We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts and wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Καλά Χριστούγεννα!”

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On November 22, 2025, at his home in Henderson, Nevada, Peter Palivos received the U.S. Army’s Distinguished Public Service Medal, the Army’s highest civilian honor, presented by General Andrew Poppas, a four-star general and commander of U.S. Army Forces Command. In 2025 Palivos was one of three Americans to receive the U.S. Army’s Distinguished Public Service Medal. 

The ceremony marked the first time in history that a Nevada civilian has received the award and drew a cross-section of military, political, business, and civic leaders, including Major General Ondra Berry, General Troy Armstrong, General Brandon Anderson, Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony, Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, US Representative Susie Lee, and many veteran leaders. 

An attorney by training, Palivos has spent more than three decades working with veterans and military families through the Las Vegas–based nonprofit Voice of the Veteran, where he serves as Chairman. What began as local welcome-home effort for returning troops,  expanded into broader legal advocacy and large public initiatives, including last year’s “Day of Gratitude” at Allegiant Stadium, which drew 15,000 veteran and service members, while raising and gifting over $4 Million to veteran and military families.  

> Previously: Archbishop Elpidophoros offers benediction at the “Day of Gratitude” honoring veterans

Well known in the Greek American community, Palivos serves the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America as a member of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Foundation and has been elevated to the Archonship of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a distinction recognizing lay leaders who support the mission of the Mother Church of Constantinople. Peter Palivos answered a few questions for the Orthodox Observer. 

Peter, public service often grows out of personal turning points. What experiences shaped your decision to invest so deeply, and for so long, in veterans’ advocacy?   

I come from a family with deep military and veteran service. So, service to country is in my DNA. My mother’s side of the family (Gountanis) came to this great nation of America in 1895. Thereafter, we have five generations of family members that served in the USA military. On my father’s side of the family, almost all family members are still in Greece, and those family members fought for Greece in the Balkan Wars, World War I, and World War II.  

So, as a young man, I learned to appreciate, respect and admire all of their sacrifices and service, and the service of all Veterans.  

How do you define the mission of Voice of the Veteran today, and which achievements best reflect what the organization set out to accomplish?

Our organization has over 25,000 veteran members in Nevada and we communicate with many additional veterans through the 782,000 emails that we use.  

We provide important pro bono legal services; have handled hundreds of disability claims where we obtained over $25 Million in benefits for veterans without charging any fees; and are in the process of building 5000 affordable ownership homes for veterans.  

Our organization has 603 volunteers, and we have zero overhead. We all work as volunteers because we all love our veterans and country.   

Voice of the Veteran has expanded over time to include housing, legal aid, and mental health initiatives. What principles guide your decisions about which efforts to pursue, and how do you evaluate whether they are succeeding?

We respond to the specific needs of the veterans, because they have special needs based on their specific individual situations.  

For example, many veterans have PTSD, which most citizens do not have or understand. So, we work with several mental health experts to address this medical issue. 

In your remarks, you spoke about the depth of division in the country. From your vantage point, what would it take to restore a shared sense of purpose and begin rebuilding trust in American public life?

Ninety percent of Americans want the same thing: A strong military, safe neighborhoods, good schools for their children and grandchildren, good jobs so they can raise their children with dignity, and an opportunity to succeed in this “the land of opportunity.” So, since 90% of us want the same thing, we have to learn to work with each other based on issues- and not based on party labels. We also have to tone down the toxic rhetoric in the media and learn to respect each other’s opinions and political views. Importantly, we must all remember that we are not red Americans. We are not blue Americans. We are red, white and blue Americans.  

You are also deeply involved in the Greek Orthodox Church, including your elevation as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. What does that role represent to you personally—not as a title, but as a responsibility?

My late parents were two devote Greek Orthodox Christians who raised me in the church. They taught me the importance of serving, loving and supporting our church. Being an Archon of the church gives me the opportunity to continue implementing what my parents taught me because it gives me the opportunity to support our church at a higher national and international level.  

 I take this responsibility seriously because Christianity, our church, and beloved Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew are under constant duress and face daily challenges.  

Why does the Ecumenical Patriarchate matter to you today—not only as a Greek American, but as an American citizen—and how do you see that significance reflected through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America?   

Yes, it matters a great deal. Our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the leader of over 300 million Orthodox Christians, and we can never allow any individual, institution or nation to minimize his stature or leadership. We are also blessed to have His Eminence Elpidophoros as the Archbishop of America because he too is a great spiritual leader, who have solved almost all of our church’s challenges. His accomplishments during the few years that he has been the Archbishop of America are substantial, extraordinary and unprecedented. Importantly, Archbishop Elpidophoros has ushered in a new era centered on transparency and growth.  

