The Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, has announced the addition of eighteen new Archons, who have dedicated themselves to the protection and defense of the Mother Church of Constantinople and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the new Archons will be invested at a later date. At the 2020 Archon Weekend, which was held virtually, Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew, 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.
When the solemn Archon Investiture service can be held, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, will present each new Archon with the Cross of St. Andrew, along with the official certificate from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, specifying the Offikion designated by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for each Archon.
His Eminence has reminded new Archons that “as you wear the Archon cross, the insignia of your devotion, so you will be called to bear the Cross of the Lord, and to live sacrificially for the Mother Church of Constantinople. Embrace your Offikion with that joy of the Resurrection! It is none other than His All-Holiness himself who chose the title for you, out of his love for you and appreciation of your dedication to the Great Church of Christ. You are all most worthy of this noble honor!”
Dr. Limberakis explained: “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.”
The new Archons are:
Frank Demetrios Catrickes
Taxiarche, Watertown, MA
Mr. Catrickes, a member of Leadership 100, is the son of Archon Demetrios Catrickes. He offers much time to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, where he serves as an active member of the OCMC Board. A cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Finance, Mr. Catrickes is an executive of Wellington Financial Management.
Jeffery George Chrones, Esq.
St. Andrew, Chicago, IL
Judge Chrones currently serves as a Circuit Court Judge in Chicago, after a long tenure as a practicing attorney in Chicago.
Judge Chrones states that he wishes to pay back to the Ecumenical Patriarchate the beneficence afforded years ago by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to his late father-in-law, Nikolaos Karnezos, who was born in Imbros. The Patriarchate paid for his father-in-law’s education, leading to a degree in physics from the University of Athens.
Judge Chrones and his wife have established a scholarship fund, in Mr. Karnezos’ name, for the benefit of the Patriarchate to educate young people. Thus far, $100,000 has been sent to the Patriarchate. Judge Chrones also has organized many fundraising events for the ministries of the Chicago Metropolis.
Dimitrios Georgakopoulos
St. Demetrios, Weston, MA
Mr. Georgakopoulos, a financial management consultant, is a major donor to the Boston Metropolis and its ministries. He was the financial chair of the 2018 Clergy Laity Conference.
Mr. Georgakopoulos also offers much of his time, talent and treasure in support of disadvantaged children. He cofounded and manages a soccer league for children with disabilities and is a major financial supporter of a ministry that provides employment for homeless children and those in foster care.
Joseph John Kokοlakis, Esq.
Holy Trinity, Clearwater, FL
Mr. Kokolakis, a member of Leadership 100, is an attorney who owns and manages a large national construction company employing hundreds of workers. In addition to his support of other Atlanta ministries, Mr. Kokolakis has offered critical support to the Atlanta Metropolis Diakonia Center and the Atlanta Metropolis summer camp for children.
Nicholas Christos Kyriazi, MD
Kimisis of the Theotokos Cathedral, Denver, CO
Dr. Kyriazi, a Leadership 100 member, has served on the Hellenic College/Holy Cross Board of Trustees and, pro bono, as a physician at the Ionian Summer Camp, in addition to supporting the ministries of the Denver Metropolis, International Orthodox Christian Charities, and the Orthodox Christian Mission Center.
Mark George Moraitakis
Annunciation Cathedral, Atlanta, GA
Mr. Moraitakis, an executive of the Chick-Fil-A Corporation, has served on the Board of Hellenic College/Holy Cross and was the lead facilitator for the Hellenic College/Holy Cross Office of Vocation 2018 Telos Project. He was the keynote speaker during the 2019 National Presbyters Conference. Currently, Mr. Moraitakis is the co-chair of the Atlanta Metropolis Diakonia Retreat Center.
Anastasios George Papademetriou, Ph.D.
Holy Trinity Egg Harbor, NJ
Dr. Papademetriou is the endowed Professor of Greek History and Director of the Center for Hellenic Studies at Stockton University, New Jersey. He is a graduate of the Holy Cross School of Theology and has earned a doctorate degree from Princeton University. Dr. Papademetriou has written extensively about the history of non-Muslims under Ottoman rule, including relations between the Greek Orthodox Church and the government in the early Ottoman centuries, which is the subject of his book, Render Unto the Sultan, published by Oxford University Press. Dr. Papademetriou also directs the Anatolian Churches Project, an international collaborative project that was funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Nicholas Papain, Esq.
Archangel Michael, Port Washington, NY
Mr. Papain, a member of Leadership 100, is a prominent attorney who, among other clients, represents pro bono 3,000 first responders and survivors at Ground Zero who suffer illnesses linked to the September 11, 2001 attack. Mr. Papain is a very generous financial supporter of the Archdiocese, as well as his home parish, Archangel Michael. He currently serves as President of the Archangel Michael Parish Council.
