On Sunday 6th October at the conclusion of the historic Divine Liturgy held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew conferred titles to 12 new Archons of the Great Church of Christ, from the flock of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, who form the newly established “Order of Archons of Christ the Saviour.”
The presidency of the Order of the Archons of the Ecumenical Throne in Australia is undertaken by businessman Mr Andrew Liveris, while the new Archon Officials appointed by the Patriarch are: Vrasidas Karalis, Professor at the University of Sydney and St Andrew’s Theological College; Theodosios Penklis, Physician and Vice President of the Archdiocesan Council; John Mitrothanasis, Businessman and President of Saint Gerasimos Parish in Sydney; Stan Kondilios, Legal Advisor to the Holy Archdiocese and Treasurer of the Archdiocesan Council; Peter Satouris, Businessman and member of several Foundation Boards of the Archdiocese; Tony Tsourdalakis, Businessman and President of the Victorian Inter-communities Council; Marios Kalogiannis, Businessman and President of the St Paraskevi Parish in Melbourne; Dimitrios Athanasios Limnios, Businessman from Perth; Panagiotis Demourtzidis, Businessman from Adelaide; Vladimiros Devrelis, Doctor of Philosophy and Businessman from Adelaide, and President of the South Australian Inter-communities Council; Chris Diamantis, Businessman from Adelaide; and Antonios Michael, Economist from Adelaide.
In his speech, His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew presented the ancient institution of the Body of Archon Officials, which “acquires special significance for the Great Church due to its multifaceted mission and the great responsibility of service to the Apostolic and Ecumenical Throne of Constantinople.” “The Archons are the ambassadors of the Great Church worldwide,” he noted, “who transmit the light from the ever-burning lamp of the Phanar in every situation, ready to defend the inalienable canonical privileges of our Patriarchal Ecumenical Throne.” He added, “Throughout the history of the Great Church, there have been various changes in the type, number, and content of the Offices, but those who bear them have always felt, beyond the special honour, primarily the heavy responsibility of service and testimony on behalf of the Great Church of Christ.”
Addressing the newly appointed Archons, His All-Holiness noted that the Great Church appreciates their contributions to ecclesiastical and social life, and he urged them, with paternal affection, to work “diligently, tirelessly, and courageously for its benefit and for our nation.” Concluding, he praised the initiative of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia for establishing the “Order of Christ the Saviour” and expressed his firm belief that “this is indeed an important decision, which can greatly assist the Great Church of Christ.”
