With the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, has appointed Archon Michael P. Neamonitakis a Regional Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) for the Direct Archdiocesan District in New York City and Long Island, joining Direct Archdiocesan District Regional Commanders Archon Inspector John V. Kassimatis and Archon Nikiforos Mathews, Esq.
Dr. Limberakis stated: “Regional Commanders voluntarily take on a tremendous responsibility: to organize their fellow Archons, as well as to strengthen and motivate them to be worthy of their high calling as Defenders of our Holy Mother Church of Constantinople. Archon Michael has shown himself over the years, with his manifest devotion to God, His Holy Church, and our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate, to be eminently worthy of taking on that responsibility and discharging it with dynamism and dedication.”
“In light of that,” Dr. Limberakis continued, “I am delighted to welcome Brother Archon Michael and his dearest wife Meropi to the Archon leadership. We will always fondly remember the extraordinary kickoff dinner the two of them hosted at the 4th Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom in Athens at the foot of the Acropolis. The elegance, the sense of history and παρέα were beyond description. Archon Michael and Meropi demonstrated exemplary servant leadership in contributing essential funding for the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Special Maria Callas Concert scheduled during Archon Weekend by contributing essential funds to make it happen, along with his co-chairs and Fr. Alex. Archon Michael’s διακονία to serve the needs of the Holy and Great Mother Church of Constantinople is exemplary! Αξιος!”
“I’m truly blessed and humbled by the blessings of His Eminence and for this appointment by Commander Limberakis,” Archon Neamonitakis said. “Μεγάλη τιμή! It is indeed a tremendous honor, and I am abundantly aware that with that honor comes immense responsibility. It is all the more urgent today, as the world is increasingly embroiled in crises, that the profound and prophetic voice of His All-Holiness be heard, and that we as Archons continue to support and defend our Mother Church. I am looking forward to working with my brother Archons in this new capacity.”
Archon Michael is the son of Archon Petros Neamonitakis and a steward of Kimisis Theotokou and Holy Cross parishes in Brooklyn, New York. He and his beloved wife Meropi have three children, Kyra, Petros and Margarita. Archon Michael has demonstrated his deep love for our Holy Orthodox Faith in numerous ways. He is a FOUNDER of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, as well as co-chair of the Foundation’s New Members Committee. He has recently joined the AEP Patriarchal Properties & Legal Affairs Engagement Committee. Archon Michael is also a member of Leadership 100, AHEPA Chapter 41 of Brooklyn, and the Dafnonas Chios Society, and is a Friend of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in New York City.
In addition to all that, Archon Neamonitakis is a member of the Advisory Council for the $30 million dollar expansion of Bay Ridge Prep High School in Brooklyn, a Tower Society member of Brooklyn’s Poly Prep Country Day School, and a supporter of the Police Athletic League in New York. He is a graduate of New York University’s Stern School of Business. He is also the co-founder and vice chairman of Meridian, a family-run real estate property and investment management firm in New York.
Michael P. Neamonitakis was invested as Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2023 by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, and conferred with the offikion Maestor.
According to the Bylaws of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Order’s National Commander, following the election of the National Council officers, is to appoint Regional Commanders to serve for a period of one year. Each Regional Commander serves as the representative of the National Council in the region in order to carry out the purposes, objectives and principles of the Order.
An Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is an honoree by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his outstanding service to the Church, and a well-known distinguished, and well-respected leader of the Orthodox Christian community.
