With the blessing of Archbishop Sotirios of Canada, the new Board of Directors of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Archons in Canada (EPAC) held a virtual meeting on Saturday, November 23, 2024, to discuss various issues and a strategic approach to support the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The members of the Board were selected at the summer Clergy-Laity Assembly in St. Catharines, Ontario, with the executive positions recently ratified by His Eminence and consisting of the following Archons:
Executive
• President: Evagelos Sotiropoulos, Archon Ostiarios (Toronto, Ontario)
• Vice President: Grigoris Karakoulas, Archon Protonotarios (Toronto, Ontario)
• Secretary: Chrisostomos Perentes, Archon Aktouarios (Regina, Saskatchewan)
• Treasurer: Dimitrios Anas, Archon Depoutatos (Burlington, Ontario)
Members
• George Nikolaou, Archon Ostiarios (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
• Harry Korosis, Archon Ekdikos (St. Catharines, Ontario)
• Angelo Nikolakakis, Archon Ekdikos (Montreal, Quebec)
The assembled Archons discussed the organizational structure of the EPAC and considered options to improve the current state of affairs. In addition, a number of events and initiatives were discussed that would bring greater awareness and support to both the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as well as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The Board of Directors also welcomed Archon Costa Sideridis, a Regional Commander for the Archons of the Metropolis of Boston, whose family has historic connections to Canada.
Archon Sideridis spoke about the initiatives of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the United States, together with opportunities for information sharing and areas of future collaboration. This cross-border cooperation builds on the successful and historic First Summit of Global Archons – which included the active participation of many Archons from Canada – that was held in the spring in Athens.
The Board also expressed its appreciation and thanksgiving to Archon Perentes for his effective leadership as President of the EPAC since 2019.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate Archons in Canada, which includes approximately 75 distinguished laymen across the country, will continue to cultivate their mission and strengthen their efforts to support the Mother Church of Constantinople.