The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos as the new Metropolitan of New Jersey on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The election took place during a meeting of the Holy and Sacred Synod under its new composition, which came into effect on September 1, 2026.
At the beginning of the session, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew exchanged greetings with Metropolitan Seraphim of Sevasteia, the senior member among the newly appointed Synodal hierarchs.
The Holy and Sacred Synod subsequently proceeded with the election of the new Metropolitan of New Jersey, based on the list of three candidates submitted by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
The canonical election was held at the Patriarchal Church, where Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos was elected to lead the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey.
Immediately following his election, Metropolitan-elect Athenagoras performed the traditional Small Message ceremony on the same day.
He then received congratulations from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod and officials of the Patriarchal Court.
As Metropolitan of New Jersey, Athenagoras will assume pastoral responsibility for the Metropolis, which forms part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
