With the blessing and in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Board of Trustees of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation (EPBF) presented an exceptional and exclusive FOUNDERS Dinner on the first evening of the annual Archon Weekend of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Thursday, October 15, 2026. The FOUNDERS Dinner was held at the historic and beautiful Metropolitan Club in Manhattan, an extraordinary example of Gilded Age design.
The Dinner was open to FOUNDERS in good standing (pledges up-to-date) of the EPBF. Archon Michael Neamonitakis, Chair of the EPBF New Members Committee, offered a welcome and introduction, thanking his beloved wife Meropi, a member of the EPBF Board of Trustees, for her efforts in organizing this beautiful event. Archon Neamonitakis then likened the EPBF FOUNDERS to the New York Knicks championship basketball team, with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as the one who put the team together, and Father Alex Karloutsos, spiritual advisor of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Dr. Antony J. Limberakis, Chair of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, and the other Archons playing key roles.
Then followed opening remarks from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
His Eminence noted that in the past year, the EPBF had made outstanding progress, and was continuing to grow and expand its impact upon the Church in the United States. He noted that immediately after the conclusion of Archon Weekend, he would be leading a pilgrimage to the Phanar for the 35thanniversary of the election of His All-Holiness as Ecumenical Patriarch. He expressed his happiness that for the first time in a decade, he said, Dr. Limberakis would be visiting the Phanar.
His Eminence emphasized the vital importance of the EPBF to enable the Ecumenical Patriarchate to continue to remain free and unhindered in its operations. He observed that all the FOUNDERS had given generously in support not only of the EPBF, but of their parishes, the Archdiocese of America, and more. He stated that they were highly successful and influential Orthodox Christians, and praised them for seeing the greater need and grander vision of global Orthodoxy.
His Eminence noted also an often-overlooked aspect of His All-Holiness’ extraordinary and unparalleled thirty-five years as Ecumenical Patriarch: he labored tirelessly to aid the Russian Orthodox Church in emerging from Soviet domination, and get on its feet after decades of oppression. His All-Holiness, said His Eminence, calls for peace and mutual respect. He calls for the love of Jesus Christ to reign supreme throughout the world.
This, His Eminence declared, makes the work of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation more vital than ever. Global Orthodoxy, he said, is suffering from various afflictions, including ethnophyletism, the association of the Orthodox Christian Faith with one ethnicity. His All-Holiness, said His Eminence, would never say “We have no king but Caesar”; he knows only the King of Kings.
After these inspiring words, His Eminence concluded his remarks with further expressions of gratitude to the FOUNDERS for their dedication to the Holy Mother Church.
Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, the Archon Grand Aktouarios and Chair of the EPBF and National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, then offered a greeting to the attendees, noting that transparency and accountability were the hallmarks of the EPBF, and stated it was a historic day: “For the first time, under the leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros,” the EPBF was making a distribution of funds to the Ecumenical Patriarchate: “$617, 148.22 will be wired to the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Monday.”
Dr. Limberakis noted His Eminence’s consistent support for the EPBF, and the tireless work of many people who have made the Foundation a success, working for the glory of God and for the Holy Mother Church.
In a video, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his gratitude to Dr. Limberakis for the devotion with which he has served the Church for so many years. His All-Holiness stated that every day at the Phanar begins with prayers for the life of the world, and said: “We are obligated to ensure that those who come after us will be able to live and work in this city as Orthodox Christians.”
His All-Holiness stated that he was deeply grateful to all of his spiritual children throughout the world who cherish the same inheritance. He said that the work the EPBF and its supporters are doing reaches beyond the tenure of any one Ecumenical Patriarch; it is an investment in the future of the Church.
