With the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, and in consultation with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, has appointed Archon Isidoros Garifalakis Regional Commander for the Order in the Pacific Northwest.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros stated, “This is an excellent appointment. Archon Isidoros Garifalakis is a true disciple of the best Teacher: our Lord Jesus Christ. He has demonstrated over the years that he practices our faith with sincerity of heart and honest intention. Through the holy intercessions of the Theotokos, may he receive grace upon grace as he continues to love and serve our holy Mother Church of Constantinople.”
Dr. Limberakis noted, “A couple of key anecdotes reveal the sterling character of Archon Garifalakis. Some time ago, he was asked to provide the steel for the rebuilding of the Annunciation Cathedral in San Francisco. He did so at his own cost and declined to be reimbursed. Archon Isidoros and his beloved wife Maria also travelled to Evia, Greece, where Archon Isidoros was born, this summer and spent several weeks assisting in the catastrophic fires that overcame Greece, and Evia in particular. These were true acts of φιλανθρωπία, and measures of Archon Isidoros' dedication to our Holy Church. I am honored to appoint him a Regional Commander. I am also so proud to note that Archon Isidoros and Maria have committed to becoming FOUNDERS of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation.”
“It has been my honor to serve the Order and our Mother Church for the past 17 years as an Archon the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” remarked Archon Garifalakis. “I accept this new responsibility as Regional Commander with gratitude, and with deep commitment to further the mission of the Order. It is my goal to explore new opportunities for the Archons in the Pacific Northwest while mobilizing and bringing greater awareness to our efforts as Defenders of the Faith.”
A parishioner of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Oregon, Archon Garifalakis was invested as Archon on October 10, 2004 and conferred with the offikion Depoutatos.
Archon Garifalakis is the principal owner of Omega Industries, headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, where he operates the largest main line railroad crossing supplier in the United States. His company also manufactures dredging parts and a variety of fabricated steel products at their four plants located throughout the US. He is a member of the Metropolis Council for the Metropolis of San Francisco, where he chairs the Fundraising and Development Committee. He and his family are generous supporters of their parish in Portland, of the Saint John the Forerunner Monastery in Goldendale, WA, and Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA. Archon Garifalakis currently serves as a member of the Archdiocesan Council, a position he has held for several years. He and Maria are also fulfilled members of Leadership 100.
According to the Bylaws of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Order’s National Commander, following the election of the National Council officers, is to appoint Regional Commanders to serve for a period of one year. Each Regional Commander serves as the representative of the National Council in the region in order to carry out the purposes, objectives and principles of the Order.
An Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is an honoree by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his outstanding service to the Church, and a well-known, distinguished, and well-respected leader of the Orthodox Christian community.
The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation: For the Sacred See of Saint Andrew, has been established as an endowment by the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. FOUNDERS of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation have committed to ensuring the financial foundation of the Holy Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, by pledging $100,000 over 10 years.