National Council
National Vice Commander
The Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis
Ekdikos
New Jersey
October 28, 2007
Archon Bozonelis is National Vice Commander and Executive Committee member of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He served as vice chairman of the Order's Legal Committee and is Chairman of the Order's Patriarchal Properties and Minority Concerns Committee, which assists the Ecumenical Patriarchate on legal issues for the return of confiscated properties and developing a legal status and standing for the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey.
He received his bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and his J.D, Cum Laude, from George Washington University. He was nominated by the Governor of New Jersey and confirmed by the State Senate as a judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey in 1990. He served all divisions of the state judiciary until 2011. He was presiding judge in the Criminal Court, Equity and Family Divisions. In 2003, he was appointed as the assignment (chief) judge for Northern New Jersey Counties, where he oversaw the administration of the state courts and 56 municipal courts. In that capacity, Judge Bozonelis also served as a chairman and member of the State Judicial Council, which supervises the overall state judiciary.
He has served as a judicial master and instructor for Inns of Court, Institutes for Continuing Legal Education, and Judicial College retreats. Prior to his appointment as a state judge, he served as chairman of a State District Ethics Committee, a law clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., and as an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. He also served as of counsel to the law firm of Graham Curtin in New Jersey, providing services in mediation, arbitration and special master matters. He was appointed to the New Jersey Governor's Judicial Advisory Panel and serves as a trustee of The Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation.
He is married to Helen (Koutras) Bozonelis, an editor and author. They have two adult children, Justin and Lia.
He received his bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and his J.D, Cum Laude, from George Washington University. He was nominated by the Governor of New Jersey and confirmed by the State Senate as a judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey in 1990. He served all divisions of the state judiciary until 2011. He was presiding judge in the Criminal Court, Equity and Family Divisions. In 2003, he was appointed as the assignment (chief) judge for Northern New Jersey Counties, where he oversaw the administration of the state courts and 56 municipal courts. In that capacity, Judge Bozonelis also served as a chairman and member of the State Judicial Council, which supervises the overall state judiciary.
He has served as a judicial master and instructor for Inns of Court, Institutes for Continuing Legal Education, and Judicial College retreats. Prior to his appointment as a state judge, he served as chairman of a State District Ethics Committee, a law clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., and as an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. He also served as of counsel to the law firm of Graham Curtin in New Jersey, providing services in mediation, arbitration and special master matters. He was appointed to the New Jersey Governor's Judicial Advisory Panel and serves as a trustee of The Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation.
He is married to Helen (Koutras) Bozonelis, an editor and author. They have two adult children, Justin and Lia.
John A. Catsimatidis
Notarios
Direct Archdiocesan District
February 28, 1988
John A. Catsimatidis of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Manhattan, NY, and Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church in Southampton, NY was invested as Archon in 1988 and conferred with the offikion Notarios.
Archon Catsimatidis has served over the years in a variety of volunteer positions in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, including Vice Chairman of the Archdiocesan Council, board member of Leadership 100 and a founder of Faith Endowment.
Archon Catsimatidis emigrated with his parents to New York City when he was 6 months old. He was educated in both the parochial and public school systems of New York, earning his high school diploma from Brooklyn Tech. He enrolled in New York University to study electrical engineering. He used to go to school during the day and to work in a small grocery store on nights and weekends to help his parents pay the bills. During his senior year, with just 8 credits remaining, Archon Catsimatidis dropped out of NYU to work in the grocery business full-time. By his 25th birthday he was already a success with 10 Red Apple Supermarkets scattered along Broadway on Manhattan's Upper West side. Now, four decades later the Red Apple Group has evolved into a diversified corporation that has holdings in the energy, aviation, retail and real estate sectors and over 8,000 employees, with approximately 2,000 located in New York City.
Archon Catsimatidis is a firm believer in giving back to the community and has been a strong supporter of the Police Athletic League for nearly 30 years. He also serves on the Board of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and of the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund.
Archon Catsimatidis and his wife Margo live on Manhattan's Upper East side and are parents to two grown children: Andrea and John Jr.
Archon Catsimatidis has served over the years in a variety of volunteer positions in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, including Vice Chairman of the Archdiocesan Council, board member of Leadership 100 and a founder of Faith Endowment.
Archon Catsimatidis emigrated with his parents to New York City when he was 6 months old. He was educated in both the parochial and public school systems of New York, earning his high school diploma from Brooklyn Tech. He enrolled in New York University to study electrical engineering. He used to go to school during the day and to work in a small grocery store on nights and weekends to help his parents pay the bills. During his senior year, with just 8 credits remaining, Archon Catsimatidis dropped out of NYU to work in the grocery business full-time. By his 25th birthday he was already a success with 10 Red Apple Supermarkets scattered along Broadway on Manhattan's Upper West side. Now, four decades later the Red Apple Group has evolved into a diversified corporation that has holdings in the energy, aviation, retail and real estate sectors and over 8,000 employees, with approximately 2,000 located in New York City.
Archon Catsimatidis is a firm believer in giving back to the community and has been a strong supporter of the Police Athletic League for nearly 30 years. He also serves on the Board of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and of the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund.
Archon Catsimatidis and his wife Margo live on Manhattan's Upper East side and are parents to two grown children: Andrea and John Jr.
Assistant Treasurer
Andreas D. Comodromos, CPA
Dikaiophylax
New Jersey
March 03, 1996
Archon Andreas D. Comodromos, CPA is a successful accountant with his own firm, Comodromos Associates, PA, and nearly 40 years of accounting experience. Archon Comodromos serves as president and managing partner of Comodromos Associates, which is based in Paramus, New Jersey. He has served several positions on the Board of the Cyprus Federation of America and was elected Supreme President for two consecutive terms, from 1991 to 1995. Archon Comodromos was invested as Archon in 1996 and conferred with the offikion Dikaiophylax.