Therefore, it is not a coincidence that the Greek Orthodox Church of America is growing again in membership, especially among the younger generation, which represents the future of our church.

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With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, over 250 young adults gathered in Seattle this Labor Day Weekend for the Metropolis of San Francisco Young Adult League (YAL) Conference. Hosted at the Seattle Marriott Bellevue, the 2025 Conference offered the theme RENEW, offering participants the opportunity to deepen their faith, grow in fellowship, and live out the Four Pillars of YAL: Worship, Witness, Service, and Fellowship. 

Keynote Speakers

Archon Dr. Peter Tarhanidis, Ph.D. M.B.A., offered Young Adults his deep insights into Orthodox Christian identity and how young adults may freely give of their time, talent and treasure to Our Lord, His Church, and our Community. As an expert in leadership development and an adjunct faculty member at Columbia University, his engaging content, entitled “Identity in Christ: Renewal Through Transformative Purpose” and presentation style challenged the audience to greater reflection and action.  

Rev. Fr. Tom and Presvytera Patricia Tsagalakis inspired  the Young Adults to “Authentic Connection: Renewing Relationships with Ourselves and Others” as leaders of the Metropolis Family Wellness Team. They were warmly welcomed back by the attendees, as Father Tom and Presvytera Pat have ministered to the YAL Conference year after year with their unique spiritual and interpersonal insights that ground the attendees in an Orthodox mindset. 

Service in Action

A highlight of the weekend was the large-scale Diakonia Project, sponsored by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos to benefit The Outreach Program. Together, participants prepared 20,000 meals for individuals and families facing food insecurity in the local area. This initiative reflected the enduring generosity of young adults in partnership with Philoptochos and the transformative power of service when rooted in Christ. 

Faith at the Center

Worship remained the heart of the weekend. Attendees joined together for Agiasmos, Orthros, Vespers, and Paraklesis, culminating in the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Seattle. The parish graciously welcomed the conference attendees. 

A Celebration of Creation

Inspired by His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, known as the “Green Patriarch” for his ecological ministry and receiving the Templeton Prize, the conference concluded with the Sunday evening Gala, themed “Honoring Our Roots: An Evening in Creation.” Young adults and distinguished guests celebrated the beauty and order of God’s creation—both the natural world and the divine image within each person. 

Archon Pilgrimage of Discovery

Hon. Steven Counelis, Archon Regional Commander (Southern California) and Dr. Gregory Papadeas, Archon Regional Commander (Denver), introduced three young adult alumni of the 2025 Pilgrimage of Discovery. Lenie Tsakonas, Chris Benis, and Demetra Zouzas offered their own personal and moving reflections on the impact the POD had upon their faith, their respect and love for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and newly found connection to the lives of the dwindling Orthodox Christian community that remains under constant governmental oppression. 

Also introduced were the POD Alumni Network Members who attended the Conference, and those who supported its presence at the Ministry Pavilion: 2024 POD Alumni Sophia Looney and Eliana Davis. 

Ministry Pavilion

The Ministry Pavilion offers other ministries of our Church an opportunity for outreach with the young adult attendees. This year the following institutions and ministries participated: Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (HCHC), Orthodox Volunteer Corps (OVC), Orthodox Christian Network (OCN), Pilgrimage of Discovery (POD) by the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Their active support and participation in the YAL Conference enriched the young adults with several opportunities for service to others.  

Hellenic College Holy Cross served as a premier partner and lead sponsor of the Meet & Greet networking reception on Friday afternoon, creating a powerful space for inspiration, connection, and vocational discernment. HCHC ambassadors, Anna Teodosiadis and Christos Pappademos engaged directly with young adults, offering in-depth guidance on enrollment pathways, academic programs, degrees, and the broad spectrum of formation opportunities available. Beyond information-sharing, the afternoon became a true moment of recruitment and calling—where students were invited not only to explore academic options, but to envision how their faith, leadership, and service could be shaped for the future through Orthodox Christian higher education in person at the Holy Hill or through remote learning. 

