The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) have chosen sixteen exceptional young adults to participate in the 2024 Pilgrimage of Discovery (POD). Sponsored and funded by the AEP, the POD is a life-changing journey to Constantinople, giving participants a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to the Sacred Center of the Orthodox Faith and deepen their understanding of the vital importance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as they prepare to lead the Orthodox Church in the future. The POD, which will take place August 4 through 11, 2024, is the cornerstone of a major AEP religious educational campaign for young adults.
The AEP created, sponsors, and funds the POD program as part of its multifaceted initiatives devoted to protecting the future of faith and supporting and defending our Holy Mother Church of Constantinople.
“The POD gives participants a unique opportunity to strengthen their connection to their religious tradition and understand the relevance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as they prepare to lead our Church in the next generation,” said Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the AEP. “This immersive journey is certain to have a tremendous and lasting impact upon our community all across the Archdiocese, and will help secure the future of our Holy Orthodox Church on a grassroots level.”
After the resounding success of the 2023 POD pilot program, in which the AEP sent five young adults from the Metropolis of Chicago to Constantinople, the Archons have expanded the POD program to include the entire Archdiocese.
“The AEP Pilgrimage of Discovery Committee is excited to expand the program nationwide,” said Hellena Chrones, Co-Chair of the POD committee. “We continue to work diligently to connect future leaders to the Mother Church of Constantinople and inspire them to support and defend it. In so doing, the POD will ultimately ensure the vibrancy of the Orthodox Church in the United States for years to come.”
This year, sixteen young adults, representing every Metropolis and the Archdiocesan District, were chosen for this transformative experience. Applicants for the POD went through a thoughtful and rigorous selection process, including a comprehensive application, recommendations submitted by their parish priests and upstanding members of their respective Metropolises, and a thorough vetting procedure. The selection committee, led by Archon Dr. John Fotopoulos, put measures in place to ensure anonymity and the integrity of the selection process.
The 2024 Pilgrimage of Discovery participants are:
Archdiocesan District: Elyse Zappia
Metropolis of Atlanta: Eliana Davis and Angelique Soulakos
Metropolis of Boston: Sophia Kyrou
Metropolis of Chicago: Marina Dimas and Peter Kokkinias
Metropolis of Detroit: Ana Eveleigh
Metropolis of Denver: Christopher Coombs and Andrew Pavlides
Metropolis of New Jersey: Alexandra Pirsos
Metropolis of San Francisco: Mariana Frangos, Eva-Marie Kailas and Sophia Looney
Metropolis of Pittsburgh: Gavrielia Constantine, Zachary Hartlep and Katerina Vassil
The development and expansion of the program has been made possible by a group of major donors to the POD, who have recognized the importance and value of the POD program. In addition to funding by the AEP, principal donors to the POD to date include Archon Michael G. and Robin Psaros, recipient of the 2022 Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship; Archons of the Metropolis of Chicago; Archons of the Metropolis of San Francisco; Archon Carl R. Hollister and Cynthia D. Hollister; Archon and Mrs. Joseph J. Kokolakis and family; Archon Dr. and Mrs. Gregory G. Papadeas and family; Archon Perry C. Siatis and family; and the Metropolis of Pittsburgh Ladies Philoptochos Society.
“The AEP is profoundly grateful to all those who have seen the value of the Archons’ POD program and enabled it to thrive,” Dr. Limberakis said. “These generous donors are planting the seeds to grow the future protectors of faith.”
The Pilgrimage of Discovery Committee is led by Co-Chairs Archon Hon. Jeffery Chrones, Hellena Chrones, and Archon Perry C. Siatis, and consists of Archon and AEP Youth Participation Activities Co-Chair Nicholas J. Tranto; Archon and AEP Youth Participation Activities Committee Co-Chair Hon. Steven Counelis; Archon Dr. John Fotopoulos; Archon Dr. Alexandros Kyrou; Archon and Metropolis of Chicago Regional Commander John Manos; Archon Nick Terezis; Joan Berg; Presvytera Anna Kallis; Dr. Eleni Makris; Tina Manikas; and Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou.
Watch the documentary from the 2023 pilgrimage
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