AHI Attends Events in Washington Honoring Apostolic Visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
AHI President Nick Larigakis with All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States and His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros.
WASHINGTON - AHI President Nick Larigakis represented the Institute at a series of special events in Washington, D.C., held the week of September 15 in tribute to the Apostolic Visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States.
The visit began in Washington, D.C., with a luncheon on September 16, 2025, hosted by Her Excellency Ekaterini Nassika, Ambassador of Greece to the United States, at the Orangery of Dumbarton Oaks Museum and Gardens.
Later that day, Larigakis represented AHI at an official dinner in honor of His All-Holiness at the U.S. Department of State, hosted by Deputy Secretary of State Mike Rigas. Distinguished guests included the recently confirmed U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle.
On September 17, His All-Holiness led a Doxology Service at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, the parish home of Larigakis, attended by clergy, faithful, and community leaders.
That evening, Larigakis joined fellow dignitaries at a reception hosted by John Koudounis, CEO of Calamos Investments, at Ned’s Club DC. The reception drew an esteemed audience, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Deputy Secretary Rigas, Ambassador Guilfoyle, and members of Congress, underscoring the significance of the Patriarch’s visit to the nation’s capital.
ERT-TV also interviewed Larigakis during the visit, where he shared his thoughts on the significance of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s presence in Washington and its significance.
“AHI is deeply honored to have participated in these historic gatherings with His All-Holiness,” Larigakis, who is invested in the Order of Saint Andrew – Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, said. “For me, it personally was a moving experience to attend services at my home parish. His All-Holiness’s visit reaffirms the enduring importance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as a beacon of faith, dialogue, an spiritual leadership on the world stage, and we commend U.S. leaders for recognizing his global significance.”
The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is a non-profit policy center and think tank founded in 1974 that promotes the interests of the United States in foreign affairs involving Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Southern Europe.
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