Month: November 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Tomorrow, November 30th is the Feast of St. Andrew the First Called Apostle. As his missionary journeys led him to a fishing town known as Byzantium, he laid the foundation for the epicenter of Eastern Christendom. He was the first bishop of that which would become Constantinople, the capital of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine, once he relocated the imperial city, and named it after himself. Therefore, St. Andrew is the patron saint of Constantinople and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Itself.

Here in America, there is a distinguished group of Greek Orthodox Christians known as Archons; those who’s ministry it is to support, witness, educate about, and help sustain the Ecumenical Patriarchate in modern day Istanbul. Our Church does not enjoy the protections, the wealth, the comforts of the Vatican. Every day, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Bartholomew lives very precariously in nothing less than hostile surroundings. The support received through the Archons, both financially and in terms of awareness is invaluable to the existence of the Mother Church in a less than friendly, anti-Christian country. 

Last Sunday was designated by our Archdiocese as “Archon Sunday,” an opportunity to bring awareness…to those who bring awareness.

As a parish, because of my accident side-lining me for a few weeks, we have fallen behind on a few of these special Sundays (look for a makeup “Church Musicians Sunday” and “Camp for the Future Sunday”). Since we celebrate St. Andrew tomorrow, it is most appropriate that we observe the work of the Archons on this day. 

I wish to offer my sincere appreciation and respect to our parish’s lone Archon, Dr. Charles Beck, MD. Thank you, Charles, for your distinguished support of the Mother Church and Her mission in the world.

Since I cannot possibly articulate the value of this group and bring a proper perspective on the impact of Archon Sunday, please enjoy the following Encyclical from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America that was to be read in church last Sunday. 

Archiepiscopal Encyclical for Archon Sunday

Unto the Most Reverend and Right Reverend Hierarchs, Pious Priests and Deacons, Presvyteres and Diakonisses, the Monks and Nuns, Presidents and Members of Parish Councils, Honorable Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Members of Leadership 100, the Day and Afternoon Schools, Philoptochos Societies, the Youth, Greek Orthodox Organizations, and the entirety of the Christ-named Plenitude of the Sacred Archdiocese of America:

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, one of the two who had heard what John said, followed Jesus. First, he went and found his brother, the aforementioned Simon. (John 1:41-42) Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, Last year, the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Sacred Archdiocese of America inaugurated “Archon Sunday,” in order to recognize the esteemed Order of Saint Andrew the First Called Disciple, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and to honor the Feast of their Heavenly Patron.

In the days preceding the Feast of Saint Andrew on Sunday, November 30th, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will visit Nicaea (modern İznik), the site of the First Ecumenical Council, together with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Their Beatitudes of the Elder Patriarchates – the full complement of the ancient Pentarchy – in order to commemorate the 1700th Anniversary of the Three Hundred and Eighteen Fathers gathered in Nicaea and the Creed, and their declaration of the Faith of the Apostles, which we recite at every Divine Service.

Following the Nicaean event, the Pope will be present for the Feastday Liturgy of Saint Andrew in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Holy Great-Martyr George the Trophy Bearer, bearing witness to the enduring ecumenical progress that has been made over the last fifty years. There will be a special pilgrimage with many Archons for these most significant events, which signal real progress in the goal of a unified Christendom.

Throughout, we shall manifest the love of Andrew for his brother Simon, who went first out of love to share with his brother (renamed Peter by the Lord), the good news of finding the Messiah. Therefore, all parishes are urged to take time on this Sunday, November 23rd, to acknowledge the Archons of the Great Church of Christ, and to take full advantage of the many initiatives of the Order of Saint Andrew, which can be found on their website, https://archons.org. As children of the Mother Church of Constantinople, we all – Archon or no – have a responsibility to Her and Her spiritual mission, to share the Gospel of the Messiah, Who was found first by Saint Andrew, with all our brothers and sisters throughout the world.

With Blessings in our Lord Jesus Christ,

†ELPIDOPHOROS Archbishop of America

To all who celebrate their Name Day tomorrow, the Andrews and Andreas, Chronia Polla! Many Years!