Historian
George E. Demacopoulos, Ph.D.
Didaskalos Tou Genous
Direct Archdiocesan District
October 31, 2010
Prof. Dr. George E. Demacopoulos of St. Paraskevi in Greenlawn, NY, was invested as Archon in 2010 and conferred with the offikion Didaskalos tou Genous. He participated in the 2006 pilgrimage to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. His research resulted in the return to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the relics of St. Gregory the Theologian and St. John Chrysostom from Vatican. He also coordinated the award by Fordham University of its highest honor, the Honorary Doctorate of Laws to His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in 2009.
Archon Demacopoulos has served on various parish committee ministries of St Paraskevi. He has also been a frequent guest lecturer on Orthodoxy at clergy and lay gatherings of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Archon Demacopoulos graduated with a BA from the University of Tennessee, with an MTS in Theology from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and with an MA and a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is currently the Fr. John Meyendorff & Patterson Family Chair of Orthodox Christian Studies at Fordham University. He is also the Co-Director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at the same University. He specializes in the History of Christianity for Late Antiquity, the Early Medieval West, and Byzantium. He is the author of many books, articles and academic presentations on Orthodoxy.
Archon Demacopoulos and his wife, Katherine, were married in 1995.
Archon Demacopoulos has served on various parish committee ministries of St Paraskevi. He has also been a frequent guest lecturer on Orthodoxy at clergy and lay gatherings of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Archon Demacopoulos graduated with a BA from the University of Tennessee, with an MTS in Theology from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and with an MA and a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is currently the Fr. John Meyendorff & Patterson Family Chair of Orthodox Christian Studies at Fordham University. He is also the Co-Director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at the same University. He specializes in the History of Christianity for Late Antiquity, the Early Medieval West, and Byzantium. He is the author of many books, articles and academic presentations on Orthodoxy.
Archon Demacopoulos and his wife, Katherine, were married in 1995.
Legal Counselor
Peter Kakoyiannis, Esq.
Nomophylax
New Jersey
March 08, 1998
Archon Peter Kakoyiannis, Esq, a member of the law firm Eiseman Levine, is a graduate of the Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York and St. John's University School of Law. He has extensive experience working on matters representing lending institutions in dealing with their commercial as well as real estate loan transactions. Mr. Kakoyiannis also has substantial experience in the acquisition, sale and development of real estate. His clients include real estate developers, domestic and foreign banks and foreign governments. Archon Kakoyiannis is a member of the bar of New York and Pennsylvania. He was invested as Archon in 1998 and conferred with the offikion Nomophylax.
John Koudounis
Eftaxias
Chicago
October 10, 2016
John S. Koudounis of the St. George Church in Chicago, IL, was invested as Archon in 2016 and conferred with the offikion Eftaxias.
Archon Koudounis serves on the Board of Directors for The Hellenic Initiative and the National Hellenic Museum. He is an active member of Leadership 100 and a major donor to the St. Nicholas National Shrine, and Panhellenic Scholarship Foundation.
Archon Koudounis is a well-respected nationally known global investment banker, financial investor, and CEO of Calamos Investments. He resides in Chicago with his wife Joanne and twin daughters Constance and Demi.
Archon Koudounis serves on the Board of Directors for The Hellenic Initiative and the National Hellenic Museum. He is an active member of Leadership 100 and a major donor to the St. Nicholas National Shrine, and Panhellenic Scholarship Foundation.
Archon Koudounis is a well-respected nationally known global investment banker, financial investor, and CEO of Calamos Investments. He resides in Chicago with his wife Joanne and twin daughters Constance and Demi.
National Commander
Anthony J. Limberakis, M.D.
Megas Aktouarios
March 08, 1987
Anthony J. Limberakis, MD, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate since 1987 and a member of the Archon National Council, the governing board of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate since 1988, has served as National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate since 1998. A 1975 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BA, MA) and 1978 graduate of Duke University School of Medicine, he is a practicing radiologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and a member of the radiology faculty of the Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel Medical College.
To be invested as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is the highest honor a layman may achieve in the Orthodox Christian Church. Dr. Limberakis was invested as an Archon on March 8, 1987 and conferred with the offikion Aktouarios. Then on Sunday, September 3, 2023 at the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra, the Metropolitan Church in Pyrgos, Greece, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew elevated Dr. Limberakis to the offikion Archon Megas (Grand) Aktouarios. In his patriarchal letter to Dr. Limberakis, His All-Holiness explained that this honor was bestowed in view of the National Commander’s “twenty-five years of service and devotion to the Great Church of Christ.”
The Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is an organization comprised of the leading Orthodox churchmen in the United States whose mission is to defend and support the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the spiritual center of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians located in Istanbul, Turkey. The Ecumenical Patriarchate traces its origin to the first called Apostle of Jesus Christ, St. Andrew, who was the brother of St. Peter. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the 269th successor of St. Andrew and the First Among Equals (Primus Inter Pares) of all Orthodox Patriarchs; Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, is the 266th successor of St. Peter.
