In the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) held their Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 18, 2025. 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 and opening remarks from His Eminence and the singing of the Apolytikion of Saint Andrew the First-Called, the patronal saint of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, 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., then read the Archepiscopal Exhortation from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, and Dr. Limberakis introduced the Archon National Council and Regional Commanders, including the five new Regional Commanders added during the past year: Archons Gary C. Grysiak, Frank Boardman, Dr. Terry Sarantou, Stephanos (Steve) G. Trakas, and Archon William Brock Martin. Dr. Limberakis also expressed deep gratitude to retiring Regional Commander Harry Thomas Cavalaris, who accepted an invitation to assume Emeritus status.
Dr. Limberakis emphasized the importance of bringing into the Archon Leadership younger, energetic, talented Archons, in order to strengthen the AEP and its sacred mission to serve the needs of the Holy and Great Mother Church of Constantinople. He welcomed any suggestions, asking Archons to email him directly with their input. Dr. Limberakis also pointed out that 13 new Regional Commanders have been appointed in the past three years, infusing fresh energy and a deepened commitment to the Archon’s sacred mission.
After the approval of the October 19, 2024, Annual Meeting minutes, Dr. Limberakis spoke in detail regarding the Apostolic Visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States on the occasion of his receiving the Templeton Prize “for his pioneering efforts to bridge scientific and spiritual understandings of humanity’s relationship with the natural world, bringing together people of different faiths to heed a call for stewardship of creation.” He noted that the AEP donated $100,000 toward the expenses of the Apostolic Visit and $50,000 toward the Beacon of Hope Dinner of Saint Nicholas Church and National Shrine in New York City.
Dr. Limberakis also outlined the highlights of the Apostolic Visit, which included His All-Holiness’ private meeting with U.S. President Donald J. Trump in the Oval Office on September 15, 2025; the wreath-laying by His All-Holiness, escorted by the Commanding General of the US Army Forces Command, General Andrew Poppas, at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on September 16, 2025; the Dinner in honor of His All-Holiness hosted by the Honorable Michael J. Rigas, Deputy Secretary of State, in the Ben Franklin Room of the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC, also on September 16, 2025; the Bilateral Meeting and Bipartisan, Bicameral luncheon in honor of His All-Holiness at the Rayburn Reception Room in the U.S. Capitol Building on September 17, 2025; and the Grand Reception hosted by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation in honor of His All-Holiness with the Honorable Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, on September 17, 2025.
Other highlights of His All-Holiness’ Apostolic Visit included His All-Holiness’ Meeting with His Excellency Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, on September 18, 2025; the Address of His All-Holiness at the Council of Foreign Relations on September 19, 2025; the Beacon of Hope Dinner benefiting Saint Nicholas National Shrine on September 20, 2025; the Environmental Tribute to the Green Patriarch at Stony Brook University Marine Station Southampton Campus and the Awarding of the University Medal to His All-Holiness, also on September 20, 2025; the Synaxis of the Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the United States, at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Cathedral in Southampton, New York on September 20, 2025; the Reception in honor of His All-Holiness hosted by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation and the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity on September 22, 2025; the Patriarchal Address at the 2025 Concordia Annual Summit, also on September 22, 2025; His All-Holiness’ meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the same day; the Templeton Prize Dinner in honor of His All-Holiness on September 24, 2025; and much more.
Archon Peter J. Skeadas, National Treasurer and Archon Andreas D. Comodromos, CPA, National Assistant Treasurer, then offered a financial report, stating that the AEP was in excellent financial health, and had met all its financial obligations in a proper and timely fashion. Following the financial report, Archon Peter Kakoyiannis, Esq., offered an Audit Committee Report. Frank Fico, CPA of BDO USA, presented the Audited Financial Report for 2024, which was approved.
The president of Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology, Dr. Demetrios S. Katos, subsequently addressed the assembled Archons, emphasizing 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.
Then followed the introduction of the Archon Class of 2025 by Archon Constantine G. Caras, Esq.