On Saturday, another Meet & Greet networking reception was jointly co-sponsored by Metropolis Philoptochos and the Orthodox Volunteer Corps, uniting philanthropy and hands-on service in one powerful evening of inspiration and recruitment. The program featured dynamic presentations by Demetra Zouzas, OVC Manager of Organizational Growth, who offered compelling personal witness and detailed insight into year-long volunteer placements, intentional community living, professional development, and Orthodox spiritual formation. The presence and remarks of Metropolis Philoptochos President Jeannie Ranglas reinforced the Church’s lifelong commitment to service, stewardship, and faith in action. Together, the co-sponsors created an atmosphere that went beyond information-sharing—awakening discernment, inviting young adults to see service not as a season, but as a sacred calling woven into a life of Orthodox Christian leadership. 

Leadership and Gratitude

The success of this milestone conference was made possible through the leadership of Conference Advisors Archon Hon. Steven and Stacia Counelis, along with Spiritual Advisor, Rev. Father Nicholas Metrakos. Their vision, guidance, and pastoral care shaped a weekend that kept Christ at the center. 

Conference Co-Chair Eva-Marie Kailas reflected on her personal journey of faith and the conference theme of renewal: 

“I believe God has granted us the gift of renewal in order to reframe and reorient our lives to Christ’s life. Renewal isn’t a single moment—it is a daily invitation. Whether through stewardship of the Church, authentic relationships, or devotional prayer, God’s light guides our hearts in the ways He knows we are able. My hope is that this weekend has given each of us the tools, insights, and connections to carry forward whatever path of renewal Christ has set before us.” 

Conference Co-Chair Joseph Dumont also addressed participants, sharing reflections from his own journey: 

“Why renew? Why this theme…
Well to be honest, and thinking of my own life, we constantly find ourselves in a perpetual state of renewal. We pick ourselves up, get closer and then find ourselves drifting and needing to reset, recharge, and get life again. The life of being authentically who we’re created to be. To worship and glorify God, and how dependent we are on Him every second of our lives, despite us being unaware most of the time because of our brokenness.  

But take this to the bank, its Christ and a life in the Church that fixes that and makes us whole, and honestly over an entire lifetime of faith in practice and patient endurance. We all intrinsically know what’s important and what we should be doing. And there’s something special about being in the environment of YAL, where it sparks the action and encouragement of doing so.” 

The YAL Conference Committee expresses its agape and deepest thanks to His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco for his paternal love, spiritual guidance, and consistent presence with us.

Special thanks are extended to Conference Co-Chairs Eva-Marie Kailas and Joseph Dumont, Vice-Chair Julia Pappas, and the dedicated Executive Committee members: Katherine Anastopulos, Christina Bayouk, Anna Counelis, Alexander Grayson, Eleni Gulas, Cassiani Kateyiannis, Alex Krantz, Sophia Looney, Lucas Paris, Demetrios Pickett, Dean Sofianopoulos and Lenie Tsakonas. Their tireless work, supported by dozens of volunteers, brought the Conference to life. 

The YAL Conference attendees received spiritual nourishment from our inspired Convo Breakout Speakers, who shepherded the intimate encounters which brought everyone together into community: Rev. Fr. Photios Dumont, Rev. Fr. Dean Kouldukis, Rev. Fr. James Kumarelas, Rev. Fr. Spyridon Rice, and Ms. Liza Gan. Their enriching encounters were a blessing to all attendees. 

The 2025 YAL Conference was made possible, in significant part, by a generous grant from Leadership 100, whose ongoing commitment to Orthodoxy and Hellenism ensures the future of this vital ministry. Gratitude is also extended to the many donors and sponsors who contributed their time, talent, and treasure for the success of this year’s gathering. 

For photos, highlights, and continued updates on YAL programming, follow @yalconference on Instagram or contact the planning team at [email protected].

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The 2025–2026 Thalia Potamianos Lecture Series on the Impact of Greek Culture will be presented by Katherine E. Fleming, an eminent scholar and thought leader. Dr. Maria Georgopoulou, Director of the Gennadius Library, said “Professor Fleming’s unparalleled expertise and deep insights into the interconnected histories of Greek and Jewish cultures make her the ideal speaker for this year’s Potamianos Lecture Series. Her scholarship not only illuminates the past but also fosters a greater understanding of the enduring impact of these traditions on the modern world.”

These lectures will be free, both live and livestreamed, in Los Angeles, CA on January 12, 2026, New York City, NY on May 6, 2026, and Athens, Greece on October 8, 2026.

