NEW YORK — “Cyprus is one of the most glorious civilizational emergences in the history of the world,” His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America told the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations at its annual Testimonial Dinner on Friday evening, September 25. “We must persevere in prayer, in hope, and in effective action to bring about a future of Cyprus that does justice to its past.”

The dinner, at Terrace on the Park in Queens, also marked the Federation’s 75th anniversary. The Archbishop shared its honorary chairmanship with President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus, who was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Archbishop Elpidophoros opened the program with the invocation and closed it with the benediction.

John Josephakis, NVIDIA’s global vice president of sales and business development for supercomputing, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Community Service Awards went to Stavros A. Kamilaris, president of the Lampousa Cypriot American Association, and Despina Axiotakis, a past general secretary of the Federation. Both have roots in associations that helped found the Federation in 1951: Mr. Kamilaris leads Lampousa, and Mrs. Axiotakis once led the women’s division of the Asgata Association “Cyprus.”

Philip Christopher, president of PSEKA, also spoke. Guests included Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the Cypriot government spokesman; Menelaos Menelaou, Cyprus’s negotiator; former U.S. Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis; and the Cypriot and Greek diplomats Evangelos Savva, Maria Michael, Kyriakos Pogiatzis, Aglaia Balta and Ifigeneia Kanara.

Before the dinner, Archbishop Elpidophoros met with President Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos. He briefed the President on the success of the 48th Clergy-Laity Congress, held in Cleveland this summer, and invited him to the next one, in Dallas in 2028.

Mr. Christodoulides spoke first in Greek, then in English, and made one argument across both: the stronger Cyprus becomes, the more it needs its diaspora. He called the Federation and its member organizations the strongest and most credible voice Cyprus has in the United States, and said Cypriot Americans had for decades “opened doors that diplomacy alone couldn’t.”

Fifty-two years after the Turkish invasion, he said, Cyprus has not made its peace with the occupation and never will. The Turkish side, by his account, had refused even a joint meeting to discuss new proposals he gave U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres the day before. Business leaders he met on a trip to New York, Texas and California, he said, had one message for him: “Cyprus is no longer being discovered. It is being chosen.” “We need you to continue defending our national cause,” he told the room, “but we also need you to tell the story of Cyprus as it is today, a modern, outward-looking and Western-oriented country.”

Mr. Christodoulides first came to New York in 1993, as a student at Queens College. He has known two of the evening’s honorees ever since. One is Mr. Kamilaris, who grew up in Agios Georgios, in the Kyrenia district, and fought the Turkish invasion in 1974 as a young commando. “When I landed at JFK in September of 1977, not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that one day I would be standing here in front of the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the Archbishop of America receiving this award,” he said.

He was 7, he told the audience, when he declared that he wanted to be a civil engineer. He left for America at 22, a refugee with $300 from his father, and promised him he would become one. He kept his word, earning a civil engineering degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1985. For more than 35 years he has worshiped at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Theologian in Tenafly, N.J., where he serves on the parish council.

Mr. Josephakis’s family fled Famagusta on August 15, 1974, and never went back. “When I received the word that I would be honored tonight, my first thought was of a young boy in Famagusta, Cyprus,” he said. What stays with him from those days is “the determination in my parents’ eyes and faces, not despair, but resolve.” President Christodoulides, who first met him in Houston in 2025, said the collaboration that followed has NVIDIA investing in Cyprus, which he called a huge vote of confidence in the country. “Do not wait. Do not wait. Be proactive. Push forward,” Mr. Josephakis said. He had a flight to Dallas to catch that night, for his grandson’s baptism the next day at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. He ended in Greek: “Ζήτω η Κύπρος!” Long live Cyprus.

Ms. Axiotakis came to the United States with her family in 1956 from Asgata, in the Limassol district. She has been active in the Federation for more than 40 years and serves as executive director of the Cyprus-U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Who doesn’t know Despina?” Mr. Christodoulides asked, recalling her as one of the first people he met in New York.

She remembered, too. “I remember you very well from 1993, when you were a student at Queens College,” she told him. “Look at us, where we are. I stand on this microphone, and you are the President of Cyprus.”

