On Thursday, October 15, 2026, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation (EPBF) Board of Trustees held a breakfast meeting at the annual Archon Weekend at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City, which took place from October 17 to 20, 2026.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the EPBF Board of Trustees, offered the invocation and opening remarks, stating: “My gratitude to this Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation could not be more profound, for all of you are bringing about a transformation in the means and ways with which we sustain the Mother Church of Constantinople.”
Addressing Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, Chair of the EPBF and National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, His Eminence continued: “Dr. Limberakis, not only have you led the Archons for nearly thirty years as National Commander – now as Archon Grand Aktouarios – but you have overseen an opening of the Order of Saint Andrew to all manner of service and opportunity. The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Fund is a magnificent achievement – and of course, impossible without the incalculable ministry of our Father Alex, Grand Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne.”
His Eminence also observed that “as the Fund grows, and more and more Faithful commit to its mission, you are building much more than a safeguarded future for the First Throne of Orthodoxy. You are opening horizons that will perceive the vision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The synergies between the Endowment Fund and the Order of Saint Andrew are many, but first and foremost, they create opportunity. And the opportunities – whether they are educational, informational, or relational (as in the upcoming Pilgrimage to the Phanar for the Thirty-Fifth Anniversary of His All-Holiness) – all of these and more build goodwill, build confidence, and build commitment to the Mother Church.”
Read His Eminence’s full remarks HERE.
The Board then immediately began considering a proposed amendment to the bylaws regarding how funds donated to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation are sent to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Archon John Koudounis, Chair of the Investment Committee, explained that there was a need to establish a disciplined and sustainable framework for the annual distribution of funds from the EPBF’s endowment portfolio to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He stated that the goal was to establish a basis for a sustainable annual distribution not subject to inflation or market fluctuations.
The amendment set an annual distribution of funds to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of up to 5% of the endowment portfolio’s rolling twelve-quarter average market value. This was designed to provide for the likelihood of inflation, as well as to allow for various other financial requirements and obligations. In cases of emergency or extraordinary need, this could be raised to 7%, in accord with New York State law. In addition, criteria to maintain full transparency for the execution and accountability of the distribution were submitted to the Ecumenical Patriarchate along with the distribution itself.
This amendment was adopted unanimously. In line with it, an initial distribution of $617,148.22 will be wired to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This is the first year that distribution has been made to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, after the end of a period in which the EPBF was in its developmental stages, and was amassing a donor base substantial enough to enable to significant donation to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The Board then heard the independent auditors’ report from Archon Carl R. Hollister of the Audit Committee, discussing the 2025 independent audit from Forvis Mazars, the audit, tax and consulting firm that the EPBF has engaged. Archon Hollister stated: “This was the most seamless audit we have had. There were no adjustments at year-end this year. That’s extraordinary for any organization.” Chad Avink, CPA, Director of Forvis Mazars, was present, along with Linda Artusa, Associate Assurance, Forvis Mazars; Avink said that the firm had a “good partnership” with the EPBF and that the audit “couldn’t have been cleaner.”
Archons Chris E. Tsamutalis, CPA, Treasurer, and Andreas D. Comodromos, CPA, Assistant Treasurer, then presented the Treasurer’s Report. In meticulous detail, they outlined the financial situation of the EPBF, discussing tax filings and providing an update on pledges. They noted that the Foundation’s total assets currently total $38,527,705.
Aphrodite Skeadas of the Communications Committee distributed copies of the Fall 2026 issue of “The FOUNDER,” the EPBF’s flagship publication. She expressed gratitude to Dr. Limberakis and Father Alex Karloutsos, the Grand Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne and spiritual adviser of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, for their direction, and noted that the excellence of the EPBF’s publications was due to the skills and hard work of Archon John Mindala.
Archon Markos Lagos presented a report from the New Members Committee, and Dr. Limberakis called for efforts to encourage parishes to become FOUNDER or Builder churches. Dr. Limberakis expressed the gratitude of the Board of trustees to Anthony C. Limberakis or his technology work to protect the EPBF from cybercrime. Deep appreciation was expressed to trustee Maria Allwin for her generous gift of EPBF cufflinks to FOUNDERS.
