The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has elected Metropolitan Irinaios of Lampi, Syvritos and Sfakia as the new Metropolitan of Moschonisia. This decision took the Church of Crete by surprise, as there are now two vacant metropolitan sees on the island.
This development means that the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Church of Crete cannot proceed with electing two new Metropolitans, as it no longer holds the required majority.
As a result, a Patriarchal Exarchate is expected to arrive in Crete to oversee and carry out the election of the new Metropolitans.
The situation adds further pressure to the already strained relations between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Crete, following the recent inability to elect a Metropolitan of Kydonia.
According to information from creta24.gr, this decision of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate reflects the displeasure of Patriarch Bartholomew.
This explains the transfer of the elderly Metropolitan of Sfakia, Irinaios, which leaves a second episcopal province vacant. As a result — and following the recent changes to the constitutional charter — the appointment of an Exarchate is now required.
Practically, this means that the Ecumenical Patriarch will immediately send two hierarchs to complete the Synod. Sources report that the members of the Exarchate will likely be Metropolitan Elder Emmanuel of Chalcedon and Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
“Both are of Cretan origin, they know very well what is happening in the Church of Crete, and of course, they enjoy the absolute trust of the Patriarch. Theoretically, they will not have the majority needed to elect new hierarchs, but if the Patriarch tips the scale in favor of one or another candidate, it will be difficult for the balance of power to change. The mere presence of an Exarchate already shifts the landscape, the equilibrium, and the favorites,” the Cretan outlet notes.
“If there were unity in the Church of Crete, no Exarchate would have any impact, but now things are different, and those who dragged the Synod into turmoil will likely have to assume responsibility,” a hierarch from Crete commented.
Brief Biography of the New Metropolitan
Metropolitan Irinaios of Lampi, Syvritos and Sfakia, titular and Exarch of Southern Crete (secular name: Nikolaos Mesarchakis), was born in Spilia Kissamou in the regional unit of Chania in 1944.
He graduated from the Ecclesiastical School of Crete in 1963. In 1964, he was ordained Deacon and joined the Holy Monastery of Gonia as a monk. In 1965, he entered the School of Theology of the University of Athens.
In 1970, he was ordained Presbyter and received the rank of Archimandrite. He served for ten years as Protosyngellos of the Holy Metropolis of Kissamos and Selinos and as General Director of its institutions. At the same time, he taught as a theology professor and served as principal in secondary education schools.
In 1987, he was appointed Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Gonia, a position he held until his election as Bishop (14 February 1990) of the Metropolis of Lampi, Syvritos and Sfakia.
His episcopal consecration took place on 22 February of the same year, and he was enthroned on 29 April 1990. He has written numerous articles on various topics in different journals and has delivered many presentations at conferences of the Orthodox Academy of Crete.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
