On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America and the Pammakaristos Brotherhood of Archons in Europe hosted a dinner in honor of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Electra Palace Hotel in Athens, overlooking the Acropolis, courtesy of proprietor Archon Gerasimos Fokas.
The evening was hosted by Athanasios Martinos, President of the Pammakaristos Brotherhood of Archons in Europe, and Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America — co-chairs of the 4th Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom held in Athens in 2024. Also instrumental was Vice President Archon George J. Procopiou, founder of Dynacom Tankers, Sea Traders, and Dynagas.
In his toast, Dr. Limberakis praised His All-Holiness for championing religious freedom, granting autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, leading environmental stewardship as the “Green Patriarch,” and convening the Holy and Great Council of Crete — a historic achievement in Orthodox conciliarity. He also honored co-host Archon Thanassis Martinos and his wife Marina for their extraordinary philanthropy, including a major donation to Reopen Halki and a $35 million contribution to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation.
In response, His All-Holiness spoke extensively and offered insight on his role as First Among Equals, on the one hand being equal to a newly-ordained bishop, but on the other hand having unique and extraordinary responsibilities that no other Patriarch has, such as granting autocephaly.
Among those present were Metropolitan Theodoretos of Laodicea, other Hierarchs, Mount Athos civil administrator Alkiviadis Stefanis, Archons Nick Larigakis and Leon Andris of the American Hellenic Institute, and Archdeacon Archon Michael Karloutsos.
Toast
Dinner in honor of
HIS ALL-HOLINESS ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW
Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Athens, Greece
Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, Grand Aktouarios
National Commander
Your All-Holiness BARTHOLOMEW, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and longest serving Ecumenical Patriarch in the history of Christianity, Your Beatitude Ieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece,
Your Eminences and Excellencies, Fr. Alex Karloutsos, Spiritual Advisor of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,
Reverend Fathers, Brother Archon Thanassis Martinos, President of the Pammakaristos Brotherhood of Archons, Brother Archons, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen—
CHRISTOS ANESTI!
It is both a privilege and a profound honor to offer a toast in tribute to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
In the life of the Orthodox Church, the Ecumenical Patriarch is rightly known as primus inter pares—first among equals—among the Patriarchs and Primates. Yet in our time, Your All-Holiness has embodied not only this ancient and sacred role, but has also emerged as primus in witness, in courage, and in service to the world.
Your All-Holiness has stood at the forefront of the defense of religious freedom, giving voice to the voiceless and reminding the world that faith is not merely a private matter but a fundamental human right. With archpastoral courage and historical clarity, you granted autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, bringing spiritual care and canonical recognition to tens of millions of faithful, even amid great challenge and consequence.
You have also reminded us that theology cannot be separated from creation. As the “Green Patriarch,” you have called the world to repentance and responsibility, teaching that care for the environment is not optional, but a sacred obligation.
Your commitment to Orthodox unity has been unwavering. In convening and presiding over the Holy and Great Council of Crete, you brought together the life and voice of the Church in a way not seen for centuries—an enduring testament to your vision of conciliarity, dialogue, and communion.
The recognition you have received, including the prestigious Templeton Prize, reflects not only your theological leadership, but your global moral authority—an authority grounded not in power, but in humility, wisdom, and service.
Your tenure as Ecumenical Patriarch, now over 35 years, is the longest in the history of Christianity. As the 269th successor of the Apostle Andrew, you have faithfully strengthened a sacred legacy that spans millennia.
Your All-Holiness, your life and ministry remind us that true leadership in the Church is not measured by authority alone, but by sacrifice, vision, and love.
Before I conclude my toast to His All-Holiness, allow me to quote the words of the Apostle James, ἡ πίστις χωρὶς ἔργων νεκρά ἐστιν, that is Faith without works is dead… and the works of Brother Archon Thanassis and Marina Martinos have been extraordinary. Their diakonia serves as an example for all of us. Their magnificent donation to Reopen Halki; their major gift to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, now $35,000,000 strong, are acts of philanthropy that directly serve the vitality of the Mother Church.
It is my fervent hope that others in this very room tonight would consider joining the Bartholomew Foundation, like Thanassis and Marina and the fellow FOUNDERS in this room, to protect the Holy Mother Church in perpetuity.
Therefore, I invite you all now to rise and join me in a toast—
To His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew:
Faithful shepherd of the Church, guardian of unity, voice of conscience in our world, and tireless servant of God and His people—
Εις πολλά έτη δέσποτα!
