A native of Ukraine has become an Archon of the Patriarchate of Constantinople for the first time

On October 18, 2026, a solemn ceremony was held at the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York, during which Dr. Ivan Belya, Director of Public Relations for the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate of America, was conferred the title of Archon of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. According to Slavonic.org, he became one of 47 new members of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle and the first person of Ukrainian origin to receive this honorary title in the United States.

Ivan Belya was awarded the ancient title of Chartularius—keeper of church documents—which underscores his many years of service to the Church. For many years, he has been actively involved in educational and administrative work: under his leadership, five churches were founded in the United States, including two cathedrals in Miami and New York. In addition, he is known as a benefactor and restorer of the oldest Orthodox monastery in Florida, as well as the designer of church architecture and iconostases.

Along with Ivan Belya, other prominent figures in American society, science, and medicine joined the ranks of the archons in 2026, including retired U.S. Army General Andrew P. Poppas and renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Nicholas Theodor. The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, founded in 1966, brings together influential Orthodox laypeople who help strengthen ties between American believers and the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The investiture ceremony was presided over by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, who expressed his support for the work of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate.

As a reminder, we previously reported that the Phanar Diocese in the U.S. awarded Volodymyr Zelenskyy the “Beacon of Hope” Award, despite protests from the clergy and the faithful.