In a historical cooperation the Archdiocese and the Foundation of Greater Hellenism with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, which reflects their commitment and the union of their forces to promote and promote Greek history, Greek culture and the Orthodox Christian heritage.

This collaboration aims to strengthen cultural and educational initiatives by utilizing the great experience and know -how of the Greater Hellenic Foundation and the Culture Center “Hellenic World” in digital technology and the dissemination of historical information through it, in the context of the long -standing mission of the US and the Archdiocese of the Archbishop.

Through joint exhibitions, initiatives, virtual museum tours and educational programs, the two bodies seek to “marry” the Greek -American Orthodox communities with the general American public with actions that highlight the principles and values ​​of Greek culture.

Both the Archbishop of America Elpidoforos and the Executive Vice President of the Greater Hellenic Foundation, Sofia Kounenaki – Ephraimoglouthey confirmed with their agreement their full commitment to promoting cultural exchanges between Greece and the US. This collaboration will support the creation of an innovative digital repository, as well as the implementation of various cultural activities and intercultural works that will highlight the enormous wealth of Greek history and Orthodox Christian traditions. In this context, the Archdiocese of America and the Greater Hellenic Foundation aspire to develop timeless educational activities that will encourage the generations of the future to embrace and appreciate their valuable cultural and religious heritage.

Present at the signing of the Memorandum were also the Director of the Hellenic Cultural Center of the Archdiocese of America in Astoria, a professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Fr. Grigorios Stamkopoulos, and the Managing Director of the Greater Hellenic Foundation.

In the evolution of the whole cooperation, the Foundation of Greater Hellenism will move to the US and initially to the heart of the Archdiocese of America, in New York, all the cultural, educational interactive productions of virtual reality and all its digital collections, so that they are visited not only by us. The beginning will be by transporting to America of the interactive analytical virtual tour of the center of Orthodox faith and the Orthodox Church, the Holy God of Sophia, in Constantinople. It is the production of virtual reality entitled “Hagia Sophia: 1,500 Years of History”, a monumental work, a product of systematic research of many years, dozens of specialized scientists, which has been promoted for several years at the “Dome” Theater of the Culture Center “Greek Culture”. The interior of the temple and its architectural sculpture and mosaic decoration are represented in every detail, while presenting various phases of construction of the monument and significant historical, social and economic elements of Byzantium. Then, the Atlantic will be crossed by the other productions of the Foundation’s virtual tours, such as the “interactive tour of the Acropolis of the Pericles Acropolis”, the “tour of ancient Olympia”, the “interactive tour of the ancient Athens Market”, the “tour of the ancient”.

The Archbishop Elpidoforos expressed his particular satisfaction and joy for the conclusion of this historical cooperation, while Mrs Sofia Kounenaki – Ephraimoglou described as “a huge honor for the Foundation of Greater Hellenism” the signing of the Memorandum with the Archbishop, Our Brigade Archbishop Elpidoforos. “