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At Annual Meeting, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Discuss Their Multifaceted Efforts on Behalf of the Holy Mother Church

At Annual Meeting, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Discuss Their Multifaceted Efforts on Behalf of the Holy Mother Church

Archon Michael G. Psaros address the Annual Meeting of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Saturday, October 17, 2026. (Photos by J. Mindala)
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) held their Annual Meeting, a joint assembly of Archons and Archons-elect and their spouses, on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during the annual Archon Weekend.

As His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was unable to be present, Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, the Archon Grand Aktouarios and National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, invited his “mentor, brother, father and friend, the Rev. Alexander Karloutsos, the Grand Protopresbyter of the Holy and Great Church of Christ, to give the invocation.

Dr. Limberakis then welcomed the attendees and read the Patriarchal Message from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

His All-Holiness stated: “With paternal joy. we greet the publication of this Annual Business Report during the sixtieth-anniversary year of your Order. Its pages reflect a sacred trust: every gift received from God calls for a faithful response in service to others. Such a record invites gratitude for all that has been accomplished.” He added: “For sixty years, the Archons in America have upheld the rights and religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. We give thanks for your steadfast advocacy before public authorities and international bodies, and we commend your efforts to engage younger generations in this ministry and to strengthen the resources sustaining the mission of the Mother Church of Constantinople.”

His All-Holiness also extended his “heartfelt appreciation” to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Dr. Limberakis, the National Council, Regional Commanders, and Diakonia Ministries.

Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, the Archon Grand Aktouarios and National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, addresses the Annual Meeting of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Archon Kosmas (Gus) Pablecas, National Secretary of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, read the Archepiscopal Exhortation from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. “The activities of the Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, are a marvelous compendium of the initiatives in which you have engaged on behalf of the Mother Church of Constantinople. Whether it is in the areas of education, political and legal advocacy, or the vast field of religious freedom, the Archons consistently bring to bear their many talents and resources for the continuing worldwide ministries of Great Church of Christ.”

Archon Nicholas Loutsion, the 2026 recipient of the Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship, led the singing of the Apolytikion of Saint Andrew the First-Called, the patronal saint of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in Greek, after which Archon James Speros led it in English.

Dr. Limberakis then introduced the members of National Council, the Regional Commanders, and the Diakonia Ministry chairs, noting that there were three new Regional Commanders appointed in the past year: Archons James Lakerdas (Chicago); Constantinos (Dino) Mastorakis (Atlanta — South Florida) and Demetrios J. (Jim) Ziozis (Direct Archdiocesan District — Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island). “I like young Archons,” said Dr. Limberakis. “They have a long future, they grow in the position.”

As he introduced Archon National Treasurer John G. Manos to give the Treasurer’s Report, Dr. Limberakis noted the superlative work of Archon Manos’ predecessor, National Treasurer Emeritus Peter J. Skeadas, saying: “He wrote the book on being a national treasurer.” Archon Manos subsequently noted that “the financial health of the Order of Saint Andrew is in excellent form.” Following the financial report, Archon Peter Kakoyiannis, Esq., offered an Audit Committee Report. Frank Fico, CPA of BDO USA, presented the Independent Auditor’s Report, which was approved.

Some of the entries from the Ecumenical Patriarch Poster Contest are displayed
Then followed the introduction of the Archon Class of 2026 by Archon Constantine G. Caras, Esq. “This is an extraordinary class,” said Dr. Limberakis. Noting the wide varieties of backgrounds and professions of the new Archons, he said that they represented “the whole spectrum of life, united in our brotherhood to serve the needs of the Mother Church.”

The National Vice Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, then presented proposed amendments to the bylaws of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, all of which were adopted unanimously.

Archon John S. Zavitsanos provided an update on about the Exarch’s Appeal, emphasizing its vital importance of this in light of Russian and Turkish actions against the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Archon Zavitsanos observed that the Russians and the Turks have immense resources, and pay people lavishly to spread their propaganda; he exhorted the Archons to work toward 100% participation in the Exarch’s Appeal in order to help counter this.

