Prominence of Greek-American Community in Presidential Inauguration continues
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
The now 40-year tradition continued of the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America participating in the Inauguration of the President of the United States and Greek-Americans serving at the highest levels of the incoming Administration. For the 60th Inauguration of the President of the United States in Washington, DC on January 20, His Eminence Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America Elpidophoros was invited, as were his predecessors, to sit on the platform behind President-elect Donald Trump as he was sworn-in. When the ceremony was moved inside of the US Capitol Building due to weather, Archbishop Elpidophoros was one of the select non-governmental officials invited to witness the ceremony inside. As well, for the Inaugural Presidential Prayer Service the following morning, Archbishop Elpidophoros was invited to greet President Trump and Vice President JD Vance as they arrived.
On the eve of the Presidential Inauguration the community once again gathered to honor Greek-Americans influential in the incoming administration. This year’s honorees were Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council Vice-Chairman, Archon John Catsimatidis; Deputy Secretary of State-designate Michael Rigas; White House Science and Technology Policy Director-designate, Archon Michael Kratsios; Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis; and Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony. Each was awarded by Archbishop Elpidophoros with the Medal of St. Paul, the highest honor for a lay person in the Greek Orthodox Church. Special guest and US Ambassador to Greece-designate Kimberly Guilfoyle also attended and made brief remarks.
US Ambassador to Greece-designate Kimberly Guilfyole, Archbishop Elpidophoros, and Master of Ceremonies Michael Psaros
Opening Remarks from Mike Manatos
Michael Rigas with his parents and all 6 of his siblings and their families
While the 2021 Presidential Inauguration was held virtually because of the COVID pandemic, during the 2017 Presidential Inauguration, the Greek-Americans honored were White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Congressman Gus Bilirakis and White House Director of Advance George Gigicos.
During the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, those honored were Dennis Mehiel, Jim Chanos and George Tsunis. Then-Vice President Joe Biden and then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi attended the ceremony honoring them.
In 2009 the honorees were Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis and Alexi Giannoulias.
2017 Honoree and then-incoming White House Chief of Staff Reince Preibus with Archbishop Demetrios
2013 Honorees and VIPs (L-R) Andrew Manatos, Archbishop Demetrios, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, George Tsunis, Senator Paul Sarbanes, Valerie Biden, Jim Chanos, and Dennis Mehiel
(L-R) Then VP Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Archbishop Demetrios
Other community organizations hosted events around the official Presidential Inaugural activities. The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate hosted a number of dinners and lunches with prominent officials in Washington, DC. The Hellenic Initiative hosted a large dinner on the eve of the Presidential Inauguration.
Archon National Commander Anthony Limberakis at January 18 Dinner
Archon National Commander Anthony Limberakis at January 17 Dinner
Archon National Leadership at January 18 Lunch
THI President George Stamas and THI Executive Board Member Michael Psaros at January 19 Dinner
THI Greece Country Director Michael Printzos and THI Ambassador Mike Manatos
THI January 19 Dinner at Balos
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