On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, following the 13th Assembly meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the U.S.A., hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate met in Atlanta, Georgia, under the presidency of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
The 17 hierarchs represented various eparchies under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, namely the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox, and Albanian Orthodox dioceses.
“Our agenda today is concise – first to share news from each of the Eparchies, and after the break, to focus on the ministries that are bringing more and more souls into the loving care of the Mother Church. We cannot ignore the role that we have here in America, the first Eparchy of the Ecumenical Throne in the New World. I say this to all of you: If we do not lead Orthodoxy in this land … who will?” Archbishop Elpidophoros said in his opening address.
The Ecumenical Patriarch’s message to the Hierarchs also underscored: “Your meeting in Atlanta demonstrates a solid commitment to conciliarity and synergy, as well as faithfulness to the apostolic traditions of our Holy Orthodox Church and the sacred legacy of the Mother Church of Constantinople. Deeply inspired by the conciliar experience of our Ecumenical Patriarchate, according to which we had the blessing to welcome you to the Queen of Cities at the beginning of this past September, we are delighted that you have gathered in the U.S.A. to discuss issues that society and the Church faces there.”
Following the opening remarks, hierarchs discussed and shared information about their respective eparchies and other ministries. The Vicariate for the Palestinian/Jordanian Orthodox Christian Communities was represented by Rev. Protopresbyter George Jweinat. Bishop-Elect Alexander of Nicopolis presented the last development at the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate. V. Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostom Onyekakeyah gave an update about the Mission and Outreach towards African-American, followed by a presentation by Rev. Petros Gomez in charge of the Spanish ministry.
Participating hierarchs in this second historic meeting include: Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Apostolos of New Jersey, Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, Metropolitan Constantine of Denver, Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa, Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, Joachim of Amissos, Bishop Spyridon of Amastris, Bishop Timothy of Hexamilion, Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea, Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, Bishop Anthony of Synada, Bishop Theophan of Philomelion.
“My beloved Brothers: America is a field that is fertile and ripe for the Orthodox Faith. But we, who are the preeminent Teachers, Preachers, and Shepherds of the Church have the ultimate responsibility” Archbishop Elpidophoros said. “Remember that the weeds will always be growing with the positive, pious, and unpretentious ministries that we foster and nurture – until the end of the time and the harvest of the Holy Angels.”
Photo: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos
