His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, presided at the Investiture of thirty-five 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: “Honorable Archons, you are from this moment appointed guardians of the sacred traditions of our Church and the noble values of our Nation. In your person, you combine piety and nobility, modesty and creativity, an ecclesiastical attitude and spirit of service, loyalty to Tradition and a spirit of modernity by offering so much to society, economy, science, progress and civilization. We are certain that this honor bestowed upon you today by the Ecumenical Patriarchate will release within you renewed energy to support fresh activities.”
His All-Holiness also stated: “Honorable Archons, the Mother Church blesses you. It is proud of you for this sacred association and good witness, for your presence and contribution. Your Patriarch appreciates you, loves you, prays for you and your families. We ask that you transmit to your children, the new generation of our Community, the love for the Church and for our most precious civilization. Once again, wholehearted congratulations. Axioi!”
The National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, said: “The Archon of the Great Church of Christ is a Defender of the Faith and as such is expected to demonstrate leadership in the support of his local Parish, Diocese/Metropolis, Archdiocese and, most importantly, the Ecumenical Patriarchate. To the Archon Class of 2021, we offer our heartfelt congratulations.”
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:
Nicholas Anagnostopoulos, Archon Hartoularios, West Nyack, NY, Real Estate Management and Investor
Soterios Theodore Argeroplos, Archon Eftaxias, Ellicott City, MD, AMA Systems CEO/Founder,Point Redemption Fulfillment and Global Trade
Hon. Alex Michael Azar, Archon Aktouarios, Washington, DC, Antiochian Orthodox Jurisdiction, 24th U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2018–2021)
Nicholas Mtanios Azar, Archon Orphanotrophos, Casper, WY, Petroleum Industry Executive
George Kostas Bovis, MD, Archon Ostiarios, Northbrook, IL Neurosurgeon
Richard T. Browne, Archon Referendarios, Westchester, NY, CEO Construction Management, Saint Nicholas Shrine
Spyros Catechis, PhD, Archon Maistor, Houston, TX, Education Consultant
Hon. Steven George Counelis, Archon Nomophylax, Anaheim, CA, Judge, California Superior Court
Michael Efthimios Economou, Archon Skevophylax, Upper Darby, PA, Electronic Systems Design and Maintenance
John George Gumas, Archon Hartophylax, San Francisco, CA, Advertising and Interactive Marketing Executive
Elias Anthony Iliadis, MD, Archon Exarchos, Cherry Hill, NJ, Physician Cardiologist
Theodore Michael Kakoyiannis, Esq., Archon Dikaiophylax, New York, NY, Attorney
Constantine James Kalaris, Archon Laosynaktis, Annapolis, MD, Kalaris Family Vineyards
Ilias Katsos, Archon Depoutatos, Southampton, NY, Construction Management Consultant
Dennis Demosthenes Kokenes, MD, Archon Asingritis, Charlotte, NC, Physician Gastroenterologist
Demetrios Kokotas, Archon Referendarios, Brooklyn, NY, Supreme President, Order of AHEPA
Steve Sava Kontos, Archon Notarios, Tenafly, NJ, Kontos Food Products
Hon. Michael John Kotsakas Kratsios, Archon Kastrinsios, Washington, DC, U.S. Chief Technology Officer (2019–2021), U.S. Acting Under Secretary of Defense Research and Engineering (2020–2021)
Kyriacos Charles Kyriacou, Esq., Archon Ekdikos, Los Angeles, CA, Attorney
Angelo Harry Magafan, Archon Laosynaktis, Washington, DC, Real Estate Investor
Vasilios Mathews, MD, Archon Referendarios, Houston, TX, Orthopedic Surgeon
Pantelis Michalos, MD, Archon Aktouarios, Southampton, NY, Ophthalmologist
George K. Moutis, Archon Hartophylax, Ocean City, NJ, Construction Management Consultant
Petros Neomanitakis, Archon Hartoularios, Brooklyn, NY, Real Estate Investor
Dean George Pappas, Esq., Archon Protekdikos, Houston, TX, Attorney
Fotios Piniros, Archon Protonotarios, Rye, NY, Private Wealth Advisor
George G. Harry Poulon, Archon Depoutatos, Brooklyn, NY, Civil Engineer
Gregory Saad, Archon Nomodotis, Mobile, AL, Real Estate Investments, Commercial and Industrial Brokerage and Development
Anis Nicola Shamiyeh, Esq., Archon Notarios, Walnut Creek, CA, Palestinian and Jordanian Orthodox Vicariate Attorney
Demetrios Gregory Skedros, MD, Archon Maistor, Salt Lake City, UT, Otolaryngology Surgeon
George John Spanos, Archon Ostiaros, Camp Hill, PA, Information Technology Executive
Col. Michael Leonidas Therianos, Jr., Archon Asingritis, Colorado Springs, CO, U.S. Air Force, Retired
Stephen Donald Tibbs, Archon Orphanotrophos, Irvine, CA, Strategic Planning Consultant
Chris Evan Tsamutalis, CPA, Archon Skevophylax, Tenafly, NJ, Certified Public Accountant
Chris Vasilakis, MD, Archon Imnodos, Morgantown, WVA, Orthopedic Surgeon
