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Mister Speaker, the Honorable Michael Johnson,

Distinguished Representatives of the United States Government,

Your Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and Brother Hierarchs,

Archon John and dear Joanne Koudounis, our Hosts for this Reception,

Honored Guests and Friends,

Beloved Spiritual Children in the Lord,

Earlier today, we were received by the Honorable Speaker of the House within the Halls of Congress. His gracious and Abrahamic reception of our person and company attests to the dignity with which Speaker Johnson attends his high office. We are grateful and very happy to see him again this evening.

In between that meeting and luncheon at the Capitol, John and Joanne Koudounis – our estimable hosts this evening – were kind enough to arrange a private preview tour of the upcoming exhibition, “American Dream Experience,” at the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream. It truly was an inspirational exploration of what this blesséd Nation offers to its People.

As we look around this magnificent room, we see in the faces of our beloved Greek Orthodox Faithful the fulfillment of the American Dream. And this is not merely about their societal, political, financial, or educational success.

What your countenances reflect is the genius of the Hellenic mind, and the faithfulness of the Orthodox Christian spirit. The fusion of both is exemplified by the most foundational text of the Christian Religion – the New Testament. Written in the Greek Language, it represents the Faith that emerged from the Hebrew People. These two were combined to give to the world a union compatible with both, and a paradigm for everywhere the Greek and Orthodox Faith would travel. For you, the Greek-Americans, faithful Greek Orthodox, have made America and its Dream your own. This could not be more clear – as obvious to the sociologist as to the theologian.

And in making America your own, you have elevated and expanded this Dream that lies in the imagination of every citizen. And indeed, of the whole world; for America is as much a Nation of immigrants as it is anything. And like every dream that comes over us in the night hours, sometimes it fades; other times it is more real than our waking lives. And even in those nightmarish moments, the American Dream rises up in the collective consciousness of the good People of this great Nation, to ever-widen its reach and include more and more of its citizenry.

Mister Speaker and dear friends, our Greek Orthodox People are not a numerically large element in the United States, but they are most certainly a leaven within American Society, catalyzing its best potentials, and helping their fellow patriots to rise to their God-given capacities.

For the love of country, when its character embraces with openness and understanding, is an aspect of our love for God; inasmuch as it reflects a commitment to a higher cause than a mere personal interest. As we keep reaching higher and higher, we take what is best in our immediate environment and experience, and expand our faculties and powers of loving to embrace a wider and wider circle. We grow as individuals, to be better connected with others.

Therefore, with paternal pride and great satisfaction, we salute the accomplishments of the Orthodox Christian People of America.

As Ecumenical Patriarch, we proclaim that you are Ἄξιοι καὶ Ἀξιότατοι – Worthy and Most Worthy – not only of your achievements in the world, but your achievements for the world.

We thank once again Speaker Johnson for the pleasure of his company and all those Representatives of this Great Nation who have shared their estimable presence today with us.

We thank John and Joanne Koudounis, and all the Archons of the Ecumenical Throne and the Members of the Foundation who joined us this evening.

We lift our glass in your honor, ever beseeching God that He will bless you and your families, and bestow upon the United States of America His enduring peace and infinite mercy.

Amen!