Two Archons Receive Extraordinary Recognition From the Government of Greece: Their Visages on Postage Stamps

Archon Michael G. Psaros, left, and Archon Dean A. Spanos, right, honored with commemorative postage stamps by The Hellenic Post (ELTA) and the International Foundation for Greece (IFG).

The Hellenic Post (ELTA) and the International Foundation for Greece (IFG) have designated Michael G. Psaros and Dean A. Spanos, both Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and members of Leadership 100,  and among four members of the global Greek diaspora, were honored with  depiction in the latest issues of the Commemorative Stamp Series “Distinguished Greek Personalities – IFG” on October 14, 2024 at the Dimitrios Pandermalis amphitheater of the Acropolis Museum in Athens, as images of the stamps were unveiled.

IFG Founder and President Aspasia Leventis and the event’s moderator, journalist, and author Giorgos Archimandritis, explained that the postage stamps constituted “recognition of successful Hellenes abroad who not only do not forget their Hellenic origin, but through their work and lives express, promote, and invigorate the Hellenic Spirit.”

Present at the press conference were Psaros’ wife Robin and Spanos' wife Susie, along with his brother Michael, sister Alexis Spanos Ruhl and Barry Ruhl. Previous IFG honorees depicted on stamps were Archons and Leadership 100 members John Catsimatidis, Andrew Liveris, George Stephanopoulos, and George Behrakis.

Along with Psaros and Spanos, among the 2024 honorees were producer, director and screenwriter Dr. George Miller and architect and urban planner Dr. Demetri Porphyrios, who is also an Archon of the Ecumenical Throne.

At the press conference announcing this singular honor, IFG President Leventis announced that Psaros had made a 100,000-euro donation to the IFG’s school fuel fund, which supplies heating oil to schools and charitable institutions, especially in northern Greece.

Archon Michael G. Psaros honored (Photo by papadakispress.gr)

Michael G. Psaros is a fulfilled founder of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, and National Shrine, serves on the Executive Committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and formerly served as its Treasurer. He received the Archon Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Philanthropic Leadership in 2022. He serves on the Investment Committee of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, the Board of Trustees of Leadership 100, the Executive Board of The Hellenic Initiative, and is a member of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA).

Dean A. Spanos is a celebrated businessman and philanthropist who is the owner and Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League. He is also the Chairman of the Board of the Spanos Corporation, as well as a member of Leadership 100, the Faith Endowment, and the Friends of Saint Nicholas. The Spanos family was the largest donor to the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, with an extraordinarily generous gift of $10 million.

Archon Dean A. Spanos honored (Photo by papadakispress.gr)