National Commander & Fordham University Professor speak at Religious Freedom Symposium hosted by Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and Delaware Valley Archons

Archon News

National Commander & Fordham University Professor speak at Religious Freedom Symposium hosted by Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and Delaware Valley Archons

[L-R] Archons George Grigos & Alexander Pritsos, Dr. Geoge Demacopoulos, Fr. Christ Kontos, His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos, National Commander Anthony J. Limberakis, MD, Regional Commmander Dr. Cary Limberakis, Archons Christos Skeadas, and George Kyvernitis.

A religious freedom symposium entitled, “The Great Schism and the Current Dialogue of Love and Truth, “was held May 8 in the Philadelphia region, hosted by Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and Archons from the Greater Delaware Valley. Several National Council members, Archons, and Orthodox faithful of all ages from throughout the area attended the symposium at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church’s Education and Cultural Center.

Dr. George E. Demacopoulos, associate professor of historical theology and co-founding director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Program at Fordham University, offered insight on the historical and theological origins of the schism as well as surveyed some recent scholarly reappraisals of the East/West divide. Dr. Demacopoulos also detailed the recent developments in the Orthodox/Catholic dialogue.

Archon Regional Commander Dr. Cary Limberakis thanks Dr. George Demacopoulos of Fordham University for his insightful presentation on the history of The Great Schism held at St. Luke’s Education and Cultural Center.

In the afternoon session, National Commander Anthony J. Limberakis, M.D., discussed the five major issues confronting the Ecumenical Patriarchate in its struggle for religious freedom in Turkey: 1) Government interference in Patriarchal elections, 2) Non-recognition of “Ecumenical” status, 3) No legal identity, 4) Closing of seminary and inability to train new clergy, and 5) Confiscation of property. He concluded by describing the initiatives being pursued at the highest level by the Order here in the United States and in Europe, which included their January mission to Madrid, Venice, and Athens.

Metropolitan Evangelos offered his gratitude to both presenters, Archon Regional Commander Dr. Cary Limberakis, symposium moderator, and to Father Christ Kontos and the parish community for hosting the event. His Eminence concluded by commending the Archon’s efforts in pursuit for religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.