Memorandum of cooperation between the Archdiocese of America and the Foundation of the Hellenic World for historical, cultural and religious heritage

In a historic partnership, the Archdiocese of America and the Foundation of the Hellenic World have entered into a historic partnership with the memorandum of understanding, which reflects their commitment and the joining of forces for the promotion of Greek history, Greek culture and Orthodox Christian heritage.

This cooperation aims to strengthen cultural and educational initiatives by utilizing the extensive experience and expertise of the Foundation of the Hellenic World and the Cultural Center “Hellenic Cosmos” in digital technology and the dissemination of historical information through it, in the context of the Archdiocese of America’s long-standing mission to preserve and disseminate the Orthodox Greek faith and tradition in the United States.

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

Both Archbishop Elpidoforos and the Executive Vice President of the Foundation of the Hellenic World, Sophia Kounenaki – Efraimoglou, confirmed with their agreement their full commitment to the promotion of cultural exchanges between Greece and the United States. This cooperation will support the creation of an innovative digital repository, as well as the implementation of various cultural activities and intercultural projects that will highlight the vast wealth of Greek history and Orthodox Christian traditions. In this context, the Archdiocese of America and the Foundation of the Hellenic World aspire to develop timeless educational activities that will encourage future generations to embrace and appreciate their precious cultural and religious heritage.

Also present at the signing of the memorandum were the Director of the Greek Cultural Center of the Archdiocese of America in Astoria, Professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Protopresbyter Fr. Gregorios Stamkopoulos, and the CEO of the Foundation of the Hellenic World, Dimitris Efraimoglou.

In the development of the whole cooperation, the Foundation of the Hellenic World will transfer to the USA and initially to the heart of the Archdiocese of America, in New York, all the cultural, educational interactive virtual reality productions and all its digital collections, so that they can be visited not only by our expatriates, but also by all Americans.

The beginning will be made by bringing to America the interactive analytical virtual tour of the center of the Orthodox faith and the Orthodox Church, the Holy Wisdom of God, in Istanbul. It is a virtual reality production entitled “Hagia Sophia: 1,500 Years of History”, a monumental work, the product of systematic research of many years, by dozens of specialized scientists, which has been shown for several years in the virtual reality theatre “Tholos” of the Hellenic Cosmos Cultural Centre. The interior of the temple and its architectural sculpture and mosaic decoration are represented in every detail, while at the same time, various phases of the construction of the monument and important historical, social, and economic elements of Byzantium are presented.

Then, the Atlantic Ocean will be crossed by the other productions of the Foundation’s virtual tours, such as the “Interactive Tour of the Acropolis in the Age of Pericles”, the “Tour of Ancient Olympia”, the “Interactive Tour of the Ancient Agora of Athens”, the “Tour of Ancient Miletus”, etc.

The “Tour of the Municipality of Mykonos”, the “Walking Tour of Mykonos,” and the “Exhibition of the Municipality of Mykonos”.
Archbishop Elpidoforos expressed his great satisfaction and joy for the conclusion of this historic cooperation, while Ms. Sophia Kounenaki – Efraimoglou described as “an enormous honor for the Foundation of the Hellenic World” the signing of the memorandum with the Archdiocese of America which, as she said, “is shepherded by the particularly worthy natural, spiritual and religious leader of our Homeland, Archbishop Elpidoforos”.