Archons, Archons-elect and spouses listen to reports during the Annual Meeting. (Photos by J. Mindala)
In the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) held its Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The Annual Meeting is a joint assembly of Archons and Archons-elect and their spouses; it was held in the New York Hilton Midtown’s Trianon Ballroom, during the annual Archon Weekend.
After the invocation by His Eminence and the singing of the Apolytikion of Saint Andrew the First-Called, Archon Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the AEP, welcomed the attendees and read the Patriarchal Exhortation from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. National Vice Commander Archon Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, Jr., read the Archepiscopal Exhortation from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Dr. Limberakis introduced the Order’s National Council and Regional Commanders, including the five new Regional Commanders added during the past year: Archons Gerry Ranglas, Gregory B. Saad, Pericles C. Siatis, Michael P. Neamonitakis, and Michael D. Camarinos.
Dr. Limberakis called Archon Michael G. Psaros to the podium and informed the Assembly that the government of the Hellenic Republic had just honored him by putting his image on a postage stamp. Archon Psaros remarked: “It will take me over a year to have Monday’s events hit me. I just cried. This is really overwhelming.” He noted all four of those who were selected for this rare and singular honor were Archons of the Ecumenical Throne. Addressing new Archons, Archon Psaros said: “Tomorrow morning is going to change your life. For διακονία, a lifetime of continued service. Άχιι, and welcome to our Brotherhood.”
Archon Peter Skeadas then offered a financial report, stating: “The financial health of the Order of Saint Andrew is in excellent form.” He added “the Order has met all its financial obligations in a proper and timely fashion,” and he thanked all those who worked to ensure the financial stability and growth of the AEP.
Then followed the introduction of the Archon Class of 2024 by Archon Constantine G. Caras, Esq.
Following that, the new president of Hellenic College Holy Cross, Dr. Demetrios S. Katos, who emphasized that “the first and most important mission” of Hellenic College Holy Cross was to “prepare priests, evangelists and apostles who will help us continue the life of Christ in our towns and cities and make us vibrant witnesses of Christ’s life to our neighbors.” He added that there were also men and women at the College who are studying in graduate and undergraduate programs, and who would go out to help build Orthodox Christian witness in the United States.
Enrollment had increased, said Dr. Katos, telling those in attendance that that this was a “testimony to all that you’re doing in preparing people to come study with us.” He said that the College had 200 students, its highest enrollment in ten years, and that a third of the students were fully remote, which enabled clergy to serve their parishes while continuing their education. “This is your church,” Dr. Katos concluded; “we are building it together.”
Archon John S. Zavitsanos spoke about the Exarch’s Appeal, and issued a warning: “We know the Russians want the Ecumenical Throne in Moscow. The only organization that is fighting for the Ecumenical Patriarchate is us. We are fighting against the hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars that the Turks are putting in” to buy influence and access.
Archon Psaros then discussed the success of fundraising efforts, noting the devotion of the Archons to the Holy Mother Church. Dr. Limberakis then gave a report on the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, and the Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, National Vice Commander of the AEP, led discussion of some revisions to the Archon bylaws. There followed brief reports from Archons Rocky Sisson and Hon. Steven G. Counelis on their experiences in raising international awareness regarding the plight of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the annual Warsaw Human Dimension Conference of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which was held from September 30 to October 11, 2024.
Archon Hon. Counelis informed the attendees that at the OSCE conference, Ambassador Michael G. Kozak, Head of the United States Delegation at the WHDC, issued a public call for the reopening of the Theological School of Halki. OSCE. Archon Sisson recounted that he and Archon Hon. Counelis had a discussion with Eylem Polat, Counsellor for the Permanent Mission of Turkey to the OSCE. Archons Hon. Counelis and Sisson further amplified Ambassador Kozak’s remarks and articulated why it was in the best interest of Turkey to reopen Halki, as it would be an important example and symbol of the Turkish government’s concern for minority rights.
Archon Sisson also revealed that in a previous conversation, Archon Sisson gave Ambassador Kozak his Archon pin; Ambassador Kozak was wearing it when he made his remarks. Archon Sisson added that the Archon delegation to the OSCE got significantly more publicity this year than it did in years past, “because we highlighted the threat from Russia to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
Archon Pericles C. (Perry) Siatis, Chair of the Pilgrimage of Discovery (POD) program with co-chairs Archon Hon. Jeffrey G. and Hellena Chrones, explained the program as an opportunity for young people to travel to the Sacred Center of the Orthodox Faith and deepen their understanding of the vital importance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as they prepare to lead the Orthodox Church in the future. He said that the five young adults who participated in 2023 and the 16 young adults who went through the program in 2024 are already “proving to be the leaders that we know they are. This is only the beginning.”
Three POD participants then shared some of their experiences. Alexandra Pirsos called it the “trip of a lifetime” and recalled how moved she was to see the dedication of young Christians in Constantinople, and to meet His All-Holiness. When the POD participants sang a hymn in his presence, she recounted, His All-Holiness responded “You sang that because you love me, but I love you more.”
Katerina Vassil, another POD young adult participant, noted the difficulties that the remaining Christians of Constantinople face, stating that the POD group visited ancient churches that were seized from the Orthodox community, and found their Christian character deliberately obscured. Clergy were not allowed to venture out in clerical garb. And Turkish government had built mosques all around the Phanar, so that the Christians heard the Islamic call to prayer several times during the day, including when they were engaged in their own prayers. Ms. Vassil said that this demonstrated a lack of respect for His All-Holiness, but after POD participants met with him, they had a renewed sense of hope.
Eva-Marie Kailas, a third POD young adult participant, added that the group was fortunate to interact with the Rum community, the native Christians of Constantinople. An Archon in Constantinople told her: “If not for a handful of people in the community, churches would fall into disrepair.” Ms. Kailas said that her visit showed the importance of the work of the Archons to support and defend the Christian community of Constantinople.
Archon Nicholas Tranto spoke about the Archon educational initiative, the Archon Sprout program. He noted that in ancient times, when Greeks died, they didn’t write an obituary, they just asked, “Did he have passion?” Archon Tranto declared: “We have passion for the education of youth.”
The Annual Meeting concluded with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros leading a Trisagion for departed Archons.
