The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco warmly invites you to a magnificent black-tie Gala on Saturday evening, October 11, 2025, at the J.W. Marriott, Anaheim Resort in Anaheim, California. This prestigious evening will celebrate the vibrant ministries of the Metropolis and honor the extraordinary leadership of two distinguished stewards, Nikiforos and Georgia Valaskantjis, recipients of the 2025 Theofanis Economidis Award. Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with a reception, followed by a formal dinner and program at 7:00 p.m., with dancing to conclude the evening. The Gala is co-chaired by George C. and Vickie Demos, together with Kyriacos “Gig” and Kathleen Kyriacou.
Event Overview
Saturday, October 11, 2025
6:00 p.m. Reception
7:00 p.m. Dinner, Entertainment, and Program
J.W. Marriott, Anaheim Resort
1775 South Clementine Street
Anaheim, California
Celebrating our Ministries
Honoring Extraordinary Leadership
2025 Recipients of the Theofanis Economidis Award
Nikiforos and Georgia Valaskantjis
The event will feature a festive reception, formal seated dinner, and superb entertainment.
Celebrating Our Ministries
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco is comprised of sixty-nine parishes and three monastic communities over a seven state western region that includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. This Gala provides invaluable support to our thirteen innovative Metropolis ministries, offering spiritual, educational, cultural and social enrichment for our faithful. We are especially blessed to integrate our ministries with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to support the efforts of the national church which is under the guidance and jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Our ministries flourish as active and dynamic reservoirs of our faith, breathing life into our congregations, fostering an immersion in knowledge, extending compassionate outreach to the wider community, igniting inspiration for our youth, and safeguarding our invaluable cultural heritage.
- Christian Education provides resources for the education of children and adults to deepen their knowledge of our faith.
- Church Music is dedicated to providing the best possible resources to our parishes to help them establish and sustain music programs for adults and youth.
- Clergy Continuing Education supports the ongoing spiritual and theological development of our clergy.
- Family Wellness focuses on connecting individuals, families, couples, and clergy through healthy Christ-centered relationships.
- Folk Dance and Choral Festival offers a weekend of Faith, Dance and Fellowship that provides for cultural enrichment and the perpetuation of our customs and traditions.
- Greek Language and Culture supports and promotes academic and artistic endeavors that cultivate interest in Greek language and culture.
- Greek Village is an immersion camp that provides youth with Greek language instruction and an opportunity to experience their faith, culture, customs and traditions.
- Missions and Evangelism educates, equips and engages clergy and faithful in evangelism and mission to grow Orthodoxy in America.
- Orthodox Parish Leadership focuses on providing practical skills and information to increase the leadership capabilities of current and future lay leaders in our parishes.
- Philoptochos is a vibrant army of women that provides significant charitable support to those in need through philanthropy, fellowship and faith in action.
- Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center offers a place for spiritual renewal for nearly 50 years, providing a scenic backdrop of nearly 250 acres for many Metropolis ministry programs.
- Young Adult League (YAL) keeps young adults engaged in their faith and creates a forum for positive interactions with others who share the same commitment to Christ through annual conferences and regional activities.
- Youth and Young Adult Ministries provides programs and retreats for youth and young adults throughout the Metropolis, and also the transformative Summer Camp at the Ranch.
These are just a few examples of the many ways our Metropolis serves and inspires. Through the funds raised at the Metropolis Gala, we will strengthen our existing ministries and expand their impact, ensuring an even brighter and more promising future for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco as we serve our faithful. Join us in celebrating our ministries!
Honoring Extraordinary Leadership
Nikiforos and Georgia Valaskantjis
2025 Recipients of the Theofanis Economidis Award
Nikiforos and Georgia Valaskantjis have exemplified a life of faith, generosity, and steadfast service to the Greek Orthodox Church for decades. Originally from Greece, Nikiforos was born on the island of Samos and moved to the Los Angeles area in 1966. Georgia arrived in California with her family in 1964 from Katerini. In 1977, they were married at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA, which would become one of many parishes they have faithfully supported throughout their lives.
Their generosity and devotion have extended far and wide. They have been benefactors of Assumption Church in Long Beach, Saints Constantine and Helen Church in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Saint John the Baptist Church in Anaheim, and Saint Basil Church in San Juan Capistrano. Their deep commitment to Saint Nectarios Church in Covina stands out among their many contributions. They were honored to serve as Godparents for the Consecration of the parish and offered years of dedicated leadership, both serving on the Parish Council, with Nikiforos holding the role of President for ten years.
At the Metropolis and Archdiocesan levels, their leadership and philanthropy have been equally impactful. Nikiforos and Georgia are proud members of Leadership 100, and they have served on the Board of Directors for Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center. They are also members of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation. Nikiforos was bestowed the title Archon Depoutatos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, is a recipient of the 2007 AHEPA Periclean Award, and the Ellis Island Award in 2014. Together they were honored in 2012 with the Metropolitan Anthony Humanitarian Award. Georgia has been an active member of Philoptochos, and hosting the Kids ‘n’ Cancer Spring Reception benefiting Camp Agape at their home, and was awarded the Archdiocese Medal of Saint Paul in recognition of her extraordinary service to the Church.
Their love for the Church also extends to monastic life. They have been long-time benefactors of the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring in Dunlap, California, and served as Godparents for the Consecration of the Monastery Katholikon in 2010, and benefactors for the Chapel of Saints Nikiforos and Paraskeve which was consecrated in 2018. In more recent years, the Valaskantjis’ were the grand benefactors of a large multi-use building at the Monastery which includes the Kelia (living quarters) for the sisters, commercial kitchen, the Trapezaria (dining room), Archontariki (greeting room), a workshop for iconography and sewing, a gift shop, and more. Their philanthropy extends beyond the United States to Greece where they have supported many ecclesiastical projects including the complete renovation of the Holy Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring in Vathi, Samos, and provided for substantial upgrades to the historic Holy Monastery of the Panagia Epano Chrepas in Tripolis, which was a stronghold for the heroes during the Revolution of Independence. Prior to entering battle, Theodoros Kolokotronis and the other freedom fighters would receive Holy Communion and a blessing from the clergy of the Monastery.
Professionally, the Valaskantjis family has built a successful legacy through their ownership of Tom’s Famous Family Restaurants, building 32 locations across Southern California, 25 of those still managed by Nikiforos and Georgia. The first restaurant Nikiforos opened was in 1967, just one year after he arrived from Greece.
Nikiforos and Georgia are the proud parents of three sons—George and his wife Georgia, Perry and his wife Christy, and Peter and his wife Jenny—and are the adoring grandparents of six grandsons and two granddaughters. They reside in San Clemente, California, where they cherish time with their family and friends and enjoy traveling. Through their humility, faith, and generosity, Nikiforos and Georgia Valaskantjis continue to be shining examples of Christian stewardship and love in action.
