His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, presided at the Investiture of eighteen new Archons from throughout the United States, following the Divine Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, on Sunday, October 31, 2021. The new Archons have dedicated themselves to the protection and defense of the Mother Church of Constantinople.
His All-Holiness told the new Archons: “We observe that the titles of Archons conferred on you and henceforth borne by you, represent significant public and ecclesiastical ministries and offices in the history of the Eastern Roman Empire and our Orthodox Church. They presuppose education, legal knowledge, diplomacy, linguistic skills, high intelligence and, above all else, devotion to the sacred mission of the Church and our People’s sacred traditions.”
His All-Holiness also stated: “Archons have always offered manyfold and invaluable contributions to the Church and our Nation, and they continue to this day their service, organized into two Brotherhoods – the Order of St. Andrew, to which you all now belong, and the Brotherhood of ‘Panagia Pammakaristos’ comprising members outside of the United States. These around 1500 Archons throughout the world contribute in many ways and effectively to the support of the multidimensional and sacred work of the Mother Church, as well as to the defense of its inalienable rights, as demonstrated by the immense and admirable initiatives of the Order of St. Andrew under the dynamic leadership of Archon Aktouarios Anthony Limberakis.”
The National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, said: “The Archons represent the nobility of the Church, both in Byzantine and modern times, and with this noble characterization is associated an extraordinary responsibility, noblesse oblige, to continue sustained and distinguished service to the Church. It is the Archon who is the most ardent supporter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and serves as a goodwill ambassador of the Phanar in his daily life.”
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Investiture of the new Archons was postponed last year. At the 2020 Archon Weekend, which was held virtually, Dr. Limberakis explained that the investiture had to be conducted in person, as it was akin to an ordination, a solemn commitment on the part of the new members to commit themselves to the Holy Great Church of Christ with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
During the solemn Archon Investiture service, His All-Holiness presented each Archon with the Cross of St. Andrew along with the official Patriarchal Certificate specifying the Offikion designated by His All-Holiness for each Archon.
Archons invested:
Frank Demetrios Catrickes, Archon Kastrinsios, Watertown, MA, Financial Management Consultant
Hon. Jeffrey George Chrones, Archon Dikaiophylax, Chicago, IL, Judge, Chicago Circuit Court
Dimitrios Georgakopoulos, Archon Orphanotrophos, Weston, MA, Financial Management Consultant
Joseph John Kokοlakis, Esq., Archon Depoutatos, Clearwater, FL, Attorney, Chief Executive Officer, Kokolakis Contracting
Nicholas Christos Kyriazi, MD, Archon Aktouarios, Denver, CO, Physician Pediatrician
Mark George Moraitakis, Archon Ekdikos, Atlanta, GA, Executive Director, Chick-fil-A Corporation
Anastasios George Papademetriou, Archon Didaskalos Tou Genous, Egg Harbor, NJ, Director of the Center for Hellenic Studies Stockton University
Nicholas Papain, Esq., Archon Nomophylax, Plandome, NY, Attorney
George J. Razis, Esq., Archon Nomodotis, Sands Point, NY, Attorney
James George Rockas, Archon Ostiaros, Peabody, MA, Director of Strategy and Global Government Affairs American Center for Law and Justice
Terry Sarantou, MD, Archon Hartoularios, Charlotte, NC, Surgical Oncologist
Michael Seremetis, Archon Skevophylax, Brooklyn, NY, U. S. Secret Service, New York Field Office Director, Retired
Paul Peter Skoutelas, Archon Referendarios, Washington, DC, Chief Executive Officer, American Public Transport Association
Stavro George Soussou, Archon Hartophylax, Tenafly, NJ, Executive Vice President, Cimmaron International Corporation
John Thibault, Archon Exarchos, Lowell, MA, Executive, Software Development Industry
Nicholas John Tranto, Archon Protekdikos, Weirton, WV, Executive, U.S. Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Retired
Christopher Paul Tsavoussis, Archon Laosynaktis, Nassau, Bahamas and Clearwater, FL, Family Investments
Theodore Homer Vagelos, Archon Eftaxios, Boca Raton, FL, Executive, Telecommunications Industry
