If only we had 300 such Greeks

There are moments when the soul longs for true relation models — figures who conquer the world not with wealth and noise, but with light, dignity, and generosity.

One such Greek is Elias (Lou) Katsos — who conquered New York City not done arrogance, but done relentless work, kindness, and emotion for his chap quality beings.

A antheral who helps physique communities, resurrect places of worship, and make civilization and place, while helium is gathering skyscrapers.

Saint Nicholas Church, built successful 1916, was destroyed during the September 11 terror attacks connected the Twin Towers, it was the lone non-secular gathering to beryllium destroyed. It was rebuilt thanks to the dedication of countless supporters implicit the years. Renowned designer Santiago Calatrava designed the religion and drew inspiration from the 40 windows successful the Cathedral Church of Hagia Sophia. In its last stage, the heroes is was Katsos, who has lent his technical expertise, invested his clip and energy, and adjacent traveled overseas to resoluteness captious supply concatenation challenges.

Lou Katsos does, arsenic Plato would say, “the intrinsic good.” He exemplifies the essence of the Hellenic citizen, ensuring rights and responsibilities are honoured and working for the good.

Lou Katsos’s committedness to Greek practice and civilization is undisputed. The laminitis and president of the Eastern Mediterranean Business and Cultural Alliance (EMBCA), and president of the New York Chapter of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), helium has been progressive successful galore initiatives supporting Greek civilization and education.

Lou Katsos has dedicated a ample portion of his beingness to advancing Hellenic ideals and supporting the Greek diaspora… and different diasporas.

Renowned designer Santiago Calatrava designed the church, drafting inspiration from the 40 windows of the Cathedral Church of Hagia Sophia. Photo: MG McGrath

Katsos, arsenic a subordinate of the Harlem Chamber of Commerce, co-chaired the Second Harlem Renaissance Commission, which revitalised Harlem. His committedness to the lives and civilization of others is arsenic a classical Hellene. His committedness to Harlem’s Renaissance was recognised by the precocious and large Lloyd Williams, the seat of the chamber, who said Katsos was instrumental successful “bringing together radical of bully will… Jewish, Greek, Italian, Korean, Dominican and Cuban… and …African American and Caribbean American” communities.

Katsos ever reminds Greek Americans of the racism they faced successful the past.

“We should retrieve the killings which took spot against us, the 2nd emergence of the KKK which targeted Greeks, the burning of Greek towns successful Omaha, Nebraska successful the 1920s.

“We were ne'er considered a white people, we were ever seen arsenic a coloured radical successful the United States… and it lone began to alteration connected October 28th, 1940, due to the fact that this ‘little country’ (Greece) pushed backmost fascism… it transformed the way Americans perceived Greeks,” said Katsos successful 2020 to Neos Kosmos.

Amid numbers, blueprints, and contracts, helium still finds clip to support Hellenism… to clasp the Greek diaspora… to put successful education, history, and culture. And while doing that, arsenic a Hellene, helium seeks to physique bridges with each others.

Through his philanthropy, helium opens doors where others spot walls and done his integrity, helium proves that success and humanity tin — and indispensable — walk manus successful hand.

Lou Katsos is not conscionable a concern titan. He is simply a modern Spartan of the diaspora, holding precocious the banner of Hellenism with the aforesaid determination that the 300 of Leonidas I erstwhile raised their swords astatine Thermopylae.

Only his “battle” is for love, knowledge, justice, and truth. If only… if lone we had 300 Greeks similar Lou Katsos… Greece, the diaspora, the full world would beryllium brighter, fairer, much humane. This is Lou, a antheral who ne'er forgets who helium is, and who reminds us of each we tin become.

*Leonidas Loizidis, shaper and director, is simply a Cypriot Greek trained astatine NYU’s Tisch School and successful Stanislavski-based acting. He has produced galore films and theatre productions and toured internationally with his theatrical group.