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Greek Orthodox Stewards of America - April 6, 1999

     NEWS

National Commander calls upon Archons to abide by constitution

We, the members of the Order of St. Andrew The Apostle,
Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate [are] united in a common
bond of love and loyalty to the Ecumenical Patriarchate...
Preamble, Constitution of the Order of St. Andrew The Apostle, Inc.

My beloved fellow Archons of the Ecumenical Throne,

Now that Holy Lent has commenced, as faithful Greek Orthodox stewards we must promote unity, harmony, reconciliation and love. We must help re-establish an atmosphere in which we foster cooperation and mutual respect, and not foment division and rancor by sending hurtful communications.

No Archon has the right, on the one hand, to speak as an Archon of the Ecumenical Throne, and, on the other, promote the dissolution of our historic bond with the Phanar. This is blatantly contrary to our Constitution. After all, we are Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and as such, our behavior must be exemplary and steadfast in strengthening our ties with the Phanar. Do not call yourself an Archon of the Great Church of Christ if you promote autocephaly, which simply is incompatible with the stated purposes of our Constitution.

To assist the Ecumenical Patriarchate in furthering the Ecumenical
Leadership of the Mother Church of Constantinople.
To uphold and defend the historical status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
To support the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
and its philanthropic institutions.
Article II - Purposes

No Archon has the right to speak as an Archon of the Ecumenical Throne if he is a participant in an organized, relentless and systematic assault on the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarch here in America. On the contrary, Archons are duty-bound to defend His All Holiness and His Eminence with all our might and with all our energy.

If, in good conscience, one does not agree with the precepts of our Constitution, cannot abide by its tenets, and if one's efforts serve to sever our holy and noble bond with the Mother Church of Constantinople, then perhaps it is time that one reconsider the call to serve as an Archon of the Great Church of Christ.

My fellow Archons, let us look for the good in our spiritual leaders. Let us build upon that which unites us in a common bond of love and loyalty to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Let us come together and expend our Time, Talent and Treasure for the good of the Church, for the good of the venerable throne of St. Andrew and for the good of our beloved Holy Archdiocese.

Now, more than ever, when our Church needs us most during these challenging times, let us be Archons, true to our Offikia!

Respectfully,

Anthony J. Limberakis, MD
Archon Aktouarios
National Commander

Stewards' Editorial Note: The National Commander is to be commended for his courageous words. It is time for certain Archons to remember that they are Archons and act accordingly. The destructive actions of some Archons toward the Mother Church and its exarch, His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon, are, to say the least, disgraceful.

[ Greek Orthodox Stewards of America
  www.gostewards.org/news/n99040605.htm
  April 6, 1999 ]