Photo by John Mindala

The Athenagoras Human Rights Award is presented annually to a person or organization that has exemplified by actions a concern for the basic rights and religious freedom of all people, reported ekathimerini.com

More than 1,300 turn out as the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate honor Father Alexander and Presbytera Xanthi Karloutsos with the distinguished Athenagoras Human Rights Award. https://t.co/9LSEES6PJu pic.twitter.com/4ojP3Rr6Jf

— Order of St. Andrew (@OrderStAndrew) November 16, 2018

US President Donald Trump acknowledged in a letter their extraordinary contribution to their Greek Orthodox community in the United States.

Former Vice President of the United States Joe Biden also delivered remarks on the two honorees.

In 1986 the National Council of the Order of St. Andrew of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America established The Athenagoras Human Rights Award. The Award is presented every year at the Annual Banquet of the Order to a person or organization, which has consistently exemplified by action, purpose and dedication, concern for the basic rights and religious freedom of all people.

The Award was named after one of the Great Church Leaders of the 20th Century, the late Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Athenagoras I.