Inspired by the Southern California Archon Conference in September 2023, and supported by the Metropolis and Parish Education Engagement Committee, Archons fanned out across Southern California to educate and encounter their own parishioners, immediately after the feast day of the First Called Apostle, St. Andrew.
“The educational efforts of our newest Archons in Southern California are a testament to their commitment to the Mission of the AEP. They are passionate advocates, and our efforts will continue here in Southern California to educate the Faithful about the Mother Church” remarked Regional Commanders Gerry Ranglas, Theodore Konopisos and Hon. Steven Counelis.
On December 3, 2023, recently invested Archons Constantine M. Boukidis, Gig Kyriacou and James Zaferis gave a presentation to parishioners at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles, California .
Invited by Rev. Father Gary Kyriacou, Dean, to speak in the Cathedral, Archon Boukidis shared the importance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
and the role it fills in the life of the church. He encouraged parishioners to attend the more detailed lecture and PowerPoint presentation in the church hall after the Divine Liturgy during coffee hour. Over fifty parishioners attended. Archons Boukidis, Zaferis and Kyriacou explained what an Archon is and his role in the church, an overview of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Orthodox church’s history, the five issues experienced by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Turkey, and the importance of all Orthodox to continue to learn about the challenges facing the Patriarchate. Additionally, Archons Andrew Eliopulos, Michael Patzakis, MD, John Patzakis, and the Honorable Andreas Kyprianides were in attendance and greatly contributed to the discussion. Archon Boukidis reported that “the reception by the parishioners was tremendous. They very much appreciated our presentation. They requested that the Archons present this information to the parish more than once a year, and present it to our Young Adults. They learned a tremendous amount about our church and faith.”
Also on December 3, 2023, newly invested Archon Spiro Kailas and Regional Commander Gerry Ranglas offered a presentation to their parish, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church at Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Rev. Father Michael Sitaras conducted a Trisagion to remember the Archons who have fallen asleep in the Lord.
Thereafter, parishioners met in the Pappas Hall for fellowship, followed by the Archon presentation to learn about the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the obstacles our Ecumenical Patriarchate experiences by the Turkish Government. Over 70 parishioners were present.
Father Michael provided an historical summary of how Saint Andrew became the Patron Saint of the Archons and information on Saint Andrews’ life and how he died.
Regional Commander Ranglas narrated the first half of the audio-visual program. Archon Kailas offered the second half, which included a video of Regional Commander Counelis’ advocacy before the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference of OSCE, this past October 2023.
Archon Kailas closed the presentation by informing the Parishioners that it was his and RC Ranglas’ goal to have their Parish become a Founder of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Bartholomew Foundation in the not-too-distant future.
Those in attendance expressed their appreciation for a very powerful, concerning, and informative presentation that provided a renewed understanding of the mission and objectives of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.