On April 23, 2025 at Kyma Flatiron in New York City, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) of the Direct Archdiocesan District and Northern New Jersey offered a unique and informative presentation on the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s struggle to secure property rights in Turkey. Along with the Hellenic Lawyers Association, which co-sponsored the event, the AEP offered an illuminating perspective on the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s efforts to deal with continuing Turkish government encroachment on historic properties of the Church.

The renowned chanter society, Romanos o Melodos, started off the evening with a beautiful mini-concert that included the Apolytikion of Saint George, as was fitting, since the event was held on his feast day.

The featured speaker, Archon Anastasios (Tassos) Efstratiades, Esq., then gave the presentation “Ownership of Patriarchal Properties through the Turkish System of Foundations: A Historical Perspective and Recent Developments.”

(Photos by Archon Dimitrios Panagos)