DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH THE ARCHONS OF THE ORDER OF ST. ANDREW

IBy OLGA VICTORIA KARRAS 1

Photographs By Dimitris Panagos

My Godfather was an archon, a "leader" within the community and the Greek Orthodox Church. He devoted his life to serving, both his fellow man and his Creator. In recognition of his commitment to bettering the quality of life and to preserving sacred traditions, he was designated an "Archon" by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constan­ tinople and inducted into the Order of St. Andrew, the Apostle with the title or "offikion" of Archon Depoutatos meaning "Patriarchal Summoner". Archon Depoutatos is one of dozens of appellations based on ancient Greek and equally mystifying in sound denot­ ing specific duties performed for Church and State by those exceptional citizens of the Byzantine Empire who were designated Archons. Among the responsibilities of Archon Depoutatos, His Eminence with the former Commander Dr. Anthony Borden, left, and his for instance, were "to issue invitations successor Dr. Chris Philip. to the Archons for audiences before the Church of Christ, otherwise known as about the Archons, the men who have Patriarch and Bishops and to seat the the Mother Church of Orthodoxy or the been honored for their essential works congregants holding official titles and Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constan­ in the private sector and for their gener­ offices according to protocol." tinople, the seat or see of our Christian ous contributions of time and money to My Godfather, a pious man, was one Orthodox faith located in Istanbul the Church here, in the United States, of some 800-900 Eastern Orthodox Turkey - yesteryear's Byzantium: and to the Mother Church, in Istanbul. Christians- from around the world (600 "New Rome", Constantinople. In spite I had never asked by Godfather to tell strong in the United States) who in of relentless harassment through the me in any great detail about his role and recent years have been honored by the centuries, the Patriarchate has upheld responsibilities as Archon. I do know Mother Church with the highest acco­ ecclesiastical and liturgical tradition how very proud he was to serve as lade accorded a layman for exemplary and bound together the Greek people as Archon. I do know that my Godmother, dedication inside and outside the no other force could have hoped to do. independently of my Godfather a most Church. I t is only recently that I have learned devout Christian and supporter of the Archon. Ecumenical Patriarchate of something more about the rich and Church, will continue to uphold the Constantinople. St. Andrew, the Apos­ troubled history of our Church and the Faith. Now that I know more about the tle. Offikion. Archon Depoutatos. Pat­ unquestionable strength and dignity of Order of St. Andrew, the Apostle and riarchal Summoner. Mother Church. its spiritual leaders, from the first, St. the very important, indeed vital work it Among others, these terms, titles, insti­ Andrew, the Apostle ("Bishop" from performs, I am so sorry that I cannot tell tutions, and even Andrew, brother of 33-36 A.D.), to the 270th, His All Holi­ my nouno how proud I am that he was St. Peter, are not altogether familiar to ness Bartholomew I, enthroned as Ecu­ an Archon. He died last year, just as my most Greek Orthodox parishioners in menical Patriarch of Constantinople on interest in the Archoli.s was awakening. spite of the fact that Orthodox Chris­ November 2, 1991 by election of the tianity points to the year 33 A.D. as the Holy Synod, following the death of His My interest developed through that Beginning. It is only recently that I have All Holiness Dimitrios I. of my husband, Michael Karras, who come to learn more about the Great And, only lately have I learned more just about a year ago, asked Anastasios

DECEMBER, 1991 17 Manessis, Vice Commander of the Constantinople fired Michael's mount­ Constantine the Great, in the year 330, Archons of the Order ofSt. Andrew, the ing desire and mine to delve into the nearly three centuries following the Apostle to tell him all there was to know history of our Church and become bet­ death of the Apostle Andrew. The about the Order. Mr. Manessis spoke ter acquainted with those individuals Byzantine Empire was dawning. By the enthusiastically, devotedly. Little did who function, according to their own 5th century there were five important Michael know that there was so very deep reverence and on authority of the centers of Christianity: Rome, where much to tell. The more involved Patriarchate, as Defenders of the Faith, Latin continued to be spoken; and Con­ Michael became, the more I, too, the Archons of the Order ofSt. Andrew, stantinople:, Alexandria, Antioch, and learned and wanted to learn. And, all the Apostle. Jerusalem, where Greek reigned. In the the while, I remembered my Godfather. 6th century the Patriarchate of Con­ Michael suggested that an interview stantinople became know as the "Ecu­ be conducted and published so that A number of sources offered valuable menical" Patriarchate, thereby more many people could have the benefit of information with respect to the history accurately expressing its spiritual learning firsthand about the Order. Mr. of the Patriarchate, a little bit of which authority over world Orthodoxy. By the Manessis suggested that Dr. Chris must be understood in order to appre­ 8th century, Islamic Arabs besieged Philip, the Archon entrusted with the ciate the highly important work of the Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, principal executive post within the Archons. Of these, I wish to acknowl­ leaving only Rome and Constantinople Order, that of National Commander, be edge an excellent and most engaging to fend for Christianity. invited to answer our questions. Dr. study, A Short History oJthe Ecumeni­ From 726-843, a weary 107 years, Philip graciously accepted the invita­ cal Patriarchate oj Constantinople: Constantinople faced another threat: tion. It took many months for us all to First A mong Equals in the Orthodox iconoclasm. Iconoclasts sought to des­ get together, but we did, in the final days Church, written by Deno J . Geanako­ troy the icons of the church because, of September, 1991. plos (Archon Didaskalos Tou Genous, they argued, the icons were being wor­ In the meantime, several events of "Teacher of the People"), Professor of shipped as idols, not venerated, as they historic magnitude took place and gar­ Byzantine History and Orthodox should be, as representations of Christ, nered worldwide interest in the Chris­ Church History, Yale University. As the Virgin, the Saints. Some historians tian Orthodox Church, principal one can imagine, the Patriarchate has believe that the real reason why the among them the arrival in the United lived a long and often difficult life. It all iconoclasts raged on and on had States of His All Holiness Dimitrios I in began just following the death and nothing to do with icons and everything July, 1990, which was his first official resurrection of our lord Jesus Christ. to do with the "chief protectors of the and, as it was to be, only visit to the In spite of the warnings of its pagan icons", the monks, who were exempt western hemisphere, restricted as he had emperors who banned Christianity, the from paying taxes and military duty. If been by the government of Turkey with Apostles traveled throughout the there were no icons to care for, these respect to his travels. Suddenly many Roman Empire to spread the word. able men could serve the Empire more questions were being asked: Why did Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome, "usefully". Turkey continue to have so decisive a the city which would become the first In the end, the iconoclasts did not say in matters concerning the Ecumeni­ among the world's Christian sees. have their way. To this day, the first cal Patriarchate, including the election Peter's brother, the Apostle Andrew, Sunday of Lent celebrates the Victory of the Patriarch and his travels? What concentrated his efforts in the East - in of the icon and is set aside as the Feast of was the Patriarch's relationship to the what we know of today as Greece, Orthodoxy or Sunday of Orthodoxy or world's estimated 300 miliionDrthodox .southern Russia, and Istanbul. Andrew Procession of the Holy Icons . Christians, including the Russians, was crucified in Patras by a pagan From 843 up to the lith century, the whose own religious leaders, in light of Roman general, but not before he had Byzantine Empire thrived and with it the breakdown of Communism, broke laid the cornerstone of the Christian so, too, did the Patriarchate and its their long, imposed silence and sum­ Orthodox Church and its center in magnificent cathedral church, Hagia moned the faithful to prayer? Byzantium. Sophia (the "Great Church of Holy The world's focus, if only momen­ Byzantium was christened Constan­ Wisdom"), which had also been named tary, on the Ecumenical Patriarchate of tinople by the first Christian Emperor, by Constantine the Great. In the year 988 envoys of Prince Vladimir the Great of Russia, dispatched to Constantino­ XPONIA IlOAAA ple to consider Orthodoxy as a possible , religion to be adopted by the Russian ana people, reported to their sovereign that, TOV, MdiK, ~m;~TR€) so in awe were they of Hagia Sophia and the mystical Greek Orthodox Liturgy, they believed they were in "Heaven itself". In 989 Prince Vladimir con­ EAST and WEST DINER verted to Orthodoxy. By the II th century, the Byzantine 449 3rd AVENUE - TEL (212) 213- 1100 Empire's strength, its power, its glory 400 WEST 23rd STREET - TEL (212) 924-3709 began to fade. The West continually exerted pressure on the East, tensions

18 GREEK-AMERICAN REVIEW between Pope and Patriarch increased, theological and liturgical differences grew. In 1054 the "definitive schism" between the churches of Rome and Constantinople occurred. (At the initia­ tive largely ofthe late Patriarch Athena­ goras, the "mutual excommunications" of 1054 were lifted on December 7, 1965 by Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope Paul VI, who had met in Jerusalenithe year before. This meeting was the first between Pope and Patriarch in 500 years. Patriarch Athenagoras's dream of uniting the two Churches never came to be, however.) Constantinople was ravaged in 1204 by Crusader armies of the West on their way to recapture Jerucalem from the Muslims, but, in 1261, with Emperor Michael Paleologos in control, Con­ stantinople was recovered. Not for long, however. Pressure from the greatest enemy of the Byzantines, the Ottoman Turks of Asia, was overpowering. By 1300 little remained of the Byzantine Vice Commander Anastasios Manessis, Archbishop Iakovos, President Carter and Empire, only Constantinople, Greece, former Commander Dr. Borden at the testimonial honoring theformer President. Macedonia, Thrace, and a portion of Asia Minor. When the Pope offered to chate. The Turkish state emerged in Greece, Russia, Serbia, Romania, Bul­ help the Patriarch against the Turks 1921, and Constantinople was renamed garia, and Albania. But, in order for the only if the Greeks accepted the Pope as Istanbul. In 1923 the Treaty of Lau­ Ecumenical Patriarchate to function head of their Church, the Byzantine sanne, entered into by Greece, Turkey, effectively, it needs the world's atten­ people said no. France, England, Italy, and the United tion. It also needs, desperately, the In 1453 Constantinople fell to the States, called for the expulsion of all Defenders of the Faith, the Archons of Ottoman Turks, and Constantine Greeks from Asia Minor, with the the Order of St. Andrew, the Apostle, Paleologos, the last Greek Emperor, exception of Constantinople, and all the whose devoted service and financial died fighting the invaders. Hagia Turks from Greece, with the exception support are more crucial today than Sophia, the "jewel" of Constantinople, of western Thrace. Also, the Treaty perhaps ever before. the finest symbol of the power of guaranteed the unrestricted presence of Orthodoxy and the Byzantine Empire, the Patriarchate in its birthplace. In was turned into a Turkish mosque. (In 1955 the Greek community of Constan­ What does the term "archon mean? 1935, Kemal Ataturk, the founder ofthe tinople, numbering some 100,000, was state of Turkey, decreed that Hagia attacked. In 1972 the theological school Dr. Chris Philip: The term "archon" Sophia be converted into a museum. established by the Patriarchate at Halki actually has its roots in ancient Greece. Aside from its immense presence, very was permanently closed by the Turks. (The verb archo, from which "archon" little of its former glory remains.) None Just a few months ago, in June 1991, is derived, means "I am the first", the the less, the Patriarchate continued, but Turkish extremists barricaded the Pat­ leader.) In The Exploits of Alexander Patriarchs were deposed of at the whim riarchate for several days. Harassment, the Great, members of Alexander's elite of the Sultans. In spite of endless pres­ in one form or another, has never sub­ guard are referred to as his "compan­ sure, the Patriarchs refused to succumb sided. Today there are only about 2,000 ions" and the leaders of this guard, the to their conquerors and worked harder Greeks residing in Istanbul. The 1974 presiding officers, as "Archons". At that than ever to preserve Orthodoxy's litur­ Turkish invasion of Cyprus has further time, the term "archon" had not yet gical and ecclesiastical traditions and to broken down relations between the acquired its religious significance. Dur­ keep alive the sense of Hellenic identity governments of Greece and Turkey. ing the Byzantine period the Patriarch among the Greeks, of Constantinople Nearly 2,000 years after its establish­ and the Emperor sat side by side. The and everywhere. It was this strong eth­ ment, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Emperor had his elite guard and the nicity that inspired a man of the cloth, Constantinople continues as the "first Patriarch had his, the Archons. Now, Paleon Patron Germanos, a Greek among equals" among Orthodox Archon takes on religious significance. bishop of Kalavryta, to raise a flag bear­ Churches and the Ecumenical Patriarch Each Archon has specific responsibili­ ing a cross and declare revolution. The is the first among the five hierarchs of ties to perform in the Cathedral of year was 1821. The Greek War ofInde­ the Urthodox Church. The Mother Hagia Sophia. The Archon's role was pendence began. Church of Orthodoxy continues to have then, as it is still, significant. The new nation of Hellas was enthu­ spiritual primacy over fourteen self­ The "offikion" of Archon is the high­ siastically supported by the Patriar- governing churches, including those of est honor that can be bestowed upon a

DECEMBER,1991 19 lay person of the Orthodox faith. When he has received this title he automati­ cally becomes a member of the Order of St. Andrew, the Apostle. Each title assigned has certain prescribed duties. The title designated depends on the pro­ fession of the individual. For example, I am Archon Aktouarios. Those in the health profession are usually known as Aktouarios. (In the last centuries of the Byzantine Empire, "Aktouarios", which means "Recorder of the Court," came to be known as "Court Physician").

Mr. Anastasios Manessis: I am Archon Depoutatos, which refers to those in the political and business professions.

Do you find yourselves on a mission?

Dr. c.P. The word "Archon" is not just an historical notation. It is some­ Professor Dena J. Geanakoplos, Dr. Anthony G.B. Borden, His Eminence, Arch­ thing living, symbolical of what we were bishop Iakovos, Cypriot President George Vasileou, Dr. John Brademas, Judge at one time. In the words of His Emi­ Yorka C. Linakis, and Dr. Chris Philip. nence, Archbishop Iakovos: "The ancient titles of Archons of the Great D r,thodox faithful - approximately the Patriarch?, I doubt he would have Church of Christ are committed in con­ 300 million worldwide - and the public known. What is the Ecumenical Pat­ science and purpose to the welfare and at large, and the Greek-American com­ riarchate? Very few knew. Within the needs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate." munity throughout the United States, last twenty years, the Order of St. Another part of our job, in addition to throughout North and South America. Andrew, the Apostle has accomplished supporting the institutions of the Ecu­ Years ago very few people knew what an a great deal in this respect. menical Patriarchate, is to spread the Archon stood for. Twenty years ago, if Word, to enlighten the Eastern the average person were asked, who is A.M.Our primary objective, how-

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20 GREEK-AMERICAN REVIEW ever, is to support the Ecumenical Pat­ riarchate and its institutions, as well as the Church here in the Americas which is, of course, part of the Patriarchate.

Dr. c.P. We are referred to as the Defenders of the Faith, defending against any attacks, verbal and physi­ cal, but we are also Perpetuators of the Faith. We stress the necessity never to break ties with the Mother Church or the Great Church of Christ. That's extremely important. Once we break the tie between the Great Church of Christ and here, then we become like another pentecostal church. We have too rich a religious heritage to break this tie.

What are examples of the "institutions" of the Ecumenical Patriarchate?

