As of November 25, 2023, a total of $22.715 million has been pledged by 200 FOUNDERS to exclusively support the work and mission of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
We thank all our Founders who have pledged at least $100,000 payable over 10 years to ensure the financial foundation of the Mother Church!
“We are delighted to have AHEPA designated as a Founding Member of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation. The AHEPA and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America share the same 100 years of service, it is no wonder that we are identified as the Twin Pillars of Hellenism. The AHEPA since 1922 has donated millions of dollars to the churches across America and the globe. Our community outreach and assistance are legendary. Our hope and belief are that with this new foundation, the light of the Phanar can continue to shine bright on our world and that the leader of the Orthodox faithful can live in peace and safety.”Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, on the principles that undergirded its fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Our Mission is to promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.
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"As a great admirer of Patriarch Bartholomew, I am honored to contribute to a foundation bearing his great name. I believe the Bartholomew Foundation will be a key to the strength and vitality of the Ecumenical Patriarchate worldwide, and will contribute to its continued viability in Constantinople, which is crucial to the Orthodox faith. Indeed, the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s continued presence in Constantinople is vital to the success of Orthodoxy in the United States and other places, where challenges to the Christian faith continue to grow – even in lands long considered "Christian.""Dr. Nawaf Salameh, is a Romanian businessman of Syrian origin, Founder and Chairman of Alexandrion Group and NS & Sons Global Investment. He was born into an Orthodox family in Marmarita, Syria, in an area called “the Valley of the Christians.” In 1983 he moved to Romania to study medicine, earning his degree in 1991. In 2004, he earned a designation for national security and defense issues from the National Defense College of Romania, and in 2013 a Ph.D in Globalization Economics from Carol I National Defense University, Bucharest.
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"The focus of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation is on ensuring the ongoing financial stability and security of our Holy Mother Church of Constantinople."Mrs. Allwin is an extraordinary and devout Orthodox Christian with family roots in Imvros, the birthplace of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. She is a graduate of Hunter College and worked at Morgan Stanley early in her career, before becoming active in the nonprofit arena. Together with her late husband, James M. Allwin, she formed Aetos Capital LLC and The Allwin Family Foundation. She serves on the Dartmouth College and Bucknell University Parents Board, the Committee for Education and Technology at the Museum of Modern Art, and is a volunteer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She has assisted the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the New York Women’s Foundation and Communities in Schools, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to dropout prevention. Keeping her late husband’s legacy, she has been involved with the Allwin Initiative at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. She serves on the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and as Secretary of the Leadership 100 Board of Trustees.
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"Service to our Church has marked our entire adult lives. Leon's mother's side is from Constantinople so the Patriarchate is especially dear to us. This Foundation is the perfect vehicle to continue this service while helping to build a formable capacity to insure its survival for many years to come."Leon Andris, Archon Ostiarios, is a native Washingtonian. He has served St. George in Bethesda for 49 years. Currently he is on the Archdiocesan Council and serves as Vice-Chair of the Metropolis of New Jersey.
Robyn Andris is a retired Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, specializing in pain management and end of life decision making.
She helped start the very successful Palliative Care Program at Georgetown University Medical Center’s Lombardi Cancer Center.
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Oxford, MD
Mr. and Mrs Mike and Libby Angeliades
"We became founding members because we want to support the Ecumenical Patriarch and all his endeavors. We are blessed and honored to be one of the founders."Mike was born in Symi, Greece. Came to the United States in 1960. Met his wife Libby, married for 51 years, have 4 daughters and 7 grandchildren.
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Sands Point, NY
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church / GreekFest Charity Gala, Inc.
"We are very dedicated to our church and the future of our religion and want to help preserve it for our future generations. We are committed to our Greek Orthodox faith and realize that our financial pledge is a small part of helping this mission."Ted is currently the owner/CEO of AMA Systems, LLC based out of Columbia, MD and he opened his business in 2000. His company works with most major and fortune 1000 corporations in the USA (such as American Express, VISA, etc.) AMA Systems is the largest point redemption fulfillment house in the world as it relates to consumer electronics/products distributors in the point redemption industry. Another division of the company deals with International Trade of many types of products throughout the world’s free trade zones. Ted was invited to speak in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum as it relates to world hunger and new technologies. In addition, he is a philanthropist and supports many local and national charities. Ted is on the board of the Panhellenic Scholarship Foundation. He is a fulfilled and active member of Leadership 100, and he is an active supporter and member of the National Hellenic Society and a Supporter of the American Hellenic institute. Ted earned his BS in Business at Ohio State University and earned his Master of Science degree at Johns Hopkins University.
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Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, In Honor of His Grace’s Ordination Guests in Loving Service to the Holy Mother Church
"This summer when I was elected Bishop, I bowed before His All-Holiness and I humbly requested his blessing so I can go and give everything I have for the Church. It was at that moment I knew in my heart what my first act of loving service to the Church would be on the day of my ordination. I gave all my beloved guests bombonieres (favors) with a card that explained that, in lieu of gifts, and in the spirit of stewardship, a donation would be made on their behalf to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation to support the Mother Church. I later shared with His All-Holiness, that as a result of the unexpected overwhelming support I received when I became his Auxiliary Bishop, particularly from Canada, Germany, Greece and America, I would now be able to go one step further; rather than a one-time donation, I could instead become a FOUNDER of his Foundation in honor of my ordination guests, both in person and virtually, who showed me Christlike love. With the help of God, this commitment is a small contribution of my indescribable gratitude and profound love for this divine gift of the sacrament of ordination. My hope is that His All-Holiness and the Ecumenical Patriarchate will achieve long-term sustainable support through this Foundation, so they can more effortlessly focus on the sacred ministry and leadership of the Church."His Grace Bishop Athenagoras (Ziliaskopoulos) was born in 1970 in Reutlingen, Germany, and grew up in Greece and Germany. He spent his early adulthood on Mount Athos as a monastic and learned to live a life devoted to Christ and the Church. He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate in 1994 and the Holy Priesthood in 1998 by His Eminence Metropolitan Augoustinos of Germany. In 1999, he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite to the Ecumenical Throne by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Since his priestly ordination, Bishop Athenagoras has served in Eparchies of the Ecumenical Throne throughout the world. For over 20 years, for over twenty years, Bishop Athenagoras served the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany as parish priest, Hierarchical Vicar and as a member of the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Ecumenical Theological dialogues. He was a frequent speaker at universities, public schools, interfaith groups, cultural associations to discuss Orthodox life and spirituality. Among his many accomplishments in Germany, Bishop Athenagoras established the first Orthodox Chapel in the international Frankfurt Airport and a 24-hour Orthodox crisis hotline; he founded the first Greek Orthodox youth camp near Frankfurt; spearheaded the archeological renovation of a 15th-century church; and built a church and community center from the ground up.
In 2017, Bishop Athenagoras relocated to Toronto, Canada at the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios of Canada to serve as Dean of the Patriarchal Theological Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy and Office Director for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada.
In 2019, he transferred to the United States of America, at the request of His Eminence Elpidophoros Archbishop of America, to serve as the Chaplain at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston, Massachusetts. In February, 2021 Bishop Athenagoras was appointed Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and as the Spiritual Advisor to the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society of America. In May of the same year, upon the recommendation of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected unanimously then Archimandrite Athenagoras as Bishop of Nazianzos.
Bishop Athenagoras holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Theology, a Masters of Theology, and a PhD in Theology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
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"To honor the legacy of Nicholas J and Anna K Bouras of beloved memory."National Vice Commander Nicholas J. Bouras, Archon Depoutatos, who himself had demonstrated remarkable leadership as a faithful son of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and exemplary steward of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Churchman, World War II hero, Industrialist, devoted husband of his beloved late wife Anna, Philanthropist, devout Christian and Archon par excellence are terms that have all described the life of Nicholas J. Bouras.
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Summit, NJ
Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation Matching Grant
"To honor the legacy of Nicholas J and Anna K Bouras of beloved memory."National Vice Commander Nicholas J. Bouras, Archon Depoutatos, who himself had demonstrated remarkable leadership as a faithful son of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and exemplary steward of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Churchman, World War II hero, Industrialist, devoted husband of his beloved late wife Anna, Philanthropist, devout Christian and Archon par excellence are terms that have all described the life of Nicholas J. Bouras.
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"It was a humbling experience being in the presence of our Spiritual Leader, His All Holiness Bartholomew. We will cherish his love and perseverance in bringing love and unity to his flock!!! We are deeply honoured to participate as a Founding Member to The Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation. The reason we support the foundation is to support our Mother Church The Fanari and to Perpetuate Hellenism, Orthodoxy, Faith and Language."We have established and build churches and monasteries, we have build Dimitri and Eleni Mercy Orphanages, Kenya, Africa, established the Frondida Foundation for Abused Children, active board member and big supporter of Little City Foundation for intellectual and disabled children, member, Presidents Council for Maryville Academy Orphans, Founding Chair for The Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation for Northwestern Hospital snd many other projects globally. We have received numerous world recognitions and accolades with the recent Proclamation from the State of Illinois preserving November 6th as Eleni and Dimitri Bousis Day.
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Northbrook, IL
Dr. and Mrs. George and Raffaella Bovis
"We became Founding Members of the EPBF to support our Mother Church in Constantinople and its worldwide missions."George Bovis, MD is a board certified neurosurgeon practicing in Chicago for the last 21 years. He completed his college and medical school education at Northwestern University, his neurosurgery training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and his fellowship training in cerebrovascular and skull base at the Mayfield Clinic in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr Bovis presently serves as the Vice Chairman of Neurosurgery at AMITA Health, the Medical Director of the Illinois Gamma Knife Center and AMITA Neuroscience Institute, and Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Rush University Medical School. He is the author of 57 peer reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and academic presentations. Dr Bovis was recently elected to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis Council of Chicago, sits on the Board of the National Hellenic Museum and serves as a medical advisor at the Greek American Rehabilitation and Nursing Centre.
Raffaella Bovis is an attorney and senior partner at Kaplan Law Firm in Chicago. She specializes in personal and corporate bankruptcy, and student loan forgiveness. Ms Bovis graduated from Boston Unversity as an undergraduate and John Marshall Law School. She serves on the St John The Baptist Philoptochos Society.
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Northbrook, IL
Hon. and Mrs. B. Theodore and A. Helen Bozonelis
"The protection, preservation and financial independence of our Beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate is of primary importance to ensure religious freedom for all the Orthodox Christian Faithful."Mr. Bozonelis is National Secretary and Executive Committee member of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
He was nominated by the Governor of New Jersey and confirmed by the State Senate as a Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey in 1990. In 2003, he was appointed as the Assignment (chief) Judge for Northern New Jersey Counties, where he oversaw the administration of the state courts and 56 municipal courts therein. In that capacity, Judge Bozonelis served as a Chairman and member of the State Judicial Council, which supervises the overall state judiciary. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie appointed him to his State Judicial Advisory Panel evaluating all state judicial candidates.
Helen Koutras Bozonelis is an editor and published author of children’s books and young adult books. Published credits of Helen Koutras Bozonelis include 200 Years With Abraham Lincoln: One Man’s Life and Legacy (Prime), A Look at the Nineteenth Amendment: Women Win the Right to Vote (The Constitution of the United States), and Primary Source Accounts of the War of 1812 (America’s Wars)
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"We want to support the Ecumenical Patriarchate because it embodies our passion for our Greek Orthodox Christian Faith and Hellenic heritage. The Mother Church of Constantinople also represents part of Frank’s ancestral homeland, as his maternal grandmother’s parents were from Peramos, which was on the Peninsula of Kyzikos on the Sea of Marmara."Frank grew up in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia. After graduating from Wharton Undergrad in 1998, he moved to Boston to work as an equity portfolio manager at Wellington Management, where he is a Partner. In addition to serving on the Investment Committee of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, he serves on the Parish Council of Taxiarchae/Archangels, the Board of the Orthodox Christian Missions Center (OCMC), and the Archdiocesan Council.
Anastasia grew up in Eagle River, Alaska. After majoring in opera at the University of Texas and University of Alaska, she moved to Boston and earned her Master’s in Special Education from Leslie University. Through a mutual friend who was a seminarian, they met for the first time at Hellenic College/Holy Cross, and later married in 2006. Anastasia worked as an elementary school teacher before choosing to stay home and raise their children Demetri and Christiana. They are also members of Leadership 100.
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"We became founding members of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation because of our love of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, our love for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and our belief that, with our support, the foundation of Orthodoxy will last in perpetuity."Stephen and Arete are married 59 years. They are blessed with four daughters and six grandchildren. Stephen, Archon Dikaiophylax, member of the Archdiocesan Council, member of Leadership 100, Past President of the Archdiocesan Cathedral and currently serving as Vice President of the Board of Trustees. Honored by: St. Michael’s Home, Archdiocesan Cathedral Annual Gala and the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
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"Our Cathedral community stands next to the Ecumenical Patriarch in his mission of spreading Orthodoxy throughout the world. Now we make our support tangible with more than just words — we do so with this commitment to our beloved Center of Orthodoxy, under the paternal leadership of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew."https://bartholomew.foundation/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SsCH@2x.jpg
"I lived a childhood and young adulthood steeped in history, surrounded by remnants of the cultures of Byzantium and Hellenism in the Queen City of Constantinople. I watched the last vestiges of the great, millennia-lasting Greek civilization disappear in front of my eyes. It is hard not to feel the urge and the duty to support our most important and cherished remaining institution there… the Ecumenical Patriarchate. May it live forever!"Biographical Summary: Harry G. Dimopoulos
Dr. Dimopoulos was born and raised in Constantinople and is a witness and survivor of the infamous pogrom of 6/7 September 1955. He is a graduate of Robert College in Istanbul (now Bosphorus University) with BS in ChE. At age 23 he immigrated to the US where he studied at the University of Illinois and earned a PhD in ChE. He later received an MBA at Harvard Business School. It was at the U of I that Harry met Carol Lee Hamilton.
His business career spanned 35 years at Air Products and Chemicals, where he served in the higher ranks of management and had assignments in Europe, Latin America and Asia. He and his family lived in London and later in Barcelona. He was a board member in 7 foreign joint venture companies in different countries and travelled widely.
He served his local community in various capacities, but mainly as a Trustee of Moravian College, President of the local Shakespeare Festival, and treasurer of a nonprofit youth ballet company, among others.
After retirement he devoted his energies to support his local parish where he served in various ministries and co-founded and Chaired the Christian Rights and Freedom Institute. He received the St. Michael’s Award from the Atlanta Metropolis and was honored with induction to the Order of St. Andrew. He was a member of the Nov 2019 Archons Pilgrimage to Constantinople, led by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros.
Harry and Carol are married for 55 years; they have 3 children and 2 grandchildren.
Biographical Summary: Carol L. (Hamilton) Dimopoulos
Carol grew up in Illinois, where 5 generations of her family have farmed. She treasures the experience of growing up on the family farm and attending Chenoa High School in a graduating class of 39! She graduated with a B.S. in Home Economics/Journalism from the University of Illinois, where she met Harry her senior year. Carol became an Orthodox Christian prior to her marriage in 1967. She worked as a reporter for the Champaign-Urbana News Gazette, and later as a medical editor at M. D. Anderson Hospital, Houston, TX when the family lived and worked there.
After living in Boston for 2 years they moved to the Lehigh Valley, raising the family in the Lehigh Valley, PA, where she served as a volunteer with Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley as a board member, Development Director, and finally President & CEO for 25 years. Following her retirement and a move to Florida in 2010, she volunteered for her church in Naples in a variety of capacities, including serving on the Parish Council and coordinating marketing for various events including the annual GreekFest in February.
Fun Fact: Carol’s genealogy hobby has turned up some interesting direct ancestors and cousins which include: Queen Elizabeth II (13th cousin), Daniel Boone (1st cousin 6x removed), Martin Luther (14th Great Grandfather) and Maria Laskarina, Byzantine Princess & Queen Consort of Hungary (20th Great Grandmother, daughter of Theodoros I Komnenos Laskaris, Emperor of the Byzantine Empire).
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"Since becoming Leadership 100 members, we have hoped to also assist the Ecumenical Patriarch. Becoming a Founding Member of the EPBF gave us this opportunity."Foti is a product of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Weirton, West Virginia. Foti and Joyce met at the University of Cincinnati. He received his undergraduate degree in Metallurgical Engineering and later an MBA, while Joyce obtained her undergraduate degree in Accounting. The pair married in 1966 and have two children John and Adrienne, each of whom are married and have one daughter. Foti worked for Weirton Steel for almost 24 years, while Joyce did accounting work in the Weirton area. They left Weirton and started their own Steel Service Center. The new company Reynolds Services, Inc. started with 9 employees and now employs more than 120. Foti and Joyce mostly retired in 2015. Their son John now runs the family business.
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Naples, FL
Mr. and Mrs. James A. and Michelle Frangis, In Honor of both of our fathers, Archon Manuel N. Tissura and the late Archon Leo Frangis
"I became a founding member to help preserve the fullness and treasures of our Greek Orthodox Faith. It fills my heart to participate and support the growth of our Mother Church and Patriarchy."Isidoros Garifalakis was born in Palioxori, Evia Greece in 1947. At the age of 16 years old, Isidoros joined the Merchant Marines to support his parents and siblings. In 1970, immediately after marrying his bride, Maria, he left for the United States. That was the beginning of his journey to achieve the “American Dream” and start a new life. Isidoros began work at three different jobs to make ends meet but was quickly recognized of his integrity, dedication and perseverance. In 1978, with courage and $500 in savings, he opened his first welding shop. The dream was becoming a reality. Today, alongside his family, he has built Omega Industries, Inc. into a multi-million and multi -location manufacturing company servicing Mainline and Shortline Railroads throughout the United States and Canada. Throughout Isidoros’ hard work he was quick to give back to his community and people. He is an honored philanthropist with a generous spirit that has shaped his work in all formats. As an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a long list of honorable awards, he continues to contribute and honor his Greek Heritage in the United States. Isidoros and Maria maintain strong ties to their roots and hometown village in Greece. They not only financially support family and those in need in the village, but generously fund projects in Monasteries, Churches, Schools, and even established Health Clinics in their village and surrounding areas. He continues to be active in both community and business and is living his new dream of passing on his Legacy to the next generation, always reminding them to “never give up and believe in yourself.”
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Vancouver, WA
Mr. Marios Gartaganis
"My mother was born in Samsun, Pontos, at what was then the Ottoman Empire. Some of her family made it to Greece and some had studied at Chalki. I remember Archbishop Iakovos once telling my parents and me, his thoughts about protecting the integrity of the Patriarchate and the Throne of St. Andrew. It is the least I can do in the memory of those who came before and to strengthen the Orthodox faith for those to come. I am sure many more will follow."Currently residing in my home town of Athens, after many years of work and study in New York and Worcester, Mass. Not quite retired, I am currently involved with start-ups and general entrepreneurship in the fields of ehealth, primary care 65+, silver economy and AI. Big data analytics and the Hellenic biotech hub (HBio) are also part of work. Greece, for all its shortcomings, is still pretty nice ….
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"In all that we do to support our beautiful Church, its traditions and its endeavors, we often overlook (or perhaps take for granted) our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. But in our zeal to help our local parishes, Metropolis or Archdiocese, we should not forget the needs of our Patriarchate that not only has financial needs but is saddled with the unique and dire circumstances that challenge its mere existence on a daily basis! For this reason, it is so important that we remain vigilant stewards of this beautiful vestige of our Ancient Church and provide the necessary economic support to help ensure its survival."Demitris and Georgia Halakos are members of Holy Trinity Parish in Wilmington, Delaware. Both have served on the Parish Council in various capacities, including as officers. Georgia Halakos has served as Parish Council President. They are active in Leadership 100, National Hellenic Society and are members of the Advisory Board of the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation. Demitris Halakos is an Archon of Ecumenical Patriarchate and serves on the Board of the American Hellenic Institute. Georgia Halakos has served on both Metropolis and National Philoptochos Boards, is a past President of the Federation of Hellenic & American Societies of Philadelphia and also currently serves as a Board Member of the Odyssey Charter School. Mrs. Halakos is a principal owner of Tsionas Properties with commercial and residential real estate holdings throughout Delaware. Mr. Halakos is a founder and principal member of Halakos Management and its various subsidiaries with real estate holdings and restaurant/entertainment enterprises in Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania. As an accomplished businessman, he has served on the Governor of Delaware’s finance committee and held roles in the Delaware Restaurant Association and Delaware Chamber of Commerce. Demitris and Georgia reside in Wilmington, Delaware, together with their children, Billy and Dia.
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Greenville, DE
Mr. and Mrs. John Jr. and Sonia Halecky, In Memory of Nicholas J. Bouras and John Farkas
Gregory Halvatzis is a petroleum geologist who resides in Houston, Texas. A native of East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Halvatzis graduated from Waynesburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Geology. In his senior year at Waynesburg, he was selected to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.” Holding both a Master of Science in Geology from the University of Florida and an MBA from Mississippi College, Halvatzis also pursued graduate studies in geoscience at the University of Arizona. At the University of Florida, he was inducted into Sigma Gamma Epsilon, the National Honor Society for Earth Sciences.
Halvatzis is licensed as a Professional Geoscientist in both Texas and Louisiana. He is also certified as a petroleum geologist by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and as a professional geoscientist by the American Institute of Professional Geoscientists. Gregory has served as a Director of the Houston Geological Society. A published author in the field of petroleum geology, Halvatzis has received several publication awards. He served on the Board of Directors of Epsilon Energy, a publicly traded company. He is also the current Chair of the Waynesburg University Board of Trustees. During his career, Halvatzis has worked for several private — as well as publicly- traded oil and gas companies in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Texas. Positions held by Halvatzis include Southeastern Region Planning & Evaluation Manager at Cities Service (Exploration & Production Group of CITGO) prior to its acquisition by Oxy, Exploration Vice President at First Energy Corporation, Senior Vice President Exploration & Land at TransTexas Gas Corporation and CEO of RHC Energy a publicly traded company. In 2016 he co-founded and is co-owner of Recoil Resources, a private equity backed oil and gas company with production in South Texas.
An active member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston, Texas, for the last 30 years, Halvatzis has been a facilitator in adult education programs at the cathedral, teaching classes in church history, theology, and contemporary issues.
Marie Halvatzis attended the University of Florida and graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. After graduating from Mississippi College School of Law, she worked in the oil and gas industry and in private practice of law. When the family moved to Houston, Texas, she stayed home to care for their two children and was involved in the children’s activities including serving as President of the PTA at their elementary school. Marie is also active in numerous charities.
Marie has served on the Philoptochos Board at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston, Texas for the last twenty years. She served three terms as President of the chapter. Marie currently serves on the Philoptochos Board of the Metropolis of Denver. Also, for the past nineteen years she has served on the Board of Directors of Village Learning Center Inc., an organization providing services to adults with disabilities.
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Michael S. Johnson is a successful oil and gas geologist–a graduate of The Ohio State University. He has been married for 61 years to Katherine V. Johnson and they have two children, Alicia and Mark. He and his wife are both members of Leadership 100. He is also an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a Board member of FAITH and Leadership 100.
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"Think of how many times our Church asks for our help and we direct the Church to go ask Someone Else. Whenever the Church has a financial need, we all assume that Someone Else will make up the difference. We cannot always depend on Someone Else to do everything for us to sustain our Church, all of us together must do the work necessary to meet the needs and serve for the future of our One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. To paraphrase Isaiah; Here am I Lord send me!"A pharmacist and owner of an independent pharmacy for 40 years until retirement. Past City of Peabody Parks, Recreation and Shade Tree Department Commissioner, Past City of Peabody member Board of Health for 40 years appointed by 5 mayors. Past president of St Vasilios parish council, Chairman Centennial events of 2006, member Metropolis of Boston Council, Chairman Fellowship of Orthodox Steward of Metropolis, Archon Ostiarios of Ecumenical Patriarchate, and member of many city, state, and national professional and religious organizations.
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"We are so honored to support our wonderful church and our beloved Patriarchate as founders. The Greek Orthodox faith and its tradition connects us all with our heritage and our responsibilities for its prosperity in these difficult times."The Karmanos’ are the leading supporters of the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Michigan. Peter is the founder of Compuware Corporation, one of the original high tech companies. He is in the Hockey Hall of Fame (2015) as a builder. Danialle is a well-known philanthropist and has founded several children’s charities.
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"It is so important for international Orthodoxy that the Ecumenical Patriarch has the resources to withstand and push back on the assault to its survival."Son of Gus Katsaros of New York and the former Mary Damascus of Boston. Grew up on Long Island and attended college at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts where he earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Later attended Lehigh University for his MBA and Harvard University for an advanced management degree. Worked 33 years for a global industrial gas company in a variety of engineering, marketing, business management, and executive positions.
Has served on numerous non profit boards and advisory committees, including The Boys and Girls Club, SEMI, Dept. of Energy Hydrogen Committee, PA Business Roundtable, and a number of Church boards and ministries. Currently on the boards of two for profit companies.
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"Becoming founding members for the EPBF is the logical next step in our personal ministry. We hope to set the example of sacrifice for our children to the Mother Church to meet its rising challenges to preserve the future of Orthodoxy in our lives."Michael and Emily have been married for over 30 years and are the proud parents of Nicholas and Alexander. They have been active members Leadership 100 since 2000. In October 2016, Michael was inducted as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Order of St. Andrew. Michael is a member of the Archdiocesan Council for the past 12 years and is currently serving as President of the Parish Council for the Transfiguration of Christ Church. Emily serves as the Vice President of the Ladies Philoptochos. Michael is one of the founding partners and the Chief Operating Officer of Mandrake Capital Partners, a real estate fund manager based in NYC. He is an attorney/CPA and has volunteered on numerous pro-bono projects, including serving as legal advisor for the rebuilding of the St. Nicholas Shrine over the last 20 years.
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"A perpetual foundation is a great way to financially support our eternal Church. We're blessed to be given the opportunity to be Founding Members."We are members of three parishes in the Detroit Metro area. Lazaros Kircos owns Sophia’s Bakery, Inc and has served as past CFO and President of public companies. Paula has served as CFO of a regional securities brokerage firm. We are fulfilled members of Leadership 100, where Lazaros serves as a trustee and member of the Audit Committee. Lazaros is a Detroit Regional Commander for the Order of St. Andrew. He also serves on the Archdiocese Council Executive Committee and is Chair of the Finance Committee.
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Grosse Pointe, MI
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Anna Kokolakis
"Our Patriarchate is facing unprecedented external, and even internal, threats. As Orthodox Christians, and an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, we have a duty to defend and protect our Mother Church and do everything possible to further its sacred mission. The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation’s singular purpose is to galvanize Orthodox Christians throughout the world in the united support of this global initiative. How could we not join?"Joseph J. Kokolakis was born and raised in New York, while his wife Anna Kokolakis hails from Toronto, Canada. They currently reside in Dunedin, Florida with their three children, Yianni (23), Eleni (23), and Paige (21).
Joe currently serves as President of Kokolakis Contracting, Inc., a public works General Contractor, and its sister-company, Santek Management, a developer of commercial and residential properties in New York and Florida. He is graduate of Emory University School of Law, as well as a licensed General, Plumbing, Roofing and Waterproofing Contractor, As a LEED Accredited professional, Mr. Kokolakis oversees all aspects of construction and has spearheaded Santek’s commitment to environmentally conscious design and development.
Anna Kokolakis is the majority shareholder and Executive Vice President of Santek Management, LLC. Her main role is to work with architects, interior designers, and artists to develop the architectural and interior concept for each development. Mrs. Kokolakis studies innovative designs, concepts, and products from around the globe and incorporates them into each project. Every detail is scrutinized from exterior cladding materials to floor plans and interior finishes. The final product is conceived, created, and delivered under her guidance, including design, construction, budgeting, marketing and sales.
