This summer, Sig Ep headquarters continued its annual “Tragos Quest to Greece” program, in which a select group of brothers from across the country are chosen to travel to Greece to learn about the history of Greek philosophy, governance, and arts, and how these elements influence our daily lives and the Sigma Phil Epsilon brotherhood. This year, the New York Xi chapter was honored to have one of its own brothers, Daniel Green, chosen for this life changing journey. Green and brothers from across the country visited sites in Athens, Olympus, Marathon, and many other culturally significant places, and in doing so deepened their own understandings of the Sig Ep ritual and experience.
Dan had this to say about his experience:
“This summer, I had the great fortune to come together with an amazing group of gentlemen who took time out of their lives to impact mine. Each one of us had an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime because we agreed to be vulnerable with one another. This vulnerability acted as an accelerant to our development, allowing us to walk the paths of great stoics and find a deeper meaning and love for the fraternity as well as ourselves as individuals.
Taking inspiration from certain moments upon returning, I feel charged to share my experiences with a larger community. For example, I recall fondly as we climbed up 999 steps carved into a steep mountainside to the top of Nafplio. This was not an easy ascension, yet we all reached the summit and looked down to reap our reward. We saw the stunning crystal blue water of the port town, outlined by a horizon of mountains inspiring adventure – I felt tranquil and enlightened. We were diligent enough to literally climb a mountain, with love and support from our brothers, purely to enjoy the virtues of the top.
Altogether, this Tragos Quest was a spiritual experience that let me grasp the purpose of the fraternity and helped me see the potential good that SigEp as an organization can do in this world. I will hold onto my Tragos Quest experience, allow it to help me grow, and allow it to continue to inspire passion into my life.”