NEW YORK — Leaders of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and AHI Foundation (AHIF) met with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on Friday, February 11, 2011. AHI President/COO Nick Larigakis and Founder Gene Rossides were joined by AHI Foundation President Spiro Spireas at the meeting.

“We had a wonderful meeting with Archbishop Demetrios,” said Larigakis. “We discussed issues of mutual concern, including religious freedom and the plight of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. We appreciated the opportunity to share our initiatives and programs that serve to help these causes.”

Archbishop Demetrios thanked AHI for its role in the community, working on issues that serve to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus as well as its advocating for religious freedom.

Added AHI Foundation President Spireas, “We appreciated the opportunity to meet with a truly inspirational spiritual leader, Archbishop Demetrios, and exchange ideas and plans for the effective promotion of Hellenic education and culture, and how we can all work together to meet this challenging common goal.”

Leaders of AHI and AHI Foundation present His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios with a gift following their meeting. Pictured (L-R): AHI President/COO Nick Larigakis, AHI Founder Gene Rossides, Archbishop Demetrios, and AHI Foundation President Spiro Spireas.

The American Hellenic Institute is a non-profit Greek American public policy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

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For additional information, please contact Demetra Atsaloglou at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at https://www.ahiworld.org.