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Dunedin, FL
Mr. and Mrs. Theodore and Jeri Konopisos
"As an Archon - Support of the Ecumenical Patriachate and its mission of support to the Mother Church is both and honor and a privilege we hold dear."Ted & Jeri Konopisos were founding members of St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, Irvine, CA in 1977. Ted served on the Parish Council for many years from the initial opening of the parish through the mid 1990’s. He has continued to oversee the master development plan for the parish since its inception which included the initial land acquisition, design and development plan for St. Paul’s since inception. He continues to chair the Building and Development Committee to this day.
Jeri has served on the Philoptochos Board since its inception along with many parish committees.
Ted and Jeri are celebrating their 51st year of marriage this year and
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"From the time I became an Archon in 2016, I thought it would be great if we could set up a Foundation to be able to carry on our religious beliefs for centuries to come. We honor the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as the longest serving Patriarch in naming the Foundation after him."John Koudounis joined Calamos Investments as Chief Executive Officer in 2016. He became the firm’s first designated CEO hired by Founder John Calamos, Sr., as part of Calamos’ succession plan. Serving as a driving force behind improving strategic initiatives, Mr. Koudounis plays a critical role in delivering innovative solutions to business development and expanding product breadth for the firm’s global base of clients. Under his leadership, firm profitability and AUM growth have increased substantially.
Mr. Koudounis has 34 years of financial services experience including executive leadership in the global securities business and a deep background in global capital markets. Most recently, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mizuho Securities USA, Inc. (MSUSA), a subsidiary of Mizuho Financial Group, one of the world’s largest full-service financial institutions. During his tenure at Mizuho Securities, he built the firm into a full-service investment bank, expanding its debt and equity capital markets teams. Because of his leadership, the firm also grew in profitability, number of clients, and product diversification, allowing Mizuho to be considered globally as a top tier investment bank. Prior to joining MSUSA in 2008, he was Managing Director and Head of Fixed Income for ABN AMRO Americas where he played a critical role in that firm’s successful growth.
Mr. Koudounis, often sought after for his thought leadership, serves as a speaker at conferences worldwide and appears frequently on financial news programs including CNN, Fox, Fox Business, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, TD Ameritrade Network, Yahoo Finance Live, and others.
In addition to his executive career, Mr. Koudounis upholds a dedication to philanthropy through various board positions and community outreach. He is the Founder of the Chicago CEO COVID-19 Coalition, an organization he created in 2020 during the pandemic to provide COVID-19 relief and recovery for the city and bring Chicago’s business leaders together in a time of need. This initiative focused on four critical areas in COVID recovery: food, shelter/homelessness, counseling services, and PPE. The Coalition distributed over $1.5 million in proceeds from its successful telethon.
Mr. Koudounis is a member of the Leadership Council at Concordia and the prestigious Bretton Woods Committee. He is a member of the board of trustees of the National Hellenic Museum, a patron of the Prince’s Trust International, and an executive advisory board member for the SEAL Future Foundation. He is a founding board member and executive committee member of The Hellenic Initiative, a non-profit, non-governmental organization with the aim of supporting Greece and Cyprus in the aftermath of the financial crisis by helping to foster entrepreneurship in both countries. He is also a member of Leadership 100 and the President of The Metropolis of Chicago Foundation. In October 2016 he was inducted as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Order of St. Andrew, the highest honor bestowed on a layman by the Orthodox Church and serves on the Board of the National Council of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle. Additionally, he serves on the Board and as Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation.
He graduated from Brown University with a degree in International Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs and Economics.
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Dr. Dimitris K. Kyriazis and Dr. Stephanie Grosz, In Memory of Amerisa- Kyriakos Kyriazis
"We have chosen to become founders to protect and support the identity of Greek Orthodox Christianity by utilizing our time, talent and treasure."Dr. Dimitris Kyriazis is a native of Skyros, Greece. He emigrated to the United States at the age of 19 and is a graduate of University of Southern California and Chicago medical school. He trained in cardiovascular surgery at Baylor College of Medicine with Dr. Michael DeBakey. He has been practicing cardiac, vascular, lung and trauma surgery in Mobile, AL where he is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of South Alabama. His wife is Dr. Stephanie Grosz. She was raised in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Duke University as an Angier B. Duke Scholar and trained at Baylor College of Medicine in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Electrophysiology. She practices interventional electrophysiology and structural heart disease in private practice in Mobile, Alabama. Drs. Kyriazis and Grosz have two wonderful and accomplished children, Alexandros and Amerisa. They belong to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Mobile, Alabama.
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Mobile, AL
Mr. and Mrs. Markos and Sevasti Lagos
“Our commitment to sustaining our faith and supporting our Mother Church is the most important example we can convey to our children and grandchildren, as they are the future of Greek Orthodoxy.”https://bartholomew.foundation/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lagos@2x.jpg
Dunedin, FL
Leadership 100
"Leadership 100 became a Founding Member because of our deep Respect, Love and Admiration for the Ecumenical Patriarch. We support His All Holiness in his worthy ministry to advance the Orthodox Faith and promote Religious Freedom throughout the world."Founded in 1984 by Greek American Orthodox leaders under the guidance of Archbishop Iakovos, The Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Fund, Incorporated, is a 501(c)(3) endowment fund corporation that supports the life-sustaining National Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in advancement of Orthodoxy and Hellenism. Members pledge $100,000, which is paid over a period of 10 years or less. The principal of the endowment fund remains permanently restricted and inviolate. From its inception to 2021, Leadership 100 has distributed more than $65 million in grants.
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New York, NY
Mr. and Mrs. Nick and Marina Letsios
Born in Athens, Greece, Nikolaos immigrated to the United States in 1972 and has since built a successful life and career in various fields. After attending Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Grade School and graduating from Saint Demetrios High School, Nikolaos went on to study at Saint John’s University.
Nikolaos married Marina Lagos/Letsios at Saint Nicholas Church, Bayside, in 1995, and together they have two children, Eleftherios and Panayotis. Both children attended Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox grade school. Eleftherios, born in 1998, graduated from the High School of Bronx Science and earned a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College. He will be attending law school in the fall of 2023. Panayotis, born in 2000, graduated from Saint Demetrios of Astoria high school and attended Queens College before joining the family business at Kia of Huntington. The family is deeply connected to their Greek Orthodox roots, with membership at both Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Whitestone, NY, and Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons.
Nikolaos began working in automotive dealerships in 1991 and has since held ownership in several dealerships, including Cox Nissan, Bronx Suzuki, Mayors Saab, City Mitsubishi, and Long Island City VW. Currently, Nikolaos serves as the Director of Operations at Kia of Huntington, a family-owned dealership operated by his wife, Marina.
In addition to his work in the automotive industry, Nikolaos and Marina are partners in the “Hellenic Daily News” digital newspaper and “Hellenic Golden Directory.” They are also involved in real estate and other businesses, such as the Planet Health co-packing food plant in Port Jervis, NY.
Always eager to give back to the community, Nikolaos and Marina actively support numerous charities, including Prince’s Trust International, Long Island Cares Inc., St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. They also sponsor Blue Dream and all of its causes. In recognition of these charitable efforts, Kia of Huntington was awarded the “School of Athens Humanitarian Award” by Father Alexander Karloutsos.
With a deep commitment to family, community, and professional endeavors, Nikolaos and Marina continue to make a lasting impact in both their personal and professional lives.
