For Immediate Release: November 9, 2026
For the first time in the Washington OXI Day Foundation’s 15 years of events, we arranged for our annual OXI Courage and Service Awards presentations and black-tie gala to be held in the highly revered Washington National Cathedral. Pews were removed and replaced by dinner tables in the exact spot where US Presidents pray in celebration of their inaugurations and, as well, sit for the funerals of fellow presidents.
Over 240 dignitaries and noted guests including H.E. The Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic, Antonis Alexandridis; Denys Sienik, charge d’Affaires of the Ukrainian Embassy and Halyna Yuspiuk also of the Embassy; the Deputy Chief of Mission of Cyprus, Myrianthi Spathi; retired four star General Andrew Poppas; as well as many other former ambassadors and other noted guests gathered to honor the OXI Day miracle of the Greeks and to recognize unimaginable heroes of today.
Guests were treated to inspiring remarks by H.E. Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic Antonis Alexandridis
who said, “On October 28, 1940, we Greeks did what we always do—going against all odds. We proved once again that the word ‘impossible’ doesn’t belong in the Greek vocabulary. The celebration of OXI Day is not only a commemoration of a moment in time. It is an example of a consistent and persistent track that has been going on in Greece for thousands of years now. There is a common denominator in our Greek history of courage, determination and an insatiable desire for freedom. It is exactly the same trend that describes the history of Greek Americans in this great country. It is the courage to endure, it is the enthusiasm to rebuild, and the zeal to create something bigger than oneself.”
The Ambassador was followed by a videotaped message from the Prime Minister of Greece who added his commendation to this year’s award winners who included: His Holiness the Dalai Lama who received the Metropolitan Chrysostomos Award which was presented to him earlier in Dharamshala. And two OXI Courage Award winners—Toomaj Salehi and slain 27-year- old Ukrainian journalist, Victoria Roshchyna.
“Victoria Roshchyna and Toomaj Salehi embody the extraordinary courage we seek to honor through the OXI Courage Awards,” said Andy Manatos, Founder of The Washington OXI Day Foundation. “Despite unimaginable threats, they refused to be silenced. As a result, Toomaj was imprisoned and in solitary confinement, and Victoria lost her life. We are honored to recognize their bravery and amplify their voices as a reminder of our shared responsibility to defend freedom, truth, democracy, and human rights around the world.” They join a distinguished group of past honorees, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian democracy activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Nobel Peace Prize laureates Nadia Murad, Maria Ressa, and María Corina Machado.
George Logothetis, Executive Chairman of Libra Group and Chairman of Libra Philanthropies, gave the keynote address in an appeal to each of us to stand up against oppression and in defense of the powerless. He said, “Waste what is vested in me; I shall not. Waste what is vested in you; you should not; Waste what is vested in us; we must not…It is the oppressed standing firm against the oppressor; the powerless against the powerful; the out-numbered undeterred despite the odds. This lesson is bequeathed to us by both history and time; not just to nations, but to people; to families; to companies to all the suffering souls on the receiving end of injustice—a child, a husband, a wife, a parent, anyone oppressed; everyone oppressed. Stand firm against injustice, even when the winds are harrowing and strong. That is precisely the time such timeless words must be summoned…And so, when we are asked to bend our knee of principle, not that we know either the where or the when. May our reply be: NEVER, NON, OXI.”
Other dignitaries involved in the evening include Mike Emanuel, the chief White House correspondent for Fox News who along with a personal videotaped message from House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi introduced the Dalai Lama. Russian democracy activist Vladimir Kara-Murza was recognized from the floor for his continued courage in standing against the tyranny of Russia’s leadership.
The Washington OXI Day Foundation, a nonprofit, 501c3 organization, with the cooperation and involvement of world-famous leaders, reminds the world of the miraculous OXI Day story and celebrates the modern-day heroes exhibiting the same OXI courage as the Greeks who fought to protect freedom and democracy.
Since its establishment in 2010, the Foundation has shared the story of the Greeks’ OXI day courage with millions around the world. Leaders from over 23 countries — Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, His-Holiness the Dalai Lama, and numerous presidents, prime ministers, US Members of Congress and other government officials — have joined the fight for freedom by proudly declaring “OXI” — NO.