The event took place in the cathedral’s main worship space, where pews were removed and replaced with dinner tables. The venue is also used for major national ceremonies, including presidential inaugural celebrations and funerals for former U.S. presidents.

Among those attending were Greece’s ambassador to the United States, Antonis Alexandridis; Ukrainian Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Denys Sienik and embassy representative Halyna Yuspiuk; Cyprus Deputy Chief of Mission Myrianthi Spathi; and retired four-star U.S. Army Gen. Andrew Poppas, along with former ambassadors and other guests.

The annual gathering commemorates October 28, 1940, when Greece rejected an ultimatum from Fascist Italy demanding passage for its troops through Greek territory. The refusal, known as OXI — Greek for “No” — marked the country’s entry into World War II.

Honoring courage in the face of oppression

In his address, Ambassador Alexandridis described OXI Day as more than a commemoration of a single historical moment, linking the defiance of 1940 to a longer tradition of Greek courage and the experience of Greek Americans.

“On October 28, 1940, we Greeks did what we always do — going against all odds,” he said. “We proved once again that the word ‘impossible’ doesn’t belong in the Greek vocabulary.”

He said the same determination and desire for freedom had shaped Greek history for thousands of years and characterized the Greek American experience through the courage to endure, rebuild and create something greater than oneself.

A video message from the Greek prime minister followed, offering his congratulations to this year’s award recipients.

The Metropolitan Chrysostomos Award was presented to the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, India, ahead of the gala. The two OXI Courage Award recipients were Iranian rapper and activist Toomaj Salehi and Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna, who was 27 when she was killed.

Roshchyna was recognized posthumously for her journalism, while Salehi was honored for speaking out despite facing imprisonment and solitary confinement.

“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,” he said, adding that the foundation wanted to recognize their bravery and amplify their voices in defense of freedom, truth, democracy and human rights.

The two join a list of previous honorees that includes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian democracy activist Vladimir Kara-Murza and Nobel Peace Prize laureates Nadia Murad, Maria Ressa and María Corina Machado.

Call to stand against injustice

The keynote address was delivered by George Logothetis, executive chairman of Libra Group and chairman of Libra Philanthropies, who urged guests to defend those facing oppression and stand up for people without power.

“Stand firm against injustice, even when the winds are harrowing and strong,” he said, arguing that the responsibility to resist oppression extended beyond nations to individuals, families and businesses.

He concluded with a call to reject any demand to compromise on principle: “May our reply be: NEVER, NON, OXI.”

Fox News Chief White House Correspondent Mike Emanuel also took part in the evening, introducing the Dalai Lama alongside a personal video message from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Kara-Murza was recognized from the floor for his continued opposition to Russia’s leadership.

15 years of carrying the OXI message worldwide

The Washington OXI Day Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 2010. It works with prominent international figures to share the story of Greece’s refusal to surrender to the Italian ultimatum and recognize contemporary figures who demonstrate what it calls the same spirit of OXI courage.

Over the past 15 years, leaders and public figures from more than 23 countries have taken part in the foundation’s efforts, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, the Dalai Lama, presidents, prime ministers, members of the U.S. Congress and other government officials.

The foundation says millions of people worldwide have encountered the story of Greece’s OXI Day through its work.