With the blessings of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Exarch (or representative) of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the United States, Dr. Limberakis has led the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in a major domestic and international religious freedom initiative for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which is under heavy religious oppression by the government of Turkey. The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate have held three International Conferences on Religious Freedom; these extraordinary, historic and watershed events were held in Brussels, Belgium in 2010; Berlin, Germany in 2013; and Washington, D.C. in 201, and featured speakers and panelists consisting of scholars, journalists, human rights advocates, diplomats, and politicians. A fourth International Conferences on Religious Freedom and Global Summit of Archons is planned for May 26-29, 2024 in Athens, Greece.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Spiritual Center of worldwide Orthodoxy, is not able to exercise fundamental institutional human rights and religious freedom due to the restrictive policies of the government of the Republic of Turkey. It is in this milieu of state-sponsored religious repression that poses an existential threat to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Under the leadership of Dr. Limberakis, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the United States has initiated an assertive, multifaceted religious freedom project working with the federal government of the United States, the state legislative bodies of each of the 50 states of the United States, The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) the European Union, the European Court of Human Rights and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to convey the urgent message to the Turkish government to cease and desist the policies that constrict religious freedom, not only for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, but for all religious minorities, including the Jewish, Roman Catholic, Protestant and Alevi Muslim communities of Turkey. The Archons support Turkey's candidacy to the European Union so long as it embraces the religious freedom standards of the EU and the Copenhagen Criteria.
Also under the leadership of Dr. Limberakis, the Archons have established eleven Archon Engagement Committees, which afford hundreds of Archons the opportunity to indicate the special area in which he wishes to devote his time, talent, and treasure. These include the Academia Symposia Committee; the Communications Committee; the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation; the Editorial Publication Committee; the Federal and State Governmental Affairs Committee; the International Archons Committee; the Metropolis and Parish Education Committee; the Patriarchal Green Initiatives Committee; the Patriarchal Properties and Legal Issues Committee; Women In Orthodoxy; and the Youth Participation Activities Committee.
In addition to his many other responsibilities, Dr. Limberakis serves as chair of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, which is dedicated to providing financial independence for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, so that it can fulfill its global mission in perpetuity. As of this writing, the EPBF has received $22.715 million in pledges.
In November 2009, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and then-Archbishop Demetrios presented the Athenagoras Human Rights Award, the highest distinction of the Orthodox Church in America, to Dr. Limberakis in New York City for his leadership in fighting for religious freedom for the Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. In June 2009 His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem named him the Commander Cross-bearer (Stavrophoros) of the Order of the All-Holy Sepulcher Cross-bearers.
Dr. Limberakis is a current member of the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and past member of the Board of Trustees of Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology and has served on the governing board of several Greek Orthodox churches in the Philadelphia area. In May 2002, Dr. Limberakis received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities from Hellenic College, Brookline, Massachusetts, for his professional and community leadership. In May 2000. he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in recognition of his contributions to the Greek American community.
Active at the Duke University Medical Center, Dr. Limberakis has served on its Board of Visitors and was past president of the Duke Medical Alumni Association and its major gift organization, the Davison Club. In addition, he has served as a member of the Medical Alumni Council and as chairman of its Strategic Planning Committee, which provided the blueprint for the reorganization and revitalization of the Medical Alumni Association. He has been awarded the Charles A. Dukes Award, Duke's highest recognition for volunteer service to the University and is a member of the Founder's Society and the Century Club. In November 1999, Dr. Limberakis was the recipient of the Duke Medical Center Distinguished Service Award that is given periodically to an alumnus who has demonstrated exemplary service to the Medical Center and School of Medicine.
In March 2015, Dr. Limberakis was conferred the position of Distinguished Fellow of the Oxford Centre for the Study of Law and Public Policy at Harris Manchester College of the University of Oxford.
Dr. Limberakis was born in 1952 in Fresno, California and is the son of the late Rev. John A. Limberakis and Elizabeth Constantine Limberakis. He served as a page in the United States Senate while in high school, and earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in political science at the University of Pennsylvania in 1975. After graduating medical school from Duke in 1978, he completed his medical internship at the Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and his residency in diagnostic radiology at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 1983. He is married to Dr. Maria A. (Borden) Limberakis, a family practitioner, and together have three adult children, John (Danielle), Anthony (Kathryn) and Elizabeth (Praneet) and four grandchildren, Dakota and Anthony (John), Evangeline and Anthony (Anthony).
To be invested as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is the highest honor a layman may achieve in the Orthodox Christian Church. Dr. Limberakis was invested as an Archon on March 8, 1987 and conferred with the offikion Aktouarios. Then on Sunday, September 3, 2023 at the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra, the Metropolitan Church in Pyrgos, Greece, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew elevated Dr. Limberakis to the offikion Archon Megas (Grand) Aktouarios. In his patriarchal letter to Dr. Limberakis, His All-Holiness explained that this honor was bestowed in view of the National Commander’s “twenty-five years of service and devotion to the Great Church of Christ.”
The Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is an organization comprised of the leading Orthodox churchmen in the United States whose mission is to defend and support the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the spiritual center of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians located in Istanbul, Turkey. The Ecumenical Patriarchate traces its origin to the first called Apostle of Jesus Christ, St. Andrew, who was the brother of St. Peter. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the 269th successor of St. Andrew and the First Among Equals (Primus Inter Pares) of all Orthodox Patriarchs; Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, is the 266th successor of St. Peter.
