Sixty years of the Order of Saint Andrew
Two of the four.
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are laymen invested by the Ecumenical Patriarch himself — the highest honor available to a layman in the Orthodox Church — and charged with defending the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the spiritual home of the world's Orthodox Christians. Since 1966, the Order's members nationwide have been led by a single National Commander at a time. In sixty years, there have been four. Two of them have belonged to this parish.
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1966–1975
Pierre DeMets
The first National Commander, appointed for life by Patriarch Athenagoras, who envisioned the Order together with him.
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1976–1989
Dr. Anthony G. Borden — this parish
Appointed by Archbishop Iakovos. A decorated World War II veteran and the Parish Council President who led the construction of this complex, Dr. Borden served thirteen years and in 1989 received the Order's own Athenagoras Human Rights Award.
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1989–1997
Dr. Chris Philip
Succeeded Dr. Borden; served eight years.
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1998–present
Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis — this parish
Son of Father John A. Limberakis, the pastor who built this complex, and son-in-law of Dr. Borden. Twenty-eight years into his tenure and counting, he has served more than double the length of any other National Commander in the Order's history.
One family, twice over
The two men who built this complex raised the two families who have led the Order since.
Father John A. Limberakis was the pastor whose eleven years here spanned the purchase of the Elkins Park land, the construction of the cultural center and the church, and the Thyranoixia that opened its doors. Dr. Anthony G. Borden was the Parish Council President who led the fundraising that made it possible. Their families are now one: Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, Father John's son, is married to Dr. Maria Borden Limberakis, Dr. Borden's daughter. The pastor's son succeeded the Parish President's father-in-law as National Commander nine years after Dr. Borden's own tenure ended — and has now served nearly three times as long.
Serving today
The parish's Archons.
Five parishioners of Annunciation – Evangelismos currently hold the title of Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
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