Dear Brother Archon and Friends,
I am pleased to offer the report below regarding our recent advance trip to Athens, Greece and Monte Carlo, Monaco to plan the 4th International Archon Conference on Religious Freedom emphasizing democracy and human rights in the sovereign governance of nations.
After receiving the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Archon delegation consisting of National Vice Commander Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, our Spiritual Advisor Fr. Alex Karloutsos, Archon John Mindala, and myself traveled to Athens on January 14 where we met with His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel, Geron of Chalcedon, who led the delegation. The Archon delegation was pleased to be joined by Archon Boris and Youlianna Gurov in Greece and Archon John Kassimatis in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The delegation also expresses its gratitude to Todor and Iliana Jeliaskov of Bulgaria who are becoming FOUNDERS of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation and joined the delegation in Greece.
The Order expresses its profound gratitude to the Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation for their $50,000 grant which underwrote the advance preparatory mission. We are very grateful to Bouras Foundation Trustee, National Vice Commander Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis for facilitating this.
Below is a day-by-day synopsis with pictorial documentation of events as they happened.
Respectively submitted and
In the Service of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,
Anthony J. Limberakis, MD
Archon Aktouarios
National Commander
With the Blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Archon Delegation Meets with Key Religious, Political and Civic Leaders in Greece in Preparation for May 2024 International Archon Conference on Religious Freedom, the Foundation of Democracy and Human Rights
With the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, on Saturday, January 14, 2023, a preparatory delegation of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, traveled to Athens, Greece to discuss the possibilities of holding a future Archon International Conference there. His Eminence was unable to participate due to scheduling conflicts. During the extraordinarily busy and productive weeklong visit in Greece, the Archon delegation met with some of the most important religious, political, and civic leaders in the country, including His Beatitude Ieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Due to the gracious efforts of National Vice Commander, Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, a trustee of The Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation, the Bouras Foundation donated a $50,000 grant to the Order of St. Andrew to underwrite this planning trip to ensure success of the proposed May 2024 International Archon Conference on Religious Freedom, the Foundation of Democracy and Human Rights.
The delegation was led by led by His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel, Geron of Chalcedon and included, among others, Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle; the Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, the Order’s National Vice Commander; and the Order’s spiritual advisor, Father Alexander Karloutsos. The Archon delegation was pleased to be joined by Archon Boris and Youlianna Gurov in Greece and Archon John Kassimatis in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The delegation also expresses its gratitude to Todor and Iliana Jeliaskov of Bulgaria who are becoming FOUNDERS of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation and joined the delegation in Greece.
Meeting with the former Consul General of Greece in New York, Dr. Konstantinos Koutras
Upon the delegation’s arrival in Greece on Saturday, January 14, it met with the former Consul General of Greece in New York, Dr. Konstantinos Koutras, and his beloved wife Popita. Dr. Koutras served in New York from 2016 to 2022 and then returned to service at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens. Archon John Mindala, a member of the preparatory delegation, exhaustively documented the entire trip with photographs of the various meetings.
Divine Liturgy with His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoretos
On Sunday, January 15, His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoretos, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Athens, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Irene Church in Athens with the Archon preparatory delegation in attendance.
Lunch with Metropolitan Theodoretos
Following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 15, Archon Gerasimos L. Fokas, Vice President of the Pammakaristos Brotherhood of Archons, hosted a lunch in honor of His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoretos and the visiting Archon delegation.
Dinner with Metropolitan Theodoretos
On Sunday evening, January 15, the Archon delegation attended a dinner with His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoretos. Also in attendance was Mr. Soulis Konstantopoulos of the Diagnostic Imaging Center, Breast Center Isthmus of Corinth, along with Mr. Leonidas Tzonis, PhD, Executive Vice President and CFO of the Hellenic American University.
Meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
On Monday, January 16, the Archon delegation met with the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Archon leaders previously met with Prime Minister Mitsotakis to discuss issues of religious freedom at an Archon luncheon in Washington, D.C. in May 2020. The Prime Minister offered his full support to the efforts in planning the Fourth International Archon Conference scheduled for May 2024 in Athens, Greece.
Dinner with the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, George J. Tsunis, Archon of the Great Church of Christ
On Monday evening, January 16, the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, George J. Tsunis, and his beloved wife Olga hosted a dinner in honor of the Archon delegation at the Ambassador’s Residence. During the dinner, National Commander Limberakis and Vice Commander Bozonelis presented Ambassador Tsunis, Archon Hypomnematografos, and his gracious wife Olga with the Archon Sophia Award for Excellence.
The Award is given by the Order to those who have distinguished themselves in endeavors that serve the needs of the Holy Mother Church and the Sacred Mission of the Archons of the Great Church of Christ. Previous recipients include Dr. Nawaf and Rim Salameh and Archon Boris and Youlianna Gurov, who were essential in facilitating the Religious Freedom Mission that a delegation of the Order undertook from June 8 to June 19, 2022; and Santiago Calatrava, the internationally renowned architect who designed the Saint Nicholas Church and National Shrine at Ground Zero in lower Manhattan.
Meeting with the Rector of the University of Athens, Prof. Athanasios Meletios Dimopoulos
On Tuesday, January 17, the Archon delegation met with Professor Athanasios Meletios Dimopoulos, Rector of the University of Athens and faculty. Prof. Meletios guided the Archon Delegation to several stunning venues that may be utilized during the proposed International Conference.
Meeting with President Martinos of the Pammakaristos Brotherhood of Archons
Also on Tuesday, January 17, the Archon delegation met with His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoretos and Archon Athanasios Martinos, President of the Pammakaristos Brotherhood of Archons in Europe, at offices of Archon Martinos. Following the meeting at Archon Martinos’ office, a working luncheon hosted by Archon Martinos at a nearby restaurant took place reviewing plans for the upcoming Fourth International Archon Conference scheduled for May 2024 in Athens, Greece which will focus on Democracy (at the birthplace of Democracy), Human Rights and Religious Freedom. Discussions regarding advancing the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation globally were discussed in detail. Archon Gerasimos Fokas, Vice President of the Pammakaristos Archons and Metropolitan Theodoretos were also in attendance.
Meeting with Greece’s Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Minister Niki Kerameus
The Archon delegation also met on Tuesday, January 17 with Minister Niki K. Kerameus, the Minister of Education and Religious Affairs of the Hellenic Republic. The Ministry’s General Secretariat recently published two landmark works: The Black Book of the Persecutions and Martyrdom Suffered by Hellenism in Turkey (1914-1918) and Acts Against Religious Sites in Greece Report 2019. While in the Minister’s Offices, the Delegation telephoned Archon Andy Manatos in Washington, DC to discuss the ways and means to disseminate these significant publications to Members of Congress and the Administration of President Biden.
Meeting at the Patriarchal Office
On Wednesday, January 18, the Archon delegation met with His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoretos of Laodicea, the Director of the Representative Office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Athens. His Eminence brought the delegation to the nearby Church of St. Nicholas, a gift of the Church of Athens and All Greece and the City of Athens to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Meeting with the Chairman of Contships Management Mr. Nikolas D. Pateras
Later on Wednesday, January 18, His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoretos introduced the Archon delegation to Mr. Nikolas D. Pateras, Chairman of Contships Management, Inc. During the informal visit, the delegation had an opportunity to learn more about his long tradition and expertise in the ship management of container vessels.
Visit to Mitera Hospital
Also on Wednesday, January 18, the Archon delegation met with Dr. Stephanos Chandakas, President of Mitera Hospital in Athens. The delegation was given a tour of the hospital; after the tour, the renowned celebrity chef Akis Petretzikis prepared a luncheon for the delegation that was hosted by Dr. Chandakos.
