Archon Religious Freedom presentation held at Metropolis of Chicago Assembly

His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos with Regional Commanders Pablecas and Manos, along with Archons of the Metropolis of Chicago during an Archon Breakfast.

Madison, WI
11/20/2015 – Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate 

With the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos, the Archons of the Metropolis of Chicago held an Archon Retreat, November 14-18, 2015 in Madison, WI, as part of the Metropolis’ bi-annual Clergy/Laity Philoptochos Assembly.

The Archon Retreat, held at the Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club, began with an informal “meet and greet” fellowship dinner on Friday evening. The following day, Regional Commanders Gus M. Pablecas and John G. Manos presented a multimedia presentation to Assembly attendees elaborating on the Five Issues of Concern facing the Ecumenical Patriarchate to over 100 attendees.

Immediately following the Archon Retreat, a joint retreat was held with the Archons and Metropolis Philoptochos to further discuss religious freedom concerns. Due to its successful impact, the President of Philoptochos requested that Regional Commanders Pablecas and Manos also make the Religious Freedom presentation at the Philoptochos business meeting the following afternoon.

The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle is made up of Orthodox Christians who have been appointed as Archons, an ancient title dating back to the early Christian Church. The Archons dedicate themselves to the defense and preservation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the face of persecution, to the Orthodox Christian faith and tradition, to the well-being of the Christian Church and the inalienable rights of the human race wherever they may be violated. The Archons are under the spiritual direction of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

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