1997 News Archives

New Metropolitans

NEW YORK - The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople announced today, November 24, 1997, that after studying the recent request by the Synodal Bishops of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, it elevated these Bishops to the ecclesiastical rank of Metropolitan. The request for this change was made by the Synodal Bishops of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon had previously given his consent to the request of the Bishops.

This action was taken by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in order to honor the ministries of these Bishops in America.

Henceforth, the following are the new titles for the Bishops serving in the United States of America:

1) His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Chicago is named Metropolitan of Krinis and Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Chicago;
2) His Grace Bishop Anthony of San Francisco is named Metropolitan of Dardanellion and Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of San Francisco;
3) His Grace Bishop Maximos of Pittsburgh is named Metropolitan of Aenos and Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Pittsburgh;
4) His Grace Bishop Methodios of Boston is named Metropolitan of Aneon and Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Boston;
5) His Grace Bishop Isaiah of Denver is named Metropolitan of Proikonisou and Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Denver.

His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Amissos of the Carpatho-Russian jurisdiction in America was also elevated by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to the rank of TITULAR Metropolitan of Amissos.

The bestowing of the ecclesiastical title of Metropolitan in no way changes the Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America, nor does it in any way affect the unity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America.

The name of each Diocese and its territorial boundaries remain the same. Also, the administrative structure of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America remains the same.

Orthodox Observer Online