ARCHEPISCOPAL EXHORTATION

By His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

For the Nicholas J. Bouras Award to Michael G. Psaros

For Extraordinary Archon Stewardship

The New York Hilton

New York, New York

October 7, 2022

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Your Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa,

Venerable Hierarchs of His Beatitude’s Esteemed Delegation,

Your Eminences, Graces and Reverend Clergy,

Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Alexander Karloutsos, Spiritual Advisor to the Order of Saint Andrew,

Archon Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis,

Chairman, Archon George Safiol,

Beloved Archons of the Order of Saint Andrew,

Tonight’s Honoree, Archon Ostiarios Michael G. Psaros

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This evening is indeed an auspicious and blessèd event, because our joyous occasion included the prayerful and powerful presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa.

Tomorrow evening, we shall give due honor and recognition to His Beatitude; but for tonight, we welcome Him to bear witness to a truly exceptional member of the Order of Saint Andrew, whose accomplishments – in both the secular and ecclesiastical worlds – would require several evenings to enumerate.

I speak, of course, of the laureate of the 2022 Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship – Michael G. Psaros, Archon Ostiarios of our All-Venerable Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Archon Michael: I address you directly, not that you are in need of any exhortation from anyone; for your enthusiasm and devotion to the Order of Saint Andrew and to the Church are manifest in everything you do.

Indeed, your dedication is in evidence on every level of Church life – foremost in your support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Your generosity over time, and in particular during the Apostolic Visit of His All-Holiness last year, was vital to the success of the trip. But there is so much more, that I hesitate to make a list, as I am afraid of leaving something out. I know that even when you fill in the gaps, and make possible various events in the life of the Church, it is not for the sake of display.

I want to emphasize to everyone in attendance, beginning with You, Your Beatitude, that the Michael Psaros I have been honored to know and call, “my friend,” is a man of deep faith and conviction. He is someone profoundly aware of his reliance upon the grace of God. His generosity, leadership and drive for the good of the Church are his offering of thanksgiving to the Most High God for all His blessings.

As part of his commitment to the Ecumenical Patriarchate – like the namesake of this award, the ever-memorable National Vice Commander Nicholas J. Bouras, Archon Depoutatos – Michael is passionately engaged with the Order of Saint Andrew.

Therefore, his receiving of this fitting tribute tonight could not be more appropriate to the memory of its eponymous hero of the Ecumenical Throne and this Sacred Archdiocese of America. The name “Nicholas J. Bouras,” and that of his beloved wife, Anna, are honored by such men as Michael Psaros, who continue their exemplary Christian stewardship. Please pause with me for a moment to bless their memories … Αἰωνία τους ἡ μνήμη.

But I cannot cease from speaking without at least mentioning all of the initiatives that Michael has effected in the Parish of his youth – All Saints in Weirton, West Virginia – where he and his family have ensured the capacity of the Parish to maintain their clergy through a special endowment. They have even dedicated their family home – transforming it into “Evyenia’s House of Hope,” where His All-Holiness visited last year for its inauguration.

Philanthropy, Philoxenia, Ministry, Service – these are the testaments to Michael’s faith. And they extend to a multitude of institutions and churches. Including Georgetown University, where he has endowed the Orthodox Chaplaincy in the name of His All-Holiness, and established an academic center of excellence in the world of finance and industry – a world he knows so well.

Please allow me a few more minutes, though, to address what may be Michael’s most impactful mission. It began at his local parish in Rye, New York – the Church of our Saviour – with an iconographic program. But it has found its fulfillment in the extraordinary role Michael has assumed for the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center.

Now, as Chairman of The Friends of St. Nicholas – the remarkable band of brothers and sisters who came together to finish the Shrine, raising over sixty million dollars to do so – Michael is taking this unique witness for Orthodoxy to the next level. His vision, passion and undying devotion to this cause has stayed the course and brought us to the moment when we will commence full operations with a fully adorned sanctuary. I know that much of his inspiration has come from his dear friend, our much beloved Fr. Alex (who has inspired so many of us in this room). And together, they make an engine of unprecedented success for all of these endeavors.

Finally, in closing, I would like to come full circle with Archon Michael G. Psaros – a proud Greek and a proud Chian, who is an Ostiarios of the Ecumenical Throne. This Archon title takes its cue from the Latin name for the word door – ostium – and thus means one who mans the door. However, Michael G. Psaros is no mere keeper of the portal.

Some of you may know that the port of ancient Rome on the Tyrrhenian Sea was known as Ostia, and it supplied Rome with all the treasure troves that came to it across the sea.

Our Archon Ostiarios is like that port, but his benefactions supply the needs of New Rome. He has opened doors upon doors for the Church, thereby revealing countless treasures to serve the faithful. And these precious treasures, of course, manifest the immeasurable generosity of his sensitive heart and soul.

In honoring him, then, we also honor Robin, and their three children – Alexandra, Marina and Leo – together with Michael’s parents and the memory of his beloved grandparents.

With this Award tonight, we bestow a most significant token of our esteem and love for him. And we pray that the Lord Who said, “I am the Door, Ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ Θύρα,”[*] will always grant unto him, his family, and all whom he loves, the portals to their own fulfillment of this life, as well as entry, one day, into the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.