Kyriacos Papastylianou is serving his final term as the Federation’s president. He thanked Archbishop Elpidophoros for his support through both terms, and for his work. He added: “Our Church in America stands at the center of our community,” he said. “This can never change. Some people chose to attack our Church and tried to divide us. They failed in their effort.”

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Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, one of the longest-serving elected officials in Cook County, IL history, announces the release of her memoir, Maria the Pappas, a personal reflection on faith, service, leadership, and the experiences that shaped her life and public career. Interwoven throughout the memoir is her conviction that faith provides purpose and direction. From a young girl praying in a small West Virginia church to an elected official serving millions of residents, Pappas describes this remarkable journey. 

The release of Maria the Pappas will support the next generation of Orthodox Christian leaders. All proceeds from book sales will benefit the Archbishop Elpidophoros Camping Scholarships Fund which provides funds for needs-based camping scholarships for the children of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. 

Copies of Maria the Pappas are available through the Orthodox Marketplace at https://orthodoxmarketplace.com/. 

Maria the Pappas 

The memoir traces Pappas’ journey from her childhood in the coal-mining communities of West Virginia to her role as a nationally recognized public servant and reform-minded government leader in Chicago. Along the way, she shares stories of family, hardship, Greek heritage, Orthodox Christian faith, psychology, law, and public service, revealing how each chapter of her life contributed to a lifelong commitment to helping others. 

More than a political autobiography, Maria the Pappas is the story of a woman whose early experiences with poverty, illness, and family struggles instilled a profound sense of compassion and responsibility. Pappas reflects on how her Greek Orthodox faith, immigrant roots, and commitment to understanding people became guiding principles throughout her work in psychology, community advocacy, and government. 

“Throughout my life, I have always believed that if someone needs help and I am able to help them, then I should,” said Pappas. “This book is about the experiences, people, and faith that taught me that service is not about power or position. It is about finding ways to make life better for others.” Pappas portrays public service not as a career choice, but as the natural continuation of lessons learned in childhood: listening to people, understanding their struggles, and working tirelessly to solve problems. 

About Maria Pappas 

Maria Pappas has served as Cook County Treasurer since 1998 and is the first woman elected to the office. Widely recognized for modernizing county government and championing taxpayer assistance programs, she has built a reputation for innovation, fiscal responsibility, and public service. A proud Greek American and devoted Orthodox Christian, Pappas continues to advocate for transparency, community engagement, and helping those in need. 

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The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco has announced the public launch of the All Saints Foundation, an initiative created to establish a permanent financial resource supporting the ministries and long-term mission of the Metropolis throughout its seven-state region.  

The Foundation begins this important new chapter with nearly $5.2 million in founding gifts and multi-year pledges, led by a transformational $2 million gift from The George and Judy Marcus Family Foundation. 

The launch represents the realization of a vision that began many years ago under the leadership of Bishop Anthony of San Francisco, of blessed memory, who recognized the importance of establishing a permanent resource that would help strengthen the Church for generations to come. Carefully nurtured through the years, that vision is now taking shape through the leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, the All Saints Foundation Board of Trustees, and a growing group of Founders committed to its mission. 

“The seed planted by our beloved Bishop Anthony so many years ago is now beginning to bear fruit,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “I am deeply grateful to all our Founders, and especially to The George and Judy Marcus Family Foundation for this extraordinary $2 million gift. Through their generosity and commitment, we are building a lasting resource that will strengthen our faith and culture for generations to come.” 

Byron Scordelis, President of the All Saints Foundation, reflected, “This milestone represents a remarkable spirit of collaboration and a shared belief in the future of our Metropolis. We are deeply grateful to George and Judy Marcus and to all our Founders whose generosity has given the All Saints Foundation such tremendous momentum. This is an exciting beginning, and we look forward to welcoming others who share our vision for the future of the Church.” 

The All Saints Foundation is an independent California nonprofit charitable public benefit corporation and tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Through prudent stewardship and continued growth, the Foundation seeks to create a lasting financial resource that will support the life and mission of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco for generations to come. 

For more information about the All Saints Foundation or how to become a Founder, visit www.allsaintsfoundation.org or contact [email protected].  

