New York, NY - In its historic first financial gesture, FAITH, an endowment for the promotion of the Orthodox faith and Hellenic heritage in America, recently provided the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology with a grant of $266,000. The generous financial gift was made possible through the pledges of its original members. Peter Kikis, the newly elected president of FAITH, reported that the grants were distributed "for the purpose of upgrading the computer technology and infrastructure of both institutions."
A supporting non-profit organization, FAITH was established in 2005 by 15 philanthropists for the purpose of providing financial support and services to the national ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. FAITH will now invite an additional 35 distinguished Greek Americans to become founding members by donating at least 1 (one) million dollars each towards an ultimate goal of 100 (one hundred) million dollars. A successful result of this effort will ensure the planned growth of the Endowment.
Alex G. Spanos, Chairman, stated emphatically "I strongly believe in the goals that guide our Faith group and I am as ever committed to see that it flourishes as a viable and dynamic organization to spread the principles of Orthodoxy and Hellenism." Kikis added, "We are seriously committed to preserving and propagating Orthodoxy and Hellenism in the United States by emphasizing continuing education for our clergy and academic scholarships for our youth!"
According to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, "Generous contributions like the one by FAITH are critical to the future of the Orthodox Church in America to provide, among other things, the necessary resources for the spiritual nurture and professional development of effective clergy to serve the growing number of parishes in America."
Father Nicholas Triantafilou, President of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, noted that the deans and professors of Hellenic College and Holy Cross have exercised exemplary stewardship in preparing our young men for the Holy Priesthood, as well as young women and men for church service. They have also prepared students of Hellenic College for meaningful professions in society. "Our deans, professors and students," Father Triantafilou insists, "will prove to be faithful stewards of the generosity and trust of the founding members of FAITH to whom we are grateful."
The initial founding members of FAITH are: Ambassador George L. Argyros of Newport, California, George D. Behrakis of Boston, Massachusetts, Nicholas J. Bouras of Summit, New Jersey, George Coumantaros of New York, New York, Michael Jaharis of New York, New York, Peter T. Kikis of New York, New York, Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis of Sacramento, California, James H. Moshovitis of Washington, D.C., John G. Pappajohn of Des Moines, Iowa, John A. Payiavlas of Warren, Ohio, Alex K. Spanos of Stockton, California, Dean Spanos of San Diego, California, Michael Spanos of Stockton, California, Angelo K. Tsakopoulos of Sacramento, California, and Kyriakos Tsakopoulos of Sacramento, California. The Rev. Father Alexander Karloutsos serves as the Executive Advisor of the FAITH Endowment.
Contact: Rev. Frank Marangos