Dr. C.P. Among the institutions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are Balukli Hospital, to which we send supplies, Procession of the Icons. M.S. Ambassador Micheal Sotirhos andfellow Archons. equipment, money. Throughout the Holy Trinity Cathedral. New York City. years many people of our ethnic back­ cese), and to the Mother Church. Of the offikion at the Greek Orthodox ground and religion have been treated course, his character must be beyond Cathedral of the Holy Trinity on the there. There is also a nursing home and reproach. A confidential report or what Sunday of Orthodoxy. an orphanage. we call the "Credential Form" is filled In addition, we are supporters of He 1- out by both the priest of the parish and Being an Archon is the equivalent of lenic College. In 1987 we produced and the Regional Commander of the Order. being elected to the Hall of Fame, with distributed a videotape entitled "In Wis­ After the Regional Commander signs, one difference: when you're selected, the dom Let Us Attend", in English and in the Bishop of the diocese must also sign. most important consideration is not Greek, tracing the history of the Ecu­ Then this Credential form is sent to the only what you have done or what you menical Patriarchate and the historic National Office, located at the Greek are now doing, but, rather, what your visit of His All Holiness Dimitrios I to Orthodox Archdiocese in New York potential is. the Vatican. Its purpose is to inform all City, where it is reviewed by the denominations and faiths as to the sig­ National Council and, then, forwarded A.M. The parallel equivalent of the nificance of the Ecumenical Patriar­ to the Archbishop. The decision of the Order of St. Andrew, the Apostle in the chate. Within the last three or four years National Council must be unanimous; Catholic Church is the Knights of we have allocated almost half a million otherwise, the Credential Form never Malta. dollars to various projects. reaches the Archbishop. The Archdiocese through the efforts Dr. c.P. Ours is a much older, more of His Eminence, Archbishop lakovos, A.M. This strict procedure went into historical order, however. In the I 960s it along with the su pport of the Order of effect recently, although we always have was decreed that the Archons of the St. Andrew and the financial donation had a selection process. But as the Order United States should organize. There is of the Panayiotes Angelopoulos family of St. Andrew, the Apostle grew and more strength in numbers. The organi­ were behind the very successful diplo­ became more organized, the National zation was referred to as the Knights of matic trip to Turkey of former Presi­ Council augmented this selection St. Andrew and the first National Com­ dent Jimmy Carter. As a consequence, procedure. mander was Pierre Austin DeMets the Patriarchal facilities, damaged by (Archon Megas Skevophylax, "The fire in 1940, were finally rebuilt. Dr .. c.P. The individual doesn't · Grand Sacristan,") a Greek-born Chica­ know, or rather he is not supposed to goan, who was a respected businessman How does one become an Archon? know, that he is being considered. The and philanthropist. The National whole process is one of confidentiality. Council decided to change the name of Dr. c.P. Within the individual par­ The individual's name is then sent by the this organization to the Order of St. ish, Archons single out an individual Archbishop to the Patriarchate, which Andrew, the Apostle. Dr. Anthony whom they feel has rendered years of gives the final approval to bestow upon G.B. Borden, Greek-born and edu­ dedicated service and has unselfishly the candidate the offikion of Archon. cated, served as National Commander donated money to his individual parish, All candidates, no matter where they for 16 to 17 years until he retired. to the National Church (the Archdio- live, arrive in New York City to receive American-born of Greek parents, I am

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22 GREEK-AMERICAN REVIEW society, you know and I know that one of the big problems of other ethnic groups is one of identity crisis. As a consequence of our rich historical and religious heritage, we don't have this type of problem. When distinguished leaders in the private sector, in business, politics, the professions, as well as academia, also distinguish themselves in the Church, the effect on all of us is beneficial. A.M. A classical example is John S. Linakis, who was equally involved in the community, in politics, and in the church. He gave of himself as few indi­ viduals do. He was a role model for all, a true embodiment of the term Archon.