About the All Saints Foundation 

The All Saints Foundation is an independent California nonprofit charitable public benefit corporation established to ensure the long-term strength and stability of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco. Guided by faith and dedicated to long-term stewardship, the Foundation exists to provide enduring support for the ministries and mission of the Metropolis and help strengthen Orthodox Christianity throughout its seven-state region for generations to come. 

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A new series from the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Hellenic College Holy Cross bears the title “Encounters” and was an idea of a long-time friend and publisher in Greece, Maria Kokkinou, of Akritas Books in Athens. I was instantly inspired because the concept of meeting—and opening up to—other people and other worldviews is precisely how I envisaged and have implemented the goals of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute. My interview with renowned primatologist and U.N. peace ambassador Jane Goodall (1934–2025) constitutes the content of this first volume in the series. Jane speaks openly about care for the planet, peace in the world, and hope for the future. 

Jane was the first guest to be invited as a speaker at our institute only days after its official opening in September 2023. As a close advisor and ally for over a decade, she was visiting Massachusetts for several presentations, including large crowds at the Museum of Science in Boston, the Chevalier Theater in Medford, and Plymouth South High School. She called me to meet for coffee, and I counter proposed that she come for coffee at our theological school. She spontaneously accepted, though we had just over a day to prepare and promote her visit. The lobby of the Maliotis Cultural Center would be brimming with visitors, families and staff eager to hear this diminutive, albeit larger-than-life figure. 

Let me share two quaint reminiscences on this occasion. I recall our distinguished guest asking to survey the area where she and I would hold the planned interview. She wasn’t comfortable using a podium. She asked instead for two chairs where she would respond to my questions about her about her life, travels, and passion. When I set up two armchairs so she would feel comfortable, she considerately asked if there were two stools available so that so that the audience in the back could see her more easily. Before the event commenced, as she sipped her tea, she would be interrupted by a seemingly endless string of admirers. Without a doubt, for me at least, the highlight of those conversations was the moment when Jane signed a book for a young girl Sienna, for whom Jane was an “idol” and whom Sienna dressed up as each year for Halloween! 

My second story comes from Jane’s departure. As we descended the steps of the Maliotis Center and I opened the door of the car with which she would be driven to New York, I noticed how the back seat was filled with papers and books. There was barely enough space for Jane to squeeze into the seat where, after securing her seatbelt, she opened her laptop to work. No pomp or circumstance; only the unpretentious and unassuming dedication that appeared to suffuse everything she did. Over the next four hours, she would be responding to emails and editing her writing. Not too long afterward, she called me to say that she and her companions had thoroughly enjoyed the snacks and sweets prepared by the Maliotis Center staff for her trip. 

Some of the moments from her unforgettable visit are captured in the photographs that embellish the pages of this book that Jane managed to edit prior to her death one year ago. The series will be simultaneously available in Greek from Akritas Books and in English from Holy Cross Press. I could not imagine a more appropriate profile to launch the inaugural book of our series. 

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NEW YORK — His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America opened the 61st Annual Awards Dinner of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation on Wednesday evening, September 23, with a prayer of thanksgiving for the Foundation and for the man who created it more than six decades ago. This year’s Appeal of Conscience Award went to FedEx President and Chief Executive Officer Raj Subramaniam.

> Read: Archbishop Elpidophoros’s full invocation 

“We give You thanks, O Creator of Heaven and Earth, for the witness of truth, righteousness, and understanding that the Appeal of Conscience Foundation has brought to our world since its inception, under its intrepid leader, our beloved Rabbi Arthur Schneier,” the Archbishop prayed as the evening began at The Pierre Hotel in Manhattan.

Greeting “my dear Rabbi Schneier” and the friends of the Foundation, he asked divine blessings upon the Rabbi and his life’s work, and upon the evening’s honoree for his contributions to “connecting our world in the causes of peace, global health, and philanthropy.”

In June 2022, Raj Subramaniam became only the second chief executive in the history of FedEx, succeeding the company’s founder, Fred Smith. He was born in Trivandrum, now Thiruvananthapuram, in the southern Indian state of Kerala. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from IIT Bombay, a master’s in chemical engineering from Syracuse University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. He joined FedEx in 1991 as an associate marketing analyst. Over three decades he held posts in Asia and North America, led FedEx Express as its President and CEO, and served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the corporation before taking the top job.

