When Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis became an Archon in 1987, he stepped into a centuries-old tradition of protecting the Orthodox Church and supporting its mission in the world. On October 19, his son Anthony joined him in that same calling. Father and son stood together at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City, a moment that brought pride to their family and to the Philadelphia-area community that raised them.
They were not alone. Five other leaders from southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware were also invested as new Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The ceremony recognized a generation of Greek Orthodox men who have spent their lives serving the Church and advocating for the freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the spiritual center of world Orthodoxy.
Leadership and Investiture
Dr. Limberakis has led the Archons in America for more than twenty-five years. He is a radiologist in Philadelphia and teaches at Thomas Jefferson University. In 2023, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew elevated him to the office of Archon Megas Aktouarios in recognition of his long commitment to defending the Mother Church of Constantinople and helping Orthodox Christians around the world.
His son Anthony, a technologist in financial services, now carries this family legacy into the future. Their presence together at the cathedral reflected the continuity of Orthodox leadership across generations.
The investiture followed the Divine Liturgy. Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided, joined by Metropolitans Gerasimos of San Francisco, Savas of Pittsburgh, and Apostolos of New Jersey. He reminded the new Archons that their role is a responsibility, not a title. He encouraged them to lead in their communities with integrity and sincere love for the Church and to speak up when the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are challenged. These six Philadelphia-area leaders were invested among a national class of thirty-eight new Archons.
The Six Honorees
Each new Archon received a Byzantine era honorary title and a charge to protect the faith. Their paths to service are different, yet all are deeply tied to the Greek Orthodox life of our region.
John A. Aivazoglou, Esq. of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, invested as Nomophylax. He is a founding member of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation and has long worked in legal advocacy and philanthropy. He and his family are longtime stewards of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Media, PA, where he has supported parish ministries and community events.
Peter Takis Dionisos of West Chester, Pennsylvania, was honored as Chartoularios. He is a chemical engineer who has supported parish ministries for many years, particularly in stewardship and facilities improvements. He is an active supporter of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Media, PA, and is known for offering guidance to younger parish members beginning their professional careers.
Asteris James Fanikos, Esq. of Chesterfield, New Jersey, invested as Hypomnematographos. He serves as Senior Procurement Officer at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and brings government experience to the Archons. He serves his parish as Parish Council President at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Hamilton, NJ.
Basil C. Kollias, Esq. of Greenville, Delaware, receiving the title Nomodotis. He is a business and real estate attorney and an active supporter of Greek American civic and economic initiatives. He and his family are active with Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Wilmington, DE, supporting parish growth and regional ministries.
Anthony C. Limberakis of Newtown, Pennsylvania, was honored as Ostiarios. He continues his family’s commitment to the Church and to religious freedom. He participates in Philadelphia-area parish ministries and young adult initiatives, helping to engage a new generation in Orthodox Christian life.
John Pogas of Royersford, Pennsylvania, invested as Orphanotrophos. He is a franchise consultant and the founder of ICXC Group with experience in entrepreneurship and business development. He has served as Parish Council President at St. Sophia / Ss. Faith, Hope & Agape Greek Orthodox Church in Jeffersonville, PA, and leads local outreach efforts supporting families through FOCUS Philadelphia.
Impact on Local Orthodox Life
Archons are appointed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for exceptional service to the Church and their local communities. They take an oath to defend religious freedom, especially for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which faces daily challenges to its mission and basic rights.
There are about 700 Archons in the United States. Many serve here in the Philadelphia region, acting as voices for the Church in civic life, interfaith dialogue, and public affairs. The six new Archons join that effort, representing their parishes and the broader Greek Orthodox community on a national and international level.
Their path begins at home. It grows from the parishes where they were raised and from the people who supported them. These six men will now help ensure that Orthodox Christian life in this region remains strong and active for generations to come.
Featured image: Archbishop Elpidophoros and clergy join the newly invested Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for an official portrait at Holy Trinity Cathedral.