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"To offer what we are able to preserve, sustain, and further the mission of the Holy Mother Church in Constantinople and the Ecumenical Patriarchate is what motivated us to become Founders."Dr. Cary John Limberakis and Mrs. Alexis Demetris Limberakis are humbled and grateful to be given the opportunity to be Founding Members of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation. Devout Orthodox Christians, they have been graced to have visited the Phanar and His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on several occasions, and have been deeply involved in The Church in America at the local, Metropolis and Archdiocesan levels. Dr. Limberakis was invested into The Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle in 2005 and serves as its Regional Commander of the Philadelphia District. Mrs. Limberakis serves Philoptochos on the National Board, the Metropolis of NJ Philoptochos Board and local parishes. They have four adult children and two grandchildren.
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"The health and survival of our Ecumenical Patriarchate has always been a priority of our family. Being blessed by our Ecumenical Patriarch with the offikion of an Archon of the Great Church of Christ only confirms this call to action and unwavering support. We are honored to become members of the foundation and are blessed that our Lord has given us the strength to do so."Dr. Nicholas George Loutsion was invested as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in March of 2003 and conferred with the offikion of Aktouarios. He has been a member of the National Council of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle since 2005 and has served the National Council as the Chairman of the Archon Regional Commander Liaison Committee since its inception in 2006 and as the Co-Chairman of the newly formed Engagement Committee 2021. In 2006, he represented the Order as an NGO presenter at the annual meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE-HDIM) in Warsaw, Poland. In 2006, he co-authored the PA House of Representatives Resolution No.876 in defense of Religious Freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He has made three trips to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in support of religious freedom for the Mother Church. In 1997 he served on the committee for the Patriarchal visit to the Pittsburgh Metropolis.
He has served the Archdiocese as a member of the Archdiocesan Council 1998-2020 Co-Chairing the Marriage and Family Committee 2012-2020. He served on the Board of Trustees HCHC 2012-2016. He and his wife Susan are fulfilled members of Leadership 100 (2007). He served the Metropolis of Pittsburgh on the Metropolis Council 1996-2020 and as Metropolis Vice Chairman 2007-2020. He is a member of the Byzantine Choir of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh since 1998. He served on his Parish Council 1982-2014 and as P.C. President 2006-2007. He has taught Sunday school, directed the Children’s Choir, and is currently the parish Protopsalti. He has served on the Adelphaton of the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery in Saxonburg, PA
Dr. Loutsion has a B.S. degree in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh then attended the University of Pennsylvania where he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. He owned and operated a 6 doctor Equine Practice in western Pennsylvania for 41 years. He also currently owns and operates an Equine Breeding Facility in Canonsburg, PA since 1977.
Dr Loutsion is the Past Supreme President of the Pan-Rhodian Society of America and the first recipient of the International Rhodian of the Year Award. He is a member of AHEPA and the Pan Cretan Assn of America.
Susan Mertz Loutsion is a graduate of Cedar Crest College, Allentown PA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Career highlights include Admissions Manager for the Bradford School in Pittsburgh, and Office Manager of Canon Hill Veterinary Clinic, Inc. She is a member of Philoptochos and has been active with several fundraising initiatives at her home parish of All Saints. She serves on the Board of Directors for the St. Photios National Shrine in St. Augustine, FL representing the Metropolis of Pittsburgh. She and Dr. Nicholas were co-chairs of the Hellenic College/Holy Cross 75th Anniversary gala in Pittsburgh and served on the committees for the All Saints Consecration and His Eminence Metropolitan Savas’ Enthronement. An advocate of the performing arts, Susan serves on the Board of the Pittsburgh Opera where she has co- chaired several major fundraising galas and has formerly served on the Boards of the Pittsburgh Symphony South and the Children’s Festival Chorus of Pittsburgh.
Nicholas and Susan are parents of Alexandra Loutsion, a professional opera singer and Alyssa Loutsion Kyritsis (Niko) who is the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Director of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh. They are the proud grandparents of Nicholas Dimitrios Kyritsis.
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Canonsburg, PA
Mr. and Mrs. Angelo and Susan Magafan, In Memory of Aristides “Harry” Magafan
Mr. Louis G. Malevitis and Mrs. Marion Malevitis Gouvis
"Faithful support for our Mother Church in perpetuity."My family represents six generations of Greek-Americans since 1893, whom, as past and present stewards of our Holy American Greek Orthodox Church supportive in Her many ministries of concern. I am honored and blessed to be a 1996 Archon and member of Leadership-100 and IOCC for 25 years.
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"It is an honor to play a very small part in the preservation of this holy and noble institution."Youngest US Senate Committee Staff Director, youngest Assistant Secretary in Carter Administration, now CEO of Manatos & Manatos a public policy company — clients from the Smithsonian Institution to the City of San Francisco, contributing for decades large amounts of pro-bono work for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Greece and Cyprus.
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Bethesda, MD
Mr. and Mrs. John and Elena Manos
"We feel that it is all of our responsibility to protect and promote the Patriarch and the Patriarchate! To serve our Most Holy Mother church and all that it represent for our faith and to us and our families."John G. and Elena Manos, are stewards of St. Demetrios in Elmhurst, Illinois. John was invested as an Archon in 2013 and conferred with the offikion Eutaxias by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Phanar. Archon Manos has served as an officer on the Parish Council, on the Metropolis Council and on several Metropolis committees and are members of Leadership 100. John a graduate from the University of Illinois with a BS in Architecture, and Elena a graduate of University of Tennessee with a bachelor in Economics. Archon Manos is President of a publicly traded Financial Institution headquartered in the Chicago, Illinois area. He and his family develop Commercial Real Estate and operate a chain retail grocery stores. Archon Manos and his wife Elena, were married in 1986 and have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
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Bloomingdale, IL
Mr. and Mrs. George and Judy Marcus
"I became a Founding Member because through our churches' philanthropic programs and religious programs, good work has been and will continue to be done."Born George Mathew Moutsanas in 1941 in Limni, Evia, Greece and emigrated to the United States in 1945. He graduated as George M. Marcus from San Francisco State University with a B.A. degree in Economics. He founded G.M. Marcus & Company, which later evolved into Marcus & Millichap Company, where he still serves as Chairman. Mr. Marcus also founded and serves as Chairman of Essex Property Trust (ESS) and Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (MMI), two publicly traded companies.
Mr. Marcus received the high Offikion of Archon Exarchos in 1991 by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York.
His commitments to his community include memberships on the Board of Directors at the Modern Greek Studies Foundation, CSU Foundation, UCSF Foundation, Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, International Orthodox Christian Charities, Elios Society of Northern California, Leadership 100, and founder and Chairman of the National Hellenic Society. Other notable activities include involvement with United Religions Initiative, The Hellenic Initiative, and the Advisory Board of the Washington Oxi Day Foundation. Mr. Marcus is also the majority owner of two renowned Greek restaurants: Kokkari located in San Francisco, CA and Evvia located in Palo Alto, CA.
