CONSTANTINOPLE – On August 31, 2024, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew led the Great Vespers for the Feast of Indiction at the historic Cathedral of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary in Pera, a suburb of Constantinople across the renowned Golden Horn waterway.

After the service, the Patriarch presided over the consecration of the newly restored cells of the Cathedral, once used by the church’s priests before being destroyed by a fire in the 1970s.

The restoration of these cells was made possible by a $1 million donation from prominent Greek-American Archon George M. Marcus, a native of California. Although Marcus could not attend the event, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco accepted an honorary plaque on his behalf, presented by the Ecumenical Patriarch. The Patriarch also acknowledged Archbishop Elpidophoros of America for his instrumental role in these efforts.

Marcus, known for his unwavering support of Hellenic and Orthodox causes, has long been a key figure in the restoration of the Church of Panagia of Pera, having contributed $500,000 towards its renovation. Built in 1804, the Cathedral holds a special place in the heart of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as his church in Constantinople.

On September 1, 2024, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George, marking the Feast of Indiction. Afterward, he inaugurated the recently renovated Patriarchal Maraslion School, where both George Marcus and fellow benefactor Peter Palivos were honored for their significant contributions.

Marcus donated $500,000 for the second phase of the Renovation Project for the historic elementary school located next to the Patriarchate in the Phanar district of Constantinople.

Marcus’ dedication to the Church and the Hellenic community extends beyond these efforts. His philanthropic work includes support for the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute, the Metropolis of San Francisco, International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), Leadership 100, and the Elios Society. He also founded and serves as Chairman Emeritus of the National Hellenic Society, an organization dedicated to preserving Greek heritage in the U.S.

Invested as an Archon in 1991, George Marcus has held the title of Exarchos and is a fulfilled Founder of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation.