“FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism encourages educational programs that promote the development of academic studies, scholarly research and artistic/creative projects in relation to Orthodoxy and Hellenism. It’s about supporting projects that teach people about who we are as Greek Orthodox Christians. It’s about sharing our precious cultural heritage with others. And, it’s about celebrating the freedom that comes from learning, and the joy that comes from teaching. I and my colleagues are honored to be part of a mission that prides itself on excellence and the sustained, long-term funding of important programs that advance Hellenism and Orthodoxy in this great country and in our world. We feel very committed to this mission and welcome everyone’s participation.”
Mr. Peter T. Kikis, Original Founding Member
Officers
About
Mr. George D. Behrakis, Vice Chairman
Mrs. Elaine Jaharis, President
Mr. Peter A. Vlachos, Treasurer
Ms. Zoe Vlachos, Co-Treasurer
Board of Directors
Mr. George D. Behrakis
Mrs. Elaine Jaharis
Mr. Michael Johnson
Dr. P. Roy Vagelos
Dr. Steven Jaharis
Mr. Robert Shaw
Officers and Board of Directors as of January 2021
In 2004, a group of prominent Greek American leaders and philanthropists representing a diversity of professional fields and philanthropic values founded “FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism” in a response to a challenge issued by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America that cited a need for an endowment that would support significant educational and cultural initiatives in Orthodoxy and Hellenism throughout the United States of America for future generations. The Original Founders of the FAITH Endowment included:
Over the next decade, the FAITH Endowment grew with continued support as more of the Greek American community's most notable and well-respected philanthropic leaders joined its Founders Circle including: Ambassador George Argyros, John Calamos, Dr. Andre Dimitriadis†, Constantine Iordanou†, Elaine Jaharis, Mary Jaharis, Dr. Steven Jaharis, Michael Johnson, Andrew Liveris, George Marcus, Dean Metropoulos, George and Cathy Sakellaris, Christos Spyropoulos, Dr. P. Roy Vagelos and others.
With the generous support and vision of all the FAITH Founders and others, FAITH is able continue its mission through grants, scholarship programs and other opportunities that arise to strengthen young people’s knowledge and relationship to the Orthodox faith and Hellenism throughout the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and other partner organizations.
† Founder Emeritus
"It is very encouraging to have a community of intelligent and successful Greek Americans invest in my future. I am lucky to have such role models and mentors within this community to learn from."
Isabel Parras
2017 FAITH Scholar