The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Direct Archdiocesan District and Northern New Jersey are organizing a unique presentation on the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s struggle to secure property rights in Turkey, amid continuing Turkish government encroachment on historic properties of the Church.

In the presentation “Ownership of Patriarchal Properties through the Turkish System of Foundations: A Historical Perspective and Recent Developments,” Archon Anastasios (Tassos) Efstratiades, Esq. will explain the centuries-old legal framework that forms the basis of ownership of property by religious institutions in Turkey, including the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The presentation will also focus on some recent cases decided or in the process of being presented by the local courts and the European courts.

This timely and informative presentation is co-sponsored by the Hellenic Lawyers Association, and will be held at Kyma Flatiron, 15 West 18th Street, New York, New York 10011, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Cocktails & hors d’oeuvres will begin at 6:00 p.m. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a brief special performance by the Romanos the Melodist Chanters’ Society of the Greek Orthodox Chanters of Greater New York, followed by the presentation.

Instrumental in making this presentation a reality are Direct Archdiocesan District Regional Commanders Nikiforos Mathews, John Kassimatis, and Michael Neamonitakis, along with Northern New Jersey Regional Commanders George Tsougarakis and Michael Camarinos. Planning committee member Archon George Zapantis of the Hellenic Lawyers Association is also assisting with efforts to bring this project to fruition.