George Marcus is a quiet figure in the Greek-American community. Humble, measured, and insightful—a true gentleman, leader and Archon. It’s likely that many in the Greek-American community may not know his name.

Yet, he is one of the most significant Greek Americans in the history of Hellenism in the United States.

Born as Georgios Moutsanas on the island of Evia, he emigrated to the U.S. with his family at the age of four and now lives in California.

After studying economics, he co-founded the real estate company Marcus & Millichap with William A. Millichap. Over the years, he amassed a vast fortune, becoming a billionaire.

Faithful to his Greek traditions and heritage he was raised with, Marcus has been actively involved in public affairs. He is one of the most important financial supporters of the Democratic Party.

However, he has never forgotten his Greek roots. He leverages his influence on matters concerning Greece.

He is also the cornerstone behind the well-organized and high-level Greek-American organization, the National Hellenic Society.

Marcus has made many donations, though only a few are known to the public. These include:

• A $1 million donation to the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.

• A $2 million donation for the reconstruction of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero.

And now—this being a top story—he has donated $1 million to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

This brings us to another crucial point: George Marcus is not the only one making significant contributions to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the mother church of our Archdiocese in America.

Many others have also made equally large or even larger donations.

This is further proof of the mutual relationship of support and interdependence between the Greek-American community and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. A relationship that may be tested at times but always, at least until now, finds its way back.