Following the Divine Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City on Sunday, October 19, 2025, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, along with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, and His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, presided at the Investiture of thirty-eight new Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from throughout the United States. The Investiture was the final event of the annual Archon Weekend of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The newly invested Archons, like their distinguished brethren, have dedicated themselves to the protection and defense of the Mother Church of Constantinople.
Addressing the new Archons, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros stated: “Today, in the presence of our holy God, and of God’s holy people, we welcome the new Archons of 2025.” He stated that the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is “more than a mere earthly organization. It is, in fact, a divinely appointed ministry, a ministry which can inspire anyone, anyone who loves their Holy Orthodox Christian faith, and anyone who loves the First Throne of Orthodoxy, the Most Holy Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.”
His Eminence went on to state that the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, “If you want to follow me, then deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me,” while they apply to all Christians, represent for Archons “a unique burden and a vocation.” He explained that “the burden is that you are now committed to the health and to the welfare of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in a servant leadership role. You have embraced a very specific diakonia to have a diligent care and concern for the needs of the Holy Mother Church.”
His Eminence also stated: “You are also called to lead. Lead in your communities and your local society. Lead to present the realities of the Great Church of Christ in an honest and forthright manner, with integrity and with sincerity. This means speaking up for our Ecumenical Patriarchate when others try to shout it down. You, beloved Archons, you are the defenders of the Mother Church. You are advocates for her mission, the mission which is a pure and spiritual apostolate to the world.”
The Archons, His Eminence said, “are like an angelic phalanx, surrounding the Patriarchate’s ministries, and especially the sacred person of His All-Holiness. You are the vanguard of her faithful children, whose love for their mother mirrors the love of our Lord Jesus Christ for our Panagia, for our Theotokos.”
During the solemn Archon Investiture service, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, and His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos, presented each Archon with the Cross of St. Andrew, along with the official Patriarchal Certificate specifying the Offikion designated by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, as His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros had noted, for each Archon.
Four new Archons are the sons of other Archons: Archon John Catsimatidis, Senior and Archon John Junior of New York City; Archon Dr. Anthony Limberakis, Senior and Archon Anthony Junior of Philadelphia; Archon Nikoforos Valaskantjis Senior and Archon George Junior of Southern California; and Archon Steve Zervoudis, Senior and Archon Jimmy Junior of New York City.
Archons invested:
John A. Aivazoglou, Esq.
Nomophylax
Glen Mills, PA
Attorney
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
Dick “Dikaos” Anagnost
Hymnodos
Bedford, NH
Real Estate Developer
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
Hon. Stavros Steve Anthony, PhD
Referendarios
Las Vegas, NV
Lieutenant Governor, State of Nevada
Thomas Constantine Bartzokis, MD
Aktouarios
Boca Raton, FL
Cardiologist
John Andreas Catsimatidis, Jr.
Kastrinsios
New York, NY
President, COO, Family Corporate Enterprises
Anthony Joseph Diamandakis
Eftaxias
New York, NY
Financial Industry Executive
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
Peter Takis Dionisos
Chartoularios
West Chester, PA
Chemical Engineer
Asteris James Fanikos, Esq.
Hypomnematographos
Chesterfield, NJ
Attorney
Demetrios Fokas
Ekdikos
Little Neck, NY
Attorney
William John Georgas
Hieromnemon
Palm Beach, FL
Owner, Franchised Restaurants
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
Stephen Hanna
Chartophylax
Huntsville, AL
Aeronautical and Space Engineer
Emmanuel Chris Kaitson, Esq.
Dikaiophylax
Bellaire, TX
Attorney, Supreme President Order of AHEPA
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
Steven Nicholas Kalkanis, MD
Skevophylax
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Neurosugeon
Konstantinos (Gus) M. Karpathakis
Ostiarios
Hampton Bays, NY
Real Estate Developer
Kostas Katsohirakis
Maistor
Salt Lake City, UT
Corporate Executive
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
Basil C. Kollias, Esq.
Nomodotis
Greenville, DE
Attorney
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
Amb. Michael Kozak, Esq.
Depoutatos
Falls Church, VA
U.S. State Department Diplomat
Anthony C. Limberakis
Ostiarios
Newtown, PA
Technologist, Financial Services
Paul G Loupakos
Chartophylax
Lemont, IL
Executive, Airport Concession Industry
Pericles A. Maillis, Esq.
Protekdikos
Nassau, NP, Bahamas
Attorney
Christsos Marafatsos
Didaskalos tou Genous
Richmond, VA
Real Estate, Consulting Services
Konstantinos Mastorakis
Referendarios
Boca Raton, FL
Principal, Facilities Management Corporation
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
David Gus Matty, PhD
Eftaxias
San Juan Capistrano, CA
Principal, Computer Services Technology
James A. J. Nickolas, Esq.
Hypomimneskon
Chicago, IL
Attorney
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
Dennis George Pantazis, Esq.
Nomophylax
Vestavia Hills, AL
Attorney
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
George Anast Pappas
Hymnodos
Murray, UT
Principal, Transportation Industry
Michael Petridis
Kastrinsios
Ovilla, TX
Aviation Services
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
John Pogas
Orphanotrophos
Royersford, PA
Insurance Industry
Stephen Seremetis
Laosynaktis
Manhasset, NY
Wealth Management
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
Dimitri Sigounas, MD
Ritor
Potomac, MD
Neurosurgeon
Nicholas Spanakis
Chartoularios
Canal Fulton, OH
Executive, Banking Services
Nicholas Ivan Timko, Esq.
Protopsaltis
Brooklyn, NY
Attorney
James Peter Trakas
Exarchos
Independence, OH
Government Affairs Lobbyist
John H. Trihas
Hypomimneskon
Strongsville, OH
Automotive Manufacturing Industry
George Nikiforos Valaskantjis
Orphanotrophos
Dana Point, CA
Principal, Food Services
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
Stavros Veletsis
Symbolitiis
Alexandria, VA
Principal, Catering Services, Hospitality Industry
FOUNDER of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation
Konstantinos L Vellios
Depoutatos
Brooklyn, NY
Florist
John Harry Vratsinas
Skevophylax
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Specialty Insurance Brokerage
Jimmy Zervoudis
Prostatis Ton Grammaton
Palisades, NY
Principal, Construction Industry
