The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate proudly announce an important presentation entitled “The Plight of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey: Why It Is So Important for the Ecumenical Patriarchate to Have ‘Legal Identity’ Under Turkish Law.” The event will take place on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at The University Club of Washington, DC, 1135 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036.
This landmark event will be the first in-depth exploration of the legal identity crisis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and its profound implications for religious freedom, human rights, and the preservation of Orthodox Christianity worldwide.
The featured presentations will be delivered by the Honorable Delissa A. Ridgway, Senior Judge of the United States Court of International Trade, and by Archon George S. Kounoupis, who will examine the legal, historical, political, and social impediments facing the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey. They will also review international precedents and the principles of religious freedom recognized by both U.S. constitutional law and international institutions.
“Preservation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is essential to protecting the future of our faith and advocating for justice, freedom, and human rights,” said Archon Joseph J. Kokolakis, Chair of the Archon Patriarchal Properties and Legal Issues Committee, who will introduce the speakers. “This presentation highlights why legal identity is indispensable to the continued existence of the Patriarchate amid growing legal and geopolitical threats.”
The program will open with welcome remarks by Archon Regional Commander Andy Manatos at 7:15 PM, followed by the introduction of Judge Ridgway and Archon Kounoupis. Guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres beginning at 6:00 PM, and the evening will conclude with coffee, desserts, and closing remarks.
Attendance is complimentary and a cash bar will be available.
Event Schedule
6:00 PM – Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres
7:15 PM – Welcome Remarks by Archon Andy Manatos
7:20 PM – Introduction of Speakers by Archon Joseph J. Kokolakis
7:30 PM – Presentation by Senior Judge Ridgway
7:50 PM – Presentation by Archon George S. Kounoupis (with Q&A)
8:30 PM – Closing Remarks, Coffee & Desserts
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are a devoted group of laymen of the Orthodox Christian Church, recognized for outstanding service to the Church, who have committed themselves to the defense of religious freedom and the mission of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
