On Thursday, March 28, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz hosted a celebration at Brooklyn Borough Hall in honor of the borough’s Hellenic community. The reception paid tribute to the rich history, heritage and culture of Greece, and honored extraordinary members of Brooklyn’s Greek-American community.

This year’s honorees included the Honorable Steve C. Arniotes of Arniotes & Cacalakos; Spiro Demetis, M.D., of Downstate Medical Center; Helen Psaras of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church Philoptochos Society; Elias Seremetis, former president of Saints Constantine & Helen Cathedral of Brooklyn; Christina Tettonis of the Hellenic Classical Charter School; and Costas (Gus) Vlahavas of Tom’s Restaurant.

The Phil-Hellene 2008 Award was presented to civic activist Stella Kokolis.

Entertainment was provided by The Greek School of Plato Dance Group.