The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Sacred Archdiocese of America convened on September 13, 2024, at the Theological School of the Holy Cross in Boston, with Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presiding over the meeting. During the session, several important matters were discussed and decisions were made.
Archbishop Elpidophoros extended his gratitude to Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco for his hospitality and cooperation during the 47th Clergy-Laity Congress held in San Diego this past July. The Congress was deemed a success, marked by enthusiasm and active participation from clergy, monastics, and laity from across America.
The Synod also welcomed Metropolitan Constantine of Denver, who attended the meeting for the first time as a member of the Synod following his election to his eparchy.
The Holy Eparchial Synod received an update regarding the special delegation sent to Greece to assess the needs of the fire victims. The financial aid gathered by the Sacred Archdiocese will be directed to those in need, based on the findings of this delegation.
Additionally, the Department for Religious Education (DRE) reported on completing the Sunday School curriculum for the third grade, and the Synod congratulated the Director, Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos.
The Synod learned with sadness of Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Martin Ritsi’s upcoming retirement from his role as Executive Director of the pan-Orthodox missionary organization OCMC.
Furthermore, the Synod decided to recommend to the Board of Trustees of the Theological School the preparation of an online Spanish-language program of Orthodox theological studies.
The Synod approved a proposal by Dr. Anthony Limberakis, National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew, to establish an annual “Archons Sunday” on the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Andrew, accompanied by the circulation of an Archiepiscopal Encyclical.
A Sunday School curriculum on the role and importance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was also endorsed.
Following a report by Dr. Demetrios Katos, President of Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology, concerning the institution’s financial and general situation, the Synod accepted the proposal of the Archbishop to lead a campaign to gather financial resources in support of the school’s work and programs. This will involve organizing large events in every Metropolis, as the school has been identified as a top priority for the Sacred Archdiocese, according to the Archbishop’s permanent statement.
A decision was made to adopt a uniform practice for issuing leaves of absence and travel for clergy of all ranks, following the Charter and Uniform Regulations of the Archdiocese.
The Synod also appointed hierarchs as Chairmen of various Synodal Committees, including Canon Law, Liturgical Texts, Byzantine Music, and others, and of the Archdiocesan Council Committees, such as Administration, Audit, Communications, Greek Education, and more.
Lastly, a request will be made to the Ecumenical Patriarch for the canonical ordination of Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos into the hierarchy of the Sacred Archdiocese of America.
Future Clergy-Laity Congress and Hierarchical Candidates
It was decided that the Holy Metropolis of Denver will host the 2028 Clergy-Laity Congress.
The Synod also proposed Archimandrite Meletios Gianniodis, Archimandrite Gedeon Varytimos, Archimandrite Ioannikios Gregoriades, and Archimandrite Spyridon Chatzis, for inclusion in the list of candidates for election to the hierarchy, and it was decided to send their names to the Mother Church for approval.
Synodal and Archdiocesan Council Committee Leadership
For the Synodal Committees, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston was appointed as Chairman of both the Canon Law Committee and the Committee of Ecumenical Dialogue. Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh was appointed to lead the Committee of Liturgical Texts, while Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey will chair the Committee of Byzantine Music.
The Committee for the Holy Monasteries will be headed by Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, and Metropolitan Constantine of Denver was chosen to lead the Committee of Inter-Orthodox Relations. Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco was appointed as Chairman of the Clergy Benefits Committee.
In addition, appointments were made for the Archdiocesan Council Committees. Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco will chair the Administration Committee, while Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh takes on the role for the Audit Committee. Metropolitan Constantine of Denver was appointed as the Chairman of the Communications Committee, and Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia will lead the Greek Education Committee.
The Legal Committee will be overseen by Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, and the Marriage and Family Committee will be chaired by Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. Bishop Anthony of Synada was appointed to lead the Religious Education Committee. Metropolitan Constantine of Denver will also chair the Stewardship Outreach and Evangelization Committee. The Youth and Young Adult Committee will be led by Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit takes on the Finance Committee, and Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago will head the Technology Committee.
