The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate have announced the nine winners of the inaugural Ecumenical Patriarch Poster Contest, recognizing young Orthodox artists whose work celebrates His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and his ministry as the “Green Patriarch.”
The contest drew submissions from students nationwide. First-, second-, and third-place winners were selected in three divisions: elementary school, middle school, and high school. Archon Nicholas Terezis announced the winners during the Archons’ Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in New York City.
Organized through the Archons’ Youth Participation Activities Diakonia Ministry and SPROUT educational initiative, the contest invited students ages 5–18 to express their faith through original artwork honoring His All-Holiness’ spiritual leadership and his longstanding commitment to protecting God’s creation.
In the announcement launching the contest, National Commander Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis emphasized its opportunity to “encourage creativity, celebrate youth” and recognize the artistic gifts of Orthodox students throughout the country.
High School Division
First Place:
Mark Melis, Grade 10
St. Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church
New York, New York
Second Place:
Estelle Raudenbush, Grade 10
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Third Place:
Paraskevi Vergos, Grade 10
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Dallas, Texas
Middle School Division
First Place:
Anastasia Tsougranis, Grade 8
Zoodochos Peghe Greek Orthodox Church
Bronx, New York
Second Place:
Nicholas Melis, Grade 7
St. Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church
New York, New York
Third Place:
Andrew Soves, Grade 7
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Washington, D.C.
located in Silver Spring, Maryland
Elementary School Division
First Place:
Evangelia Christopher, Grade 4
Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Denver, Colorado
Second Place:
Matthew Gilbert, Grade 4
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Third Place:
Ares Paulus, Age 5
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Bethesda, Maryland
All participating students will receive a certificate signed by the National Commander and a letter of appreciation. The nine winners will also receive personalized HydroFlask water bottles featuring their names, home parishes, and artwork. Each of the three first-place winners will receive an Ecumenical Patriarchate gold cross.
Plans also call for the first-, second-, and third-place posters from each division to be signed by His All-Holiness and returned to the young artists, providing a lasting personal connection to the spiritual father whose ministry inspired their work.
The Archons gratefully acknowledge the educators and volunteers whose efforts made the inaugural contest possible, including Dr. Helen Panagulias Nixon, Katina Limberakis Tsatalis, Archon Ted Argeroplos, and Youth Participation Activities Diakonia Ministry Co-Chairs and Pittsburgh Regional Commanders Archons Nick Tranto and Nicholas Terezis, with technical support from Archon John Mindala.
The contest extends the mission of SPROUT: helping young people learn about the Ecumenical Patriarchate, deepen their Orthodox identity, and understand their own responsibility to care for God’s creation. The Archons congratulate the nine winners and thank every participating student, along with the families, clergy, teachers, parishes, and schools that encouraged their involvement.
For information about SPROUT and its educational resources, visit archons.org/sprouts or contact sprouts@archons.org.
