Governance
The Archegeteion is the headquarters of our Institution.
Here, the Administration of the Synodus works on a daily basis to preserve its members’ wellness and to unfold the Ophidian path in all the territories where the Synodus operates.
The mandate of the Archegeteion declines in doctrine, liturgy and administration, offering counselling and guidance to all the members.
The Archegete
The Archegete operates as a representative of our Institution, being elected by our members for his/her academic and spiritual merits.
The current Archegete Stephanos, whose lay name is Stefano Sannino, holds a degree in philosophy with a thesis named “The symbolism of the Serpent from Antiquity to Hesiod’s Theogony”, having then focused his post-graduate work in anthropology and history of Mediterranean religions. After the foundation of the Synodus he has published several academic papers, among which “The Serpent in Mediterranean and Near Eastern Religious Thought: Toward an Ophidian Interpretation” and “From Magic to Liturgy: A Comparative Historical Overview of Ritual Practice in the Ancient Mediterranean and Early Christianity”.
In 2026, he published the Introductory Treatise on Ophidian Doctrine, covering historical, theoretical and ethical topics within the Ophidian framework.
The Archegete’s coat of arms is used to mark every official document, provision or publication issued by our Administration. Its symbology is rooted in the heraldic system and is chosen by each Archegete following their personal spiritual and academic focus.
The current seal of the Archegete is partitioned into four quarters, enveloped by a crimson royal mantle, doubled ermine, and surmounted by a simple crown bearing the emblem of the Serpent. In the dexter chief a crowned Serpent places God at the very centre and apex of the coat of arms, affirming its absolute importance in all the Archegete’s work and duty. In the sinister chief, a radiant sun recalls the archetype of Polemos, forever burning and changing.
In the dexter base, a book with a laurel crown symbolises the victory of knowledge obtained through devotion. In the sinister base, a bell and an antique oil lamp represent the virtues of vigilance, faith, and the call to prayer.
The official motto is: “Semper ad Fidem” (Always towards Faith).
THE ARCHITHEOROS
The Architheoros is the second-highest administrative authority in the Synodus, functioning as the chief coordinator and the Archegete’s primary operational hand. Their mandate is to monitor, supervise, and coordinate the entire spectrum of the Synodus's global activities, translating the spiritual directives of the Archegete into concrete administrative action.
They serve as the central node for reporting from all regions, ensuring the correct functioning of the Synodus.
The office is currently covered by Exegete Wawrzyniak.
Having an experience spanning several decades in topics such as symbology, esoteric traditions and theoretical studies, the Architheoros Wawrzyniak fluently speaks English, German, French and Farsi