47 New Archons Installed at Holy Trinity Cathedral in NYC

The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, formally known as the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, welcomed 47 new members during a ceremony at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City. The induction took place after the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The title Archon derives from Ancient Greek meaning "the one who is trusted with authority."

In the modern context, these lay leaders commit to protecting and advocating for the Mother Church of Constantinople, the Ecumenical Patriarchate located in Istanbul, Turkey. Candidates for the order must demonstrate sustained commitment to the Greek Orthodox Church at three levels: active support of their local parish, contributions on a national scale within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and dedication to the Ecumenical Throne itself.

The ceremony adds to the order's membership, which works to defend religious freedom and the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The event was reported by journalist Chris Benis for The National Herald, a Greek-American newspaper also referenced as TNH or EK.