Following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 7, 2024, a ten-year memorial service was held at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in New York City for the renowned and beloved Archon National Vice Commander Nicholas J. Bouras of blessed memory. Presiding at the service was His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Joining His Eminence for the service was Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Alexander Karloutsos, Dean of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church & National Shrine Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Andreas Vithoulkas, Rev. Protopresbyter Peter Delvizis of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, New Jersey, Rev. Fr. Samuel Davis of St. Simon of Cyrene Orthodox Mission in New Brunswick, New Jersey of the Orthodox Church in America and Archdeacon Dionysios Papiris. Archon Bouras passed away on December 22, 2013.
His Eminence stated that Archon Bouras “is among the leading benefactors in the history of this Archdiocese. But always – and I repeat, always – without fanfare. His generous heart was turned to good in silent and humble adoration, and the gifts that he bestowed were given to glorify God – never himself.”
This generosity has continued. His Eminence added: “If you need proof, consider the fact that the Foundation in their name, has continued to bless and bestow upon the Church a continuous stream of beneficence. This continued charity is a reminder to us all of the power of the Resurrection – that life and living, and even giving, goes beyond death.”
Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, National Vice Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and trustee of the Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation offered remarks on how meaningful it was to hold the 10-year Memorial for Archon Bouras and his beloved wife, Anna, at the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine.
He stated that Mr. Bouras reviewed the plans for the Shrine and was the first to make a substantial donation for its construction. Judge Bozonelis commented that William Crane as President and he as trustee of the Bouras Foundation also had the honor in memory of Archon Bouras to lay the first cornerstone for the Shrine.
He concluded his remarks by repeating the memorial tribute given by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who described Archon Bouras’ humility and philanthropy in this way: “He was righteous in his ways, generous in his heart, faithful in his soul, and noble in his spirit.”
Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, remarked: “Not a day goes by that I do not think of Archon Nick Bouras and the extraordinarily generous and selfless service he rendered to God’s Holy Church, our Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the Archons. Through the Bouras Foundation, he continues to perform an indispensable diakonia for the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church at large. Even in death, he still works to secure that the life-giving spiritual treasures of our Ecumenical Patriarchate will continue to enlighten the world.”
The late National Vice Commander Nicholas J. Bouras, Archon Depoutatos, 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, devoted husband of his beloved late wife Anna, philanthropist, sincere Christian, Archon par excellence and industrialist are terms that have all described the life of Nicholas J. Bouras.
In light of the extraordinary leadership of Archon Bouras, the National Council of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate unanimously voted in 2010 to establish the Nicholas J. Bouras Award, which is presented annually to an individual who, like Archon Bouras himself, has demonstrated extraordinary and incomparable stewardship to the Order, empowering Archons vigorously to pursue securing religious freedom for the Mother Church of Constantinople.
The service concluded with a vasilopita cutting.
After the service, the Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation hosted a reception at Skinos Mediterranean Cuisine in lower Manhattan, across the street from the Saint Nicholas Shrine.