With the blessings of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Exarch (or representative) of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the United States, Dr. Limberakis has led the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in a major domestic and international religious freedom initiative for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which is under heavy religious oppression by the government of Turkey. The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate have held three International Conferences on Religious Freedom; these extraordinary, historic and watershed events were held in Brussels, Belgium in 2010; Berlin, Germany in 2013; and Washington, D.C. in 201, and featured speakers and panelists consisting of scholars, journalists, human rights advocates, diplomats, and politicians. A fourth International Conferences on Religious Freedom and Global Summit of Archons is planned for May 26-29, 2024 in Athens, Greece.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Spiritual Center of worldwide Orthodoxy, is not able to exercise fundamental institutional human rights and religious freedom due to the restrictive policies of the government of the Republic of Turkey. It is in this milieu of state-sponsored religious repression that poses an existential threat to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Under the leadership of Dr. Limberakis, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the United States has initiated an assertive, multifaceted religious freedom project working with the federal government of the United States, the state legislative bodies of each of the 50 states of the United States, The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) the European Union, the European Court of Human Rights and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to convey the urgent message to the Turkish government to cease and desist the policies that constrict religious freedom, not only for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, but for all religious minorities, including the Jewish, Roman Catholic, Protestant and Alevi Muslim communities of Turkey. The Archons support Turkey's candidacy to the European Union so long as it embraces the religious freedom standards of the EU and the Copenhagen Criteria.
Also under the leadership of Dr. Limberakis, the Archons have established eleven Archon Engagement Committees, which afford hundreds of Archons the opportunity to indicate the special area in which he wishes to devote his time, talent, and treasure. These include the Academia Symposia Committee; the Communications Committee; the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation; the Editorial Publication Committee; the Federal and State Governmental Affairs Committee; the International Archons Committee; the Metropolis and Parish Education Committee; the Patriarchal Green Initiatives Committee; the Patriarchal Properties and Legal Issues Committee; Women In Orthodoxy; and the Youth Participation Activities Committee.
In addition to his many other responsibilities, Dr. Limberakis serves as chair of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, which is dedicated to providing financial independence for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, so that it can fulfill its global mission in perpetuity. As of this writing, the EPBF has received $22.715 million in pledges.
In November 2009, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and then-Archbishop Demetrios presented the Athenagoras Human Rights Award, the highest distinction of the Orthodox Church in America, to Dr. Limberakis in New York City for his leadership in fighting for religious freedom for the Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. In June 2009 His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem named him the Commander Cross-bearer (Stavrophoros) of the Order of the All-Holy Sepulcher Cross-bearers.
Dr. Limberakis is a current member of the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and past member of the Board of Trustees of Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology and has served on the governing board of several Greek Orthodox churches in the Philadelphia area. In May 2002, Dr. Limberakis received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities from Hellenic College, Brookline, Massachusetts, for his professional and community leadership. In May 2000. he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in recognition of his contributions to the Greek American community.
Active at the Duke University Medical Center, Dr. Limberakis has served on its Board of Visitors and was past president of the Duke Medical Alumni Association and its major gift organization, the Davison Club. In addition, he has served as a member of the Medical Alumni Council and as chairman of its Strategic Planning Committee, which provided the blueprint for the reorganization and revitalization of the Medical Alumni Association. He has been awarded the Charles A. Dukes Award, Duke's highest recognition for volunteer service to the University and is a member of the Founder's Society and the Century Club. In November 1999, Dr. Limberakis was the recipient of the Duke Medical Center Distinguished Service Award that is given periodically to an alumnus who has demonstrated exemplary service to the Medical Center and School of Medicine.
In March 2015, Dr. Limberakis was conferred the position of Distinguished Fellow of the Oxford Centre for the Study of Law and Public Policy at Harris Manchester College of the University of Oxford.
Dr. Limberakis was born in 1952 in Fresno, California and is the son of the late Rev. John A. Limberakis and Elizabeth Constantine Limberakis. He served as a page in the United States Senate while in high school, and earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in political science at the University of Pennsylvania in 1975. After graduating medical school from Duke in 1978, he completed his medical internship at the Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and his residency in diagnostic radiology at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 1983. He is married to Dr. Maria A. (Borden) Limberakis, a family practitioner, and together have three adult children, John (Danielle), Anthony (Kathryn) and Elizabeth (Praneet) and four grandchildren, Dakota and Anthony (John), Evangeline and Anthony (Anthony).
Nicholas G. Loutsion, VMD
Aktouarios
Pittsburgh
March 09, 2003
Dr. Nicholas G. Loutsion was invested as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in March of 2003 and conferred with the offikion of Aktouarios. He has been a member of the National Council of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle since 2005 and has served the National Council as the Chairman of the Archon Regional Commander Liaison Committee since its inception in 2006. In 2006, he represented the Order as an NGO presenter at the annual meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE-HDIM) comprised of 54 European nations, the US, Canada and 15 other nations around the world in Warsaw, Poland. In 2006 he co-authored the PA House of Representatives Resolution No. 876 in defense of Religious Freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The resolution, only second in the country after New Jersey, was passed through the efforts of Representative Tim Solobay and associates and was subsequently personally presented to the Ecumenical Patriarch by National Commander Limberakis. He has made three trips to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in support of religious freedom for the Mother Church. In 1997 he served on the committee for the Patriarchal visit to the Pittsburgh Metropolis.
Dr. Loutsion has served the Archdiocese of America in many capacities. Archdiocese Council Member since 1998 originally serving on the Religious Education Committee and currently is serving as a Co-chair of the Marriage and Family Committee since 2012. He is an emeritus member of the Board of Trustees of HCHC 2012-2016. He is a member of L100 since 2007.
