Foundation News Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation Holds Board of Trustees Breakfast Meeting at Archon Weekend 2025
On Thursday, October 17, 2025, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation (EPBF) Board of Trustees met at a breakfast meeting during the annual Archon Weekend at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City, which was held from October 16 to 19, 2025.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America offered an invocation and opening remarks, stating: “This Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation is fast becoming the premier vehicle for ensuring the future resources and sustenance for Mother Church of Constantinople. In ages past, it was the Imperial Court that ruled in the Queen of Cities which guaranteed the care and support for the Great Church of Christ. Now, that privilege has fallen to the modern laypeople – so ably represented by all of you, and including, of course, the Grand Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne, Father Alexander Karloutsos.”
The Secretary of the EPBF, Archon Peter Kakoyiannis, Esq., presented the minutes of the EPBF Board of Trustees meetings of March 1and July 18, 2025. After they were approved, Archons Chris E. Tsamutalis, CPA, Treasurer, and Andreas D. Comodromos, CPA, Assistant Treasurer, presented the Treasurer’s Report. In great detail, they outlined the financial situation of the EPBF, discussing tax filings and providing an update on pledges. They noted that the Foundation’s total assets currently total $31,0137,103, surpassing the $30 million milestone for the first time.
The Board then heard the independent auditors’ report from Archon Carl R. Hollister of the Audit Committee. The audited 2024 financial statement from Forvis Mazars, the audit, tax and consulting firm that the EPBF has engaged, was approved. Richard Cole, CPA and Chad Avink, CPA, of Forvis Mazars were present for the discussion of the report and responded to various questions.
Aphrodite Skeadas of the Communications Committee then offered a report as well, presenting the latest issue of “The FOUNDER” the EPBF’s flagship publication. She expressed gratitude to Father Alex Karloutsos, spiritual adviser of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and Dr. Limberakis for their direction, and noted that the excellence of the EPBF’s publications was due to the skills and hard work of Archon John Mindala.
Archons Markos Lagos, Joseph J. Kokolakis, Esq., and Michael P. Neamonitakis presented a report from the New Members Committee. They noted that on Thursday evening, the EPBF would present an exclusive FOUNDERS Dinner, featuring unique entertainment in the beautiful setting of The Pool NYC in The Seagram Building in New York City. This event was for FOUNDERS of the EPBF, as well as an instrument to attract new members. They also noted that the EPBF would be presenting another EPBF special event next year during Archon Weekend at the Metropolitan Club in New York on Thursday, October 15, 2026, which is a larger venue that could accommodate more FOUNDERS, as this year’s event was SOLD OUT. Also, an additional event was in the works for Houston, Texas in 2026, hosted by FOUNDER Dr. Vasilios Mathews and his beloved wife Katina, as well as other Houston FOUNDERS.
Then ensued a discussion of how to encourage more churches in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to become FOUNDERS. There are currently 17 parishes out of some 500 of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that are FOUNDERS:
- Direct Archdiocesan District – 5 parishes
- Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, New York, NY
- Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New York, NY
- Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Southampton, NY
- Kimisis tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, Brooklyn, NY
- Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY (the very first parish in the GOA to become a FOUNDER)
- Metropolis of Boston – 0 parishes
- Metropolis of Detroit – 3 parishes
- Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, Southgate, MI
- Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Plymouth, MI
- Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Carmel, IN
- Metropolis of Pittsburgh – 2 parishes
- All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, Weirton, WV
- Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Camp Hill, PA
- Metropolis of San Francisco – 0 parishes
- Metropolis of Atlanta – 3 parishes
- Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, Naples, FL
- St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church, Boca Raton, FL
- Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Mobile, AL
- Metropolis of New Jersey – 3 parishes
- Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Elkins Park, PA
- Cathedral of Saint John the Theologian, Tenafly, NJ
- Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Westfield, NJ
- Metropolis of Chicago – 1 parish
- Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago, IL
- Metropolis of Denver – 0 parishes
It should be noted that ALL 9 Metropolises of the GOA are FOUNDERS, which occurred as a result of the ONE MILLION DOLLAR MATCHING Grant from the Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation, facilitated by National Vice Commander Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, Bouras Foundation Trustee.
A discussion followed regarding the IRS application for an exemption from filing 990 Annual Returns, and updated information was provided.
It was noted that during the Apostolic Visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States in September 2025, during which he received the Templeton Prize for “for his pioneering efforts to bridge scientific and spiritual understandings of humanity’s relationship with the natural world, bringing together people of different faiths to heed a call for stewardship of creation,” the EPBF hosted several special events in honor of His All-Holiness.
These included an EPBF Grand Reception in honor of His All-Holiness at the Ned Club in Washington, DC, within President’s Park. Hosting the event was Archon John S. Koudounis, with special guest Hon. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House. There was also a reception in honor of His All-Holiness that was hosted jointly by Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the EPBF at the Archdiocesan Cathedral.
Then followed a discussion of old and new business. These included an update on the need to increase cybercrime insurance, as well as the need for National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) compliance attestation. The recommendation was made for an annual cybersecurity audit. Archon-elect Anthony C. Limberakis then offered a formal update on Bloomerang Customer Service Software, which has been adapted by the EPBF and will offer transformational improvements in the administrative operations of the Foundation.
Dr. Limberakis discussed the “Culture of Giving” presentation he made to Archons in the United Kingdom on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the final evening of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s Patriarchal Visit to the United Kingdom. The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America hosted a farewell dinner in honor of His All-Holiness at the historic Cavalry and Guards Club in the heart of London, the Club of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Pavlos. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was present, we well as His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel Geron of Chalcedon, His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain and His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Islands.
The Commander then discussed the need for all Archons around the world to “adopt a culture of giving.” “The Archon Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure,” he explained, “should be the guiding principle for all global Archons in order to ensure that the Great Church of Christ has the resources to pursue its worldwide ministry, without concern for economic constraint.” Dr. Limberakis then issued a personal appeal for each and every Archon present in the room to become a FOUNDER ($100,000 pledge payable over 10 years), as “Maria and I have done making monthly donations on our credit card,” or a Builder (a pledge of any amount less than $100,000).
It was noted that Archon John Koudounis, the EPBF Investment Committee Chair, wore his EPBF FOUNDERS pin on national television, during an interview on Fox News, the most widely viewed of all networks. This was the very first time the EPBF had national and international TV exposure.
The meeting adjourned after a closing blessing from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros.
