Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has warmly congratulated Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey following his election by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
In an announcement published on social media, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America expressed its joy at the election of Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos as the new Metropolitan of New Jersey.
Archbishop Elpidophoros welcomed the decision with gratitude to God, joining the clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese and the Metropolis of New Jersey in proclaiming “Axios!” (Worthy!) to the newly elected Metropolitan.
In his congratulatory message, Archbishop Elpidophoros praised Metropolitan Athenagoras for his longstanding dedication to the Church and his commitment to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
“With profound joy and thanksgiving to God, I congratulate my beloved brother, His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey, upon his election by the Holy and Sacred Synod of our Ecumenical Patriarchate,” he stated.
The Archbishop also highlighted his personal experience of working with Metropolitan Athenagoras over the years.
“For many years, I have had the blessing of witnessing firsthand his devotion to Christ and His Church, his fidelity to the Mother Church of Constantinople, and the extraordinary care with which he has undertaken every ministry entrusted to him,” Archbishop Elpidophoros added.
Following his election, Metropolitan Athenagoras will assume pastoral responsibility for the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey, one of the ecclesiastical jurisdictions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