Archons host dinner in honor of the Mayor of Athens Konstantinos Bakoyannis
On Wednesday evening, January 18, the Archon Delegation hosted a dinner in honor of the Mayor of Athens, Konstantinos Bakoyannis. Mayor Bakoyannis offered his full endorsement of the efforts of the Order of St. Andrew to plan a milestone conference in Athens promoting Democracy, Human Rights and Religious Freedom. In attendance were leading dignitaries and citizens of Athens.
Meeting with the Mayor of Athens Konstantinos Bakoyannis
On Thursday, January 19, the Archon delegation met with the Mayor of Athens, Konstantinos Bakoyannis, at Athens City Hall during which the Mayor graciously offered administrative assistance in planning the Conference.
Meeting with Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens
Also on Thursday, January 19, the Archon delegation met with His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos at the Archdiocese. Commander Limberakis noted that with the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, an Archon Planning Delegation traveled to Athens, Greece to begin work on what will be an extraordinary International Conference.
Meeting with the Minister of Public Safety Takis Thedorikakis
The Archon delegation, again on Thursday, January 19, met with Greece’s Minister of Public Safety, Takis Thedorikakis. Matters of Conference security and safety were discussed during the meeting.
Meeting with the Minister of Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos
Likewise on Thursday, January 19, the Archon delegation met with Greece’s Minister of Defense, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, at the Department of Defense.
Meeting with the Foreign Minister Niko Dendias
On Friday, January 20, the Archon delegation met with Greece’s Foreign Minister Niko Dendias at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Archon delegation departed Greece on Saturday, January 21 for more meetings in Monaco. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had planned to participate, but changed his plans after the passing of his beloved sister, Zacharo Anastasiadou. His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel served in Monaco as His All-Holiness’ representative. In loving memory of the beloved sister of His All-Holiness, the Order offered a donation to the newly planned Home for the Aged on the Island of Imvros, the birthplace of His All-Holiness.
Meeting with Director of the Patriarchal Press & Communications Office
On Friday, January 20, members of the Archon delegation met with Mr. Nicholas-George Papachristou, Director of the Patriarchal Press & Communications Office, to discuss how the Order of Saint Andrew can assist in improving digital communication and live-streaming religious services from the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In addition, the Pilgrimage of Discovery project was reviewed.
Dinner hosted by Consul General of Greece to Monaco, Hon. Petros Machas
The Archon delegation departed Greece on Saturday, January 21 for more meetings in Monaco. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had planned to participate, but changed his plans after the passing of his beloved sister, Zacharo Anastasiadou. His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel served in Monaco as His All-Holiness’ representative.
On Saturday, January 21, the Archon delegation attended a dinner in honor of His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel. The dinner was hosted by Petros Machas, Consul General of Greece to Monaco.
Divine Liturgy and Investiture of Archons at the Virgin Mary Chapel in Monaco
On Sunday, January 22, His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Virgin Mary Chapel in Monaco. Following the Liturgy, four new Archons were invested by His Eminence Geron Metropolitan: Petros Machas, Konstantinos Tzouvelekas, Grigoris Stasinopoulos and Nicolas Hadjioannou. In addition to the Archon Delegation, New York Regional Commander Archon John V. Kassimatis was present, who together with his wife Alexandra were visiting his beloved son Vasilios and his family in Monte Carlo. New York Archon Fotios Piniros, a FOUNDER of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation was in Monte Carlo on business, and also attended Divine Liturgy, the Cutting of the Vasilopita and the several events that took place with the Archon Delegation.
Cutting of the Vasilopita by the Hellenic Community of Monaco
Also on Sunday, January 22, His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel participated in a celebration of the cutting of the vasilopita by the Hellenic Community at the Yacht Club of Monaco, with the Archon delegation in attendance. The Hellenic Community in Morocco is very active and plans numerous cultural events throughout the year.
Dinner at the Hermitage Hotel
On Sunday evening, January 22, a dinner was held at Monaco’s Hermitage Hotel in honor of His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel, with the Archon delegation again in attendance.
