The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has formed the three-person slate (triprosopon) for the vacant Metropolis of New Jersey.
The Synod met on September 12 at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston under the presidency of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
Following a secret ballot, based on the list of clergy eligible for election to the episcopacy recently approved by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and in accordance with Article 14 of the current Charter of the Archdiocese, Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Bishop Anthony of Synada and Archimandrite Bartholomew Mercado each received five votes.
The three-person slate was subsequently submitted by Archbishop Elpidophoros in a letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod, so that the election of the new Metropolitan of New Jersey may take place from among the three candidates.
At the opening of the regular fall session, Archbishop Elpidophoros welcomed the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, wished them a fruitful and healthy new ecclesiastical year and expressed his satisfaction with the progress of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.
“Patriarch Bartholomew – Law and Theology” chair at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the election of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Synod decided to fund an academic chair at the Department of Pastoral and Social Theology of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, to be named “Patriarch Bartholomew – Law and Theology.”
The Synod also decided that the teaching of Greek, particularly liturgical texts, at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology should be conducted in cooperation with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Relevant proposals will be submitted to the School’s administration.
The Holy Eparchial Synod further decided to organize commemorative events in 2027 marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of Holy Cross, appointing Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago as chairman of the organizing committee.
It was also decided that the Metropolis of Chicago will host the 50th Clergy-Laity Congress in 2030.
The Synod discussed the criteria for selecting prospective seminarians for Holy Cross. It commended an initiative by Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh and decided that parish priests should encourage prospective seminarians whose qualifications meet the criteria established by the Synod.
At the conclusion of the session, Archbishop Elpidophoros and the Synodal hierarchs exchanged wishes on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s election to the Patriarchal Throne.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is organizing a pilgrimage to the Ecumenical Patriarchate from October 19 to 25, in cooperation with the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle.
