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Archon Boot Camp Emphasizes Archons’ Solemn Responsibility to Shield and Safeguard the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Archon John S. Zavitsanos addresses the threats that the Ecumenical Patriarchate currently faces during the Boot Camp which kicked-off Archon Weekend. (Photos by J. Mindala)

On Friday, October 18, 2024, Archon John Socrates Zavitsanos, along with Archon Gus Pablecas, National Secretary/Regional Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; Archon John G. Manos, Regional Commander in the Metropolis of Chicago; and Archon Rocky Sisson, Chair of the Communications Committee; addressed Archons-elect on their serious responsibilities to defend the Holy Mother Church of Constantinople.

As always, Archon Boot Camp was primarily geared toward the Archon Class of 2024; however, many Archons from earlier classes attended, as each Archon Boot Camp presents an opportunity for Archons to revitalize and reinvigorate their efforts to support and defend the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the holy center of the Orthodox Faith.

Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, explained that the boot camp was intended to show both new Archons and those who had been invested in years past how to be a great Archon for the Holy Mother Church. Archon Zavitsanos, Chair of the Boot Camp Committee, explained that new Archons were selected from a large number of applicants, and that those who were chosen had passed through a rigorous selection process that began in their local parish and ended with the approval of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Archon Zavitsanos told new Archons that he was “not going to congratulate you because you haven’t done anything yet.” He explained that the Archons were not selected on the basis of their accomplishments, but on their potential. “This is the beginning,” he emphasized, “not the end.”

Archon Zavitsanos also stated: “We are against the fight of our life. Not just against Turkey, but against the Russian Orthodox Church” in its efforts to supplant the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the First Church of Orthodoxy. “We don’t want to hear, ‘If you need something, call me,’” said Archon Zavitsanos. “We want you to take the initiative. Don’t wait to be asked.”

Archon Rocky Sisson
Archon Rocky Sisson discusses the importance of Archons being active and bring awareness about the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Archon Sisson echoed the same point, saying: “‘Don’t wait to be asked’ has been the theme of this meeting for awhile. This is not an organization based on seniority. You can be an active member immediately.” He emphasized that “we are a single issue organization: protecting the Holy Mother Church.”

Archon Sisson went on to discuss the importance of Archons being active, speaking in their parishes and working to raise awareness about the Ecumenical Patriarchate and threats to religious freedom. He showed the Archon Education Cards about the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Five Issues of Concern that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is currently confronting, explaining that he gave them to the Turkish representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and that they could be used in a wide variety of situations.

Archon Sisson also urged the Archons to download the Archon app and put it on their phone, and to follow the Archons on X, Facebook, and Instagram, so as to stay informed about Archon initiatives and activities.

Archon National Secretary/Regional Commanders Gus M. Pablecas and John G. Manos then explained in depth what it means to be an Archon. They stressed the fact that being an Archon is a serious thing. It’s not just a title, and should not be taken lightly. Archon Pablecas stated: “When the Ecumenical Patriarchate has trouble, we are the last line of defense.” Archons Pablecas and Manos spoke of the tireless efforts of National Commander Limberakis, Vice Commander Bozonelis, and other Archon officials to support and defend the Holy Mother Church.

Archons Manos and Pablecas also discussed areas in which Archons could get involved in serving the Holy Mother Church, including ten Archon Engagement Committees. They noted that almost 500 Archons belong to one of these Committees; the Women in Orthodoxy committee has the most members.

Archons Gus and John
Archons Gus Pablecas, left, and John Manos, right, explain about various Archon activities and encourage involvement.

Archons Pablecas and Manos explained various Archon activities, including Archon Rocky Sisson’s Archon Education Cards; the National Archon Sprout Program, an idea of Regional Commander Nick Tranto in partnership with Regional Commander Nick Terezis; and the Pilgrimage of Discovery program, an idea suggested by Archon John G. Manos that developed into an Archon National Program and encouraged other Archons to also develop ideas that can further the mission of the Archons. Dr. Limberakis pointed out that Archon Michael Camarinos had been named a Regional Commander after only one year as an Archon because he showed initiative. He said that Archons had to be ready to give their time, talent, and treasure in service of the Holy Mother Church; not their time, talent or treasure.

“This honor is not merely recognition,” Archons Manos and Pablecas emphasized. “It is a call to protect the future of our faith. Each of us has been entrusted with this mission and to fulfill it we must stand up with our time, talent, and treasure.”

Archon John Zavitsanos then gave a detailed presentation about the threats to the Ecumenical Patriarchate from Turkey and Russia. He gave specific examples of how the Turkish government has bought influence in Washington, and even blackmailed American politicians in order to deter them from raising awareness about the Armenian Genocide and other atrocities in which the Turkish government was involved. “Courage,” said Archon Zavitsanos, “is a misused word. It means when you are going against the grain and doing things that were unpopular, but prove in history to be the right course of action.”

Archon Zavitsanos offered several examples of genuine courage, many of them little-known. He pointed out that in 1965, 70% of Americans were against integration, but Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America, of blessed memory, had the courage to stand with Martin Luther King when clergy of other Churches refused to do so.

Archon Zavitsanos also said that the Orthodox Church was the first in the U.S. to have a black minister, Fr. Raphael Morgan. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Joachim II, who served from 1860 to 1863, wrote an article for The Liberator, an anti-slavery magazine in the United States. Archon Zavitsanos noted that when Ecumenical Patriarch Joachim granted autocephaly to Bulgaria, the Turkish government removed him from office, as they feared that the autocephaly of the Bulgarian Church might encourage Bulgarian nationalism and lead the Bulgarians to rebel against the Ottoman Empire. Archon Zavitsanos also spoke of singer Bob Marley, whose conversion to Orthodoxy is little noted, and His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, whom he called a “giant.” After the Pearl Harbor attacks, Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, who was then Archbishop of North and South America, attempted to enlist in the military, but was turned down, as he was 56 years old at the time.

Archon Zavitsanos then discussed at length Turkey’s turn away from secularism and embrace of an Islamist vision that threatens neighboring countries. He detailed the great lengths to which Turkey goes in order to whitewash historical Turkish atrocities, most notably the Armenian Genocide, and to buy the silence or active support of American politicians and public officials. He stated that the Turkish government and Turkish organizations in the U.S. such as the Turkish Coalition of America were playing the long game, and that it was up to the Archons to counter their narrative with the truth.

For all that, however, Archon Zavitsanos explained that the Russian Orthodox Church has proven to be the single biggest threat to the freedom and global mission of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This was, he explained, because of Moscow Patriarch Kirill’s alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Russian encroachments upon the canonical and historical prerogatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Archon Zavitsanos then outlined the Moscow Patriarchate’s years-long efforts to supplant the Ecumenical Patriarchate and become the global leader of the Orthodox faithful. This effort, he explained, has included encroachments upon the canonical territory of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Korea, and of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Africa.

Archon Zavitsanos’ detailed and sobering presentation made clear the urgency and gravity of the Archon’s global mission. As Archons Manos and Pablecas urged all Archons: “Embrace this responsibility fully. Together, we can make a lasting impact not just for today, but for the future of Orthodoxy.”

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