Archon John S. Zavitsanos then provided an update on about the Exarch’s Appeal, emphasizing its importance in light of Russian and Turkish actions against the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Archon Michael G. Psaros, Chair, and Co-Chair Archon Alexander Pritsos of the Athenagoras Human Rights Award committee then discussed the 2025 Athenagoras Human Rights Award and its recipient, the Hon. Michael R. Pompeo, the 70th Secretary of State of the United States and 16th Director of the CIA. They noted that a portion of this year’s sponsorship and ticket funds net of expenses would be restricted for the sole use of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, and expressed gratitude to the Athenagoras Human Rights Award Banquet underwriters, each of whom donated $100,000: the Anna K. and Nicholas J. Bouras Foundation, which has underwritten the Banquet each year since 1998; and Archon Michael G. and Robin Psaros, who have done so each year since 2016. The Banquet raised some $700,000.
The recipient of 2025 Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship, Archon Alexander Pritsos, was recognized for his many and various efforts on behalf of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and our Holy Mother Church. Dr. Limberakis noted that the AEP is indebted to Archon Alex for his decades of selfless service to the AEP, always willing to execute the essential detailed work to ensure the success of our many initiatives.
Dr. Helen Nixon and Katina Limberakis Tsatalis, M.Ed. were also recognized for their acceptance of the Archon Sophia Award for Excellence at the Archon Agape Luncheon, for their pro bono creation of the Archon Ecumenical Patriarchate Education Global Initiative that was launched in 2024.
Dr. Limberakis then gave a report on the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, noting that the AEP established it in order to ensure the economic security of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in perpetuity, and that it was named in honor of the longest-serving and most impactful Ecumenical Patriarch in the history of the Church. He stated that there were now 264 FOUNDERS (donors of at least $100,000), compared to 232 last year at this time) faithful, with 86 fulfilled pledges amounting to $28.2 million, as compared to $25.1 million last year at this time. The total assets of the EPBF exceed $31 million.
Archon Kosmas (Gus) M. Pablecas, Chair of the Nominating Committee, presented the names of the slate of candidates nominated to serve on the National Council: Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis; John A. Catsimatidis; John S. Koudounis; George E. Safiol; Peter J. Skeadas; Stephen J. Yallourakis, MD, DDS; Michael D. Camarinos, Esq. and Chris Tsamutalis, CPA.
Archon Franklin (Rocky) Sisson, Chair of the Communications Committee, subsequently discussed the acquisition of state-of-the-art streaming hardware and software for the Ecumenical Patriarchate in St. George Patriarchal Cathedral, including mobile capability to stream Patriarchal religious services anywhere in the world. Archon Ted Vagelos, the world’s expert in streaming of Holy Orthodox Services, explained previously that state-of-the-art high-resolution equipment had been purchased and installed in the Patriarchal Cathedral, and that the AEP made a $60,000 donation to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, so that the Ecumenical Patriarchate could purchase the necessary equipment from a local vendor. He explained that a dedicated fiberoptic internet line to the Cathedral is pending, and that he will soon travel to the Phanar to ensure success of this critical communications initiative.
Archon Rocky Sisson then discussed his 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 October 6 to 17, 2025 having just returned from Warsaw earlier in the week.
Archon Peter J. Skeadas, Chair, and Archon Michael G. Psaros, Co-Chair of the Archon Spirituality Committee announced that the John Halecky Jr. 22nd Annual National Archon Lenten Retreat would be held on March 27 and 28, 2026 at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Southampton, New York, and that the retreat master would be Fr. Constantine Lazarakis also of Dormition of the Virgin Mary Cathedral.
It was also announced that there would be an additional 2026 Archon Lenten Retreat at St. Photios National Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida, and that Archon Carl Hollister, Director of the St. Photios National Shrine, would soon provide details. The Southern California Regional Commanders, Archons Hon. Steven G. Counelis, Theodore Konopisos and Gerry Ranglas, would soon provide details regarding the 2026 Archon Lenten Retreat on the West Coast.
There are now eleven Archon Engagement Committees; their Chairs and Vice Chairs completed a 3-hour meeting Thursday, October 16, 2025. Over 450 Archons are actively engaged with programing throughout the country.
Archon Nicholas G. Loutsion, VMD, Chair and Archon John G. Manos, Vice Chair of the Regional Commanders Liaison Committee also offered a presentation, explaining that the Regional Commanders held three-hour joint meeting with National Council the previous day in order to review their past initiatives and discuss future plans.
After a discussion of old and new business, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America offered a Trisagion for departed Archons, and following that, a Benediction to conclude the meeting.
