Father Alexander Karloutsos was among 17 recipients who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from US President, Joe Biden, during a ceremony at the White House in Washington on July 7.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honour in the United States. It is presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the US, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavours.
Father Karloutsos retired last year as the vicar general of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
In his over 50 years of service as a priest, Father Karloutsos provided counsel to several US Presidents and was named by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as a Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
During the award ceremony, President Joe Biden described Father Karloutsos as an “incredible leader” and “a man of deep moral clarity” while praising his “unmatched humility and grace.”
“I have travelled the country and the world with him [Father Karloutsos], including his home country of Greece, to strengthen the ties between two nations based on the belief that democracy is the only way,” Biden added.
Father Karloutsos is only the third Greek American to have received the Medal.
The previous honorees were Archbishop Iakovos, who received the award from US President Jimmy Carter, and the CIA chief, George Tenet (Tendius), who received the award from US President George W. Bush in 2004.
At this year’s ceremony, Father Karloutsos was among a prestigious list of award recipients including actor, Denzel Washington, gymnast, Simone Biles, and soccer star, Megan Rapinoe. Apple founder, Steve Jobs, was also awarded posthumously.
Source: ekirikas.com.
