Prior to the Archon assembly, a special joint breakfast meeting with National Council members and Regional Commanders from all over the country was held to discuss the various Religious Freedom initiatives of the Order.

Prior to the assembly, His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos (Carpatho-Russian Diocese) offered the invocation at a special joint breakfast meeting with National Council members and Regional Commanders from all over the country. The various Religious Freedom initiatives of the Order were reviewed. Religious Freedom Committee Chairman Archon John A. Catsimatidis, Archon Andrew E. Manatos and Archon Stephen Georgeson spoke on certain components of the Archon Religious Freedom Campaign. Archon Constantine G. Caras, Esq. and George Kaludis, PhD offered an update on the Archon religious freedom presentations before the Helsinki Commission’s Annual Human Rights Conference in Warsaw, Poland (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) before its 55 member nations. The Regional Commanders reports were heard among other Committee reports during the morning session.

His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of America addressing the women gathered at the Order of St. Andrew Ladies’ Tea Reception.

Director of the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, offered a powerpoint presentation on homelessness and poverty in America and the various programs sponsored by the National Law Center addressing this crisis.

National Commander, Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis welcomed all Archons and Archons-elect to the assembly. [View the National Commander speech] He shared with the Archons a letter sent by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople [View the letter by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew(PDF)] and then presented his report on “Religious Freedom and the Ecumenical Patriarchate”. [View the 2007 Annual Archon Report]

Several reports and speeches were heard throughout the afternoon during the Annual Archon General Assembly held at the New York Hilton.

Following Prof. Trakatellis’ remarks, His Excellency Angelos Pangratis, Deputy Head of Delegation to the European Commission to the United States also addressed the Archon Assembly.

Archon John A. Catsimatidis offered remarks on the Religious Freedom Initiative, while Archon Andrew Manatos offered words on recent developments in Washington.

His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios concluded the assembly with a memorial service for all departed Archons and offered the Archiepiscopal Charge to the Archons-elect.