At its seventh annual GreekFest Charity Gala on Saturday, November 11, 2023, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church / GreekFest Charity Gala, Inc. in Mobile, Alabama announced that it was becoming a FOUNDER of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation. They are now the 12th Founding Parish in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. At the Gala, the parish gave special honor to the EPBF, naming it as one of the Gala’s 2023 beneficiaries. Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, Chair of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, accepted the Gala’s beneficence on behalf of the Board of Trustees. Over the past seven years, the GreekFest Charity Gala has donated over $800,000 to non-Orthodox charities, including the Penelope House, a refuge for battered women and families, this year’s non-Orthodox beneficiary.

Archon and fulfilled FOUNDER Greg Saad and Mrs. Jamie Saad, were instrumental in securing a $20,000 donation from The Malbis Foundation for the EPBF.  

Father Elias and Presbytera Kasandra Stevens, and Father Matthew and Presbytera Emily Carter, have led the Gala since its inception in 2016. Chairing the Gala was cardiologist Dr. Stephanie D. Grosz, wife of Dr. Kyriazis, who specializes in cardiac electrophysiology.

At the Gala, Archon Commander Dr. Limberakis delivered an engaging multimedia presentation regarding the genesis, goals and current financial status of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation. He also elaborated on the unified Christian Church; the 1054 schism; the 16 autocephalous churches that comprise Orthodoxy today; what an Archon is; and the Archons’ efforts in the U.S. and Europe to protect and defend the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Introducing Dr. Limberakis was the newly invested Archon Dimitris Kyriazis, MD, a leading cardiothoracic surgeon, trained by Dr. Michael E. DeBakey and Dr. Denton A. Cooley in Houston, the founders of modern day cardiothoracic surgery.

The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, a watershed initiative of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, is dedicated to achieving economic independence for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, so that it may fulfill its apostolic mission in perpetuity. FOUNDERS of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation have committed to ensuring the financial foundation of the Holy Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, by giving $100,000 over ten years.