No. 16
Archons with congresswoman Luna.
Washington, DC — American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President Nick Larigakis addressed the Greek American communities of the Clearwater, Florida area, as the main speaker of a presentation organized by the Order of Saint Andrew-Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Tampa Bay, the PanHellenic Federation of Florida, and the Clearwater Holy Trinity community, held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Clearwater, Fla., February 23, 2023.
President Larigakis presented on the topic, “Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey at a Crossroads: The Importance of U.S. Policy in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
President Larigakis discussed AHI’s role to strengthen relations between the United States and NATO ally, Greece, and strategic partner, Republic of Cyprus, through AHI’s substantive policy programs and initiatives that advocate for the rule of law. He presented updates on developments in Greece, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the war in Ukraine’s impact on the region. He also addressed the state of religious freedom in Turkey and the plight of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, including its lack of recognition by the Turkish government and the closure of the Halki Theological School.
Archon Regional Commander Dr. Theodore Vlahos moderated the presentation and the substantive Q&A with Larigakis that followed.
The attendees included newly elected U.S. Rep. Anna Luna (R-FL), and her staff, as well as area clergy, Archons, members of the Pan Hellenic Federation, and many others.
“Thank you to the organizers for inviting me to present to the dynamic communities of Clearwater and Tampa,” Larigakis said. “Specially, thank you to Father James Paris, Dr. Theodore Vlahos, Nick Anton, and Peter Theofanous, for affording me the opportunity to engage with prominent members of the community about AHI and our community’s policy matters. It is critical for our communities to be informed and engaged on the issues, and I encourage their activism and outreach to their members of Congress as well as state and local officials. In this regard, I am pleased newly elected Congresswoman Luna attended.”
Moreover, President of the PanHellenic Federation of Florida Nick Anton presented President Larigakis with a $2,000 donation to AHI.
“We sincerely appreciate the Federation’s generous donation that will benefit our programs,” Larigakis said.
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The American Hellenic Institute is a non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.