Dr. C.P: Others are Dr. Anthony G.B. Borden (Archon Megas Aktoua­ rios), Commander Emeritus of the Order of St. Andrew, the Apostle and renowned radiologist ("Megas" denotes an office that has a supervisory respon­ sibility); former U.S. Congressman and The late John S. Linakis, addressing the general assembly of Archons during the New York University President John Sunday of Orthodoxy. Brademas (Archon Megas Harto­ phylax, "The Grand Archivist"); U.S. the third National Commander. During Saturday night banquet. Our past Ambassador to Greece, His Excellency the term of office of Commander Eme­ honorees have been: Archbishop lako­ Michael Sotirhos (Archon Depouta­ ritus Dr. Anthony G.B. Borden, a vos, in 1986; former president Jimmy tos); Senator Paul S. Sarbanes (Archon national Council of Archons was Carter; Mother Teresa; Dr. Anthony Megas Logothetis, "The Grand Dep­ formed in order to provide more organ­ G.B. Borden; Dr. John Brademas; and uty") and Andrew Athens (Archon ized leadership. The Commander is Andrew Athens. In March of 1992 we Maestor), National Chairman of the appointed by His Eminence and all will be honoring the National Philopto­ United Hellenic American Congress other executive officers are elected by chos Society. and a life member of the Archdiocesan the National Council and approved by Council, the highest office a lay person the Archbishop. Does the Archbishop intervene in your can hold in the Greek Orthodox faith, activities? who presently serves on the National A.M. Regional and State Command­ Council and as a Regional Commander. ers are appointed by the National Dr. c.P. The Archbishop is our spir­ Commander. itual leader. He is the Exarch of the You each wear a distinctive rosette. Is Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constan­ that the cross of St. Andrew? Dr. c.P. We try to distribute respon­ tinople. If we feel that we need advice sibilities geographically to those whom and counseling, we will seek his help. Dr. c.p: It is. Archons are also given a we call the Regional Commanders He doesn't tell us what we must do. silver cross with semi-precious stones within a diocese district. Within each Ours is an independent relationship. If recreating the cross of Emperor Justin, state of that diocese there is a State we feel we have a problem and need his a 5th century Byzantine design, and a Commander. assistance in terms of the wisdom he can breast pocket Byzantine double eagle The National Council meets monthly provide, we will go to His Eminence. with the Greek words "Archon of the at the Archdiocese. The Council con­ Despite his very hectic schedule, he Ecumenical Patriarchate" embroidered sists of Archons from a wide geographic always takes the time to see and advise on it. distribution. Archons from throughout us. the Western hemisphere attend our Can a humble, uneducated, underprivi­ annual meeting, Saturday night ban­ What do the Archons contribute to the leged man, but a good man, become an quet, and the church services on the Greek-American Community? Archon? Sunday of Orthodoxy. Each year since 1986 we bestow the Dr. c.P. When an Archon is selected, Dr. c.p: Yes. But, you must under­ Athenagoras Humanitarian Award on he is selected not only for the service he stand that an Archon must be a leader in one individual or an organization for has given to the Church, but because he the community besides being devoted outstanding contributions toward reli­ is a leader in the community. He has and dedicated to the Church. If he's not gious freedom and protection of human already established himself as someone a leader in the community, it will be rights. This award is presented at the people can look up to. In today's rather difficult for him to become an

