Last evening, January 13, 2025, the Metropolis of New Jersey hosted a gala celebrating the tenth anniversary of Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey’s episcopal ordination.
The grand event took place at The Venetian in Garfield, New Jersey, and welcomed Archbishop Elpidophoros of America as well as several representatives of the Greek and Cypriot governments and distinguished leaders of church and Greek organizations: the Honorable Michalis Firillas, Consul General of Cyprus in NY; the Honorable Petros Dorizas, Consul of Greece in NY; Rev. Protopresbyter Anastasios Kousoulas, President of the Metropolis Clergy Syndesmos; Eleni Constantinides, Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos President; and Archon H. James Polos, Metropolis Council of New Jersey Vice-President; and Archon Cary Limberakis, Archon Regional Commander.
Offering the gala’s invocation, Archbishop Elpidophoros prayed that Christ will “continue to guide [Metropolitan Apostolos] and to open his heart to the goodness and purity.” The Archbishop also remarked, given that clergy and hierarchs are “servants and not masters,” that the evening’s celebration is for “the wonderful Christians” of the Metropolis of New Jersey, praising the Metropolitan’s dedication:
“His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos has had an exemplary ten years of Episcopal Ministry…he has eagerly and enthusiastically embraced whatever manner of service to which he has been called. For you, the good Christian people of the Metropolis of New Jersey, he has assumed every aspect of his role, as your local Chief Shepherd, with your spiritual and community profit in mind. He looks to you, and as your bishop, which as you know in Greek is ἐπίσκοπος, meaning over-seer – he looks out, and he looks over you, the flock entrusted to his care, to see to your protection, your advancement, and your prosperity.”
The Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Nektarios Cottros, Chancellor of the Metropolis of New Jersey, also read the Patriarchal Message of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who offered the Metropolitan his well wishes.
Metropolitan Apostolos also thanked the hundred gathered at this special event in his honor and offered his remarks, stressing the unity, love, and dedication of his metropolis’s faithful: “I have seen miracles that are taking place within the parishes…I thank you profoundly.”
Photos: Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
