From Monday, October 19, through Sunday, October 25, 2026, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America led a historic pilgrimage commemorating the 35th anniversary of the enthronement of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Joining the pilgrimage were leading Archons from the United States, including Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, Archon Grand Aktouarios and National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of America, and the Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, National Vice Commander, along with other distinguished Archons. They were accompanied by the Rev. Alexander Karloutsos, Grand Protopresbyter of the Holy and Great Church of Christ and Spiritual Advisor to the Archons.
In Constantinople, His All-Holiness received the Archons in a private audience, and the pilgrims had the privilege of attending the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George at the Phanar marking the anniversary. They also attended a grand banquet in honor of His All-Holiness, which featured a tribute video initiated by Archbishop Elpidophoros and the Communications Office of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
The following evening, the pilgrims attended “The Life Was the Light,” a concert of traditional Greek folk dance, song, and poetic recitation organized by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia in honor of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s thirty-five years of Patriarchal ministry.
Toward the end of the pilgrimage, the Archons visited the Theological School of Halki, where they saw firsthand the extraordinary renovations and magnificent new facilities made possible by Archon Thanassis Martinos, President of the Pammakaristos Brotherhood of Archons, and his wife, Marina, of Athens.
