TheLeader_VOLUME_XXVII_ISSUE1_Spring2026 - Flipbook - Page 27
NEWS OF OUR MEMBERS
Sixteen Leadership 100 Members Among Thirty‑Eight
New Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
organization. It is, in fact, a divinely appointed ministry,
a ministry which can inspire anyone, anyone who loves
their Holy Orthodox Christian faith, and anyone who
loves the First Throne of Orthodoxy, the Most Holy
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.”
His Eminence Archbishop Elidophoros and Hierarchs
with Archon Class of 2025.
Following the Divine Liturgy at the Archdiocesan
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City on
Sunday, October 19, 2025, His Eminence Archbishop
Elpidophoros of America, along with His Eminence
Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, His Eminence
Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, and His
Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey,
presided at the Investiture of thirty-eight new Archons of
the Ecumenical Patriarchate from throughout the United
States.
The Investiture was the final event of the annual Archon
Weekend of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The newly invested Archons, like their distinguished
brethren, have dedicated themselves to the protection
and defense of the Mother Church of Constantinople.
Sixteen of the new Archons are members of Leadership
100.
Addressing the new Archons, His Eminence Archbishop
Elpidophoros stated꞉ “Today, in the presence of our Holy
God, and of God’s Holy people, we welcome the new
Archons of 2025.” He stated that the Archons of the
Ecumenical Patriarchate is “more than a mere earthly
His Eminence also stated꞉ “You are also called to lead.
Lead in your communities and your local society. Lead
to present the realities of the Great Church of Christ in
an honest and forthright manner, with integrity and with
sincerity. This means speaking up for our Ecumenical
Patriarchate when others try to shout it down. You,
beloved Archons, you are the defenders of the Mother
Church. You are advocates for Her mission, the mission
which is a pure and spiritual apostolate to the world.”
During the solemn Archon Investiture service, His
Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, with
His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, His Eminence
Metropolitan Gerasimos, and His Eminence
Metropolitan Apostolos, presented each Archon with the
Cross of St. Andrew, along with the official Patriarchal
Certificate specifying the Offikion designated by His AllHoliness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Four new Archons are the sons of other Archons꞉
Archon John Catsimatidis, Senior and Archon John
Junior of New York City, both members of Leadership
100; Archon Dr. Anthony Limberakis, Senior, a member
of Leadership 100, and Archon Anthony Junior of
Philadelphia; Archon Nikoforos Valaskantjis Senior, a
member of Leadership 100, and Archon George
Valaskantjis of Southern California; and Archon Steve
Zervoudis, Senior and Archon Jimmy Zervoudis of New
York City, both members of Leadership 100.
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