COMMUNIQUÉ FROM THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA

(July 26, 2023) His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, as Patriarchal Vicar of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey, is pleased to announce that the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate accepted the Holy Eparchial Synod’s petition and unanimously elected His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia as the new Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey at its meeting on Monday, July 24, 2023.

His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey was born in Rhodes and is a spiritual son of the late Metropolitan Apostolos (Demelis) of Rhodes. He has served the Sacred Archdiocese of America for twenty years in various capacities as an Archimandrite and Presiding Parish Priest, as Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of San Francisco, as an Auxiliary Bishop, as Spiritual Advisor to the National Ladies Philoptochos Society, and as Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod. Most recently, he served the pastoral and liturgical needs of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey.

Archbishop Elpidophoros — from the very first day of the election — directed the clergy of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey to commemorate the canonical name of their new Shepherd in the divine services. The Archbishop also expressed his joy that Metropolitan Apostolos will serve as a member of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Holy and Sacred Synod for one year beginning on September 1.

The Enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey will take place on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint John the Theologian in Tenafly, New Jersey. The following day, Sunday, September 17, His Eminence will also celebrate his first Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral as the new Metropolitan of New Jersey.