> Previously: Archbishop Elpidophoros gives benediction at Appeal of Conscience Foundation gathering 

“Raj Subramaniam is being recognized for his international visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to connecting people worldwide through innovation and service,” Rabbi Schneier said in announcing the award. “Under his stewardship, FedEx has advanced a culture of social and global responsibility and international cooperation that reflects ACF’s mission.”

Subramaniam said: “I am honored to receive the Appeal of Conscience Award from Rabbi Schneier and the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. At FedEx, we believe that connecting the world through trade and innovation does more than move goods—it builds bridges, fosters international cooperation, and brings communities closer together. We are committed to leveraging our global reach to build a more connected and unified world.”

The Trustees of the Foundation had one more honor to bestow that night, and they had managed to keep it a secret from Rabbi Schneier himself. To his surprise, they presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award honoring more than six decades of work for religious freedom and understanding among faiths.

It is a life that began in Vienna on March 20, 1930. Arthur Schneier survived the Holocaust as a boy in Budapest, and the Foundation’s account of his life records the vow he made in those years: if he lived, he would work for a world where people of every faith could live side by side. He came to the United States in 1947, received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University and in 1962 became senior rabbi of Park East Synagogue  on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. He still holds that pulpit at 96.

President Bill Clinton awarded him the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2001, describing him as “a Holocaust survivor who has devoted a lifetime to overcoming forces of hatred and intolerance.” Three years earlier, Clinton had named him one of three American religious leaders to open a dialogue on religious freedom with China’s President Jiang Zemin. In 2008 the Rabbi welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to Park East, the first papal visit to a synagogue in the United States.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate has known him as a friend for decades. In February 1994 the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and the Ecumenical Patriarchate co-sponsored the Conference on Peace and Tolerance in Istanbul. Its Bosphorus Declaration carries the signatures of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Rabbi Schneier, Mehmet Nuri Yılmaz, then president of Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs, and Cardinal Roger Etchegaray.

In 2008 the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, presented the Rabbi with its Athenagoras Human Rights Award. A year later he received Patriarch Bartholomew at Park East Synagogue, the only Jewish house of worship His All-Holiness visited during his 2009 Apostolic Visit to the United States. And last September, as the Ecumenical Patriarch concluded his most recent Apostolic Visit, a farewell luncheon hosted by Archbishop Elpidophoros with Archons John Calamos, John Koudounis and Yannis Sianis was also held in gratitude to Rabbi Schneier.

The Appeal of Conscience Foundation grew out of the struggle for religious freedom behind the Iron Curtain. In January 1965, Rabbi Schneier and Senator Robert F. Kennedy presided over a demonstration for Soviet Jewry at Park East Synagogue, across the street from the Soviet Mission. Within the year the Rabbi had drawn a Jesuit editor, two Protestant ministers and a former congressman into the new Foundation, and in 1966 its first interfaith delegation traveled to Moscow and Leningrad.

From the start he drew executives, clergy and diplomats of every faith into the work. Its guiding principle, that “a crime committed in the name of religion is the greatest crime against religion,” echoes the Berne Declaration of November 1992. That month, the Foundation brought together Catholic, Serbian Orthodox and Muslim leaders of the former Yugoslavia in Switzerland, among them Patriarch Pavle of Serbia, to call for an end to the bloodshed.

In December 2000, the Foundation issued at the United Nations a call to stop the desecration of holy sites. The following May, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 55/254, condemning attacks on religious sites and calling on states to protect them.

Its honors have gone to heads of state and to moral leaders across the world. Recipients of its World Statesman Award include Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union; Václav Havel, the dissident playwright who became president of Czechoslovakia; and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Appeal of Conscience Award has honored civil rights leader Coretta Scott King; last year’s recipients were Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Nigerian business leader Tony Elumelu.

Karen Schneier Dresbach, the Foundation’s Executive Vice President and Rabbi Schneier’s daughter, spoke of “the alarming and surging rates of attacks on religious institutions and people of faith in the United States,” in churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, shrines and other houses of worship: “The Appeal of Conscience Foundation is in action,” she said, “funding security measures to protect houses of worship, pursuing tough federal legislation and prosecution, creating even stronger alliances with the top faith leaders throughout the world, and educating our youth in our Respect the Other program. It’s past time for dialogue. We believe in action.”

