With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and in consultation with His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, and pursuant to the Archon governing Bylaws, National Commander Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis has appointed Lazaros Evangelos Kircos, Archon Orphanotrofos, Regional Commander for the Archons of the Metropolis of Detroit.
Archon Kircos joins fellow Regional Commander Archon Mark D. Stavropoulos of the Metropolis of Detroit.
“Archon Kircos has been an exceptional member of the Order of Saint Andrew offering his time, talent and treasure to his local parishes, the Metropolis of Detroit, and to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.” National Commander Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis said. “His commitment to the Holy Mother Church of Constantinople is exemplary, and has demonstrated ongoing leadership in support of the sacred mission of the Order of Saint Andrew.”
Archon Kircos, who was born in Florina Greece, came to Michigan as a two year old. He grew up in the Detroit area and graduated from the University of Michigan with a BBA. He became a CPA while working for the then named Coopers & Lybrand and left to join NYSE traded Handleman Company. There he rose through the financial ranks to become Chief Financial Officer at age 34 and then President of a major division overseeing multinational operations. In an attempted turnaround situation, he served as CEO of Toronto based Quality Dino Entertainment, a NASDAQ traded company before a brief stint as the President of an internet based company in 2000-01.
After a reflection of what the future may hold, he decided to work “full time” in a business he jointly owned with his brother since 1981 – Sophia’s Bakery, a wholesale bakery that produces pocket pita, Greek flat bread and pita chips for major food retailers and restaurants in the Midwest. This choice allowed him to devote more time to volunteer activities of the church. His service to administrative affairs of the church began when he was 23 years old on the parish council of St. George Greek Orthodox Church Southgate, Michigan where he was elected president at the age of 28 and has served almost continuously since that time as an officer or committee chair. His father, Angelo, has served there as a chanter since 1970. Archon Kircos has served as President of the Deaconess Senior Citizens Housing Corp for 22 of the last 30 years, a position he continues now. Deaconess is a low income HUD subsidized housing project sponsored by St. George Church. He also is a member of two other churches, Assumption Church in St. Clair Shores, Michigan and Sts. Constantine & Helen Church in Westland, Michigan where he currently serves on the Parish Council and as Chairman of two of its committees. Archon Kircos is a member of Leadership 100 as well as AHEPA Chapter 374. He is a member of the Metropolis of Detroit Metropolis council since 2002 and is Secretary/Treasurer of its Missions and Scholarship Endowment Fund. Archon Kircos also serves on the finance committee of the Archdiocesan Council as well as Chairman of the Planned Giving subcommittee.
His wife, Paula, teases him by saying Church committees are his “work” and the business is his “hobby”. They like to travel, having recently returned from an unforgettable Archon sponsored trip to the Holy Land and have two children, their twins David and Catherine who are now attending universities. They have lived in Grosse Pointe Michigan since their marriage in 1986 where Archon Kircos has served as a member of the city foundation for over 10 years.
