Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has issued an Archepiscopal Encyclical marking Archon Sunday, celebrated on the Feast of Saint Andrew the First-Called Disciple, November 30, 2024. This inaugural Encyclical underscores the recognition of the Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and their significant contributions to the Church.
The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Sacred Archdiocese of America unanimously designated the Feast of Saint Andrew as an annual occasion to honor the Archons. This year, the commendation will take place on Sunday, December 1, 2024, with the reading of the first-ever Archon Sunday Encyclical.
Archbishop Elpidophoros described the Order of Saint Andrew as “a venerable organization dedicated to the defense and protection of our Venerable Ecumenical Patriarchate” and emphasized its broader role in representing the Mother Church and Archdiocese in various forums. He invited the faithful to explore the Archons’ extensive initiatives through their website, highlighting their positive impact on the Church in America and beyond.
The Archons are celebrated not only for their advocacy for religious freedom worldwide but also for their humanitarian efforts. Their annual Athenagoras Human Rights Award recognizes virtuous leadership, furthering their mission to promote the values of the Church globally.
Archbishop Elpidophoros emphasized the significance of the Archons’ efforts, stating, “Their voices are heard throughout the oikoumene.” He also acknowledged that many parishes include members who hold the prestigious offikion, personally bestowed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
On Archon Sunday, the faithful are called to honor and stand in solidarity with the Archons in their “spiritual phalanx” defending the Ecumenical Patriarchate, referred to as the “Holy Great Church of Christ.” The Archbishop encouraged all to express gratitude to the Archons for their tireless dedication and achievements on behalf of the Mother Church of Constantinople.
The Encyclical concludes with a prayerful wish for the health and spiritual prosperity of the Archons, reflecting the Archbishop’s paternal love and appreciation.
Read the Encyclical below:
Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord,
By unanimous decision of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Sacred Archdiocese of America, the honorable and most esteemed Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, is to be recognized yearly for the Feast of their Celestial Patron, Saint Andrew the Apostle and First-Called Disciple of the Lord. This year, the commendation of our beloved Order of Archons will occur on Sunday, December 1, with the reading of this first-ever Encyclical.
The Order of Saint Andrew is a venerable organization dedicated to the defense and protection of our Venerable Ecumenical Patriarchate; but it is also so much more. The Archons represent the interests of the Mother Church and our Archdiocese in all manner of public and private forums. A visit to their website (https://archons.org) would reveal an incredible number of initiatives that impact the Church in America in positive, Christ-affirming ways. The Archons exercise a worldwide reach that extends to Greece and the Eparchies of the Ecumenical Throne to promote religious freedom around the globe, and recognize virtuous, humanitarian leadership through the annual Athenagoras Human Rights Award. Indeed, their voices are heard throughout the oikoumene!
Many of our parishes have members who are Archons, an office (offikion) that is personally approved and bestowed by His All-Holiness himself. On this Sunday, when we take time to show our respect and esteem for the Archons of our Church who are the Members of the Order of Saint Andrew, let us resolve to stand with them in their spiritual phalanx in defense of the Holy Great Church of Christ. We are all sons and daughters of the Mother Church of Constantinople, and we express our gratitude and appreciation to Her brave and devoted Archons for all that they accomplish on Her behalf. May they enjoy many years of health and spiritual prosperity!
With paternal love in Christ,
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† ELPIDOPHOROS
Archbishop of America
