TheLeader VOLUME XXVI ISSUE1 Winter2025 - Flipbook - Page 14
business, and meeting with Archbishop Iakovos of
blessed memory, who had a lasting influence on both
Archon Peter and Aphrodite.
In his Archepiscopal Acclamation, His Eminence
Archbishop Elpidophoros declared: “This evening is an
auspicious and blessed event, for it calls to mind the
memory of a great man, and we remember him by
honoring a man with a similar dedication to service. He
explained that Archon Skeadas’ offikion, Hieromnimon,
which was chosen for him by His All-Holiness
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew himself, was highly
significant. Hiero, His Eminence explained, means “one
who is consecrated.” This was fitting, he said, addressing
Archon Peter, as “you take very seriously your role in the
Church.” His Eminence added that mnimon, meanwhile,
means “one who holds the memory, a spiritual archivist,
if you will.” He stated that no corner of the Church has
not been touched by Archon Peter’s service and wisdom.
“You are a leader,” His Eminence concluded. “You are
most worthy to receive the Nicholas J. Bouras Award.”
Nine Leadership 100 Members
Among Twenty-Eight
Distinguished Orthodox
Christians Invested Archons
of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America,
accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos
of San Francisco and His Eminence Metropolitan Savas
of Pittsburgh, presided at the Investiture of twenty-eight
new Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from
throughout the United States, following the Divine
Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy
Trinity in New York City on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
The Investiture was the final event of the annual Archon
Weekend. Like their distinguished brethren among the
Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the new
Archons have dedicated themselves to the protection and
defense of the Mother Church of Constantinople. Nine
of the new Archons are members of Leadership 100.
12
Addressing the new Archons, His Eminence Archbishop
Elpidophoros stated: “You will wear the cross of an
Archon, the sign of your devotion. And the sign that you
are called to bear the Cross of the Lord, to live
sacrificially for the Mother Church of Constantinople.”
He observed that the Church of Constantinople was “a
Mother who has provided for us through the ages of
ages: provisions of faith, of liturgy, of canonical order, of
leadership, and above all else, of the love of a Mother for
all her children.”
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros
presides at Investiture of New Archons.
“And you, beloved Archons,” His Eminence continued,
“you are the exemplary sons of the Mother Church, and
your declarations of faith and devotion are no mere
pronouncements. They are bonds of duty and
responsibility that bind you to Her in the fellowship of
Archons around the world. There are no substitutes for
your loyalty, your fidelity, and filial love. You will be
known by your deeds! And I know that they will be ones
of self-sacrificial honor, nobility, and dignity on behalf of
our precious Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
His Eminence also emphasized that “the Mother Church
stands for freedom; freedom in Ukraine and for the
Orthodox Christians of that blessed land to choose their
own ecclesiastical leadership. She stands for integrity;
integrity for our Planet Earth, which we share among all
eight billion human beings and the numberless lifeforms
upon which we depend for our nutrition and health.
And She stands for the spiritual mission of the Church,
and not for aspirations of a few who desire worldly
power and material wealth.”
