The Archon Regional Commanders for the Metropolis of Pittsburgh, Nicholas Terezis, Archon Ekdikos, and Nicholas J. Tranto, Archon Proto Ekdikos, on February 11, 2022 launched their “Archon Sprout Initiative,” a youth engagement activity in the Metropolis of Pittsburgh, at the Metropolis Greek Orthodox Youth Association (GOYA) Basketball Tournament at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Steubenville, Ohio.

200 youth and 150 adults attended the tournament, which was held from February 11 to 13, and was cohosted by the Archons of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh. At a two-hour event at Holy Trinity parish, Archons Terezis and Tranto spoke to the youth and their parents in small groups, offering each an Archon water bottle and an Ecumenical Patriarch card.

Archon Tranto noted that the need to start education on the Ecumenical Patriarchate at an early age, in order to raise awareness among Greek Orthodox youth about the structure, leadership and issues faced by the Holy Mother Church. Their “Archon Sprout Initiative” was a significant effort in that direction.