With Much Love in Christ

Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This coming Tuesday, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Leo XIV will be together for a most historic commemoration as they gather in Nicaea to commemorate the 1700th Anniversary of the 1st Ecumenical Council and the drafting of the Nicene Creed. For Orthodox Christians, the Nicaean Creed is not an historical document for scholars to contemplate or a point in history to simply be appreciated. It represents the first articulation of our Faith. It defines our beliefs. It celebrates the relationship between the Three Persons of our Triune God, and the Lord’s relationship with each of us. We as a people. We as a family of believers. We as individuals, baptized, illumined and made whole. We recite it as we sacramentally enter the Church. And in unison, we proclaim it at every Divine Liturgy. By it and through it, we are affirmed, justified and inspired. 

But I also found an interesting article in Christianity Today Concerning this milestone in history. It was refreshing to see what Western Christianity in general has to say about the event and the Creed, Itself. Please enjoy this read. And remember to give thanks to our loving Savior that after 1700 years, you still maintain and are grounded in the doctrinal truths as expressed in the Creed. You belong to the very Church which composed it. And you remain true to their traditions. I have personally stood in the ruins of the church in Nicaea where the Creed was drafted and first proclaimed. Praying in that space and reciting the Creed with my fellow pilgrims, I felt a sense of awe, appreciation, connection, and responsibility. 

I hope you enjoy this article:

“This year marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and the formulation of the Nicene Creed. If you’re not deeply familiar with Christian history or theology, that might sound like an obscure detail. You might even be wondering: what does a fourth-century church meeting have to do with me today?

Actually, quite a lot.

Let’s take a quick journey down history lane.

The Council that changed everything

The First Council of Nicaea took place in 325 AD, called together by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great in the city of Nicaea (modern-day İznik, Turkey). His aim? To bring unity to a fragmented empire.

While Constantine sought political stability, the bishops who gathered were focused on something deeper: the unity and clarity of Christian belief. At the heart of their discussions was a growing controversy known as Arianism – a teaching that denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ.

The result? The Council of Nicaea produced the Nicene Creed, set a lasting precedent for ecumenical councils (global gatherings of Christian leaders to define core beliefs), and even established a unified date for celebrating Easter.

Now that we’ve got the basics of what the Council of Nicaea was all about, you might still be asking: why does the Nicene Creed matter so much today?

The birth of the Nicene Creed

Well, as previously mentioned, one of the most enduring outcomes of this council was the creation of the Nicene Creed.

In today’s churches, you’ll hear a wide range of messages – some deeply rooted in Scripture, others perhaps less so. But the Nicene Creed brings us back to the centre. It grounds our congregations in the truth of Christ Himself, cutting through the noise and reminding us of what matters most.

The creed didn’t just resolve one theological debate; it set the foundation for what most Christians – Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant – believe about God today.

It condemned Arianism, asserting the belief in one God – the Father Almighty, Jesus Christ as true God, begotten, not made, and of one substance with the Father (and that He was incarnated, crucified, resurrected and ascended) and the Holy Spirit as Lord and giver of life.

It also declared the belief in a united church, set apart for God’s purposes, open to all and present worldwide and built on the foundations of the apostles’ teachings.

It acknowledged one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and pointed to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

The Creed is still said every week in Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and many Protestant churches around the world.

Why this still matters

Let’s be real, Christian churches today can feel divided. Different doctrines, different styles of worship, even disagreements over what’s essential to the faith. Sometimes, that lack of unity is exhausting and confusing – not just for believers, but for seekers and sceptics watching from the outside.

That’s exactly why this anniversary is so powerful! It centers us. It reminds us of our shared foundation. It points us back to Christ and affirms our belief in the God who came down, died, rose, and is still alive and active today.

Even if you’ve never studied the Council of Nicaea, if you’ve ever said the words of the Nicene Creed, then you’ve participated in a tradition that stretches back 1,700 years. It has shaped how you think about God’s love, salvation, and your purpose in the world even if you didn’t realize it. This anniversary is more than just a historical footnote. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with what we believe and why it matters.”

So, if Evangelical Christians can articulate such a lovely appreciation for the Nicaean Creed, let it’s teaching penetrate our hearts even more deeply. Happy Anniversary to the First Ecumenical Council. You still look great after 1700 years!

With Much Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter