We, the members of the Archdiocesan Council state the following:

WHEREAS: With his whole heart, mind and soul, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios has faithfully, tirelessly, and responsibly served the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese as its Primate since his election as Archbishop of America on August 19, 1999;

WHEREAS: His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios has been an exemplary model of the highest Christian life and ethos, being a world leader in promoting the principles, doctrines and beliefs of our sacred Orthodox Christian Faith, as well as the ideals and timeless values of Hellenism;

WHEREAS: Through his extensive biblical studies in the highest academic institutions both in the United States and Greece, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios has been an erudite scholar, author, and professor as he has nurtured many clergymen who serve in the vineyard of the Lord here and abroad;

WHEREAS: His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios has labored vigorously to establish unbreakable bonds of peace and reconciliation among religious and political leaders and within diverse societies for the preservation of unity within the church and the safeguarding of human dignity worldwide;

WHEREAS: His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios has submitted a letter of resignation to His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew effectively bringing his tenure as Archbishop of America to a close on May 11, 2019;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Archdiocesan Council unanimously expresses its profound gratitude and sincerest appreciation to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America for leading the faithful Greek Orthodox Christians of this country for the past twenty years and in the true sense of the Gospel;

FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Archdiocesan Council will constantly keep Archbishop Demetrios in prayer and wishes him many years of continued health as he begins his new diakonia of prayer to God for the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.