The Hellenic Experience podcast was created to teach the world about our shared Greek experiences. Let's live the Hellenic experience together!
The podcast is brought to you by the AF Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Hellenism across the diaspora.
The Hellenic Experience: https://www.hellenicexperience.com/
The AF Foundation: https://www.theaffoundation.org/
Watch & listen on the free Greek AF Media app: https://www.greekradio.app/
The Hellenic Initiative Executive Director Mike Manatos
We had the honor and pleasure of welcoming the great Mike Manatos to the show! Mike serves as the Executive Director of The Hellenic Initiative (THI). He stepped into this leadership role to mobilize the global Greek diaspora and Philhellene community. THI focuses on driving sustainable economic recovery, entrepreneurship, and crisis relief for Greece and Cyprus. Before leading THI, Manatos built a 35-year career in public policy and government relations.
He previously served as President of the prominent boutique lobbying firm, Manatos & Manatos. This made him the third generation of his family to cultivate deeply rooted, bipartisan relationships with top U.S. policymakers. A dedicated philanthropist and advocate for Hellenic causes, his notable accomplishments include: Co-founding the Washington Oxi Day Foundation, where he served as Executive Director to establish the globally recognized OXI Courage Awards; Raising over $2 million and granting more than 250 wishes during his 26-year involvement with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic; Advocating pro-bono for religious freedom, specifically supporting the Ecumenical Patriarchate before the White House, State Department, and Congress; Serving on major nonprofit boards, including the Executive Committees of Leadership 100 and the National Hellenic Society.
Join us in getting to know this fantastic Hellene with us!
Learn more at:
https://thehellenicinitiative.org/ (https://thehellenicinitiative.org/)
https://thehellenicinitiative.org/ithaka/ (https://thehellenicinitiative.org/ithaka/)
8 Apr 2026
The Hellenic Experience on Grecian Echoes "Mondays with Meleti"
We had the pleasure of being interviewed by Meletios Pouliopoulos on his Grecian Echoes show "Mondays with Meleti". We discussed the past and the future of Hellenism in America and how we are fighting to preserve our culture for future generations. Join us!
Hear more on GreekAF Media (https://www.greekradio.app/af-founda)!
8 Apr 2026
The Hellenic Experience with Father Dimitrios Lee of Sts. Constantine & Helen Church of Washington, D.C.
Father Dimitri is a native of Sheboygan, WI from the parish of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church. Growing up in the Altar form a young age, his love of serving the church roots back to childhood. His Greek Orthodox faith was instilled by his parents, grandparents, and parish priest. The Church was central and every aspect of life revolved around major festal holidays.
After deciding to go to Seminary School at the age of seventeen, Fr. Dimitri attended Hellenic College immediately after graduating High School. After four years of undergraduate study, he attended the Graduate School of Holy Cross for three years. These seven years of schooling left a heavy imprint and played a vital role in his development as a servant leader. It was during these years that he developed a love for mission work, having completed two mission trips to Kenya through OCMC, Orthodox Christian Mission Center. Fr. Dimitri remains a mission focused priest, aiming to broaden our Orthodox Church by supporting those less fortunate.
After graduating from Seminary School, Fr. Dimitri worked for IOCC, International Orthodox Christian Charities in Baltimore, MD. It was here that under the mentorship of Dean Triantafilou, he developed an appreciation for non-profit work and fundraising. The road to Baltimore then led Fr. Dimitri to the Cathedral of the Annunciation in downtown Baltimore. Rev. Fr. Dean Moralis offered incredible training on parish life and how to build a vibrant ministry team.
The first assignment as a clergyman took place at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Washington, DC. Under the mentorship of Rev. Fr. John T. Tavlarides and especially Rev. Fr. Steven P. Zorzos, Fr. Dimitri learned how to function as a Greek Orthodox Priest in a large and thriving community. After more than ten years of service, the relationships and experiences made an incredible impact that will never be forgotten.
Fr. Dimitri was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by His Eminence Metropolitan Savvas of Pittsburgh in 2010 and to the priesthood by the former Archbishop of America, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios in January of 2011. The transition to Proistamenos of Saints Constantine and Helen of Washington, DC took place in June, 2021 by the Archbishop of America, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros.
The new chapter in Fr. Dimitrios' life is introducing him to a beautiful new community filled with loving and dedicated parishioners. Together they will build up the body of Christ and attempt to reflect his light and love for the entire world.
Visit the Sts. Constantine & Helen website. (https://www.schgoc.org)
Watch more on the free GreekAF app (https://www.greekradio.app/).
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