Dear Brother Archons and Friends of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,
With the blessings of the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are pleased and honored to offer parishes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the American Carpatho-Russian Diocese of North America, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, and the Palestinian/Jordanian Orthodox Christian Communities a beautiful 3-ft x 5-ft fabric banner commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His All-Holiness Bartholomew as Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch.
It is our immense honor as Archons of the Great Church of Christ to present this banner is a gift to each parish from the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to aid in commemorations of this momentous and historic anniversary.
Elected as the 269th direct successor of Saint Andrew the First-Called Apostle and 270th Ecumenical Patriarch on October 22, 1991 and enthroned on November 2, 1991, His All-Holiness is now the longest-serving and one of the most consequential Ecumenical Patriarchs in the history of Christianity.
His All-Holiness has led the Holy Orthodox Church through one of the most tumultuous periods in history. Through it all, he has maintained a serene and unwavering focus on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His All-Holy Mother the Theotokos.
He has sounded a prophetic voice for the preservation of the natural environment as a basic and fundamental Christian duty. He has reached out with the love of Christ to Christian leaders of other faith traditions, as well as to non-Christians, becoming a pioneer of interfaith and intra-faith dialogue in a time of increasing polarization. He has acted courageously to preserve and protect the sacred unity of God’s Holy Church, granting autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine and standing resolutely against the forces of division and politicization.
We are truly blessed to live at this time when we can enjoy the holy fruits of the worldwide spiritual ministry of this remarkable holy man. We hope that the enclosed banner will spark a renewed appreciation and love within your parish and community for one of the greatest figures of our age, and one of our loving God’s most generous gifts to His Church.
Yours in the joyful service of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,
Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis
The Archon Grand Aktouarios
National Commander
