Protocol  # 655

In the name

of the Holy, Life-Creating,

Undivided and One in Essence

Trinity

Article 1

In accordance with the procedure, envisioned in Article 15 of the Charter granted to the Holy Archdiocese of America (2003) by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Regulations regarding the election and ministry of Auxiliary Bishops for the Direct Archdiocesan District and the Holy Metropolises of the Holy Archdiocese of America are hereby promulgated and implemented.

Article 2

Based on the Charter, following a request by the Archbishop or the Metropolitan to the Holy Eparchial Synod for an Auxiliary Bishop, the Synod proceeds with the decision for the election of an Auxiliary Bishop for ministry either in the Direct Archdiocesan District or in the Holy Metropolises of the Holy Archdiocese of America. The elected Auxiliary Bishops bear titles of former illustrious Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Article 3

The Auxiliary Bishops belong to and receive their remuneration from the one and indivisible Holy Archdiocese of America.

Article 4

The process to be followed for the election of the Auxiliary Bishops is the same with the one followed for the election of the Metropolitans, according to Article 14 of the governing Charter of the Archdiocese.

Article 5

The Hierarch requesting an Auxiliary Bishop submits to the Eparchial Synod the person of his preference to be on the list of the three candidates which are nominated by the Eparchial Synod. The Eparchial Synod compiles this list of three persons and submits it to the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for final consideration and canonical election.

Article 6

The candidate for the office of Auxiliary Bishop must be a person of deep faith and ethos, a graduate of an academically accredited Orthodox Theological School of the highest level; be competent in both written and spoken Greek and English, and be known for his administrative and pastoral skills. Furthermore, the candidate must not be younger than 35 years of age, and must have at least five (5) years of recognized successful service in the Holy Archdiocese of America. The manner of enlisting a candidate for the office of Auxiliary Bishop in the catalogue of eligible Bishops is the same with the manner of enlisting a candidate for the office of a Hierarch in general.

Article 7

The Auxiliary Bishop elect celebrates the Minor and the Great Menyma (Announcement) and is ordained by the Archbishop, the local Metropolitan, and the members of the Eparchial Synod who are able to participate and other Canonical Bishops.

Article 8

In accordance with Article 8 of the Charter of the Holy Archdiocese of America, Auxiliary Bishops commemorate, in the sacred services and sacraments, the name of their respective Hierarch. When concelebrating with the Archbishop or another Metropolitan, they commemorate the name of the presiding Hierarch.

Article 9

The duties of an Auxiliary Bishop, relate to administrative, liturgical, catechetical, educational, financial, and social matters; these matters are specifically delineated for each case by the local Hierarch under whom the Auxiliary Bishop serves.

Article 10

The duration of service of the Auxiliary Bishop in a particular position depends on the time related needs of the Holy Archdiocese of America.

In the year of Salvation 2005,

June 14, Indiction 13

By decision of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople