Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew attended the event organized by the PeopleCert Group on Saturday afternoon (June 20) at the Patriarchal Marasleios School in the Phanar. During the ceremony, the “Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew” Award was presented to Athanasios Martinos, President of the Brotherhood of Officiales of the Ecumenical Patriarchate “Panagia Pammakaristos,” along with graduation certificates for Greek diaspora students who participated in the “English Language Teaching 2025–2026” program — both initiatives spearheaded by PeopleCert Chairman Vyron Nikolaidis.
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Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: “The name ‘Martinos’ will be forever etched in our memory”
In his address, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew stated: “Today we honor with this Award the Most Honorable Archon and Ecumenical Grand Benefactor, Mr. Athanasios Martinos. You see, I am not the only ‘Ecumenical’ one here! We have bestowed upon Mr. Martinos the title ‘New Pavlos Skylitsis Stefanovik,’ as the most worthy successor of the patron who funded the complete construction of the Theological School of Halki, which reopened its gates in 1896 following the devastating earthquake of 1894. After 130 years, this entire building complex will soon be delivered fully restored, thanks to the generous contribution of the couple Athanasios and Marina Martinos.
The name ‘Martinos’ will be forever etched in the memory of our diaspora community for this magnanimous gift, as well as for other acts of philanthropy toward our people — including the restoration of the Galata Urban School, which we all cherish as a Spiritual Center of our local diaspora community, the magnificent Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos at the foot of Tatavla, and the Holy Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos on the island of Tenedos. Through his patronage, restoration works were also carried out on community buildings on Prinkipo Island. The restoration of the Holy Church of Saint Athanasios in Tatavla is also forthcoming, once again funded by the Archon.
The Most Honorable Athanasios Martinos continues the tradition of the Great Benefactors of the Nation and the Church — Zariphes, Zappas, Zographos, Maraslis, and other distinguished donors who decisively supported our journey during critical times and contributed substantially to the preservation of our cultural identity, which is inseparable from our spiritual identity. In the person of Mr. Martinos, faith in Christ and works of love and charity coexist in perfect harmony and creativity.
Through his actions, he upholds and embodies Christian values and virtues. He always acts with devout zeal. He does not merely ‘give’ — he truly ‘gives of himself.’ He combines intelligence and piety, a modern spirit and fidelity to the traditions of Orthodoxy, decisiveness and wisdom, always accompanied by modesty and humility. He embraces every endeavor with his whole soul, always striving for the best possible outcome. His contribution is substantial, not occasional. His donations and his eagerness to support works of public benefit surpass human measure and leave his contemporaries in awe. Indeed, Athanasios Martinos is the embodiment of the ‘culture of giving’ — which is Christianity’s greatest gift to the life of the world.
We particularly appreciate the deep respect that the Most Honorable Mr. Martinos holds for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, for its holy mission, and for its contemporary global witness. We give glory each day to the all-good God, who has granted to His people Athanasios Martinos as a fellow traveler and supporter, and we pray that He may grant you, Most Honorable and beloved Archon, together with your cherished wife Marina — your faithful companion in life and in your works of charity — and all your family, unshakeable health and every blessing in your life and endeavors. Warmest congratulations once again on today’s Award.”
The English language teaching program
The Patriarch further added: “Alongside the ceremony honoring Mr. Martinos, the PeopleCert Group is also organizing the graduation ceremony for students of the ‘English Language Teaching 2025–2026’ program. We once again commend and thank the Group, its distinguished Founder and Chairman Mr. Vyron Nikolaidis, and his dedicated team for their contribution to education in Constantinople and Imbros, and we wholeheartedly congratulate the graduates on their success.
In all its dimensions — including the teaching and learning of a foreign language, which serves as a key to entering a new cultural world — education is not merely the accumulation of knowledge and information. It is also the cultivation of the soul, a ‘turning of the soul’ toward the good, as Plato writes; it is preparation for a creative journey through life and for the service of the vital values of social life and spiritual civilization.
More broadly, the work of education presents substantial challenges, to which new situational challenges have been added in our time — challenges connected to the spirit of the age and the dizzying advancement of technology.
We believe that all initiatives aimed at harnessing the new possibilities offered by the technological revolution in education must be accompanied by a parallel effort to pass on to the new generation the values that constitute our spiritual identity. It is clear that computers, which dominate education today, are excellent transmitters of information. However, values can only be transmitted by the teacher, who must serve as a role model for the respect and application of those values. The teacher can inspire in children, through their living example, a love for our tradition and a reverence for its inherited legacy of values.”
Who attended the event
The event was opened with an address by Vyron Nikolaidis, followed by speeches from Georgios Papalieris, President of the Association for the Support of Greek Community Institutions; Georgios Doukidis, Emeritus University Professor and Chairman of the PeopleCert Scholarship Program Evaluation Committee; the principals of Greek diaspora schools; and others. Among those in attendance were hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne, clergy, the Consul General of Greece in Constantinople, and a large gathering of diaspora community members and invited guests from abroad.
