The Archons of the Pacific Northwest in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco hosted His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America on his first trip to the area, along with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco and His Grace Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea (Metropolis Chancellor), at a luncheon on Saturday, September 24, 2022. The hierarchs were visiting to help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of St. Demetrios Church in Seattle, WA.
Following a Doxology at the Church of the Assumption in Seattle, the luncheon was held in that parish’s community center attended by area clergy, parish council and Philoptochos leaders, other guests, and Archons from Seattle and Portland, along with spouses.
Archbishop Elpidophoros offered the invocation, and the three Seattle Archons, Clifford Argue, Paul Plumis, and John T. John, welcomed everyone, made introductions, and provided a brief explanation of “What is an Archon?”
After a delicious lunch featuring Pacific Northwest salmon, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, addressing the Archbishop stated that the Pacific Northwest Archons “are all dedicated stewards of the church who have offered of themselves in so many ways, and are ardent defenders of the faith and supporters of the Mother Church. We just prayed the Doxology and, indeed, we are thankful for God for this opportunity to be together and have Greek Orthodox faithful from throughout the greater Seattle area – and beyond – to be here and show our love and respect to Your Eminence on your first Archpastoral visit to the Pacific Northwest. There is no greater power than our common prayer as we did today, praising the Lord with one heart and one voice.”
Archon John T. John noted that the training of young men to be priests at the Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, MA is of critical importance to the future of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. Fr. A. Homer Demopulos, of blessed memory, was the longest-serving proistamenos of St. Demetrios for 25 years, fully one fourth of the existence of the parish.
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
