On Monday, June 13, 2022, a delegation from the Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov. Prime Minister Petkov welcomed the Archons for a discussion about all-important issues of international religious freedom. The Archon delegation also met in the Parliament of Bulgaria with the chairman and multi-partisan representatives of the Bulgaria-USA Parliamentarian Friendship group and the President of the National Assembly (Parliament).

The Archon delegation with members of the Parliament of Bulgaria.

These meetings took place as part of the Order’s June 8-June 19 Religious Freedom Mission to Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. The delegates are meeting with religious and secular leaders in order to explain the mission of the Archons, underscoring Orthodoxy’s ethnic richness and respect for local cultures, and above all its universal, transcendent appeal. They also hope to foster stronger connections among Orthodox communities in U.S. and the Mother Church in Constantinople, as well as among Orthodox countries including Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, based on strong shared commitment to Orthodox faith and traditions.

The delegation is led by Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, the National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew, National Vice Commander the Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, Fr Alex Karloutsos, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Archon John Mindala.

The visit to Romania and Bulgaria is being coordinated by Dr. Nawaf Salameh of the Alexandrion Group in Romania, and Archon Boris and Youlianna Gurov in Bulgaria. The Alexandrion Foundation is a strong supporter of religious freedom and open dialogue among interfaith communities.