With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Board of Directors of the Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos Society is honoring Archon Christopher Stratakis, Esq., and his beloved wife Mary at their annual Chrysanthemum Ball. The Chrysanthemum, one of the gala events of the year, will be held on November 17, 2023 at Guastavino’s at 409 East 59th Street in New York City.
Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, stated: “To a tremendous degree, the Archdiocese of America and the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are built on the tireless and selfless labors of true men of God such as Archon Christopher Stratakis. After a lifetime of labor for God’s Holy Church and the Omogeneia, it would be difficult to imagine an award that a Greek Orthodox or Hellenic organization could give him that would be undeserved. And none of it would have been possible with the love and support of his beloved Maro. The Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos Society could not have honored a more worthy couple. Axios!”
Archon Stratakis was the longtime legal advisor of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and is currently an emeritus member of the National Council Executive Committee. He served as president of the parish council at Transfiguration of Christ Church in Corona, New York, and was also the fundraising co-chairman for the Hellenic Cultural and Educational Center of St. Nicholas Church in Flushing, New York. He and Mary are members of Leadership 100.
Archon Stratakis served as the advisory board chairman of the Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies in Queens College. He is a member of the Board of Governors (emeritus) of Drexel University, where he and his wife endowed the Christopher and Mary Stratakis Chair in Corporate Governance and Accountability at Drexel’s LeBow College of Business. He has received the St. Paul’s Award and Layman’s Award from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America; the Medal of Merit for Greek Diaspora from the Hellenic Government; the Ellis Island Medal of Honor; and numerous other awards. He is also a member of the Holy Sepulchre of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Archon Christopher and Mary Stratakis have been married for over fifty-five years and have three children and three grandchildren. Christopher Stratakis was invested as Archon on March 8, 1998 and conferred with the offikion Notarios.
The Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos Society has been in operation for over 80 years as the philanthropic branch of the Archdiocesan Cathedral. It supports and maintains philanthropic programs with over $100,000 in contributions annually.
The Chrysanthemum Honoring Christopher Stratakis, Esq. & Mary Stratakis is a black-tie event with music by Yianni Papastefanou & Orchestra. Cocktails begin at 7PM ET, and dinner will be served at 8PM. For young adults, at 8:30PM there will open a buffet with an open bar and dancing. For tickets and for more information, call 212-288-3215 or visit ac-philoptochos.com.
