On Friday, October 16, 2026, before a deeply appreciative and enthusiastic overflow crowd at the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s annual Bouras Award Dinner, Archon Dr. Nicholas G. Loutsion received the 2026 Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship. The award is presented annually during Archon Weekend in New York City to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary and incomparable stewardship to the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP), empowering Archons to vigorously pursue securing religious freedom for the Mother Church of Constantinople.
The joyful outpouring of love from the attendees for Archon Loutsion and his beloved family was testimony in itself to their deep and abiding love for the Holy Mother Church, and their decades of selfless service to it.
Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, the Archon Grand Aktouarios and National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, began the evening by speaking about the remarkable generosity and devotion to the Church of the award’s namesake, Archon Nicholas J. Bouras of blessed memory. He noted that during the lifetime of Archon Bouras, the belief grew among the Archons that he needed to be honored in perpetuity for his lifetime of giving his time, talent, and treasure in the service of God and the Holy Mother Church of Constantinople.
Archon Nicholas J. Bouras, Dr. Limberakis stated, always worked anonymously, quietly, and without fanfare. Even on his deathbed, he told Dr. Limberakis, “Tell me if the Archons need anything, and I’ll take care of it.” He has done that even after his passing, by means of the Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation, under the capable administration of the Archon National Vice Commander, the Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis.
After noting some of Archon Bouras’ remarkable accomplishments, Dr. Limberakis explained: “We established an award to honor other Archons who do as Nicholas J. Bouras did,” and explained that Archon Dr. Nicholas Loutsion is a prime example of that same selfless and generous spirit. Dr. Limberakis pointed to, among other things, Dr. Loutsion’s loving and compassionate work as a veterinarian, and to his lengthy service on the National Council as the Chairman of the Archon Regional Commander Liaison Committee since its inception in 2006.
The Archon National Vice Commander and trustee of the Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation, The Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, then offered a toast to Dr. Loutsion, quoting the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) “What a powerful command we have in these words from the Gospel of Matthew,” said Judge Bozonelis, “and what an example of good works we have in Nicholas Loutsion.” He said that Dr. Loutsion exemplifies the character traits of Nicholas J. Bouras.
Judge Bozonelis stated that His All-Holiness calls us to be righteous in our ways, to follow Christ’s teachings, to be generous in your soul, and to be noble in your spirit. “That,” he said, “is the heart of exemplary Archon stewardship.” The time, talent and treasure that Archon Dr. Nicholas Loutsion has offered, he said, “has inspired all of us.” Judge Bozonelis noted Archon Dr. Loutsion’s long record of service to the Church, including representing the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as an NGO presenter at the annual meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE-HDIM) in Warsaw, Poland. Dr. Loutsion also was co-author of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Resolution No. 876 in defense of religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Judge Bozonelis then led the attendees in three wholehearted cries of Axios!
In a message that Dr. Limberakis read to the attendees, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew stated to Dr. Loutsion: “With heartfelt joy, we congratulate you upon this recognition of your steadfast devotion to the Mother Church of Constantinople. For the Great Church, which by the grace of God has endured through the centuries, is sustained in every generation by the love and sacrifice of her faithful children, among whom you are numbered with distinction. Your leadership among the Archons and your advocacy for religious freedom, from Warsaw to the Pennsylvania legislature, have given practical expression to this commitment. We receive these labors with deep appreciation, in recognition of the perseverance they require and the encouragement they bring to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
Metropolitan Opera soprano Alexandra Loutsion, daughter of Archon Dr. Loutsion, then sang two selections in tribute to her beloved father: “O mio babbino caro,” an aria from the opera Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini, and Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ στρατηγῷ (Ti hypermáchi strategoi), “To Thee, O Champion General.”
Alexandra’s sister Alyssa Kyritsis then joined her on stage to share heartwarming reminiscences of the man, Alyssa said, who has won great renown in the Orthodox Church in America, but whom “we simply think of as Dad.” Alyssa added that “his greatest accomplishment was showing his family what it means to follow Christ.” As protopsaltis of All Saints Church in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania for over forty years, he instilled in his two daughters a deep appreciation for his two great loves, his faith and music, to the extent that Alyssa works for the Church and Alexandra is a professional opera singer. Alexandra noted: “His greatest lesson was that a voice is not something we have, but something you give.” They concluded: “We are proud to be your daughters. Congratulations, Dad. We love you.”
In his own remarks, Archon Loutsion stated that fourteen years ago, he had stood at the same spot to honor the 2012 recipients of the Nicholas J. Bouras Award, Archon James C. Fountas of blessed memory and Archon John Halecky, Jr. of blessed memory. Archon Loutsion offered some reminiscences of Archon Halecky, his “dear friend and cherished mentor,” and saluted the attendees with Archon Halecky’s favorite Slavonic greeting, Slava Isusu Christu (Glory to Jesus Christ).
Archon Loutsion stated that he was deeply humbled and honored by this honor, and that he intended to continue serving the Church and the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He spoke movingly of some of the outstanding men with whom he served on the National Council, saying that he was standing on the shoulders of giants — the men who had inspired him to work harder to defend religious freedom and to protect the Holy Mother Church of Constantinople. Archon Nicholas J. Bouras, Archon Loutsion recounted, was exemplary in his legendary generosity and extraordinary humility.
And in the past decade, Archon Loutsion said, the Order had grown in strength, purpose, and outreach. “The Archon badge,” he said, “is a call to serve, and serve we do.” The Archons, Archon Loutsion continued, have worked tirelessly to make the Order an effective force for the Holy Mother Church.
For all the selfless service of the Archons, the greatest sacrifice, Archon Loutsion pointed out, was made not by the Archons, but by their families. He said to his cherished wife Susan: “I am deeply grateful to have walked this journey with you,” and told his daughters: “The bond we have is among the greatest joys of my life and I am so proud of both of you.” He concluded by dedicating the 2026 Nicholas J. Bouras Award in honor and memory of his beloved father, Archon George Loutsion, Sr., stating that true service is not measured by awards, but by a lifetime of service to the Holy Mother Church.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America then stated: “What can I say that would be worthy of such a husband, father, grandfather and son?” He said that he had been so moved by the Loutsion family’s love and devotion to Almighty God and His Holy Church that he would not deliver his prepared remarks, but speak from the heart.
His Eminence said that Archon Loutsion’s father was watching and smiling from Heaven, and praised the fact that, as he told Archon Loutsion, “as your father inspired you, you inspired your daughters.” He noted that the worship and hymns of the Orthodox Church reach deep into the soul and heart, and that clearly Archon Loutsion had ensured that his children would become thoroughly familiar with the spiritual riches of our tradition. His Eminence also spoke about the parable of the talents, and stated that the time will come when the Lord will ask us for the talent he has given us. “How do we give it back?” he asked, and then answered: “By serving the Church.”
Archon Nicholas G. Loutsion, recipient of the 2026 Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship, exemplifies that service.