Dr. Loutsion has served on the Pittsburgh Metropolis (Diocese) Council since 1996, Executive Committee since 2002, and as Vice President of the Metropolis since 2007. He Chaired Metropolitan Maximos retirement reception. He served as the Enthronement Committee Co-Chair (Metropolitan Savas Enthronement). He currently chairs the new Metropolis Center Chapel Committee and serves on the Building Committee of the new Metropolis Center. He is a member of the Byzantine Choir of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh since 1998. Served on the Adelphaton Committee of the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery in Saxonburg, PA
He served on the parish council of All Saints Church in Canonsburg, PA. For over 20 years and as Parish Council President 1996-1997. He was the Co-Chairman of the All Saints Consecration Committee, Tanzania Sister Parish Project, and Chairs the Iconography Committee. Dr. Loutsion has been a chanter at All Saints since 1982 and the parish Protopsaltis since 1995. He has directed the youth choir and has served as a Sunday school teacher.
Dr. Loutsion has a B.S. degree in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh. For his graduate work, he attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia where he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. He owned and operated a 6 doctor Equine Practice in western Pennsylvania for 41 years. He also currently owns and operates the CHF Equine Extended Care and Breeding Facility in Canonsburg, PA since 1977.
Dr Loutsion is the Past Supreme President of the Pan-Rhodian Society of America and the first recipient of the International Rhodian of the year award. He is a member of AHEPA, the PanCretan Assn of America, and the American Hellenic Institute.
In 1976, he married Susan Ann Mertz. They have two children Alexandra Loutsion and Alyssa (Niko) Kyritsis and one grandson Nicholas. They reside in Canonsburg, PA
Dr. Loutsion has served the Archdiocese of America in many capacities. Archdiocese Council Member since 1998 originally serving on the Religious Education Committee and currently is serving as a Co-chair of the Marriage and Family Committee since 2012. He is an emeritus member of the Board of Trustees of HCHC 2012-2016. He is a member of L100 since 2007.
Dr. Loutsion has served on the Pittsburgh Metropolis (Diocese) Council since 1996, Executive Committee since 2002, and as Vice President of the Metropolis since 2007. He Chaired Metropolitan Maximos retirement reception. He served as the Enthronement Committee Co-Chair (Metropolitan Savas Enthronement). He currently chairs the new Metropolis Center Chapel Committee and serves on the Building Committee of the new Metropolis Center. He is a member of the Byzantine Choir of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh since 1998. Served on the Adelphaton Committee of the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery in Saxonburg, PA
He served on the parish council of All Saints Church in Canonsburg, PA. For over 20 years and as Parish Council President 1996-1997. He was the Co-Chairman of the All Saints Consecration Committee, Tanzania Sister Parish Project, and Chairs the Iconography Committee. Dr. Loutsion has been a chanter at All Saints since 1982 and the parish Protopsaltis since 1995. He has directed the youth choir and has served as a Sunday school teacher.
Dr. Loutsion has a B.S. degree in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh. For his graduate work, he attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia where he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. He owned and operated a 6 doctor Equine Practice in western Pennsylvania for 41 years. He also currently owns and operates the CHF Equine Extended Care and Breeding Facility in Canonsburg, PA since 1977.
Dr Loutsion is the Past Supreme President of the Pan-Rhodian Society of America and the first recipient of the International Rhodian of the year award. He is a member of AHEPA, the PanCretan Assn of America, and the American Hellenic Institute.
In 1976, he married Susan Ann Mertz. They have two children Alexandra Loutsion and Alyssa (Niko) Kyritsis and one grandson Nicholas. They reside in Canonsburg, PA
John G. Manos
Eftaxias
Chicago
March 01, 2013
John G. Manos, of St. Demetrios in Elmhurst, Illinois, was invested as an Archon in 2013 and conferred with the offikion Eutaxias by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Phanar. Archon Manos has served as an officer on the Parish Council, on the Metropolis Council and on several Metropolis committees and is a member of Leadership 100.
A graduate from the University of Illinois with a BS in Architecture, Archon Manos is President of a publicly traded Financial Institution headquartered in the Chicago, Illinois area. He and his family develop Commercial Real Estate and operate a chain retail grocery stores.
Archon Manos and his wife Elena, were married in 1986 and have 3 children.
A graduate from the University of Illinois with a BS in Architecture, Archon Manos is President of a publicly traded Financial Institution headquartered in the Chicago, Illinois area. He and his family develop Commercial Real Estate and operate a chain retail grocery stores.
Archon Manos and his wife Elena, were married in 1986 and have 3 children.
National Secretary
Gus M. Pablecas
Ostiarios
Chicago
October 22, 2006
Gus M. Pablecas, (baptized as Kosmas), is National Secretary of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle. He is a Steward of St. Nectarios in Palatine, IL, was invested as Archon in 2006 and conferred with the offikion Ostiarios.
He has served the Church in a variety of positions for over 30 years, including as the Metropolis of Chicago Council’s First Vice President, six term Parish Council President; Parish Council First Vice President; Chairman of Finance, Ways and Means, Budget, Metropolis Task Force Chairman, Ad Hoc Committees, Chairman of Metropolis Clergy Laity and Real Estate Committees, member of the Archdiocesan Council and currently a member of the Metropolis of Chicago Building, Planning and Architectural Committee.
He served on the original Planning and Development Committee as a Board Member for the purchase of the St. Iakovos Retreat Center and currently serves on the Advisory Board for the PanHellenic Foundation.
He is currently the President/CEO of a company active in real estate acquisitions and asset management. As a former FBI Special Agent, he currently serves as a Director for the Chicago Chapter of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.
He has served the Church in a variety of positions for over 30 years, including as the Metropolis of Chicago Council’s First Vice President, six term Parish Council President; Parish Council First Vice President; Chairman of Finance, Ways and Means, Budget, Metropolis Task Force Chairman, Ad Hoc Committees, Chairman of Metropolis Clergy Laity and Real Estate Committees, member of the Archdiocesan Council and currently a member of the Metropolis of Chicago Building, Planning and Architectural Committee.
