On Sunday, September 3, 2023 at the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra, the Metropolitan Church in Pyrgos, Greece, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew elevated Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to the offikion Archon Megas (Grand) Aktouarios. In his patriarchal letter to Dr. Limberakis, His All-Holiness explained that this honor was bestowed in view of the National Commander’s “twenty-five years of service and devotion to the Great Church of Christ.”
His All-Holiness, addressing Dr. Limberakis as “esteemed Grand Archon,” conveyed to him his “Paternal and Patriarchal joy and pride” at Dr. Limberakis’ quarter-century of service, “leading the Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to ever greater effectiveness, action, and support for the Mother Church of Constantinople.”
His All-Holiness noted that Dr. Limberakis has “followed in the footsteps of your beloved father, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne John Limberakis, and your father-in-law, National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Dr. Anthony G.B. Borden – both of blessed memory.” Dr. Borden served as National Commander of the Archons of Ecumenical Patriarchate from 1976 to 1989.
“From these spiritual giants,” the Ecumenical Patriarch continued in his patriarchal letter to Dr. Limberakis, “you learned a deep and abiding love for the Mother Church, and together with your beloved spouse, Maria, you have not only served humanity as physicians of great skill and compassion, but you have served the Church with a filial love and devotion worthy of the finest humanity can offer.” His All-Holiness then presented Dr. Maria with a Patriarchal Holy Water Ecclesiastical vessel.
His All-Holiness also praised Dr. Limberakis for laying the groundwork for the future stability of both the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Archons not just in the United States, but around the world. His All-Holiness said: “Your ministry through the Archons will give the generations to come another set of shoulders to stand upon and expand their vision of the possible. For with dedication and unrelenting commitment, you have consistently and powerfully forged connections between the Mother Church and Her sons and daughters throughout the United States and indeed, around the world. And you have shown your abiding care for Her by the establishment of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, an initiative of enormous significance in the modern history of the First Throne of Orthodoxy.”
In conclusion, His All-Holiness stated: “Together with our gratitude and pride, we offer our Paternal and Patriarchal prayers for you to continue your sacred offering as National Commander for many years to come, and that the Lord our God may pour forth upon you, your family, and the whole Order of Saint Andrew the First-Called, health and happiness, through His grace and His infinite mercy.”
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America remarked, “The elevation of National Commander, Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, to Grand Archon Aktouarios by the Ecumenical Patriarch today in Pyrgos tis Elias is an occasion of pride and joy for the entire Church in America. Grand Archon Limberakis’ twenty-five year stewardship of the Order of St. Andrew has manifested many and diverse blessings for the Mother Church of Constantinople and the Sacred Archdiocese of America. ΑΞΙΟΣ!”
His All-Holiness is in Pyrgos as part of a Patriarchal visit to Greece, during which the “Green Patriarch” will attend an environmental conference. Dr. Limberakis is in Pyrgos as head of an Archon delegation that also includes The Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, National Vice Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; Archon John J. Mindala II; and Father Alexander Karloutsos, Spiritual Advisor of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Dr. Maria Limberakis, Helen Bozonelis, and Presbytera Xanthi Karloutsos are also in attendance.