As Fleming explained, this year’s theme, “These Two Points of Influence: Judaism, Hellenism, and Modern Greece,” explores the Greek and Jewish tradition—their intermingling and their tensions—that together have often been said to comprise the origins of “Western Civilization.” The cohabitation of the two has at times been easy, but at others in conflict. In a paraphrase of Matthew Arnold’s famous framing, they two ought to be, but rarely are, evenly and happily balanced. This series of lectures will consider the long and largely tortuous relationship between the Greek and Jewish traditions in the context of Greek history, and its culmination in a modern Greek nation state that has largely forgotten its own Jewish pasts—and the fact that there were Jews in Greece long before there were Christians.

Reflecting on the upcoming lectures, Andreas Zombanakis, Chairman of the Gennadius Library’s Board of Overseers, remarked, “Katherine Fleming is a distinguished scholar who delves into the long relationship between two ancient communities in a challenging series of lectures spanning from antiquity to the present day.”

2025–2026 Schedule for “These Two Points of Influence: Judaism, Hellenism, and Modern Greece”:

Lecture I: Bakeries and Synagogues: The Shared Greek and Jewish Space of the Late Imperial Mediterranean

• Monday, January 12, 2026
• The Getty Villa Museum, Pacific Palisades, CA

Lecture II: To Die Like a True Greek: Greeks and Jews Since World War II

• Wednesday, May 6, 2026
• NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York, NY

Lecture III: To Be Announced

• Thursday, October 8, 2026
• Cotsen Hall, Athens, Greece

About the Speaker

Katherine E. Fleming is the CEO and President of the J. Paul Getty Trust and the Alexander S. Onassis Professor of Hellenic Culture and Civilization in the Department of History at New York University. The author of Greece, a Jewish History, which won both the National Jewish Book award and the Runciman Prize, she is an expert on the religious cultures of the Mediterranean.

She is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Commander in the Greek Order of Beneficence, a Chevaliere in the French Legion of Honor, and a Commandeure in the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Fleming was educated at Columbia University, the University of Chicago, and the University of California at Berkeley.

Join Us

This lecture series offers a unique opportunity to explore the complex and captivating relationship between Greek and Jewish traditions. Save the dates for all three lectures and register today to join us in person or via livestream. https://bit.ly/3DauvQr

About the Lecture Series

The Thalia Potamianos Lecture Series, inaugurated in 2020, is made possible by a generous grant from Phokion Potamianos, an Overseer of the Gennadius Library. Mr. Potamianos established the series in memory of his grandmother, a distinguished Greek doctor, academic, and philanthropist.

The Thalia Potamianos Lecture Series aims to create a stimulating environment that engages both the academic community and the public with the Gennadius Library of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. A highly distinguished and internationally renowned scholar is selected to conduct research on a topic relevant to the Gennadius Library’s mission. This work culminates in a minimum of three public lectures, delivered annually in both Athens and the United States.

Past speakers in this distinguished series include Peter Frankopan, Professor of Global History at Oxford University and Stavros Niarchos Foundation Director of the Oxford Centre for Byzantine Research. Frankopan is the award-winning author of The Silk Roads, a #1 New York Times bestseller. Also among the speakers is Emily Wilson, Professor of Classical Studies and Chair of Comparative Literature and Literary Theory at the University of Pennsylvania, where she holds the College for Women Class of 1963 Term Professorship in the Humanities. Wilson is celebrated for her groundbreaking English iambic pentameter translations of Homer’s Odyssey (2017) and Iliad (2023), which have offered new perspectives on the epics and were recognized among The New York Times’ 100 Notable Books.

Please click here to learn more about this lecture series.

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The V. Rev. Chrysostom Onyekakeyah, the Project Coordinator for Mission & Outreach Development of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, participated in an outreach mission visit to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Norfolk, Virginia from Dec. 12-14.

“This incredible experience left an indelible mark in the hearts of those we encountered,” Fr. Chrysostom said. “From the moment we arrived, we were enveloped in the church’s warm hospitality. The congregation’s genuine love and openness created a welcoming atmosphere, making it easy to connect with the Afro-Americans and people of color longing to learn more about the Orthodox faith.”

Fr. Chrysostom served alongside Cathedral Dean Fr. George Bessinas in the outreach event.

“We were impressed by the church’s commitment to serving and attending to the local community,” Fr. Chrysostom said. “They were grateful to be a part of it.”

“The trip was a great reminder of the importance of our Orthodox faith in action. We experienced spiritual growth, reflection, and renewal, and we are grateful for the opportunity to deepen our relationships with God and one another.”

“We are confident that the pastoral connection we made and the memories we created will yield much fruitful faith as they journey in their lives,” Fr. Chrysostom said.

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