Karyae or Arahova, two words with the same meaning, place of the walnut trees, is synonymous with grandeur and fame, a place of historical evolution and admiration. In any period of history, either as Karyae or Arahova, it is associated with grandeur and is interwoven with history-making events.

The great Arahova, which in ancient times was called Karyae, and which again in 1932, through the efforts of its then president, George Th. Scuris, restored its ancient name of Karyae, is commemorated in many songs. It is situated in the western foothills of the mountain Parnon at an altitude of about 3,000 feet. It is a beautiful town resting among the walnut trees and surrounded by mountain slopes, some of which are jagged with rocks and some others covered with wild oak trees. It is famed for its cool summer climate, its many natural springs of crystal clear water, its shady forests, and its joyful and magnificent festivals. Every foot of ground, every hill and valley, every grove and forest, every rock and rill, every river and mountain is connected with some historical or legendary event through its more than 3,000 years of recorded history. The student of history will find an inexhaustible amount of material in references about Karyae and Arahova, for many historians, old and new, Greek and non-Greek, have written about Karyae and Arahova. We will not attempt here to write in detail the fluctuations of life in our hometown through its long history, but in this the 49th anniversary of our society we will attempt to give a comprehensive history of this town which we hope will be of interest to our children, our friends, and all those who are interested in learning about the town from which we all have come.

The first chapter of Adelphotis Arahoviton "Karyae" was established in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on February 4, 1924, only six months after the founding of Adelphotis in Gastonia.

The first Board of Directors consisted of Const. G. Boukides, President; Paras. P. Mentavlos, Vice-President; Nicholas G. Matalas, Secretary; and Anastasios P. Kopsiaftis, Treasurer. The Chapter of Toronto was very active for a number of years and co-operated closely with the headquarters in Gastonia. We regret that we do not have a complete account of the activities of the Chapter of Toronto. In the Convention Program Book of 1937, we find that the Board of Directors for that year consisted of the following: Anast. G. Kopsiaftis, President; Panag. P. Kopsiaftis, Secretary; James Th. Karavos, Treasurer; and trustees, Par. Th. Kyriazis, Paras. P. Mentavlos, Const. G. Boukides and Const. Io. Karavos. The Chapter at that time had 26 paid members.

The story of Adelphotis Arahoviton began more than eight decades ago. The first Adelphotis Arahoviton Toronto was actually a chapter of the Adelphotis Arahoviton Association based in Gastonia, North Carolina, USA. The Gastonia organization was formed in September 1923, while the Toronto Chapter was established six months later, on February 3, 1924, with four Arahovitans as directors: Konstantinos Y. Boukidis – President, Paraskevas P. Mentavlos – Vice-President, Nikolaos Y. Matalas – Secretary, and Anastasios P. Copsiaftis – Treasurer. The Gastonia organization also supported chapters in New York, Chicago and Boston.

For approximately 30 years, the Toronto Chapter worked closely with the other chapters as well as with Gastonia, to do anything they could to help out their village. Raising $8,500 for the rebuilding of the church located in the main square "Ayios Andreas", is just one example.