George J. Razis, Esq.
Holy Resurrection, Brookville, NY; Archangel Michael, Port Washington, NY
For 50 years, Mr. Razis has represented, pro bono, the Archdiocese, many parishes in the New York City area, and the Sacred Patriarchal Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovolantou involving various legal issues, including appearances in courts and before other government agencies, avoiding in many instances protracted and expensive litigation.
James George Rockas
St. Sophia Cathedral, Washington, DC; St. Vasilios, Peabody, MA
Mr. Rockas is the son of Archon George Rockas. Currently he serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the United States Secretary of Commerce. He was a former Congressional aide and has clerked with the American Center for Law and Justice. In 2009 he spent time at the Ecumenical Patriarchate and produced the film “On the Precipice of Extinction,” focusing on the challenges imposed on the Ecumenical Patriarchate by the Turkish Government.
Terry Sarantou, MD
Holy Trinity Cathedral St. Nektarios; St. Luke, Charlotte, NC
Dr. Sarantou is a prominent surgical oncologist, who often has been invited to speak at medical conferences nationally and internationally. He is prominent in many medical organizations.
Notwithstanding his very busy practice, Dr. Sarantou has lived his Orthodox faith. He has participated in pilgrimages to Mt. Athos and Jerusalem. In addition to his many activities at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, he was a founding member of the St. Luke Church and helped underwrite the priest’s salary. At the St. Nektarios Church he launched the “Prayer for the Cure” event to provide healing and comfort to patients and their families dealing with cancer. He provides medical care to visiting Orthodox clergy and is a member of the Atlanta Metropolis Holy Unmercenaries Society, which is dedicated to blending healthcare with Christian outreach.
Michael Seremetis
Kimisis of the Theotokos, Brooklyn, NY
Mr. Seremetis formerly served as Special Agent in charge of the New York field office of the United States Secret Service. Currently he serves as security officer for Southeby Galleries. Over the years, Mr. Seremetis has served as security advisor to the Archdiocese and the Ecumenical Patriarchate when called upon. He is currently assisting the Archdiocese develop strategies and protocols to mitigate cyber and physical security threats that could pose a significant risk to the Archdiocese.
Paul Peter Skoutelas
St. Sophia Cathedral, Washington, DC
Mr. Skoutelas is a member of Leadership 100. As President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Public Transport Association, he represents United States municipal and local transport systems in Washington, DC where he interfaces with members of Congress and their staffs. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the municipal transport systems in Orlando, FL and Pittsburgh, PA.
Stavro George Sousou
St. John Cathedral, Tenafly, NJ
Mr. Sousou is a member Leadership 100, who has also enrolled his four children as members of Leadership 100. He is a Board member and past Chairman of COSMOS FM, a Hellenic focused public radio station in the New York metropolitan area. Mr. Sousou has visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate three times. He is a mechanical engineer.
John Thibault
Transfiguration, Lowell, MA
Mr. Thibault, a Leadership 100 member, is a convert to our faith. He is the retired Chief Executive Officer of a software development company. Mr. Thibault states that he is anxious to become active in the ministry of the Order in support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Nicholas John Tranto
All Saints, Weirton, WV
Mr. Tranto has led a distinguished career with the United States Internal Revenue Service and currently serves as an IRS service manager. He has served his parish and the Pittsburgh Metropolis for many years in various capacities.
Christopher Paul Tsavoussis
Annunciation, Nassau, Bahamas; Holy Trinity, Clearwater, FL
Mr. Tsavoussis has served his Nassau and Clearwater parishes faithfully for many years. Following the 2019 hurricane which devastated the Bahamas, Mr. Tsavoussis coordinated relief efforts on behalf of International Orthodox Christian Charities to those affected. He has graciously served the church for over 40 years through parish councils, event management, stewardship, and governance. His philanthropic efforts go beyond his own faith community as he also serves the greater communities in which he lives. Mr. Tsavoussis and his family brought creative methods to teach young people how to read in the Bahamas and regularly serve the homeless and destitute through the Annunciation community kitchen.
Theodore Homer Vagelos
St. Mark, Boca Raton, FL
Mr. Vagelos, a member of Leadership 100, is a telecommunications industry executive, who also unselfishly offers his time and talent to serving the ministries of the church. He has assisted the Archdiocese staff in putting in place many valuable internet projects, such as Light a Candle, Say a Prayer, and Make a Donation. In addition to other duties, Mr. Vagelos ably directs live streaming services from St. Mark and has instructed many parishes, especially during the Covid-19 quarantine, how to place live streaming in place from their houses of worship.
