LAST UPDATE: 20.30
With eleven votes in favor and one blank, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected today at the Phanar Archimandrite Dionysios Anagnostopoulos as Bishop of Zenoupolis.
The election took place during the Synod’s official proceedings.
The new bishop assumes the historic title of the once-renowned Bishopric of Zenoupolis, an honorary designation that links contemporary ecclesiastical service with the longstanding tradition of Orthodoxy.
“I am filled with profound gratitude to Almighty God, who in His mercy calls the unworthy to serve His Holy Church. I offer my deepest thanks to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod for this sacred trust. I also express my heartfelt filial gratitude to His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael for his paternal guidance and mentorship,” said Bishop-elect Dionysios. “I receive this election not as a distinction, but as a Cross—a weighty charge for the building up of the Church and the salvation of souls. I pray that, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, I may serve with humility and preserve the unity of the Church, bearing witness to the compassion and truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
“I am profoundly grateful to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for raising His Grace Bishop-elect Dionysios to the high office of the Episcopacy,” said Metropolitan Nathanael. “Having witnessed his earnestness of faith and tireless work ethic firsthand, I am confident that his election will be a great blessing to the Metropolis of Chicago and to the wider Archdiocese.”
His ordination to the episcopacy will take place later in March, with further details to be announced.
Biography of the new Bishop
Bishop-elect Dionysios was born in Sparta, Greece, and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1986. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Northeastern University and worked in the information technology field before discerning a call to the Holy Priesthood. In preparation for ordination, he undertook theological studies at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, earning a Master of Theological Studies and a Master of Theology, graduating with highest distinction. He also pursued doctoral studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Ordained to the Holy Diaconate and Priesthood in 2003, he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite in 2006. Throughout his priesthood, he faithfully served parishes in Astoria, Whitestone, and Yonkers, New York. At the invitation of Metropolitan Nathanael, he relocated to Chicago in 2021 to pastor St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Elmhurst, Illinois.
In 2022, he began assisting in the Office of the Chancellor and was appointed Vicar General the following year.
Following the passing of † Bishop Timothy, he was officially appointed Chancellor in January 2026.
