Gala
The American School of Classical Studies at Athens is pleased to announce that the Overseers of the Gennadius Library have selected the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople as the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Gennadius Prize. This highest honor of the Gennadius Library recognizes outstanding contributions to Greek learning and Hellenism.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople has existed continuously since the 4th century CE and is recognized as the spiritual and administrative center of the Eastern Orthodox world. It has contributed to the preservation of Greek (the language of the Gospels and the early Fathers of the Church) as a primary medium of expression, as intellectuals adopted the aesthetic values of earlier pagan literary culture and employed concepts of Platonic and Aristotelian philosophy to articulate Christian doctrine. The Patriarchate has championed and preserved ancient, medieval, and modern Greek literary culture for more than a millennium.
In making this year’s selection, the Gennadius Library Overseers wish to honor the Ecumenical Patriarchate for its profound and enduring contributions to the preservation, promotion, study, and transmission of the tenets of Hellenism through the centuries. The Gennadius Prize will be presented at the annual Gala of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, taking place on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Gotham Hall in New York City. As part of this special evening, the American School will also debut a short documentary film, featuring distinguished scholars as they illuminate the monumental cultural legacy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
In speaking about the award, Andreas Zombanakis, Chair of the Board of Overseers of the Gennadius Library, reflected, “This award recognizes the resilience and vital role of this ancient institution in the preservation and promulgation of Hellenic culture through the ages.”
Maria Georgopoulou, Director of the Gennadius Library, added, “The Ecumenical Patriarchate, an enduring cultural institution that has been instrumental in the diffusion of Greek knowledge and the safeguarding of Hellenic heritage, has shaped centuries of scholarship, art, and intellectual thought.”
Past recipients of the Gennadius Prize include the A.G. Leventis Foundation (2016), Lloyd Cotsen (2017), the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (2018), Professor Curtis Runnels (2020), and Professor Mark Mazower (2021).
Gala 2025
Date
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Cocktails: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
Location
Gotham Hall
1356 Broadway at 36th Street
New York, NY 10018
An American School Experience*
The American School of Classical Studies at Athens is excited to offer a unique Gala week experience created exclusively for Gala sponsors (unless otherwise noted). The itinerary includes private tours, lectures, and receptions at several of New York City’s iconic cultural institutions. For more information, please contact Andrew Federico at 609.454.6810 or afederico@ascsa.org.
Ticket allocation for "An American School Experience" is based on the gala sponsorship level selected. Sponsoring a Gala table is a wonderful opportunity to invest in the future of the School while also ensuring the event's success. You are invited to review the sponsorship opportunities and join the friends and businesses that support the work of the School in this significant way. For more information, please contact Andrew Federico at 609.454.6810 or afederico@ascsa.org.
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025
6:30 PM – Guardians of Hellenism:
The Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Enduring Legacy
Join us for an illuminating conversation on the pivotal role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in preserving and promoting Hellenism throughout history, with
Maria Mavroudi (UC Berkeley), Helen Evans (The Metropolitan Museum of Art), Tom Papademetriou (Stockton University) and George Demacopoulos. (Fordham University).
This conversation will examine the Patriarchate's enduring role in safeguarding the tenets of Hellenism, ensuring their transmission across ancient, medieval, and modern eras.
Cathedral Center (The Ballroom at 74th) (337 East 74th Street, New York, NY)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
11:30 AM – The Technological Revolution of Archaeological Discovery
Exclusive private lunch and discussion on the transformative role of technology in archaeological exploration with William Murray (University of South Florida) and Takis Karkanas (Director of the Malcolm H. Wiener Laboratory for Archaeological Science) offers a rare opportunity to explore how modern technology is unlocking the secrets of the past and revolutionizing the field of archaeology. New York Yacht Club
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025
11:00 AM – An Exclusive Curator’s Tour of The Met’s Byzantine Treasures
Step inside the world of Byzantium with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of The Met's Byzantine galleries, led by Andrea Achi, the Mary and Michael Jaharis Associate Curator of Byzantine Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art
6:00 PM – Gala 2025
Cocktails & Dinner Reception. Presentation of the Gennadius Prize and premiere of the short film “Guardians of Hellenism: The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.”
Gotham Hall
*Dates, times, and events are subject to change.
Hotel Room Block
For the convenience of our guests, we have secured room blocks at the following hotels listed below. Please reserve your accommodations by Monday, April 7, to take advantage of special group rates.
The Westin New York Grand Central
212 East 42nd Street, New York, NY
www.westingrandcentral.com
Hyatt Centric Midtown 5th Avenue
16 E.39th Street, New York, NY
Hyatt Group Booking
Tickets
For inquiries about the American School’s 2025 Gala, including sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and the exciting events planned for Gala Week, please contact Andrew Federico, Stewardship and Events Manager, at afederico@ascsa.org.
Support the School
The Gala provides an important source of funding for the American School. If you cannot attend this event, please consider supporting us with a monetary or auction item donation. To offer an in-kind gift, please contact Sophia Christoforatos at (609) 454-6820 or schristoforatos@ascsa.org. Thank you for your generosity.
Past Galas
Click the links below for more about our previous events.*
Gala 2024