Dear Brother Archons and Friends of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle:

The February 15, 2022 edition of Kathimerini, one of the foremost daily newspapers in Greece, contains a tribute to the beloved spiritual advisor of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate: Father Alexander Karloutsos, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Father Alex’s decades of unwavering dedication and selfless service to our Holy Mother Church in Constantinople and to the Archdiocese of America have enriched countless souls, and borne fruit in so many ways that it is difficult to find any aspect of Greek Orthodox life in America that has not benefited from the labors of this remarkable and tireless servant of God. We are confident that the Archons of America and all Orthodox faithful will appreciate this richly deserved tribute.

Yours in the service of our Holy Mother Church,

Anthony J. Limberakis, MD

Archon Aktouarios

National Commander

DIASPORA

The contribution of Father Alex

Andy Manatos & Mike Manatos

15.02.2002 · 20:03

The stature of the Greek-American community and its influence on America’s leaders has, over time, quite significantly benefited Greece, Cyprus and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. One of the individuals who has made an extraordinary contribution to that stature and influence is Father Alex Karloutsos, who recently announced that he is “retiring but not retreating.” For decades he served as the right hand of world-renowned Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios and of every Greek Orthodox archbishop of America, beginning with His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos. His close relationships with such important religious leaders provided Father Alex with a credible and powerful platform from which to work on behalf of the Church community.

Father Alex’s contributions to our community come from two equally unsurpassed parts. The first is his faith-driven genius that provides him insight into the hearts of others, the unique vision of opportunities, and the strategies and details of implementations that make those visions a reality. The second is best understood in his often-heard observation of the wealthy: “I am not impressed with their money but what they do with it.”

In his early years he added to our Church many of our “best and brightest.” As one of them told me: “While I grew up Greek, I wasn’t for many years. Now Father Alex made me Greek Orthodox again.” Father Alex served that group that he reintroduced to the Church and many others already committed to the Church through his “true priest” pastoral care and through hours each day of helping them and their families spiritually, vocationally, educationally and in any other way he could. He rewarded those most generous with the Church with an annual retreat meeting with our archbishop, as well as other national and international events with popes, prime ministers, presidents and princes. He is held in such high esteem that over 1,300 people contributed at least $300 to attend an Order of St Andrew dinner in honor of Father Alex and Presbytera Xanthi. It raised a record amount.