On May 15, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the extraordinary session of the Holy Eparchial Synod in Boston, held within the context of the annual Commencement ceremonies of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.
At the opening of the Synod session, the Archbishop announced with particular joy, honor, and gratitude that His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has appointed Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria and Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, as well as Grand Archimandrite Iakovos (Krochak), as representatives of the Mother Church to the forthcoming 48th Clergy-Laity Congress of the Archdiocese, which will take place in Cleveland, Ohio, from June 30 through July 2, 2026.
Subsequently, the Holy Synod addressed the matters of the agenda and, among other things:
1. Invited Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Fr. Eugen J. Pentiuc, Dean, and Dr. Demetrios Skedros, Professor, at Hellenic College Holy Cross, to address the Synod. They presented a proposal to publish a unified Orthodox Catechetical Handbook and a one-year National Certification Program for Catechists of the Archdiocese, both of which are being developed at the request of the Holy Eparchial Synod. The Certified Catechist Formation Program will be offered online beginning the 2026–2027 academic year, while the handbook is expected to be completed in 2027, in collaboration with the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, so that a unified Orthodox Catechesis may exist for all the faithful throughout the United States.
2. Reviewed the list of those eligible for election to the episcopacy and decided that additional names be submitted to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for approval.
3. Approved unanimously, in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of the current Charter of the Archdiocese, the formation of a Committee for the Review of the Boundaries of the Holy Metropolises, chaired by Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, National Chancellor, and consisting of three representatives from the Direct Archdiocesan District and each Metropolis: the Chancellor, the Vice Chair of the District/Metropolis Council, and one additional person selected by each Metropolitan for the submission of proposals. The recommendations of the Committee, together with the opinion of the Archdiocesan Council, will be considered by the Holy Eparchial Synod and ultimately submitted to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for review and approval.
4. Examined carefully, in accordance with the Uniform Parish Regulations and the Charter of the Archdiocese, the circumstances concerning the Community of Ocean, New Jersey. Following extensive discussion and appropriate briefing, and after the relevant proposal of Paul Lilios on behalf of the Legal Committee of the Archdiocesan Council, the Holy Eparchial Synod determined that Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey acted within the bounds of his hierarchical authority and that his actions were appropriate under the given circumstances.
5. Viewed with great joy, the video presentation and proposal concerning the beautification and iconography of the Holy Cross Chapel at Hellenic College Holy Cross and called upon the faithful to contribute toward the realization of this vision of our Church.
At the conclusion of the session, and in anticipation of the forthcoming Clergy-Laity Congress, heartfelt exchanges of good wishes were shared between the Archbishop and the Synodal Hierarchs.
