Editing Archon (section)

==Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople==
{{main|Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate}}
From time to time, [[laity]] of the [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Orthodox Church]] in communion with the [[Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople|Patriarch of Constantinople]] have been granted the title of ''archon'' to honor their service to Church administration.<ref name=K>{{cite web |url=https://orthochristian.com/129620.html |title=Who do the Archons of the Patriarchate of Constantinople Serve?|last=Alexandrov |first=Kirill |date=2020-03-26|website=Orthodox Christianity |publisher= |access-date=2023-11-07}}</ref> In 1963, archons in the United States were organized into a service society, the Order of St. Andrew. This archon status is not part of the Church hierarchy and is purely honorary.

An archon is an honoree by His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch, for his outstanding service to the Church, and a well-known, distinguished, and well-respected leader of the [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Orthodox Church]] (at large).

It is the sworn oath of the archon to defend and promote the [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Orthodox Church]] faith and tradition. His main concern is to protect and promote the Holy Patriarchate and its mission. He is also concerned with [[human rights]] and the well-being and general welfare of the Church.

As it is a significant religious position, the faith and dedication of a candidate for the role are extensively reviewed during consideration; the candidate should have demonstrated commitment for the betterment of the Church, Parish-Diocese, Archdiocese and the community as a whole.{{fact|date=January 2025}}