—and not in a healthy direction. And when we know the “actors” behind these events, Reveliotis and Ouranitsas, things are even worse…
This is not a critique of the Evzones themselves. They serve with honor and go where they are assigned.
The responsibility lies with segments of diaspora leadership that treat heritage as something to package, brand, and circulate for social capital.
A “fireside chat” with Evzones (!!!) should give anyone pause.
Because this points to a deeper issue: cultural pride drifting into performance. Instead of preserving dignity, we risk converting it into a curated experience for select audiences.
There is a better path:
- Open, public ceremonies.
- Education over optics – with many events in schools.
- Support without commodification.
The question, ultimately, is simple:
Are we honoring the Evzones—or using them?
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THE UNBELIEVABLE ANNOUNCEMENT BY ENOSIS OF CHICAGO
An Evening with the Evzones
Dear Friends,
”Enosis” is delighted to invite you to a very special event: An Evening with the Evzones. With great honor and pride, we announce the return of the Evzones to Chicago after nearly a decade! This rare evening offers a unique opportunity to meet these distinguished elite soldiers of the Hellenic Presidential Guard and give them a warm Chicago welcome.
You’ll enjoy an intimate setting filled with Greek pride, cultural insights, photo opportunities, and memorable interactions.
Date: Friday, April 17, 2026… Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Chateau Ritz, 9100 N Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, Illinois
Style: Hors d’oeuvres & Cocktails
Price: $75 for adults 21+ & free for those aged 20 & under
All event proceeds will directly support the Evzones’ expenses.
RSVP by April 14th
Link to Purchase Tickets: https://www.enosisfederation.org/parade-gala
For questions or sponsorship opportunities, please respond to this email or text/call Enosis.
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April 3, 2026, n.stamatakis@aol.com www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but the invitation to the Chicago event says that proceeds will go towards the expense of transportation and lodging of the Evzones. Someone has to pay for that expense. And the fact that young people can enter for free is a big plus. They’re the ones that will be touched by national pride. If that’s the case, and there is no monkey business, of skimming off the top, then I don’t think its an issue.
Sorry Bob, but this is not the way to pay for them… they are not monkeys to show them around and collect money…
Nick. Its a way for the youth to get a close up look at the evzones. Short of the youth going to Syntagma, how would they connect with them? If they were exhibited for profit, then, yes, it would be considered a monkey show. Its just my opinion.
My understanding is that my paternal grandfather was an evzone who came to the US around 1900. He died before I was born. I have long wondered why he would give up a job in such an elite force.
Recently, however, I read of Greece’s 1897 bankruptcy. That leads me to conclude that immediately after 1897 the Greek government did not have much money for this service. So, I guess that made the US look like a better deal.
John. Being an Evzone is not and has never been a job. You dont get paid for that. These young men, chosen for their height–they have to be over 6 feet tall– their physick and demeanor, are fulfilling their military service. It is a permanent employment. It lasts for about a year at the most.
At your grandfather’s time, in the late 1800’s most young men from the provinces wore the foustanella, instead of Western clothing. The military dress consisted of soldiers who were attired in Western clothing and others who wore the evzone custom. They were not getting paid, either way. The reason he came over was the same as all other immigrants to this country. For a better life.
The current discussion highlights an important issue: the need for a deeper understanding of the symbolism and history of the Evzone uniform.
Rather than approaching this solely through isolated appearances or events, a more meaningful path could be to strengthen public knowledge through curated exhibitions and educational initiatives.
Institutions such as the Basil Papantoniou Foundation, (https://www.bpf.gr) with its longstanding expertise in the study of dress as a bearer of identity and cultural memory, are uniquely positioned to contribute to this effort.
Through thoughtfully designed exhibitions, the Greek diaspora, and wider audiences, could engage with the Evzone uniform not only as a symbol, but as a complex cultural artifact with historical depth and significance.