On Friday, October 18, 2024, before an enthusiastic overflow crowd at the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s annual Bouras Award Dinner, Archon Peter J. Skeadas received the 2024 Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship. The award is presented annually during Archon Weekend in New York City to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary and incomparable stewardship to the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP), empowering Archons to vigorously pursue securing religious freedom for the Mother Church of Constantinople.
The warm outpouring of love and gratitude from the attendees for Archon Skeadas and his beloved wife Aphrodite bore striking testimony to their lifelong service to the Holy Mother Church. Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, began the evening by informing those in attendance that the Bouras Award Dinner was the traditional kickoff event of Archon Weekend. “All morning long,” he stated, “new Archons have had Boot Camp to learn how to be Archons like Nicholas J. Bouras.” Listing some of Archon Bouras of blessed memory’s accomplishments, Dr. Limberakis stated that Archons try to emulate him from alpha to omega.
The Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, National Vice Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and trustee of the Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation, then offered a toast to Archon Peter and Aphrodite Skeadas, noting their “lifetime commitment of service to our faith,” which he said “exemplifies all the attributes of Nicholas J. Bouras.” He repeated the memorial tribute given by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who described Archon Bouras’ humility and philanthropy in this way: “He was righteous in his ways, generous in his heart, faithful in his soul, and noble in his spirit.” This applied, said Judge Bozonelis, to Archon Skeadas as well.
Judge Bozonelis also said that while Archon Skeadas had achieved great professional success both as an engineer and in restaurant and real estate investment, what was always most important to him was his service to the Church in numerous arenas and multiple capacities, including as Archon National Treasurer and member of the Archon National Council. In his righteousness and humility, said Judge Bozonelis, Archon Peter embodies the legacy of Nicholas J. Bouras. Judge Bozonelis then led the attendees in three wholehearted cries of Άξιος!
There followed a Broadway musical interlude, as Broadway actor and masterful tenor Constantine Pappas sang “It’s Now Or Never” and “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” and was then joined by the soprano Sophia for “All I Ask of You” from the musical Phantom of the Opera.
Dr. Limberakis resumed the program by pointing out that as a tribute to Archon Peter, he was wearing a bow tie, in honor of Archon Peter’s noted sartorial choice, and that it wasn’t just any bow tie, but one that Nicholas J. Bouras had given him.
The son of Archon Peter and Aphrodite, Nicholas P. Skeadas, thanked Dr. Limberakis and the Archons as a whole for their service and dedication. He praised their dedication in working to meet the global challenges facing the Greek Orthodox Church, and to relieve the plight of the faithful in areas in which practicing the faith had become more difficult. This was, he said, a mission that was of supreme importance to his father, who emphasized to him that all work for the Church was fruitful. He noted his father’s generosity with his time, talent, treasure, and prayer, and stated: “Like you, he serves our Lord Jesus Christ.” Nicholas Skeadas concluded: “Thank you for recognizing him with the Nicholas J. Bouras Award. Dad may not agree, but he is worthy of the honor.”
Then Nicholas Skeadas’ sister, Constantina Skeadas, spoke fondly and movingly about her childhood, saying that her father was a “truly remarkable man.” When she was a child, she “hoped that his brilliance would rub off on me.” She gave numerous examples of Archon Skeadas’ care and devotion as a father and said that his “love for his family has shown forth in everything he has done.” Ms. Skeadas concluded: “I am incredibly fortunate to have you as our dad.”
Archon Skeadas delivers acceptance remarks.
At that point, the Nicholas J. Bouras Award was presented to Archon Skeadas. In his remarks, he stated that he was humbled and honored, albeit undeserving of such recognition. He stated: “My narrative is ordinary, much like yours.” He recounted his early life in East Harlem and Yonkers, and his time at Prophet Elias Church in Yonkers, where he met Aphrodite. Archon Skeadas told the rapt crowd of the young couple’s experiences living in Cape Town, South Africa, when he worked in the oil industry, and his disgust at the apartheid system that prevailed in that country in those years. He recounted their return to the U.S., early days in the restaurant business, and meeting with Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory, who had a lasting influence on both Archon Peter and Aphrodite.
Archon Skeadas described the activities of his children and grandchildren and stated: “So there you have it: nothing exceptional here, just a family devoted to the Greek Orthodox Church.” He added: “It’s simple: we offer what we have.”
In his Archepiscopal Acclamation, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros declared: “This evening is an auspicious and blessed event, for it calls to mind the memory of a great man, and we remember him by honoring a man with a similar dedication to service. He explained that Archon Skeadas’ offikion, Hieromnimon, which was chosen for him by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew himself, was highly significant. Hiero, His Eminence explained, essentially means “one who is consecrated.” This was fitting, he said, addressing Archon Peter, as “you take very seriously your role in the Church.” His Eminence added that mnimon, meanwhile, means “one who holds the memory, a spiritual archivist, if you will.” He stated that no corner of the Church has not been touched by Archon Peter’s service and wisdom. “You are a leader,” His Eminence concluded. “You are most worthy to receive the Nicholas J. Bouras Award.”
Dr. Limberakis called up to the podium the previous recipients of the Nicholas J. Bouras Award who were present for a group photo, along with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco and Rev. Protopresbyter Alex Karloutsos, the Archons’ Spiritual Advisor. The previous Bouras Award recipients who were present included Archons Michael G. Psaros (2022), John S. Zavitsanos (2021), George E. Safiol (2018), and John A. Catsimatidis (2017).
The evening concluded with a benediction from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros.