At the center of that effort is Stand Up Sunday, which she called “an incredible initiative, now in its second year.” The Foundation organizes it in partnership with Robert Kraft’s Blue Square Alliance Against Hate. Kraft received the Appeal of Conscience Award in 2022. First observed on September 7, 2025, the day returns this year on Sunday, October 18. Parishes can find information at appealofconscience.org.

“With millions of people of faith coming together in a few weeks for Stand Up Sunday, I’m sure you won’t want to feel left out,” she said. “So where will you be on October 18? We are counting on you to join us.”

Two years ago to the day, on September 23, 2024, the Foundation presented Archbishop Elpidophoros with an Appeal of Conscience Award at its 59th gala, in the same hotel. Rabbi Schneier cited at the time the Archbishop’s “outstanding dedication to inter-religious cooperation to advance peaceful co-existence and mutual acceptance.” Archbishop Elpidophoros now serves as a Trustee of the Foundation.

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NEW YORK — His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America welcomed Greece’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, to the Archdiocese headquarters in Manhattan on Thursday, Sept. 24. The minister is in New York as part of Greece’s participation in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Archbishop Elpidophoros congratulated Minister Papastavrou on what he called a marathon of service in government, in which the minister plays a key role. “The Greek-American community, follows your work and knows how to recognize what truly matters,” His Eminence said. He thanked the minister on their behalf.

Minister Papastavrou accepted the words on behalf of the government and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and in turn thanked the Archbishop for the work of the Church. “At a time of so many changes in our lives and of geopolitical turbulence, I believe the Church is an anchor for Hellenism,” he said. “This is a time when we all need spiritual guidance,” he added.

Archbishop Elpidophoros spoke about this summer’s 48th Clergy-Laity Congress in Cleveland, the biennial national assembly of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which reaffirms the close partnership of clergy and laity. Lay members take the lead in the Church’s administration and finances, he explained. Lay representatives serve alongside clergy in the Clergy-Laity Congress and Archdiocesan Council, helping ensure transparency and sound stewardship.

His Eminence presented the minister with an icon of the Holy Trinity, a copy of the one at the Theological School of Halki, which stands on the grounds of the Holy Trinity Monastery. The Archbishop served there as abbot for eight years.
Minister Papastavrou invited His Eminence to pay an official visit to the Ministry of Environment and Energy on his next trip to Greece.

Before leaving New York, the minister asked to visit St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center on Friday morning. It will be his first time at the shrine, and the name carries personal meaning for him: his late father and his son are both named Nikos.

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On Wednesday, September 23 His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros received at the Archdiocesan Headquarters members of the organizing committee behind the inaugural New York Yankees Greek Jersey Night, held this past June.

The celebration brought together more than 1,500 members of the Greek community from across the tristate area and raised more than $37,000 in support of Camp Saint Paul, helping provide young people with opportunities for faith, fellowship, and community.

Present at today’s meeting were Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Elias Villis, Chancellor of the Archdiocesan District and Director of Camp Saint Paul; Archons Mike Neamonitakis and Costa Sideridis; and Matthew Kerwin of the New York Yankees.

His Eminence expressed his appreciation to all who helped make this memorable evening possible and celebrated the spirit of collaboration that brought the Greek community together at Yankee Stadium in support of our youth.

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Orthodox Volunteer Corps (OVC) is a year-long immersive program for young adults ages 21-29 to serve with our most vulnerable neighbors. Corps Members live in community with other young adults, explore topics of the faith and leadership, and root themselves in the Church. Housing, transportation, and food are 100% covered. OVC began programming in Pittsburgh in fall 2022 with 6 participants, expanded to Boston in 2024, and by 2026 had over 100 participants across four programs.

OVC is now pleased to announce expansion to a third city: Phoenix, Arizona, beginning in Fall 2027.

Applications are now open for the 2027-28 full-time program. Learn more at orthodoxvolunteercorps.org/.

