Stelios Taketzis, Chairman of Board of the Greek Educational Public Information System, and all the Directors,
Ioanna Giannopoulos, Director of Operations of Cosmos FM,
Our Most Worthy Honoree, Ambassador George Tsunis
Dear Supporters of and Friends of COSMOS FM,
Reverend Clergy,
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This evening’s celebration of Ambassador George Tsunis as the 30th Phidippides Award Laureate is a most worthy occasion, and a most worthy choice, for this Gala commemorating the mission of Hellenic Public Radio, that we know as, COSMOS FM.
While the Award is in its thirtieth year, the Greek Educational Public Information System is nearing forty years of service to the Omogeneia. Our Λαός is truly grateful for this ministry of awareness and encouragement that strengthens our community. The entire Tri-State Area has benefited tremendously from this educational and informational outreach.
We have gathered in support of this exceptional mission this evening, and in solidarity with our honoree, Ambassador George Tsunis. Ambassador Tsunis is a proud son of the Greek-American Community of New York, and has been an active and energetic figure in political and cultural issues that are important to the Omogeneia, most recently as the Grand Benefactor of the Greek Independence Day Parade.
The list of the Ambassador’s accomplishments is truly too many to enumerate – we would be here for hours! But I do think that we cannot overlook two very significant roles that he has undertaken through the years.
First, his service to the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Archon Hypomnematografos in the Order of Saint Andrew. In whatever undertaking he has engaged – whether in business, politics, or his exceedingly honorable service in the Diplomatic Corps of our Nation, Ambassador Tsunis has always held forth the interests and the spiritual mission of the Mother Church of Constantinople with fidelity, integrity, and enthusiasm.
Second, Ambassador Tsunis has always been a man of his local neighborhood, committed to its thriving and success. Thus, his engagement with Stony Brook University has been a stellar example of giving back to the Long Island community, where he lives and has raised his beautiful family with his beloved wife, Olga.
Thus, Ambassador George James Tsunis embodies the highest values of a true Hellene and Orthodox Christian – faithful participation with both the Πόλις and with the Ἐκκλησία.
These are the values that COSMOS FM inculcates in the Omogeneia through its programming and mission.
These are the values that exemplify the best of Hellenism and the best of Orthodoxy.
These are the values that define our friend, our co-worker, our honoree this evening.
Therefore, I join with all of you in congratulating the 2025 Phidippides Award Laureate, Ambassador George James Tsunis for all his contributions to Greece, to America, to the Greek-American Community, and to the Greek Orthodox Church.
ΑΞΙΟΣ!