The Timeless Ideal of Freedom

Liberty or death!” was their watchword. They risked their homes, their possessions, their families and their lives, not for wealth or fame or the fleeting pleasures of this world, but for the enduring cause of freedom. Brave were their words in pursuit of independence; braver still were their deeds. Read More

Chicago Archons Hold Annual Feast Day Service

CHICAGO – Metropolis of Chicago Archons hosted their annual Vespers and Liturgy services honoring St Andrew, patron saint of the Order of St. Andrew and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Services took place at St Andrew Church in Chicago. Metropolitan Iakovos officiated at the Vespers Service while Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos officiated at the Divine Liturgy with a large number of Metropolis clergy and 20 Archons attending on both days. A luncheon followed the Nov. 30 Liturgy. The guest speaker, John Zavitsanos, presented “The Ecumenical Patriarchate: The Assult over the Last 60 Years. Will the Church be Extinguished in Constantinople?”

Zavitsanos, a Houston attorney, became an Archon in 2004 and regularly speaks on issues affecting the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He was part of the legal team that successfully won the return of certain properties of the Ecumenical Patriarchate against the government of Turkey in the European Court of Human Rights.

He currently serves as a member of National Council of the Order of St Andrew, is a member of Archdiocesan Council, and a parishioner of Annunciation Cathedral in Houston.

Metropolis of Chicago Archons are actively working to increase awareness of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople as well as the challenges facing the continued longevity of the church in Constantinople. As part of a larger nationwide initiative to increase awareness through the passage of Resolutions of Support for the Religious Freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in each state within the United States, the Metropolis of Chicago Archons have begun a political lobbying campaign to gain passage in the 2017 Spring Legislative Session in the two states under their oversight that have yet to pass this resolution; Indiana and Minnesota.

In total, these Religious Freedom Resolutions in support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople have been passed in 45 States, by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and the European Union, and strongly supported by former Pope Benedict, Pope Francis, former President George W. Bush, and President Barack Obama.

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