Two Utahns in the Greek Orthodox Church have been elevated to the highest honor available to unordained members of the faith.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, bestowed the rank of Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Kostas Katsohirakis and George Pappas of the Salt Lake Greek Orthodox Community.
The recent investiture service, a solemn ceremony in which members receive specific titles symbolizing their spiritual elevation, took place at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City and was presided over by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
In a faith of more than 300 million Orthodox Christians, this distinction honors those who have performed outstanding service in their church and community.
A news release from the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake notes three other Utahns who have been invested as Archons: Nick Bapis (in 2007), Charles Beck (2010) and Dr. Demetrios Skedros (2021).
After being elevated to this position, the release explains, Archons take an active role in securing the future of their faith, advocating for religious freedom and ensuring the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Even more crucial to their mission is advocacy for Christians facing persecution, particularly in the Middle East.
With about 800 Archons of the church worldwide — and 20 to 40 added every year — these rare elevations are viewed by members as a growing interest in Orthodox Christianity in the Western world, including here in Utah.