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Palo Alto, CA
Mr. Anthony Marlowe, In Memory of Nicholas Marlowe Miami Beach, FL; Mrs. Becky Marlowe-McPartlin and Mrs. Francine Daemicke, In Memory of Demetra Booras, nee Papastavros, Chicago, IL
"I became a Founder to support the Mother Church, help preserve Orthodox Christianity, like my great Grandfather Papastarou did back in the χωριό, Nestani/Tsipiana, and to honor my late brother, Nicholas Marlowe, and Yia Yia, Demetra Booras, nee Papastavros."Marlowe is the CEO of MCI, MCI BPO, Gravis Apps, Mass Markets, OnBrand24, MCI Federal, The Sydney Call Centre, Inc., and Valor Intelligent Processing. Marlowe is also the owner of Marlowe Special Purpose Acquisition Corporation I, MBM Developments dba Marlowe National, a commercial real estate firm, and Iowa City Capital Partners dba Marlowe Miami, Marlowe’s private investment/family office.
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"There is nothing more important than the support of our Ecumenical Patriarchate, as there are some many forces threatening its survival. Financial security is a key part of this, and we should all do what we can to ensure that our Mother Church continues to thrive for generations to come."Vasili did most of his growing up in Stamford, CT, where his father was Proistamenos of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Katina grew up in Houston, where she was actively involved in Cathedral ministries since her early childhood.
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"I have a deep commitment to the vision of His All Holiness toward a world where we are all responsible stewards of our global community, and I am passionate about the preservation of our ancient Patriarchate in the city which is so important to me personally and to our shared history as Orthodox Christians."I am a religious professional with a passion for ecumenical and inter-faith relations. I have spent my professional career studying, writing about, and working with the Christian Churches and other faiths of the Mediterranean and Middle East. I permanently settled in the New York area due to my involvement with the Greek Orthodox Church, which I have been involved in as a volunteer, parish council member, and as an employee.
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"The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco is far beyond just our seven states and 67 parishes. We are part of the greater church – our Holy Archdiocese as well as our Mother Church under the inspired leadership of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The establishment of this foundation to secure the future of Orthodoxy throughout the world, and to defend and protect the rightful place of Christendom in Constantinople is a noble cause and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco is honored to be a founding member of this most worthwhile endeavor."The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco encompasses the western region of the United States and is led by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos. The Metropolis is comprised of 67 parishes in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Under the direction of Metropolitan Gerasimos, the Metropolis supports its parishes and faithful through the efforts of 13 key ministries which include: Christian Education, Church Music, Clergy Continuing Education, Family Wellness, Folk Dance and Choral Festival, Greek Language and Culture, Greek Village Immersion Camp, Missions and Evangelism, Orthodox Parish Leadership, Philoptochos, Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, Stewardship, and Youth and Young Adult Ministries. These ministries provide spiritual and educational programs for the preservation and perpetuation of our Orthodox faith and Hellenic culture, as well as social and outreach activities to support local and international communities.
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San Francisco, CA
Mr. and Mrs. C. Dean and Marianne Metropoulos
"It is with great pleasure and humility that my family joined the Founders of the Bartholomew Foundation. Our religion and its unique and long history is the cornerstone of our identity and personal connection with our loved ones who have passed, and our family lineage. It also provides us a frequent and reflective connection with our Lord Jesus Christ, and his principals of love, humility, and kindness. These wonderful attributes provide us and our children the hope and courage to face the complexities and challenges of today’s stressful world; a world dominated by materiality, lost values, and human suffering.
It is with the hope of supporting the continued evolution, relevance, and connection with our Orthodox communities that we support the Foundation and its nurturing of our Orthodox religion for our future generations."Mr. C. Dean and Mrs. Marianne Metropoulos are long standing members of the Orthodox community together with their two children, Evan and Daren. The Metropoulos family have been very active in the acquisition (private equity) business having acquired 87 companies around the world and five SPACS. Marianne Metropoulos heads the Metropoulos Family Foundation which focuses on many philanthropic causes. She is the Principal Benefactor for HRH Prince’s Trust International, providing education for underprivileged children around the world including Greece, Rwanda, and Kenya, among others. The Foundation also supports cancer research with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Epigenetics Cancer Center, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps for children with cancer, and numerous other education, animal abuse, and environmental causes, as well as being a member of the Giving Pledge. Marianne also wrote and produced the feature film “Cliffs of Freedom”, depicting Greece’s 1821 revolution against the devastating 400-year occupation of the Ottoman empire.
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Greenwich, CT
Mr. Jeffrey Michals, In Memory of Anastasia Michals
"The reason for becoming a Founding Member was really quite simple. Ensuring the financial independence of the Ecumenical Patriarch is essential."Born and raised in Jersey City, Jeff and Anastasia of blessed memory relocated to the Jersey Shore where they raised their two children John Thomas and Anastasia.
Jeff has a successful 30 year career in software and Anne tirelessly pursued two of her passions, education where she served as President of the Board of Education and philanthropy serving as the President of the ladies Philoptochos Society of the Metropolis of New Jersey and member of the executive board of the National Philoptochos Society.
May her memory be eternal
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Wall Township, NJ
Mr. Frank Mihalopoulos, In Memory of Maryann Sarris Mihalopoulos
Frank Mihalopoulos is the owner of Corinth Properties. Mr. Mihalopoulos has forty years of experience investing in real estate and in developing retail, office, and mixed-use properties in Texas, which have earned national and local awards and recognition from the commercial real estate industry.
Mr. Mihalopoulos is widely regarded for his unique ability to creatively redevelop malls across the country. Partnering with Anthony Ruggeri, Mr. Mihalopoulos successfully redeveloped malls across the country, including Northlake Mall, Atlanta, Georgia, Forest Mall, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, West Manchester Mall, York County, Pennsylvania, and One Hundred Oaks Mall, Nashville, Tennessee. One Hundred Oaks Mall was a renovation of an old mall into a mixed-use project with Vanderbilt University Medical Center occupying 450,000 square feet of medical clinics and 430,000 square feet of retail. Mr. Mihalopoulos is currently working with Peter Brodsky and Terrence Maiden to redevelop Red Bird Mall into a community based mixed-use project.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Mihalopoulos has also successfully completed other development projects, including Eldorado Plaza, McKinney, TX, The Gateway Station, College Station, Texas, The Plaza at Cedar Hill and Cedar Hill Village (Cedar Hill, Texas), Glen Oaks Crossing (Super Walmart development in Oak Cliff) and Canyon in Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas, Pinnacle Park, Dallas, TX.
Mr. Mihalopoulos is currently a board member of The Dallas Citizens Council, The Real Estate Council, Shelter Ministries of Dallas (parent board for Austin Street Shelter and Genesis Women’s Shelter), and The State Fair of Texas. He has previously served as Chairman of The Goodwill Foundation Board and on the boards of Federal Reserve of Dallas Advisory Council, St Mark’s School of Texas, City of Cedars Area TIFF, Urban Rehab Standards, and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church – where he chaired the building committee overseeing the construction of the Church’s new facilities. He is a member of the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors and International Council of Shopping Centers.
Mr. Mihalopoulos has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University and attended the University of Illinois-Chicago, Illinois.
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"We are a family of faith with the focus on educating and helping Christians throughout our community. We believe that becoming founding members and joining this outstanding group of leaders that we will all be able to help our church to provide generations & generations of christians the financial underpinings of the Patriarchate."Michael & Meropi Neamonitakis, married couple of 16 years, with three children, Kyra, Petros, and Margarita. Members of Holy Cross Brooklyn & Kimisis Theotokou Brooklyn. Members of Leadership 100, Donor Wall Members of St. Nicholas Shrine, Ahepa, and now Founding Members of Ecumenical Patriarchate. Born & Raised in Brooklyn, New York, from immigrant parents from Chios, Greece. Co-Founder of Meridian Properties, a family run Real Estate Property & Investment Management company with over 200 employees.
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"A patriarchal foundation exclusively dedicated to fortify the financial underpinnings of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Spiritual Center of World Orthodoxy, has been the desire of many individuals for decades: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew himself, Archbishop Elpidophoros even as a deacon, Fr. Alex Karloutsos and many Archons."The Order of St. Andrew’s fundamental goal and mission is to promote the religious freedom, wellbeing and advancement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which is headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey.
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Founding Benefactor, Founding Member
Mr. and Mrs. Gus and Gail Pablecas
"Asked why we became Founders? The Ecumenical Patriarch is the First Among Equals, the leader of Orthodox Christians throughout the world. The Patriarchate, the Sacred See, is our Orthodox home and to the extent we can as Archons and as Christians, we all have a duty to protect and defend our Holy and Great Mother Church for perpetuity."Gus and Gail Pablecas are proud Stewards of the St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Palatine, IL, the Annunciation Cathedral (Chicago) and Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Scottsdale, AZ. Gus was invested into the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2006 with the offikion of Ostiarios. In 2015, Gus was appointed by the Archon National Commander to the position of Archon Regional Commander for the Metropolis of Chicago, and in 2011, became the recipient of the Archdiocesan Medal of St. Paul.
With the life-long love and support of Gail, Gus has served on the Archdiocesan Council, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Council as its First Vice President and has and continues to serve the Church in a variety of positions for over 35 years, including six terms as Parish Council President. Gus serves as a proud member on the Archon National Council and continues to hold varies positions within the Church and in the Hellenic communities.
Gus is a real estate asset entrepreneur and previously served as a Special Agent with the FBI. He currently serves as a Director for the Chicago Chapter of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.
Gus and Gail have a blessed marriage of 49 years, have two children and 8 grandchildren. They split their time between Illinois and Arizona. Gus enjoys auto racing, equestrian activities, RVing and sporting clay sports.
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South Barrington, IL
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony and Lisa Palmieri
"Our Patriarch is the single most important worldwide representative of our Faith. It is critical that we support every facet of his tenure and that of those after him. He represents consistency and stability in a very difficult world. I wanted to be one of the first to declare our family support of our Patriarch."Archon Investiture 2014. Multiple past presidencies of Parish Council, Metropolis and Archdiocesan Council, Metropolis and Archdiocese Finance Committee. President of Garden State Consolidating, warehouse and distribution of wines and Spirits. Wife, Lisa Demetris Palmieri. Proud parent of four children; Evan, Christopher, Carissa and Lauren and proud grandfather of five.
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Newtown Square, PA
Pan Gregorian Enterprises Inc. of America Charitable Foundation
"It is important to us that the Ecumenical Patriarchate continues to be a beacon for our church. To help financially secure the Mother Church will sustain our church's leadership and spiritual strength."Dr. Papadeas is a Denver native. He is board-certified in dermatology and is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology.
After completing his undergraduate degree at San Diego State University, he furthered his studies in Europe while playing competitive basketball. Dr. Papadeas earned his medical degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his dermatology training at Ohio University, Grandview Hospital and Medical Center. He is past President of the Colorado Dermatologic Society and the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
Dr. Papadeas enjoys teaching and lectures throughout the U.S. and abroad. He enjoys an active lifestyle with his wife and their four children. He was invested as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2009 by the hand of Patriarch Bartholomew.
Stellee is the mother of their four children, Venetia, Yianna, Nicolia and George Gregory. She is also a dedicated member of our Holy Orthodox church. Stellee is a former Sunday school teacher, Executive Committee member of the Hellenic Dance Academy, and Greek Festival Sub committee Chairperson. Currently a national Board Member of the Orthodox Christian Missions Center.
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Greenwood Village, CO
Mr. Anthony Papamarkos, In Memory of Avgoustis Papamarkos
Anthony Papamarkos was born in Greece in 1954. He came to this country as a young man in 1969 striving for a better life. He worked as a dishwasher, bus boy and manager in a few restaurants while he went to night to school to finish his high school studies and learn the English language. In 1975, Anthony purchased his first restaurant as an owner. Since then, he had several businesses, one in New York City, and several in New Jersey; Lyndhurst, Ridgefield and Elmwood Park.
In 1993, he purchased a diner in Irvington. After many years of serving his community, he became well known in town for his generosity and donations to the homeless and other charities. Anthony was always looking to help other that were less fortunate. During this time, he joined the Chamber of Commerce. Although he enjoyed what he had accomplished, after serving the community of Irvington for over a decade, he was looking for something a bit more challenging and wanted to move forward.
In September of 2002, he bought The Graycliff, or as it was known to many as the old George’s. He proceeded with a major renovation of the entire facility to bring the banquet hall in to the 21st century. After 19 years in Moonachie, New Jersey, Anthony still believes in giving back to the community and those who are less fortunate. He has always supported the police, both locally and state, fire departments, first responders, and Greek Orthodox Churches in many surrounding municipalities. He has become friends to many of the people in the surrounding towns, their mayors and their administrations as well as some of our United States Congressmen, assemblymen and Senators from New Jersey. He donates many times a year to homeless organizations and other associations such as The Wounded Warrior Project. He supports the Lions Club, and many of the surrounding schools and their many functions. He is a member of the Rotary Club, 200 Club, and may Greek American Organizations. He has been very active with many Greek Orthodox Parishes and the New Jersey Metropolis. He generally gives all of his time, talent and treasure.
Anthony is married to Diane since 1993, and they have two children Emily, 25, who graduated from Monmouth University in 2018, and Joseph, 23, who graduated from the International Culinary Center in 2020. Both children work full-time with their father since completed their studies and aspired to follow in his footsteps. Anthony and his family worship at the Greek Orthodox Church of Ascension in Fairview, New Jersey, and Saint George, in Clifton, New Jersey.
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Messrs. James and Theodore Pedas Family Foundation
"As committed members of the Bartholomew Foundation, we are contributing to insure financial support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.”Brothers James Pedas (Jim) and Theodore (Ted) Pedas were raised in Farrell, Pennsylvania. While attending George Washington University Law School, they became involved in motion picture exhibition, distribution and production. Their Circle Theatre company expanded throughout the metropolitan Washington, DC area with emphasis on the best independent and foreign films. Circle Films produced the early Coen brothers’ movies. Their film distribution company, Circle Releasing has received recognition for its many quality releases. Through the years investments in real estate led them to the formation of Circle Management Company.
Both Jim and Ted have been the recipients of numerous awards and have been supporters of many philanthropic endeavors. They are long standing members of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund and they hold membership with the high office of Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with the Order of Saint Andrew The Apostle.
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