In front of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod, on Thursday, January 25, 2024, the elected Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico, was presented with the Announcement of his election (Mikro Minima).
“The universality of the most holy Ecumenical Throne is expressed through its all-encompassing and timeless message, as well as through the extent and breadth of its territorial jurisdiction, which extends to many countries and continents,” stated the Ecumenical Patriarch addressing the Most Reverend and continued:
“A distant region from this Sacred Center is the Holy Metropolis of Mexico, the shepherd of which was elected unanimously yesterday by the honorable members of our Holy and Sacred Synod, following the transfer of its former shepherd to the Holy Metropolis of Vizye.”
For this great honor bestowed upon you, we congratulate you, and all the brothers together heartily bless the beginnings of your pastoral ministry. The signs of the best omens are present in your youth and the capability for action and service in the administration of a very extensive diocese.
This is coupled with your multifaceted education, linguistic proficiency, financial knowledge, and experience gained in Greece from various responsible positions, as well as your participation in inter-Christian and international organizations.
The Ecumenical Patriarch added that the elected Metropolitan of Mexico is also accompanied by the well-wishes and prayers of His Beatitude, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and all Greece, “under whose side you have faithfully and successfully served during the last period.”
“With these rich gifts,” said the Patriarch, “the Mother Church sends you, now embedded in its core, to your new responsible mission as a hierarch and shepherd of a multicultural diocese. You can be certain that you will succeed and honor the name and glorious history of the Church, glorify the heavenly name of the Chief High Priest, Christ, and always bring joy and satisfaction to those who honor you and to our Sacred Center here, so that we may boast in the Lord through you.”
In his response, the elected Metropolitan of Mexico expressed his deep gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarch for the love shown towards him. He also offered sincere thanks to the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod “for including me, through your honorable vote, in the venerable choir of the Hierarchy of the Holy Ecumenical Throne, the holy spiritual legacy and the indescribable canonical privileges of which I commit, before God and humanity, to preserve and defend until my last breath.” He extended warm thanks to Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and all Greece, for his unwavering paternal care and unconditional approval of his candidacy.
“The Great Church sends me to serve an apostolic Metropolis with a scattered flock in many countries. I promise to continue the work of my predecessor and the first shepherd of this Diocese, the Venerable Metropolitan Athenagoras of Vizye, in harmonious collaboration with my most reverend co-bishops and the sacred clergy,” said Metropolitan Iakovos, among other things.
Following that, in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George, in the presence of the Synodal Hierarchs, the Patriarchal Court, as well as other clergy and laity, the elected Metropolitan of Mexico, celebrated the Service of the Mega Minima.
After the conclusion of the Mega Minima, the elected Metropolitan of Mexico received congratulations and wishes from all those present.
Photo: Nikos Papachristou / Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou