“It was with great grief that I learned of the passing of Andrew Athens, who was the first President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, an office he held for 11 consecutive years.
Andrew Athens was a pioneer and prominent figure in the process of organizing and representing Ecumenical Hellenism, with a very long and distinguished presence in the Greek American community. He was a shining example of creativity, success and contribution to his homeland and Greeks abroad.
His years of close and harmonious cooperation with the Services of the Foreign Ministry – within the framework of the activities of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad – his generosity, friendliness and genuine courtesy are indelibly engraved in our memories.
On behalf of all those who worked with him over the years, including myself, I would like to express our deep condolences to his family.”
March 15, 2013