Phoenix, AZ – The Greek Garden Association of Cleveland (GGAC) participated in the 35th Annual Conference of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Fund from February 5th – 8th to build awareness and create relationships with a national network of civil leaders. In attendance were GGAC Vice President G. Gary Thomas, with his wife Crystal; and Executive Director Pascalis Papouras. Long time supporters of the Greek Cultural Garden present also included Angelo Coutris and his son John, Chris and Sophia Totjos, and Kostas and Kalliopi Almiroudis.
Leadership 100 Fund was formed in 1984 embodying the vision of Archbishop Iakovos to draw Greek Orthodox leaders into a philanthropic fellowship that would perpetuate the life-sustaining ministries of the Church for ages to come, while inspiring life-long friendships and bringing families together. Leadership 100’s mission is to advance the Orthodox Faith and the life-giving legacy of Hellenism in America, through support of the National Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
The late beloved Cleveland son George K. Chimples was a founder and chairman emeritus, while also being a tireless supporter of the Greek Cultural Garden. As an organization of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, we also remember the late Archbishop Athenagoras (later Patriarch of Constantinople) who dedicated the Greek Cultural Garden to the City of Cleveland in June 1940.
GGAC eagerly anticipates the upcoming Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Clergy Laity Congress, which will be hosted by Cleveland from June 30th – July 2nd, 2026. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, members of the Holy Synod, Clergy and Laity from across the United States will gather at the Greek Cultural Garden on Sunday, June 28th, to offer a blessing to the activities of The Greek Garden Association of Cleveland restoring the Garden and bringing to completion the epic stone frieze entitled “The Gift of Greece to Civilization”.
Pascalis Papouras, Executive Director
Crystal Thomas, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, GGAC Vice President G. Gary Thomas.
GGAC supporters Angelo Coutris and Chris Tjotjos
Kathryn and Nicholas Lekas; GGAC Executive Director Pascalis Papouras; and Kyra Limberakis, Chief Operating Officer of the Orthodox Volunteer Corps
