Metropolitan Nektarios of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia has warmly welcomed the election of Archimandrite Kallinikos Mavroleon as the new Bishop of Medeia, sharing a heartfelt message on social media following the decision of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
In his post, Metropolitan Nektarios recalled that the Holy and Sacred Synod elected Archimandrite Kallinikos to the episcopacy on Thursday and reflected on their long-standing friendship, which began many years ago at the summer camps of the Metropolis of Piraeus.
The Metropolitan said they first met when he was a secondary school student attending the camps, while Kallinikos, then still a layman, served as a camp leader. Their relationship later developed through their joint service as camp staff members and their collaboration in various pastoral and youth ministries of the Metropolis of Piraeus before the newly elected bishop moved to Karpathos.
Metropolitan Nektarios praised Bishop-elect Kallinikos for his decades of dedicated service both as an educator and as a clergyman, noting that he continues to serve the Church with the same commitment today.
“He has accomplished remarkable work as both a teacher and a priest. And, of course, he continues to labor to this day—with humility, integrity, seriousness, and abundant fruitfulness. Quietly and without fanfare,” the Metropolitan wrote.
Concluding his message, Metropolitan Nektarios extended his heartfelt wishes for a blessed episcopal ministry, expressing confidence in the new bishop’s future service to the Church.
“May you have a good and blessed episcopal ministry, Fr. Kallinikos. Axios!” he concluded.
