Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriachate, has been named the 2026 recipient of the AHEPA Archbishop Iakovos Humanitarian Award, which honors those who dedicate themselves to the betterment of human and civil rights and religious freedoms for people suffering under tyranny and oppression.
AHEPA’s Supreme President, Archon Emmanuel Chris Kaitson, will present this prestigious award at the Grand Banquet of the AHEPA Supreme Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Friday evening, July 31, 2026. AHEPA, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, is the oldest and largest grassroots association of Hellenes and Philhellenes worldwide.
Archon George G. Horiates, Chair of the organizing committee and past Supreme President of AHEPA, stated to Dr. Limberakis: “The AHEPA Archbishop Iakovos Humanitarian Award is a lifetime honor, presented to honor your life work protecting the fundamental right to hold, express and practice the faith, without government interference or coercion. It is our hope this recognition memorializes forever your most passionate and dedicated work for the Ecumenical Patriarchate so it may continue to shine in all its splendor for generations to come.”
Dr. Limberakis said: “I am deeply honored and humbled to accept this award, on behalf of my brother Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, I have had the great privilege to lead over the past 28 years in service to the Holy Mother Church. Among the Archons’ crowing achievement, was the establishment of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, which will ensure the financial security of the Holy Mother Church in perpetuity and named in honor of the longest serving and among the most impactful Ecumenical Patriarchs in history. I salute AHEPA, which has labored nobly and heroically to call international attention to the principles of religious freedom everywhere. Its members exemplify what it means to live a life of just and principled service. This honor is all the richer in light of its being named for Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory, who risked his life and his reputation to stand for justice when doing so was particularly dangerous. May we all receive the grace and courage from Almighty God to emulate him in our own day.”
The AHEPA Supreme Convention will be held from July 26 to 31 at the Sheraton Downtown hotel in Philadelphia, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. For more information, click here.