Dr. Limberakis subsequently introduced Archon Michael G. Psaros, Chair of the Athenagoras Human Rights Award committee, noting that he is known affectionately as “the cheerful giver,” and adding: “We need people like you, Michael. You empower the Order to do what it does, and we’re very grateful to you, sir.”

Pilgrimage of Discovery alumna Mauretta Patitsas recounts her experiences in Constantinople
Archon Psaros, saying that he was speaking on behalf of his co-chair, Archon Alexander Pritsos, then announced that the 2026 Athenagoras Human Rights Award banquet had raised $750,000, and thanked the donors and everyone who was involved. “It takes a year,” he said, “to create a gala like the one you’re going to go to tonight.” Addressing the 47 new Archons, he stated that after their investiture as Archons, they would walk out a different person. He reminded them that they were not being rewarded for past achievement; rather, “You are being invested tomorrow as a soldier, to give your time and resources for the rest of your life. That is the expectation.”

Regarding the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, Dr. Limberakis announced that it has now raised nearly $40 million, and is approaching 300 FOUNDERS. He exhorted everyone present to go back to his or her parish and encourage it to become a FOUNDER.

Archon Kosmas (Gus) M. Pablecas, Chair of the Nominating Committee, presented the names of the National Council for the next three years.

Archon Peter J. Skeadas, Chair of the Archon Spirituality Committee announced that the John Halecky Jr. Annual National Archon Lenten Retreat had been held for the first time in three locations in 2026. He invited Archons Hon. Steven G. Counelis and Carl Hollister to the dais to discuss plans for 2027.

Archon Hollister, Executive Director of the Saint Photios National Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida, gave details of the Lenten Retreat that will be held at the Shrine from March 26 to 28, 2027. Archon Counelis said that a Lenten Retreat would be held April 9-10, 2027, and that the precise location would be announced soon.

Father Alex Karloutsos, the Grand Protopresbyter of the Holy and Great Church of Christ and spiritual advisor of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, leads a Trisagion for Archons who have departed this life

Hellena Chrones, who leads the Pilgrimage of Discovery (POD) committee along with her husband, Archon Hon. Jeffrey G. Chrones, and AEP POD Chair Archon Perry Siatis, Esq., then introduced several of the young Orthodox Christians who have participated in this life-changing pilgrimage to Constantinople and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

One of the POD alumni, Matthew Delaney, stated: “If I were to say that my participation in POD was an adventure, that would be an understatement. It was a transfiguration. What you helped plant in us this August will continue to grow long after we had to return home.” Another alumna, Mauretta Patitsas, said: “The community has invested not just in the next generation of leaders, but the next generation of changemakers. We have seen with our own eyes that religious freedom is threatened in Constantinople. When your mission is clear, the task is simple.” She recounted that she had written a letter to His All-Holiness, telling him that she would protect and serve the Church in any way she could, particularly in protecting the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”

Archon Nicholas Terezis then announced the winners of the inaugural Ecumenical Patriarch Poster Contest, emphasizing that “our responsibility includes helping the next generation understand the Ecumenical Patriarchate.” There were nine winners across three divisions. In the high school division, the winners were Paraskevi Vergos (third place); Estelle Raudenbush (second place); and Mark Melis (first place). In the middle school division, the winners were Andrew Soves (third place); Nicholas Melis (second place); and Anastasia Tsougranis (first place). In the elementary school division were Ares Paulus (third place); Matthew Gilbert (second place); and Evangelia Christopher (first place).

Archon Terezis noted that all participants will get a certificate signed by Dr. Limberakis, as well as a personalized hydroflask. The first-place winners will get gold crosses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and His All-Holiness himself will sign the posters before returning them to the winners. All submissions will be included in a book that will be given to His All-Holiness.

Father Alex then led a Trisagion for the Archons who have departed this life.

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