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The National Philoptochos Society was honored to welcome Domna Michailidou, Greece’s Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, and Consul Petros Dorizas to the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy (PCOP) on Monday, September 21, as world leaders gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. The Minister was accompanied by her aides, Katerina Fountotou and Maria Billia. 

The visit opened with an in-depth discussion of Philoptochos’s expansive philanthropic work at the local, national, and international levels. Leadership presented an overview of the organization’s programs and ministries, reflecting nearly a century of service to those in need. 

Caregiver support emerged as a central focus of the conversation. As strengthening and supporting the family is among Minister Michailidou’s foremost priorities, the discussion explored the challenges caregivers face and how communities can better support them. The meeting also looked toward new horizons, considering how Philoptochos can expand its reach and support those in need in Greece and beyond. 

“It was such an honor to welcome Minister Michailidou to the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy during this important week, when the eyes of the world are on New York. Her steadfast dedication to families and caregivers speaks to the very heart of our mission, and our conversation opened new horizons for how Philoptochos can extend its love and service to those in need in Greece and beyond. We are deeply grateful for her visit and look forward, with great hope, to all that lies ahead,” said Anita Kartalopoulos, National Philoptochos Vice President

Following the meeting, guests gathered for a luncheon at the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy, where fellowship and continued conversation filled the air. 

Also in attendance were His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Spiritual Advisor to the National Philoptochos; Anita Kartalopoulos, National Philoptochos First Vice President; Chrissy Orginos-Zografos, National Philoptochos Protocol Officer and Aid to Greece and Cyprus Committee Chair; Paulette Geanacopoulos, Director of Social Services; and Elizabeth Douglass, Administrative Assistant. 

The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc. is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. With over 90 years of experience, Philoptochos has served communities in need through fundraising and charitable programs. The Society includes more than 400 active chapters nationwide. Learn more at www.philoptochos.org. 

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NEW YORK — His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America welcomed Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Sept. 23 to the annual Greek-American Community “Oli Mazi” (“Όλοι Μαζί”) Luncheon in Manhattan, hosted by The Hellenic Initiative and 27 Greek American organizations. Mitsotakis is in New York for the high-level week of the 81st U.N. General Assembly. He was accompanied by his wife, Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotaki.

“The Greek American community welcomes you,” His Eminence told the prime minister in Greek. “It loves you and it stands by you.” “Thank you, and I am happy to be here once again,” Mitsotakis replied.

Energy was at the center of Mitsotakis’ remarks on relations with the United States. He cited the Vertical Gas Corridor and Greece’s role in supplying energy to the Balkans and Eastern Europe. He said a U.S.-Greek consortium would most likely begin exploratory drilling for natural gas next spring. He also spoke about his stop in California, where he met with Silicon Valley executives as part of an effort to strengthen Greece’s position in technology and artificial intelligence. Mitsotakis described Greece as a pillar of stability in a very turbulent region. “Greece is a peaceful country, and we always seek good and productive relations with our neighbors, especially Turkey,” he said. “We threaten no one, but we will not accept anyone threatening us.” He also reminded those who hold voting rights in Greece to register on the online platform so they can take part in the next election.

Mitsotakis then presented decorations of the Hellenic Republic to six honorees:

•  Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev.
• Michael Amiridis, president of the University of South Carolina
• Dr. George Dangas, a cardiologist and professor of medicine and surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• John Koudounis, president and CEO of Calamos Investments
• Athena Kromidas, who for many years was principal of the William Spyropoulos Greek American Day School at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Flushing, Queens
• Patrick Theros, a former U.S. ambassador to Qatar

Senior U.S. officials in attendance included Michael Rigas, deputy secretary of state for management and resources, and Aristidis Kourkoumelis, assistant secretary for trade and economic security at the Department of Homeland Security. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also present. Three members of the Greek government also attended: Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou. Elected officials at the luncheon included California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis; New York state Sen. Andrew Gounardes; and state Assemblyman Michael Tannousis. They were joined by former New York state Sen. Michael Gianaris. Greek diplomats attending included Antonis Alexandridis, the ambassador to the United States; Iphigenia Kanara, consul general in New York; and Symeon Tegos, who was consul general in Boston until recently. Kyriakos Pogiatzis, consul general of Cyprus in New York, also attended.

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