His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, has issued an Encyclical emphasizing the importance of Archon Sunday, which will be on November 23, 2025. Archon Sunday raises awareness regarding the diakonia of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in protecting and defending the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and providing support for His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as he exercises his global ministry. This is in follow-up to a unanimous decision made by His Eminence, the Archbishop and the Eparchial Synod, establishing Archon Sunday and endorsing the Archon Patriarchal Catechism Initiative, on September 13, 2024.
His Eminence has issued an Archepiscopal Encyclical for Archon Sunday, calling attention to the Archon Sprout Program, which will be taught throughout the whole country. This new and much-needed program gives all Sunday School students a unique and unprecedented opportunity to learn about the central importance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the Church and the world, and about His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
In his Encyclical, His Eminence stated: “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, 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.”
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) are collaborating with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Department of Religious Education to educate children on the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Archon Sprout Program introduces Orthodox Christian children throughout the Archdiocese of America to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Sacred Center of our Holy Orthodox Faith, and to the challenges that His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Mother Church of Constantinople face in this age. The curriculum was created by two professional educators, who between them have over 50 years of teaching experience: Dr. Helen Nixon, who holds a doctorate in education (EdD) and Catherine Tsatalis who has an MA in Elementary Education.
His Eminence has approved the annual celebration of Archon Sunday to take place on or near the Feast Day of Saint Andrew the Apostle, which is November 30. Officially and in accordance with appropriate protocol, Archon Sunday this year will be this coming Sunday, November 23, 2025.
If there is an Archon in your parish, he may be speaking after the Divine Liturgy about the five major challenges that the Ecumenical Patriarchate faces today, or about the general need to protect our Holy Mother Church of Constantinople. The speaker may also outline what the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are doing to protect the future of faith.
Please be sure to attend the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, November 23, and prayerfully consider what you can do to support and defend the global sacred mission of our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Article Originally Published By: The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate