A Foreword from our President
Viniani Evrytania.
A name that to this day brings tears to the eyes of those who left Viniani
a long time ago seeking a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.
After saying their final prayers at the Church of the Twelve Apostles
and leaving their families behind to provide for themselves, they
made their way off of the mountains of Evrytania. Their long journey
began by crossing an entire ocean, and ended on American soil.
Photo credit: Irene Kolokythas (Dima)
But they all carried their faith in God, along with their entire culture,which they defended, preserved, and passed on to their children.We will never really understand the struggles they went through. The future they strove to secure is the present we now enjoy.This association isn't just a name. It was founded on the blood, sweat, and tears of our ancestors. They all deserve the utmost respect and appreciation for their sacrifices from us, their descendants.You are part of this association by birthright—because you are their living legacy—and it is a great honor and privilege by way of their memory, to call yourself a Vinianite. Do not forsake it.
We have all but lost the entire generation of our original immigrants that
came from Viniani. Therefore, it is up to us as first and second generation
American born descendants of Vinianites to carry on the work of
preserving our heritage that was laid out before us through the
continuation of our association. We have the opportunity to pass on to our
children, the recognition of where their family roots started from.
Our parents and grandparents after arriving in America, thirsted and
hungered to meet up with other Vinianites to hear of news from the village,
and of their people, as well as others planning to make the same voyage as
they did.
They gathered together whenever they could and this made them feel like
family. So with a harsh determination, fear of the Lord, and seeking the
blessings of the Twelve Apostles they held their first meeting in Winston
Salem, NC on June 26th,1949. The association was established by the
people living in the United States who were from the village of Viniani of
the state of Evrytania. It was to be known as “Brotherhood Vinianiton the
Twelve Apostles”.
In those days when telephones were few and far between, they
corresponded with each other by regular mail, which took several weeks to
get a reply. Nonetheless, they started to become an organized and
recognized group of immigrants that gained the admiration of entire
Greek communities. Soon, they were gathering for good fellowship, and established the means to send aid back home for the elderly and the village in general.
Many great community projects were funded by our patriot fellow
Vinianites, who also created committees that would oversee the operation
of our association, and whose interest was the welfare of all at the village.
Our association has always been governed by a set of written rules, last revised in 1976. These rules (or constitution) and bylaws were printed for our understanding on how dedicated and devoted our parents and grandparents were in maintaining, improving, and passing on to the next generation, the importance of the existence of our association Adelphotis Vinianiton "Oi Dodeka Apostoloi".
Photo credit: Artist Unknown
From the early days of governing presidents to the most recent times, we
remain focused on maintaining the cultural identity of our beloved village
Viniani. We are committed to sustaining a connection with the birthplace
of our parents and grandparents.
We, as Adelphotis Vinianiton "Oi Dodeka Apostoloi" will always be
concerned with matters pertaining to the village, and possibly financially
participate, at the committee's discretion, in community projects to the
best of our abilities, by communicating and cooperating with the church
and village committees of Viniani.
In order for our association to be able to participate financially in any
projects concerning our village, we reach out to our members for financial
support and guidance. Although mandatory annual dues that were
required in the past have been eliminated, we ask that everyone consider
contributing to the success of our organization on your own terms.
It takes a significant amount of funds to cover expenditures mostly for
mailing, and printing. Any monetary donations that are received are most welcomed and greatly appreciated. May your contributions be blessed by the Twelve Apostles.
Many of us have never had the opportunity to visit the village of our
parents and grandparents, or even speak their native language. Our
association has worked hard to create a website for all to enjoy. We hope
to have a better understanding of the land that our people left out of
desperation in order to seek a better life, a more secure future, and the
pursuit of happiness to pass on to their families.
And yes, we hold dear to our hearts our people that left this life before us.
I'd like to think that their spirits are passing over Viniani with the Twelve
Apostles shining over them.
May we all hope someday to aspire that our souls will meet again and
rejoice in "That house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens". The blessing they left us is to be good people and live a good life. As the current president of Adelphotis Vinianiton "Oi Dodeka Apostoloi", everything that I do for our association, I do for my love of Viniani, and the respect and admiration I have for all of those people that never ventured beyond the mountains of Evrytania and somehow by the grace of God found their way to America, seeking a better opportunity for a more prosperous life for themselves and their families. I always remind myself...especially of that...
Sincerely,
Antonis "Tony" Panou
President of Adelphotis Vinianiton