DECEMBER, 1991 23 Archon. Education is not a criterion, "Archon" and how far back it goes. means total involvement in family, in nor is financial wealth. There are many community, and in Church activities. individuals who have devoted so much How connected are you to the Greek­ And total involvement means giving time to the Church, but they never American community? generously, unselfishly of oneself. There become Archons because they are not is no other way to achieve total leaders of the community. However A.M. Weare an integral part of the happiness. Greek-American Community. when I look upon these individuals In his speech delivered last year at the whose piousness is greater than mine, Washington, D.C. luncheon hosted by Dr. c.P. When Turkey invaded there's a certain amount of admiration the Archons in honor of His All Holi­ Cyprus in 1974, the response of the that I have for them. I put them on a ness Dimitrios I and his long awaited Greek-American community was fan­ pedestal, not myself. visit to America, coinsiding with the tastic. And it still is. Greek-Americans meeting of the Clergy-Laity Congress, have worked tirelessly to find a solution People "on the outside" may feel that an Dr. Chris Philip spoke eloquently about to this tragic situation. Archon is spiritually a level or two the great strides made by his Eminence higher than the rest. Are they justified? Archbishop Iakovos in perpetuating the A.M. Greek-American political Faith and the promise of the Archons to influence is very stong in this country. Dr. C.P.: I don't feel any different or continue to defend the Faith. Appro­ any greater than any Christian. We are priately, then, I conclude this story about Dr. c.p: Problems that may unfortu­ not on a higher plateau than any other the Archons - which I would very churchgoer. Weare all Christians ofthe nately confront us as Archons are, for instance, the latest siege of the Patriar­ much like to dedicate to the memory of Orthodox faith and we all endeavor to my beloved Godfather, Archon Depou­ serve Him as best we can. chate in Constantinople by Turkish extremists who barricaded the Patriar­ tatos John S. Linakis -with the words of the National Commander of the Does an Archon feel a greater sense of chate (September 1991). The day I received notification of this action, I Archons of the Order of St. Andrew, the responsibility? Apostle, Dr. Chris Philip. But not sent a telegram condemning it to both Dr. c.p: The process of becoming a President Bush and Secretary of State before I express my own deepest hope that our Faith be everlasting. true leader happens slowly, insidiously, Dick Cheney. As a result, we held an without you even knowing it. So, when emergency meeting and sent out a you have reached that particular stage, packet of information to all the ... Through the wisdom, visionary you don't consciously say, Look what I Archons and asked them to contact acumen and tireless efforts of Arch­ have done. It's been done and you have their Congressmen to condemn this bishop Iakovos, Exarch of the Ecu­ been designated as such, a leader. You insurgence on the Patriarchate. menical Patriarchate to the don't feel any different. Americas, the authorities of this A.M.: The reason why the Turkish government have recognized the A.M: When the offikion is bestowed, government insists that the Patriarch be established fact that the Eastern however, that person has a certain a Turkish citizen and why it has veto Orthodox faith in our country is responsibility toward the Ecumenical power over selection of the Patriarch indeed a major faith. This is one of Patriarchate and the church here, in the goes back to 1923 and the Treaty of many significant accomplishments of Americas. With the title comes more Lausanne. The Turkish goverment His Eminence. viewed the Patriarchate not as Patriar­ responsibility. As Archons of the Order of St. chate but as a diocese of Constantino­ Andrew, we vow to continue our Dr. C.P: Being an Archon is an awe­ ple. This is unfortunate, but this is the efforts in helping the holy mission of reality. some responsibility because that the spiritual leadership of the Ecu­ responsibility to the offikion will menichal Patriarchate for all Ortho­ remain with the Archon for the What is the future of the Order of St. doxy with devotion, dignity and remainder of his life. Andrew, the Apostle? integrity. From coast to coast, we are united as one body, as one voice, Aside from your support of the Patriar­ Dr. c.P.: The strength of the Archons committed to serve the Great Church chate, what makes you, the Archons, we select will eventually determine the of Christ. We are prepared to make distinct from other organizations within strength of the bond between here and the necessary sacrifices to fulfill our the Greek-American community? the Mother Church. solemno:bligation as Defenders of the Faith. Our traditions are sacred Dr. c.p: I don't think there's any­ What message would you like to pass on to us and we will not tolerate any thing that should separate us from any to today's Greek-American youth? attack upon the Mother Church. other organization. I think we're all This is our commitment, this is our working for the whole, we're just a part Dr. c.P. I sincerely hope that we as promise, this is our destiny .... ofthe whole. We are not on any higher Archons can serve as role models for level than any other organization, such these young Greek-Americans. We as the National Philoptochos Society. would like to be the type of people they They perform their task for the church can look up to and emulate. We must and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and show them that a meaningful life is we perform ours. The only difference is much more than the accumulation of one of history, regarding the term material goods. A meaningful life

24 GREEK-AMERICAN REVIEW