He served on the original Planning and Development Committee as a Board Member for the purchase of the St. Iakovos Retreat Center and currently serves on the Advisory Board for the PanHellenic Foundation.
He is currently the President/CEO of a company active in real estate acquisitions and asset management. As a former FBI Special Agent, he currently serves as a Director for the Chicago Chapter of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.
Sergeant at Arms
Alexander Pritsos
Hieromnimon
Direct Archdiocesan District
March 15, 1992
Archon Alexander Pritsos has served as co-chair of the Athenagoras Human Rights Award Banquet and Archon weekend and co-chair of the committee to establish the website Archons.org. He also serves on the 2020-2022 Archdiocesan Council. He was an essential Archon volunteer in executing the logistics of the historic Great and Holy Council of Crete. He served his country in the U.S. Army and worked in government logistics and surveillance. Archon Pritsos was invested as Archon in 1992 and conferred with the offikion Hieromnimon.
Michael G. Psaros
Ostiarios
Direct Archdiocesan District
October 19, 2014
Michael Psaros of the Church of Our Savior in Rye, NY, and of the All Saints Church in Weirton, WV, was invested as Archon in 2014 and conferred with the offikion Ostiarios.
Psaros served as the Treasurer of the Holy Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America and currently serves on its Archdiocesan Council. He is also a founding member of FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism; and serves on the Board of Trustees of The Leadership 100 Advancing Hellenism and Orthodoxy in America, the Executive Board of The Hellenic Initiative, and is a member of AHEPA. Psaros is the Executive Producer of the award winning documentary short movie, PISTEVO: BRINGING ICONS TO THE CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR (www.theartofbelief.org). The film, which won the prestigious "Award of Excellence" at IndieFEST, has been viewed by the Faithful around the world.
Michael Psaros is a Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner of KPS Capital Partners, LP (www.kpsfund.com), a family of private equity funds with over $5.0 billion of assets under management.
Psaros serves on the Board of Directors of Georgetown University. He also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of Advisors of Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business and the Board of Advisors of the Georgetown University Center for Financial Markets and Policy. Psaros and his spouse created "The Michael and Robin Psaros Endowed Chair in Business Administration" at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business.
Psaros served as the Treasurer of the Holy Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America and currently serves on its Archdiocesan Council. He is also a founding member of FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism; and serves on the Board of Trustees of The Leadership 100 Advancing Hellenism and Orthodoxy in America, the Executive Board of The Hellenic Initiative, and is a member of AHEPA. Psaros is the Executive Producer of the award winning documentary short movie, PISTEVO: BRINGING ICONS TO THE CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR (www.theartofbelief.org). The film, which won the prestigious "Award of Excellence" at IndieFEST, has been viewed by the Faithful around the world.
Michael Psaros is a Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner of KPS Capital Partners, LP (www.kpsfund.com), a family of private equity funds with over $5.0 billion of assets under management.
Psaros serves on the Board of Directors of Georgetown University. He also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of Advisors of Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business and the Board of Advisors of the Georgetown University Center for Financial Markets and Policy. Psaros and his spouse created "The Michael and Robin Psaros Endowed Chair in Business Administration" at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business.
Franklin (Rocky) Sisson, Jr.
Prepositos
San Francisco
October 16, 2016
Rocky and his wife Constance are members at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bethesda, MD and Archangel Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church in Traverse City, MI between which they split their time. Professionally, Rocky is an Executive Advisor for T.H. Lee and Associates.
Rocky was invested as an Archon in 2016 and in 2018 was made a member of the National Council where he leads social media. He was Parish Council President at his previous churches and he currently serves on the Archdiocesan Council. In 2011, Rocky was awarded the Medal of St. Paul by Archbishop Demetrios.
Rocky was invested as an Archon in 2016 and in 2018 was made a member of the National Council where he leads social media. He was Parish Council President at his previous churches and he currently serves on the Archdiocesan Council. In 2011, Rocky was awarded the Medal of St. Paul by Archbishop Demetrios.
National Treasurer
Peter J. Skeadas
Hieromnimon
Direct Archdiocesan District
October 10, 2004
Peter J. Skeadas of Greenwich, CT was invested as Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2004 and conferred with the offikion Hieromnimon.
Archon Skeadas was elected National Treasurer of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle in January, 2018. He also serves as Chair of the Order's Spirituality Committee and the annual Archon Lenten Retreat. Prior to his being elected Treasurer, he served on the Order's National Council as well as the Order's Regional Commander for the Archdiocesan District. He is a member of the Archdiocesan Council serving on the National Finance Committee and the Archdiocesan District Finance Committee. Together with his wife Aphrodite, he has participated on several Archon Pilgrimages to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople and to Jerusalem, amongst others. He and his wife are members of Leadership 100. They are stewards of the Church of Our Saviour where Archon Peter has served on the Board and on several Church committees in administrative positions. He and his wife are also stewards of Saint Catherine's Church in West Palm Beach and the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center. He is a graduate of the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science. He with his wife, while under the employ of an American oil company, lived for two years in Cape Town, South Africa where he attended the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church of Cape Town.
