Archon Regional Commanders Hon. Steven G. Counelis (Southern California) and Dr. Gregory G. Papadeas (Denver), members of the Youth Participation Activities Engagement Committee, once again, engaged at the National YAL (Young Adult) Conference in conjunction with the Clergy-Laity Congress, in San Diego, California. With over 300 young adults in attendance, the Archons introduced three young adult Pilgrims of Discovery – Eva Marie Kailas [Metropolis of San Francisco], Sophia Looney [Metropolis of San Francisco], and Elyse Zappia [Archdiocesan District] who attended the Conference.

Archon Papadeas explained “We are speaking with you because all of you are emerging leaders of our Greek Orthodox Church in America. Your presence here this weekend tells us that you have a special connection with the Church that will last your entire lifetime.”

Thereafter, Archon Papadeas introduced the “Pilgrimage of Discovery 2023 Documentary Trailer” that explained the program and began with His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew declaring “The Pilgrimage of Discovery is a wonderful opportunity for the faithful of all ages to explore their spiritual roots, connect with fellow believers in these historical lands, enriching the lives of those who embark upon it and deepen their understanding of the Orthodox faith.” [Visit: https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimageofdiscovery]

The mission of the Pilgrimage of Discovery [POD] is to bolster the future of the Orthodox Church by educating and inspiring future leaders through fostering a lifelong connection to the Mother Church of Constantinople.

Archon Counelis remarked, “This year’s Pilgrimage selected 16 participants and four alternates from dozens of applicants. The applicants went through an anonymous, thoughtful, and thorough selection process, including a comprehensive written application, recommendations submitted by their parish priests and upstanding faithful, followed by a vetting procedure. At the conclusion, all eligible applicants were ranked through the blind review process.”

Because it is a National program, at least one young adult was selected from each Metropolis, with the top scoring 16 applicants being offered the opportunity of a lifetime.

This year’s POD will be visiting Constantinople August 4 – 11, 2024, with the highlight being a private audience with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

Archon Counelis and Archon Papadeas introduced three 2024 POD Pilgrims who were in attendance: Elyse Zappia, Sophia Looney, and Eva Marie Kailas [Co-Chair National YAL Conference]

Each shared why they applied to the POD and what they hoped to learn during the Pilgrimage of Discovery. Their personal and enthusiastic narratives inspired the young adult audience through their faith commitments and desires to explore their spiritual roots at the center of Orthodoxy, the Mother Church of Constantinople.

Upon the Pilgrims’ return to America, they will become Archon Ambassadors within the Alumni Leadership Network for up to two years to expand awareness about the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Pilgrimage of Discovery, and the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Additionally, as part of the YPA outreach to the young adults, the Archon National Office graciously provided each young adult the most recent 2023 Annual Report of the Archons that highlighted the many important accomplishments and initiatives of the Order of Saint Andrew.

Archon Counelis serves as Vice-Chair of the Archon Youth Participation Activities (YPA) Engagement Committee, and on the POD Committee.

Archon Counelis and his wife Stacia have served as the Conference Advisers to the YAL Conference Ministry of the Metropolis of San Francisco since its renaissance in 2018. They continued in that role as Advisers to the 2024 National YAL Conference. Mrs. Counelis chairs the Archdiocesan Council Youth and Young Adult Committee that supports the National Y2AM National YAL Ministry and all youth ministry related efforts of the Archdiocese.

Archon Papadeas serves on the Archon Youth Participation Activities (YPA) Engagement Committee. Archon Papadeas also serves on the Archdiocesan Council Youth and Young Adult Committee. He and his wife Stelle have been stalwart supporters of the YAL Conference Ministry for many years.