On Saturday, May 11, 2024, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chicago held their 9th Annual Metropolis of Chicago Archon Business Meeting at the Saint Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, Wisconsin.

A large portion of the meeting highlighted Archon activities at the national and local levels aimed at raising awareness of the issues facing the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Upcoming initiatives including the 4th Archon International Religious Freedom Conference to be held in Athens, Greece this summer, and the second Pilgrimage of Discovery trip geared toward Orthodox young adults.

The Archons also shared thoughts and ideas on to how to continue the Archons’ mission and Archon involvement locally and nationally, and discussed Christian persecution throughout the world.

During the meeting, National Secretary and Regional Commander Gus M. Pablecas and Regional Commander John G. Manos recognized the three recently invested 2023 Archons from the Metropolis of Chicago: Louis Apostol, Esq., Nomophylax; Michael Bousis, Depotatos; and Dr. Peter Panton, Chartoularios.

They also remembered the Archons from the Metropolis of Chicago who have Fallen Asleep in the Lord since the previous business meeting: John Papajohn, Anastasios Betzelos, Lou Laros, and Frank Kuchuris.

The meeting culminated with a lecture by Dr. John Fotopoulos, Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. His presentation centered

around the inaugural Pilgrimage of Discovery (POD). trip last summer and the selection process for this year’s POD participants. Dr. Fotopoulos serves as selection committee chair for the POD.