Archon Skeadas was elected National Treasurer of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle in January, 2018. He also serves as Chair of the Order's Spirituality Committee and the annual Archon Lenten Retreat. Prior to his being elected Treasurer, he served on the Order's National Council as well as the Order's Regional Commander for the Archdiocesan District. He is a member of the Archdiocesan Council serving on the National Finance Committee and the Archdiocesan District Finance Committee. Together with his wife Aphrodite, he has participated on several Archon Pilgrimages to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople and to Jerusalem, amongst others. He and his wife are members of Leadership 100. They are stewards of the Church of Our Saviour where Archon Peter has served on the Board and on several Church committees in administrative positions. He and his wife are also stewards of Saint Catherine's Church in West Palm Beach and the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center. He is a graduate of the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science. He with his wife, while under the employ of an American oil company, lived for two years in Cape Town, South Africa where he attended the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church of Cape Town.
William H. Spell
Laosynaktis
Chicago
October 18, 2015
William H. Spell of the St. Mary’s Church in Minneapolis, MN, was invested as Archon in 2015 and conferred with the offikion Laosynaktis.
Archon Spell has served extensively on the parish council, including his term as President. He is a fulfilled member of Leadership 100 and a major contributor to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Through the Spell Family Foundation, he also supports many other philanthropies.
Archon Spell is a private equity investment manager. He also owns vineyards in California, which produce vintage wines.
Archon Spell has served extensively on the parish council, including his term as President. He is a fulfilled member of Leadership 100 and a major contributor to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Through the Spell Family Foundation, he also supports many other philanthropies.
Archon Spell is a private equity investment manager. He also owns vineyards in California, which produce vintage wines.
George A. Tsougarakis, Esq.
Dikaiophylax
New Jersey
October 16, 2011
George A. Tsougarakis, of St. John the Theologian Cathedral in Tenafly, NJ, was invested as Archon in 2011 and conferred with the offikion Dikaiophylax.
Archon Tsougarakis has served as an officer on the Parish Council, on the Education Committee and chaired the Outreach Committee.
Archon Tsougarakis, a practicing attorney in New York City, has represented—on a pro bono basis—the Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegial Orthodox Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou, in connection with various allegations.
Archon Tsougarakis has served as an officer on the Parish Council, on the Education Committee and chaired the Outreach Committee.
Archon Tsougarakis, a practicing attorney in New York City, has represented—on a pro bono basis—the Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegial Orthodox Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou, in connection with various allegations.
Stephen Yallourakis, M.D., D.D.S.
Aktouarios
Atlanta
October 23, 2005
As one of the founding members of Holy Trinity Mission Church in Kingsport, TN, Dr. Stephen J. Yallourakis was invested as an Archon in 2005 and conferred with the offikion, Aktourarios. He has served on the National Council since 2006.
In 2006, Dr. Yallourakis, and his wife Dr. Anna, offered donations for the restoration of the historic Transfiguration of Christ Our Savior Monastery on the island of Halki. However, on November 13, 2007, eight officials of the local Ministry of Forestry in Turkey threw away roof tile, broke all the windows and window frames of the historic monastery, which had survived numerous fires and earthquakes throughout hundreds of years. The officials threatened the residents and demanded that they abandon their homes because the houses were being demolished. In response, Drs. Yallourakis, provided additional financial support towards the vandalized monastery’s renovation, remarking, “We here in the U.S. enjoy all of our freedoms and believe all people should enjoy basic unalienable rights given to us by our Creator. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, founded by the Apostle Andrew, is the Sacred See for 250 million Orthodox Christians around the world. We pray for a positive resolution to this tragic event and anxiously await the repair of the damage which has destroyed our beloved Monastery.â€
Serving the Church locally and nationally, he has been a member of Leadership 100 since 2000 and, alongside his wife, spearheaded the first Leadership 100 initiation program in the State of Tennessee. He has participated in several Archon pilgrimages including, “The Return of the Relics of Saint John Chrysostom†to the Phanar in 2006 and to Rome in 2004 for the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, led by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. After a trip to the Phanar in 2004, Drs. Stephen and Anna made it their personal mission to educate the Orthodox community about the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In 2007, they set in motion the religious education publication, First Among Equals and in 2012 donated a national mailing of this publication to be sent to all parishes, clergy, Sunday school educators and Archons nationwide. The following year, donations were made so that the publication could be placed in nearly 160,000 issues of the Orthodox Observer.
Archon Yallourakis received his BS and DDS from Case Western Reserve University in 1985 and his M.D. from Vanderbilt University Medical School in 1989. He also received Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training form Vanderbilt in 1991 and currently maintains a private practice for the last 20 years.
He and his wife Dr. Anna, have been married 23 years, and maintain dual residence in Kingsport, TN and Los Angeles, CA. They have two children, Michael Grant, 18, and Stephanie Katherine Grant, 13, who are both actively pursuing and working in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles.
In 2006, Dr. Yallourakis, and his wife Dr. Anna, offered donations for the restoration of the historic Transfiguration of Christ Our Savior Monastery on the island of Halki. However, on November 13, 2007, eight officials of the local Ministry of Forestry in Turkey threw away roof tile, broke all the windows and window frames of the historic monastery, which had survived numerous fires and earthquakes throughout hundreds of years. The officials threatened the residents and demanded that they abandon their homes because the houses were being demolished. In response, Drs. Yallourakis, provided additional financial support towards the vandalized monastery’s renovation, remarking, “We here in the U.S. enjoy all of our freedoms and believe all people should enjoy basic unalienable rights given to us by our Creator. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, founded by the Apostle Andrew, is the Sacred See for 250 million Orthodox Christians around the world. We pray for a positive resolution to this tragic event and anxiously await the repair of the damage which has destroyed our beloved Monastery.â€
Serving the Church locally and nationally, he has been a member of Leadership 100 since 2000 and, alongside his wife, spearheaded the first Leadership 100 initiation program in the State of Tennessee. He has participated in several Archon pilgrimages including, “The Return of the Relics of Saint John Chrysostom†to the Phanar in 2006 and to Rome in 2004 for the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, led by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. After a trip to the Phanar in 2004, Drs. Stephen and Anna made it their personal mission to educate the Orthodox community about the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In 2007, they set in motion the religious education publication, First Among Equals and in 2012 donated a national mailing of this publication to be sent to all parishes, clergy, Sunday school educators and Archons nationwide. The following year, donations were made so that the publication could be placed in nearly 160,000 issues of the Orthodox Observer.
