Our Society 'AGIOS ATHANASIOS' of America was created in 1918.

The few sojourn and pioneer Peristian immigrants always had in their soul and heart the beautiful memories, patriotism and the will to help make their village Perista a better place. They were just a few people but had all the necessary assets so they created their own society. Ioannis Xatzinokolaou, George Hatzis, and George Papailias started the idea which soon became reality with their initiative move the first meeting was soon a reality. The idea for the creation of this society was welcomed by the other Peroustians in New York and suburbs and after a few exchange of ideas the society got it's name.
St. AGIOS ATHANASIOS ASSOCIATION OF PERISTA

The first meeting established the foundation of a great society and at this meeting there was an election which elected the first council of our organization. These are the first council members.
President Ioannis Hatzinikolaou
Vice President Mihalis Andreopoulos
Secretary George Papailias
Treasurer George Tsougranes
Special Secretary Dionisios Thanasoulis
Advisors George Hatzis, Ilias Kaganis, Ioannis Kommatas, Odysseas Kommatas and Ioannis Tsougranes.

Each member was assigned work immediately. These first members started working immediately trying to increase the funds of the organization. They started giving dinner dances, trips and other activities and within a short period of time enough money was send to Perista. The money was send to Perista through special assigned committees. In the first decade the church of AGIOS ATHANASIOS was built and soon there after the inside of the church was decorated by art. Agios Athanasios became the jewel of Nafpaktia and by the completion of the church our organization spend $20.000 US Dollars.

After the second decade the school was built for about another $20.000 US Dollars, a school very modernized and equipped with all the necessary equipment for the best training of the students. This school is without a doubt a monument of patriotism from the Peristans of America and a great example for the generations to come. Afterwards the street from Perista to the monastery of Metamorphosis of Sotiros was opened and by today the street is open all the way to the village of Platanos and Nafpaktos.
Many different constructions were created through the years, Fountains, Streets and may other projects in the village of Perista with the help of our organization that cost several thousands of dollars.
All these projects became reality by the continence work of the proud sons of Perista in America.

From 1940 to 1949, during the second world war and the civil war could not continue it's contributions to the village but remained active.

The contributed thousands of dollars through the Red Cross for the relief of suffering Greek citizens.

The year 1950 the society reorganized and new foundations and goals were set for after war community activities. The biggest problem at that time was the connection between Perista-Perkou-Diaselakiou and Thermou Trihonidos a distance of 35 miles with rugged ground. The sons of Perista for one more time with pride and enthusiasm voted that something has to be done and started to work on this project right away.

The indefatigable President of the society George Kaganis started the project. A collection was made in USA and Greece by Peristians and the sum reached the incredible for that time number of $25.000 US Dollars. Work had began, the bulldozers dig Dokimi, Valtsa all the way up to Valtsorema. The bulldozers broke the big rocks and went through the river Fidari. Everything was ready for the iron bridge to be put in place. After the installation of the bridge a project that saved a lot of time to the villagers the bulldozers dig Kastri to Diasekli, Sklimna and were going towards Perko and Perista.

Always Pioneers and always tireless Kostas Raptisse secretary Of the Perista village and Thanasoulas Straggos a General from Perko put a lot of effort on this project.

August 13 1956 the bulldozer appeared at Perko Village at March 14 1957 the bulldozer went to Agious Apostolous. July 28 1960 the truck Keravnos came all the way to Perista's square and on August 5th the first bus passed through Perista and stopped at Agia Paraskevi. In 1963 with the care of another villager Dimitrio Patili (General) and with money from the Greek Government the street reached all the way through to the village of Agios Dimitrios and from there it connected with the highway.

The newspaper NEA EPOXI (New Season) wrote at the time: The new street Thermou- Perkou-Peristas is a great progress for our society and was made possible with the help of Greek Immigrants in America. The unapproachable road to the villages of Nafpaktia was crossed a few days ago by modern cars, passing through anyone can see the beauty of the land, the forests, the view is incredible. Actually this is what the Peristians immigrants keep in their heart and memories and that's what makes them coming back.

This great project created the admiration and intentness for all the people in the area especially the Governor of Aitolokarnania Mr Shina whom with a congressman Ioanni Nikolitsa went to the village and expressed their admiration and congratulations to the sons of Perista who care about their village even that they are away for many years.

This great project also got to the ears of King Pavlos who later decorated the Union of Perista in America Agios Athanasios with a Gold Medal.

At the beginning of the fifth decade the funds of Union of Perista in America organization were quite low because of all the spending that had followed the past years.

The Council at that time collected new funds between members and friends by creating more dinner dances and trips up to the point the funds got to be again at the healthy sum of $25.000 dollars. This money was given for the street between Agious Apostolous to Agia Paraskevi, money was given to the village council for the completion the water reservoir which started with funds from the Greek Government and the Nafpaktian Brotherhood of New York. The renovation of the cemetery of Perista and the eastern side of the Perista Square was made. A protective conservation for the church of Agios Athanasios and many smaller churches in the Perista area was made. A fund was created for the needy families and sick people. A fund for the families that suffered from the earthquakes and the society participated almost on all national funds about Greece in Greece and America.

With the help of our protector Agios Athanasios our society is active today and it will always be active in the years to come.!!!