Protocol Number 41/18                                                                      March 19, 2018

To the Reverend Clergy, the Parish Councils, the Philoptochos Chapters, the Youth, the Choirs and the Greek Schools and Sunday Schools, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family of the Holy Metropolis of Chicago of our Holy Archdiocese of America

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Beloved Children in the Lord,

            With great joy and paternal love we inform you that, upon the recommendation of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of America, the Holy and Sacred Synod of our Ecumenical Patriarchate on February 7, 2018, elected the Very Reverend Archimandrite Nathanael Symeonides, a man of deep piety, strong theological education  and churchly demeanor to be the new Metropolitan of one of the Metropolises of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, namely the Holy Metropolis of  Chicago.

            Having ordained him to the rank of Metropolitan on March 17, 2018, at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York, we wholeheartedly commend His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael to your love, your respect, and your prayers, and we will enthrone him on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the Cathedral Church of the Annunciation in Chicago, Illinois.

            Therefore, I paternally ask that, in the performance of the most sacred spiritual administrative and pastoral work of your new Metropolitan, you become faithful and creative co-workers, offering with love and dedication your valuable services for the realization of the supreme apostolic mission of the Church.

            Fervently praying to God our Lord that He may grant to all of you every blessing and grace, I remain,

 

With paternal love in the Lord,

 

✝ DEMETRIOS

Archbishop of America