Archon Yallourakis received his BS and DDS from Case Western Reserve University in 1985 and his M.D. from Vanderbilt University Medical School in 1989. He also received Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training form Vanderbilt in 1991 and currently maintains a private practice for the last 20 years.
He and his wife Dr. Anna, have been married 23 years, and maintain dual residence in Kingsport, TN and Los Angeles, CA. They have two children, Michael Grant, 18, and Stephanie Katherine Grant, 13, who are both actively pursuing and working in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles.
John S. Zavitsanos, Esq.
Ekdikos
Denver
October 10, 2004
Archon John Zavitsanos was invested an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2004. In 2007, he was elected to the National Council. Since then, he has worked to help enact efficiencies and updates in Archon administration and policies.
The National Commander appointed Archon Zavitsanos to chair the Exarch’s appeal committee in 2014. He dramatically changed the program by creating the Sponsor A Day Program— which more than doubled the annual contributions. In 2019, the pledged contributions for the first time finally covered the full budget of the Order. Archon Zavitsanos initiated the Archon Bootcamp in 2017 to train Archons-elect regarding the serious responsibilities they will have going forward to defend the Holy Mother Church. In 2019, he helped revamp the Archon selection process and move it from appointment to an application process, so as to assure that all new Archons do not simply view this as a lifetime achievement award and fully understand the duty and service they promise to provide. In 2019, Archon Zavitsanos, became the recipient of The Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship for his outstanding service to the Orthodox Church as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Archon Zavitsanos was also on the committee that hosted Religious Freedom Conferences in Brussels and in Washington, D.C. The summits focused on the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Turkey. Archon Zavitsanos was also on the international team that assisted with the representation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. The Ecumenical Patriarchate successfully sued the government of Turkey and reclaimed an orphanage it had owned for hundreds of years just outside of Istanbul. The victory over this largest wooden structure in all of Europe was unanimous and precedent setting. He is also a member of Leadership 100.
He has also used his legal skills to help others pro bono, like the nuns of Saint Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Monastery in rural Texas who needed help after the monastery basement flooded. Archon Zavitsanos helped secure millions in their full construction costs to remediate the damage done.
He has served his Houston, Texas community outside of the church as well. He has been a board member of the Houston Lawyer Referral Service and has worked on many pro bono cases over the years, including working on a prisoner abuse case that at that time was one of the largest settlements with the state of Texas. Archon Zavitsanos also was a board member of the Menil Art Museum’s Byzantine Fresco Chapel in Houston. He was also stewardship chairman of his local parish and revamped that program 15 years ago. The Annunciation Cathedral in Houston now has one of the largest stewardship programs in the country (they collected over $1.5M in 2018). That program now serves as a model for a number of parishes in the United States.
Archon Zavitsanos has been married for 30 years to Joni and has four children. His wife and children all speak Greek. His wife Joni is an artist who focuses on Byzantine iconography like her father Diamantis J. Cassis (also an Archon) before her.
The National Commander appointed Archon Zavitsanos to chair the Exarch’s appeal committee in 2014. He dramatically changed the program by creating the Sponsor A Day Program— which more than doubled the annual contributions. In 2019, the pledged contributions for the first time finally covered the full budget of the Order. Archon Zavitsanos initiated the Archon Bootcamp in 2017 to train Archons-elect regarding the serious responsibilities they will have going forward to defend the Holy Mother Church. In 2019, he helped revamp the Archon selection process and move it from appointment to an application process, so as to assure that all new Archons do not simply view this as a lifetime achievement award and fully understand the duty and service they promise to provide. In 2019, Archon Zavitsanos, became the recipient of The Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship for his outstanding service to the Orthodox Church as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Archon Zavitsanos was also on the committee that hosted Religious Freedom Conferences in Brussels and in Washington, D.C. The summits focused on the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Turkey. Archon Zavitsanos was also on the international team that assisted with the representation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. The Ecumenical Patriarchate successfully sued the government of Turkey and reclaimed an orphanage it had owned for hundreds of years just outside of Istanbul. The victory over this largest wooden structure in all of Europe was unanimous and precedent setting. He is also a member of Leadership 100.
He has also used his legal skills to help others pro bono, like the nuns of Saint Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Monastery in rural Texas who needed help after the monastery basement flooded. Archon Zavitsanos helped secure millions in their full construction costs to remediate the damage done.
He has served his Houston, Texas community outside of the church as well. He has been a board member of the Houston Lawyer Referral Service and has worked on many pro bono cases over the years, including working on a prisoner abuse case that at that time was one of the largest settlements with the state of Texas. Archon Zavitsanos also was a board member of the Menil Art Museum’s Byzantine Fresco Chapel in Houston. He was also stewardship chairman of his local parish and revamped that program 15 years ago. The Annunciation Cathedral in Houston now has one of the largest stewardship programs in the country (they collected over $1.5M in 2018). That program now serves as a model for a number of parishes in the United States.
Archon Zavitsanos has been married for 30 years to Joni and has four children. His wife and children all speak Greek. His wife Joni is an artist who focuses on Byzantine iconography like her father Diamantis J. Cassis (also an Archon) before her.
