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Archon Leadership Plays Prominent Role In Presidential Inauguration Activities

Archon leadership hosted a luncheon with Archon John Gountanis, former Department of Homeland Security Acting Chief of Staff; Archon James G. Rockas, Deputy Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, Alexandra Veletsis, Director of the White House Visitors Center, and her fiancé, Matthew Guarino; Christos Marafatsos of the Trump transition team and his wife attorney Andrea Marafatsos, Dr. Dimitri Sigounas, leading neurosurgeon at George Washington University School of Medicine, and his wife, Viviana and other Greek American leaders. (Photos by J. Mindala)

From January 17 to 19, 2025, the leadership of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) hosted and attended a series of celebratory events in Washington, D.C. leading up to Inauguration Day, Monday, January 20.

Federal Judge Eleni Roumel and Andrew Olmem, former Deputy Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Deputy Director of the White House National Economic Council, was among honored guests at our dinner, Friday evening.

On Friday, January 17, the AEP hosted a dinner; attendees included Archon Dr. Andrew and Georgia Ekonomou, Federal Judges Gregory Katsas and Eleni Roumel, and Andrew Olmem, former Deputy Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Deputy Director of the White House National Economic Council.

The following day, the AEP hosted a luncheon with Archon John Gountanis; former Department of Homeland Security Acting Chief of Staff; Archon James G. Rockas, Deputy Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security; Alexandra Veletsis, Director of the White House Visitors Center, and her fiancé, Matthew Guarino; Christos Marafatos of the Trump transition team and his wife attorney Andrea Marafatsos; Dr. Dimitri Sigounas, leading neurosurgeon at George Washington University School of Medicine, and his wife, Viviana; Alex and Rebecca Angelson; and other Greek American leaders in attendance.

Archons hosted a dinner in honor of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, attended by key US policymakers.

That evening, the AEP again hosted a dinner. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and key US policymakers were in attendance, including Greek Ambassador Ekaterini Nassika; Archon Michael Kratsios, White House Director of Science and Technology-designate; Nevada Lt. Governor Stavros and Bernadette Anthony; Archon Boris and Youlianna Gurov; Archon Nawaf Salameh; Archon Nick Kass; and the Former Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă.

John D. Negroponte, former United States Director of National Intelligence, Archon Alex Pritsos, Archon George Anderson, National Commander Dr. Limberakis and Archon Alex Azar, former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, at a reception and dinner hosted by The Hellenic Initiative.

Then on Sunday, January 19, The Hellenic Initiative hosted a reception that many Archons attended, along with their spouses and friends.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presented the Medal of Saint Paul to Archon John Catsimatidis, second from left, and Archon Michael Kratsios, far-right, among other prominent Greek-Americans of the community.

On the same day, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros presented the Medal of Saint Paul, the highest honor for a layperson in the Greek Orthodox Church, to Archon John Catsimatidis; Deputy US Secretary of State-designate Michael Rigas; White House Science & Technology Director-designate Michael Kratsios; Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-New York); and Lt. Governor Anthony. Special guests and hosts included U.S. Ambassador to Greece-designate Kimberly Guilfoyle, as well as Archons Catsimatidis, Michael Psaros, John Georges, John Payiavlas, and Savas Tsivicos.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America meeting President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance. (Photos from Orthodox Observer).

On January 20, AEP leaders including National Commander Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis and National Vice Commander Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis participated in the now 40-year-long tradition of the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America participating in the Inauguration of the President of the United States. His Eminence was invited, as were his predecessors, to sit on the platform behind President-elect Donald Trump as he was sworn in. When the ceremony was moved inside of the US Capitol Building due to weather, His Eminence was one of the select non-governmental officials invited to witness the ceremony inside. And at the Inaugural Presidential Prayer Service the following morning, Archbishop Elpidophoros was invited to greet President Trump and Vice President JD Vance as they arrived.

The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) is a devoted group of passionate leaders, relentlessly focused on protecting religious freedom for everyone and ensuring the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – the historical spiritual center of the world’s 300+ million Orthodox Christians.

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