The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate convened yesterday, July 24, 2023, and elected Bishop Apostolos of Medeia as Metropolitan of New Jersey.
In the wake of this consequential decision, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America shared the following reflections:
“With profound joy, I extend my fervent congratulations to His Eminence Apostolos on his election to the seat of the Metropolitan of New Jersey. I pray that our Lord grants him wisdom and abundant blessings as he assumes the sacred duties entrusted to him by our Church. The Metropolitan has devotedly served our Archdiocese as a priest in the Metropolis of Boston and the Archdiocesan District, as Chancellor of the Metropolis of San Francisco, as Chief Secretary to the Holy Eparchial Synod, and as a faithful and capable custodian of the liturgical and pastoral responsibilities of the Metropolis of New Jersey for the past several years. I hold steadfast confidence that his spiritual gifts and earned experience and knowledge will guide his ministry in fruitful and loving service of our Greek Orthodox parishes in the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey.”
The Archbishop of America continued: “We are deeply grateful to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Their decision illuminates a path of renewal as we continue to build an Archdiocese that is ever more united, empowered, and dedicated to fulfilling its sacred mission.”
The date of the Metropolitan’s enthronement is forthcoming. Meanwhile, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has announced that Metropolitan Apostolos has been invited to participate as a member of the Holy and Sacred Synod for one year, beginning at the start of the next synodical period on September 1, 2023. In a special Encyclical, Archbishop Elpidophoros exhorts the Metropolis of New Jersey clergy to commemorate Metropolitan Apostolos in services as the canonical hierarch, starting today.
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
