With the Lincoln Memorial in view from the 9th floor of Ned’s Club, members of the Greek-American community gathered in Washington to welcome His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The evening’s host was businessman John Koudounis of Calamos Investments, and the special guest was Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson. Politicians and dignitaries from both sides of the Atlantic attended, including Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Nicole Malliotakis, Florida’s Jimmy Patronis, Greece’s Vasilis Kikilias, and Alexandra Papadopoulou. Also present was the newly appointed ambassador, Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is reportedly preparing to depart for Athens.
The son of the Greek prime minister, Konstantinos Mitsotakis — who recently completed his studies and is now working in Washington — also answered the invitation and joined the guests.
Attendees gave a warm reception to the head of the Orthodox Church, who will be in New York following this event.
Images from the dinner included: – Speaker Mike Johnson at the event podium – John Koudounis – Archbishop Elpidophoros of America with Kimberly Guilfoyle – Gus Bilirakis with Konstantinos Mitsotakis – Father Alex Karloutsos beside Vasilis Kikilias – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arriving at the venue – Alexandra Papadopoulou with Ambassador Aikaterini Nasika – Kimberly Guilfoyle and Christos Marafatsos – U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas with Hellenic Olympic Committee Secretary General Stephanos Chandakas – AHI President Nick Laryggakis with Cypriot Ambassador Evangelos Savva and Andy Manatos – George Tzitzikos, Gogo Athanasopoulou, Anastasia Karloutsou, and Jimmy Patronis
Source: Original report by Athanasia Angelopoulou (18/09/2025).
