This post was originally published on this site
On Friday, July 24, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presided at the Special Nominating Assembly of the Diocese of the South, convened at Saint Justin Martyr Church in Jacksonville, FL, to nominate a candidate for election as Bishop of Dallas and the South.
The Assembly followed the retirement of His Eminence Archbishop Alexander, which became effective at the conclusion of the Diocesan Assembly on Thursday, July 23, after a decade of faithful archpastoral service to the Diocese.
Earlier that day, the Holy Synod of Bishops met in a special session under the presidency of His Beatitude and, in accordance with the Statute of the Orthodox Church in America, formally declared the See of Dallas and the South vacant.
Following the action of the Holy Synod, His Beatitude appointed His Grace Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth as Locum Tenens of the Diocese of the South, effective immediately.
At Friday’s Special Nominating Assembly, the clergy and lay delegates of the Diocese nominated Bishop Gerasim as their candidate for Bishop of Dallas and the South.
In accordance with the Statute of the Orthodox Church in America, the nomination will now be forwarded to the Holy Synod of Bishops for consideration at its Regular Fall 2026 Session, to be held in early November. At that time, the Holy Synod will consider the canonical election of the next Bishop of Dallas and the South.
Reflecting on the Assembly and the Diocese’s next steps, Metropolitan Tikhon said:
“The Diocese of the South has been greatly blessed through the devoted archpastoral ministry of Archbishop Alexander, whose faithful service has strengthened the life of the Church for many years. As the Diocese now enters a new chapter, I ask the clergy, monastics, and faithful throughout the Orthodox Church in America to continue praying that the Holy Spirit will guide the Diocese, Bishop Gerasim in his service as Locum Tenens, and the members of the Holy Synod as they prepare to consider the election of a new diocesan bishop. May the Lord grant His abundant grace, wisdom, and peace to all during this important time of transition.”
Metropolitan Tikhon also expressed his gratitude to the clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Diocese of the South for the spirit of prayer and unity in both the Diocesan Assembly and the Special Nominating Assembly.
