New York, NY-Mr. Nicholas J. Bouras, World War II hero, industrialist, philanthropist and great churchman has been selected to receive the 2006 Athenagoras Human Rights Award at the annual banquet of the Order of St. Andrew on October 21 at the New York Hilton. The Award Ceremony coincides with the Annual Meeting of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America and the Investiture of new Archons at the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America.
The Athenagoras Human Rights Award was established by the Order of Saint Andrew in 1986 in honor of Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras who served as Archbishop of the Americas and universally acknowledged as a visionary leader of Orthodoxy. The Award is presented to individuals or organizations who have demonstrated humanitarian service with distinction. Previous recipients have included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President Jimmy Carter, President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, Mother Teresa, Elie Wiesel, former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev and, the late Archbishop Iakovos.
“Mr. Nicholas J. Bouras is an outstanding member of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” said His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. “He is a doer of profound and silent acts of generosity, a source of inexhaustible expressions of kindness, virtue, and benevolence to the Church and his fellow human beings. A quiet and gentle man with impeccable integrity, Nicholas Bouras has patterned his life according to the will of God manifesting his Christian stewardship throughout his life. His example of faith, love and sharing of gifts from God constitutes a benchmark of devotion and dedication. I pray that the event of honoring him will become an inspiration for many to follow his example”.
Nicholas J. Bouras, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bouras Industries, has made a significant impact on the lives of many people directly and through his support of numerous organizations and institutions. His business achievements have enabled him the opportunities he has encountered to make a significant impact on people’s welfare and the benefit of numerous institutions. Mr. Bouras has exhibited an extraordinary commitment to his local parish, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, NJ of which he is a Founding Member and has served on the Parish Council for 40 years. His support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Hellenic College, Orthodox Christian Mission Center and numerous philanthropic causes typify his enduring generosity for humanitarian projects. A 25-year member of the Archdiocesan Council and National Council of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archon National Vice Commander Bouras has also been central to the expanding initiatives of these important institutions. Mr. Bouras is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross among other medals for his heroism in World War II.
Dr. Anthony Limberakis, the National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew, said “We are proud to honor our fellow archon, Nicholas Bouras, who has so distinguished himself in faithful service to his Church, his country, and fellow man.”
The Athenagoras Human Rights Award Committee is chaired by Archons Konstantine Vellios and Theodore Demetriou. Members of the committee include Archons Andrew Athens, George Behrakis, Constantine Caras, John Catsimatidis, Christos Daphnides, James Fountas, John Halecky, Jr., Michael Jaharis, Peter Kikis, and Alexander Pritsos.
Contact:
Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos
Cell: 617-680-7222
