Submitted article
Saint Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, holds a unique place within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. As the only parish dedicated to the Apostle Thomas, it is also the largest church in the world bearing his name. The parish celebrates Antipascha, commemorating the Gospel account of Christ’s appearance to the Apostle Thomas eight days after the Resurrection, with what has become the largest Antipascha celebration of its kind.
On Friday, April 17, 2026, the Saint Thomas community launched this year’s celebration with its inaugural Saint Thomas Gala at Lucien’s Manor in Berlin, New Jersey. The evening was graciously hosted by the Kolovos and Baroody families and brought together clergy, parishioners, and supporters in a spirit of faith and unity.
The gala honored George Kousoulis and the late Zoe Kousoulis for their decades of service to the church and broader community. Just days after accepting the honor, Zoe fell asleep in the Lord. Despite this profound loss, the family chose to continue with the tribute, transforming the evening into a moving testament to both faith and legacy.
For more than 60 years, George and Zoe dedicated themselves to the Saint Thomas community. After the tragic loss of their daughter Danielle in the September 11 attacks, they remained steadfast in their faith. They became instrumental supporters of the rebuilding of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero, now known as the Saint Nicholas National Shrine, helping raise significant funds in collaboration with the Philadelphia Federation.
Their commitment extended deeply into their home parish. The Saint Thomas community center was renamed in memory of their daughter, Danielle Kousoulis. They established a golf tournament that funds annual scholarships for Haddon Township High School and Saint Thomas graduates, and later introduced an annual comedy event held in the Danielle Kousoulis Center. Their continued generosity supported major parish projects, including the church façade, dome, bell tower, and the commissioning of the Pantocrator as part of the church’s renowned “For the Ages” iconography program.
The evening featured a moving musical tribute by the School of Byzantine Music of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, joined by the Saint Thomas Choir—of which Zoe was a lifelong member—and accompanied by the Politikon Ensemble.
Master of Ceremonies George G. Horiates guided the program, inviting Parish Council President Tassos Efstratiades, Gala Chair Dr. Elias Iliades, and Proistamenos Fr. Georgios Oikonomou to offer heartfelt remarks. His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos presented George Kousoulis with the Saint Thomas Medal of Faith, noting the profound significance of faith as the foundation of both the award and the lives of its recipients.
George’s children, Peter and Eleni, offered touching reflections as the community responded with deep admiration and appreciation. The evening concluded with a video tribute and the heartfelt acclamation: “Axios George Kousoulis. Eternal Memory Zoe Kousoulis.”