New York - Archbishop Demetrios of America, in consultation with the Holy Eparchial Synod, has appointed His Grace, Bishop Andonios of Phasiane to be the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, effective October 1, 2009.

On the occasion of this appointment, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America offered the following remarks:  "We are very glad to have His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane as the new Chancellor of the Archdiocese.  In all the positions that he has held within the Archdiocese, as a lay theologian, a deacon, a presbyter and a Bishop, His Grace has served with remarkable zeal and diligence. We are confident that with the help of God and the blessings of our Holy Eparchial Synod Bishop Andonios will execute his new and responsible duties as Chancellor with exemplary dedication, care and effectiveness."

Bishop Andonios was elected on December 11, 2001 by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He was given the title of Bishop of Phasiane, an ancient Diocese in Pontos, the birthplace of his grandparents. His episcopal ordination took place at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York on Saturday, February 23, 2002.

Born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, the middle child of Steven and Despina Poulos (Paropoulos), he grew up in the local St. Demetrios parish. In 1976, he entered Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Mass., graduating in 1979 receiving a M. Div with Distinction and as President of the graduating class. After serving at various Archdiocesan institutions for five years in a lay capacity, he was ordained a Deacon on August 18, 1985 at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity by the late Archbishop Iakovos. He served for almost 4½ years as Deacon to the Archbishop until December 3, 1989, when he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood. 

Following his ordination, he continued to serve in both the Office of the Archbishop and the Office of the Chancellery and was Assistant Chancellor and Personnel Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America.  On February 24, 1991, he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite.  After a sabbatical in Greece from 1991-1992, he returned to the Archdiocese and was subsequently assigned to the parish of Zoodohos Peghe in the Bronx until 1995.  At that time, he returned to the Archdiocese to assist with the retirement of Archbishop Iakovos and also assumed the position of Coordinator for the 1996 Clergy-Laity Congress, which was held in New York.  In July of that year, he was appointed Director of St. Michael's Home in Yonkers, NY, where he continues to serve as Director, and in June 2000, Archbishop Demetrios appointed him to the new position of Director of the Archdiocesan Department of Philanthropy. In addition, he serves as the advisor to the National Board of the Ladies Philoptochos Society and to the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos Board. Since 2007 he has been responsible for the Benevolence Fund of the Archdiocese for Retired Clergy and Widowed Presvyteres and in the Spring of 2008, organized and heads the Committee which oversees the Direct Archdiocesan District's Camp St. Paul.