The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate concluded its latest session with several significant decisions, including the canonization of two revered Athonite monastics:
- Elder Dionysios of Vatopaidi, of the Cell of St. George Kolytsou
- Hieromonk Petronios, former Dikaios (Abbot) of the Skete of St. John the Forerunner, under the Holy Monastery of Great Lavra
Both monastics are now formally included in the calendar of saints of the Orthodox Church, honoring their holy lives and spiritual legacy on Mount Athos.
The Synod also approved the transfer of the Ukrainian-speaking Parish of Archangel Michael to the Metropolis of Belgium, following a similar precedent set in Australia, where parishes of the Ukrainian diaspora were placed under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Australia of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
In addition, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the members of the Holy Synod signed the Patriarchal and Synodal Act of Canonization of the blessed priest Fr. Dimitrios Gagastathis, officially recording it in the Sacred Codex of the Great Church of Christ.
At the conclusion of the Synod’s work, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, speaking on behalf of the departing members of the Holy and Sacred Synod, exchanged formal addresses with the Patriarch, marking the close of the current synodal term.
