On Thursday, November 14, 2013, the Archons of North Florida, under the leadership of Regional Commander Theodore P. Vlahos MD, held a Conference on Religious Freedom entitled, “The Persecution of Christians Today in the Lands of the Bible.” The Conference was held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Clearwater. Over 350 people attended the program and reception sponsored by the Archons. The program was a comprehensive review of the daily persecution and hardships faced by Christians throughout the Middle East and Asia Minor. The plight of the Coptic Christians since the fall of President Mubarak was presented by Father Kyrillos Makar of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Clearwater. The wholesale destruction of churches in Syria occurring as a result of the civil disorder in that country was discussed by Father Michael Massouh of the Antiochian Archdiocese while the abduction of two bishops in Syria was emotionally presented by Father John Kouki of the Syriac Orthodox church.
The daily sufferings of Palestinian Christians was illustrated by well known human rights activist Dr. Maria Khoury, PhD, who came all the way from Taybeh, the only remaining completely Christian village left in the Holy Land. Finally, the daily harassment and institutional persecution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Orthodox Christians, as well as all the religious minorities in Turkey, was ably demonstrated by Dr. Nicholas Loutsion of the National Council of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle. Moderated by Dr. Theodore Vlahos, Regional Commander, the speakers, aided by powerpoint, kept the full hall wrapped in attention with their heartwrenching presentations. Finally, a political perspective and call to action was offered by Archon and former Congressman Michael Bilirakis on behalf of his son, Archon and current Congressman Gus Bilirakis.