On Saturday, September 2, 2023, an official delegation of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate greeted His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Andravida Military Airport, as he began his Patriarchal Visit to Pyrgos, Greece.

The delegation consisted of Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, Archon National Commander; The Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, Archon National Vice Commander, Archon John J. Mindala II; and Father Alexander Karloutsos, Spiritual Advisor of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Dr. Maria Limberakis, Helen Bozonelis, and Presbytera Xanthi Karloutsos were also in attendance.

His All-Holiness arrived in Pyrgos where he was greeted at the airport by the President of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, as well as by the Archon delegation. His All-Holiness’ warm pastoral visit to the city was marked by a parade; schools were also closed in honor of the illustrious visitor. Pyrgos Mayor Panagiotis Antonakopoulos declared His All-Holiness an honorary citizen of the city, and the Ecumenical Patriarch attended a traditional dance performance by Lykeion ton Ellinidon (The Hellenic Lyceum) and other associations in the Pyrgos town square.

His All-Holiness also led the welcome doxology offered by Metropolitan Athanasios of Pyrgos, where he was greeted by His Beatitude Ieronymos II, the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece and primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece and attended by the Archon delegation.