The Standing Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, for the 168th Synodal Period, convened today, Monday, September 9, 2024, under the presidency of Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece. This marked the first session of the Synod for the month of September.
Following the Divine Liturgy that traditionally opens the Holy Synod, Archbishop Ieronymos extended a warm welcome to the new Members of the Standing Holy Synod, offering them blessings for success in their roles and encouraging a spirit of love and cooperation.
The Vice-President of the Synod, Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios, also addressed the assembly following the Archbishop’s remarks.
During this session, the Supreme Service Council of the Church of Greece (A.Y.S.E.) and other relevant Synodal Councils were established. Several hierarchs were appointed to key positions on various Synodical Committees, as follows:
- Synodical Committee on the Chief Secretariat: Metropolitan Ierotheos of Lemnos and Agios Efstratios
- Synodical Committee on Ecclesiastical Art and Music: Metropolitan Dorotheos of Syros, Tinos, Andros, Kea, Milos, Delos, and Mykonos
- Synodical Committee on Divine Worship and Pastoral Work: Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus
- Synodical Committee on Dogmatic and Canonical Issues: Metropolitan Athanasios of Sisani and Siatista
- Synodical Committee on Monastic Life: Metropolitan David of Grevena
- Synodical Committee on the Christian Education of Youth: Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria
- Synodical Committee on Inter-Orthodox and Inter-Christian Relations: Metropolitan Daniel of Kaisariani, Vyronas, and Ymittos
- Synodical Committee on Ecclesiastical Education and Clergy Training: Metropolitan Ephraim of Hydra, Spetses, and Aegina
- Synodical Committee on Press, Public Relations, and Enlightenment: Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios
- Synodical Committee on Heresies: Metropolitan Stefanos of Philippi, Neapolis, and Thassos
- Synodical Committee on Social Welfare: Metropolitan Ignatios of Demetrias and Almyros
- Synodical Committee on Finance: Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki
Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios was appointed as the official Spokesman of the Standing Holy Synod.
Following the session, a special ceremony took place in the Great Synodikon Hall, where scholarships were awarded to 56 Greek students pursuing postgraduate and doctoral studies at foreign universities, as well as to 94 students from sister Orthodox Churches in 19 countries for their undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies in Greece. The Church of Greece will distribute a total of €660,000 in scholarships during the 2024-2025 Academic Year.
In his address to the scholars, Archbishop Ieronymos conveyed his best wishes for their success, emphasizing that the knowledge and skills they acquire should contribute to their spiritual development and the betterment of their own lives and those around them.
Representing the scholars, one Greek and one foreign student offered their gratitude to the Archbishop and the Holy Synod for the generous scholarships, underlining the profound impact this support will have on their academic journeys.
The Standing Holy Synod will continue its proceedings tomorrow, Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
