What is an Archon?
 

An Archon is an honoree by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his outstanding service to the Church, and a well-known distinguished, and well-respected leader of the Orthodox Christian community.

It is by the grace of God that the Archon has been able to offer his good works and deeds of faith. Further, it is the sworn oath of the Archon to defend and promote the Orthodox Christian faith and tradition. His special concern and interest is to serve as a bulwark to protect and promote the Sacred See of St. Andrew the Apostle and its mission. He is also concerned with the human race's inalienable rights wherever and whenever they are violated - and the well-being and general welfare of the Christian Church.

This honor extended by the Ecumenical Patriarchate carries with it grave responsibilities, deep commitments, and sincere dedication. Consequently, it is of utmost importance that this honor of obligation be bestowed upon individuals of proven Orthodox Christian character, who conform faithfully to the teachings of Christ and the doctrines, canons, worship, discipline, and encyclicals of the Church.

To learn more, please visit www.archons.org/home

Old Rome to New Rome” Led by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of American &
His Eminence Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin July 14 – 24, 2025

Article: Archon Harry Cavalaris

Left/Right: Archon Harry Cavalaris receiving personal Blessing from Pope Leo XIV; Cardinal Tobin of New Jersey, Pope Leo XIV, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America in a group photo with Pilgrims; Vatican Swiss Guard Escorting Archon Harry Cavalaris.

The Greek Orthodox Roman Catholic Pilgrimage was one of reflection, prayer in hope and joy.  The Pilgrims consisted of Roman Catholics Clerical and Lay Persons, as well as Greek Orthodox Clerical and Lay Persons with members of the Church Press Corp.

Rome: Personal Audience with Pope Leo XVI who gave his blessing and greeted each Pilgrim personally, Prayers at the Graves of St. Peter, St. Paul, Pope Frances, visitation to other religious and historical areas. 

Constantinople: Ecumenical Patriarchate Divine Liturgy at St George Cathedral, private audience with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Venerate Holy Relics of St. Gregory the Theologian, who presided over the 2^nd Ecumenical Council that completed the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed and the Relics of St. John Chrysostom, the most articulate and prolific orator the Christian Faith has ever had. Both relics were restored back to Constantinople at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George On November 27, 2004, at the Vatican, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received from His Holiness Pope John Paul II, the Holy Relics which had been held at St. Peter’s Basilica for 800 years with St Basil, Bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor. Church of the Holy Savior of Chora the second most important Byzantine Church in Istanbul as it is known for its magnificent mosaics and frescoes. Visit the Life-Giving Spring of the Most Holy Theotokos, also known as Panagia of Balukhl, drink from the Venerated Spring and Memorial service for the Patriarchs buried at the Cathedral.

Nicaea: the site of two Ecumenical Councils of the early Christian Church where the Nicaean Creed was established celebrating the 1700 year Anniversary. Church of Hagia Sophia located in the center of Nicaea

Archons of South Florida Celebrate Sunday of Orthodoxy  

Saint Sophia Cathedral (Miami) L to R:  Archons Alexander Haralambides, and Theodore Kays, Father Spiro Bobotas, Archimandrite Anastasios (Vicar General Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa, Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Cameroon), Archons John C Scurtis (Regional Commander of South Florida), Anestis Aranopoulos (Honorary General Counsel in Cameroon to Greece).


Saint Katherine (Naples) L to R: Archons Dr. Thomas Williams, Jim Logothitis. Romey Terezi, Steve Ramphos, Fotis Frangakis, Harry Dimopoulos, Art Katsaros. 


Saint Mark (Boca Raton): Archons of the parish accompanied by Sunday School children.



Dear Brother Archons, 

South Florida Archons, along with St. Mark Boca Raton community members (led by Father Mark Leondis) gathered at Saint Mark on December 3rd, in observance of Saint Andrew. Honored guest speaker was Dr. Tom Papademetriou, Archon Didaskalos tou Genous. Dr. Tom presented a perspective on history and legacy events that impacted the Ecumenical Patriarchate. We were honored to have with us Archon National Treasurer Peter Skeadas, Archon Hieromnimon and his lovely wife Aphrodite. Sincere appreciation to brother Archons who contributed to the honorarium for our guest speaker. Attached are photos and those Archons in attendance along with each name of Archon. 



Left to Right:
Archons John Koutsoupis, Steve Kalivas, Steve Sellas, Aleco Haralambides, Esq., Girard Mitchell, Steve Poulos, Dr. Tom Papademetriou, Rev. Mark Leondis, Rev. Alexander Leondis, Regional Commander John Scurtis, National Archon Treasurer Peter Skeadas, Emanuel Cotronakis, Art Poly, Peter Tiboris, Lou Nicozisis, Jim Catrickes, Deacon Dr. John Mamangakis, Ted Vagelos.




In His Service,
John C. Scurtis
Archon Hartoularios
South Florida Regional Commander


Dear Brother Archons, 

On Sunday, December 3rd, the South Florida Archons in Naples (Saint Katherine) gathered for observance of Saint Andrew's Feast Day, Jim Ketis, Archon Notarios (class of 2023) gave a presentation to the community on the purpose of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.  A brief history was given.  Jim spoke on the plight of our Patriarchate with Turkish government interference, the closing of Halki and the gradual asphyxiation of our Mother Church in Turkey.  An explanation of the word Archon was given and explained that Archon is not just an honorific title for what we have done but bestowed upon us for what we will do to protect the future of Greek Orthodoxy and the Patriarchate. Several brother Archons were in attendance.  Attached are photos of the event and names of those Archons present. 


As follows: Left to Right:
Archons Jim Ketis, Fotis Frangakis, Harry Dimopoulos, Art Katsaros




In His Service,

John C Scurtis 
Archon Hartoularios 
Regional Commander South Florida


Submitted by John C Scurtis   Archon Hartoularios Regional Commander South Florida 

John Scurtis had the pleasure to meet with fellow Archons in Naples, Florida on Monday ,
 November 6, 2023 for a breakfast meeting. John was joined by Archon Girard Mitchell of Boca Raton.


Pictured: Father Demetre Mott  (presiding priest Saint Katherine, Naples), Archons Harry Dimopoulos (breakfast coordinator), Fotis Frangakis, Arthur Katsaros, Jim Ketis (class of '23), Bill Stavropoulos, Michael Stefanou, Romeo Terezi and Dr. Thomas Williams.

Many thanks and appreciation to Romeo  (aka Mel} who hosted the breakfast at "Mel's Diner".

Looking forward to an opportunity to have a South Florida Archons "meet and greet"" in the near future.

Many blessings to all as the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons are near.


On Sunday, March 5, 2023, several Regional Commanders and Archons in the Florida area gathered together to celebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy. The service was celebrated in the Greek Orthodox communities of Saint Mark in Boca Raton, Holy Trinity in Clearwater and Saint Katherine in Naples. Click here to access the photo album.


On November 29, 2022, the South Florida Archons made a presentation in Miami-Kendall at the parish of Saint Andrew following the Vespers service. His Grace Bishop Sevastianos presided and was assisted by Father Aristides Arizi of Saint Andrew, Vicar Father Spiro Bobotos of Saint Sophia Cathedral and many other Spiritual Fathers from neighboring parishes. Ten Archons and their wives traveled from as far as Juno Beach, Naples and Boca Raton to attend and the newly invested Archons of South Florida made the presentation. Click here to access the photo album.


On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, the reception session inducting Dr. Andreas Tzakis took place as a Full Member of the Academy of Athens. He was inducted in the presence of the President of the Academy of Athens Mr. Antonios Regkakos and the General Secretary Mr. Christos Zerefos, as well as other official guests. You can watch the ceremony below.