On Friday, July 6, 2018, the Order of Saint Andrew hosted a luncheon at Mistral Restaurant in honor of the Patriarchal Representatives in attendance at the Clergy-Laity Congress in Boston, MA. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Geron of America, His Eminence Apostolos Elder Metropolitan of Derkon, His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria, and His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh were in attendance. National Commander Anthony J. Limberakis, MD, offered remarks and greetings, which can be read below:
Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, and Your Graces,
Esteemed Clergy,
Honorable Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Brother Archons,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Here at the close of the 2018 Clergy Laity Conference, I am so very pleased that we can gather in the fellowship of this meal to show our deep and reverent appreciation for the presence of Their Eminences, Γέρων Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkon and Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria. We thank His Eminence ΓέρωνArchbishop Demetrios of America for allowing us to host this synaxis of love and respect, not only in honor of these distinguished guest Hierarchs of the Mother Church, but – in their persons – for the Holy Mother Church Herself, our beloved and indeed treasured Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, and most especially for the sacred person of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
As the Order of the Holy and First-Called Apostle Andrew – Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – we are always grateful for any opportunity to thank the Mother Church and Her honorable representatives for the many wise and diverse ministries that the Great Church of Christ provides not only to the world, but particularly to Her flock here in the United States, which depends on the Mother Church to provide us with prophetic vision and spiritual inspiration.
Your Eminences Metropolitan Apostolos and Metropolitan Maximos: you were chosen by His All-Holiness himself to travel thousands of miles to stand together with us through these past days. Your presence among us has been one of dignity, peacefulness, and above all the love of the Mother Church. For this presence and for the tremendous service that you have offered for so many decades, we express our deep and abiding thanks.
All of us want you to know – especially those of us who have been granted the honor to bear the name “Archon” – that although our bodies dwell here in these United States, our hearts are with you in the Queen of Cities, our beloved Constantinople. Our industry and professions are here, but our intentions and meditations are there. Our daily thoughts and concerns are here in the mundane pursuits of our lives, but our eternal aspirations and cares are with you; for without you, there is no more Orthodox Christian Faith in this land we call America.
Indeed, you are the vine and we are the branches, even as our Lord Jesus Christ said on the night that He gave Himself up for the life of the world. And as branches of the True Vine of Christ, we are to bear fruit, abundant fruit that will abide. We ask for your prayers, so that we may learn how to better serve the Great Church, and expand and proclaim the salvific message of His All-Holiness, which the world so desperately needs to hear.
We ask you not to forget this “band of brothers” – the Archons of the Ecumenical Throne, as we diligently pursue justice for the Mother Church of Constantinople.
We shall ever be at your side, shoulder to shoulder, a spiritual phalanx dedicated to the victory of the Mother Church over every opposing obstacle and stubborn hindrance. Our love shall never wane, our energy shall never ebb, and the light of Christ that we have received from you, Our Holy Mother Church, shall never fade.
On behalf of the Archons of the Great Church of Christ, please accept our deepest thanks for your presence and your participation during these days. Thank you.
