On Saturday, February 15, 2025, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Metropolis of Chicago gave a series of presentations and hosted an Archon vendor table during the YAL Chicago Conference, which took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Chicago.

During a lunchtime session, with the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, Pilgrimage of Discovery Co-Chairs Archon Hon. Jeffery Chrones and Mrs. Hellena Chrones, along with Pilgrimage of Discovery participants Marina Dimas (’23), Peter Kokkinias (’24), Deanna Kolas (’23), Sophia Looney (’24), and George Valarcel (’23) spoke to an audience of approximately 700 attendees about the current challenges facing the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the faithful in Turkey, the Archons’ mission, and the Pilgrimage of Discovery initiative — a seven day, all expense paid journey through Constantinople.