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Anticipation filled the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Theologian in Tenafly, New Jersey as hundreds gathered for the enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey, marking the beginning of his ministry as spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox faithful in the Metropolis of New Jersey.
The Metropolis encompasses 55 parishes throughout New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
After an enthusiastic greeting on the cathedral’s front steps from the community’s leaders, children, and parish council members, Metropolitan Athenagoras was escorted into the cathedral by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia, Patriarchal Representative for His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Clergy and faithful jubilantly proclaimed “Axios!” as the new Metropolitan ascended to the episcopal throne.
The cathedral was filled to standing-room-only with hierarchs, dignitaries, ecumenical leaders, clergy, and faithful from across the country and Metropolis. Metropolitan Athenagoras’s mother, Fotini; brother, Yiannis; and other family members were seated in the front row for the emotional service. Also attending were Her Excellency Iphigenia Kanara, Consul General of the Hellenic Republic; His Excellency Kyrikos Pogiatzis, Consul General of Cyprus; and Edward LaPorte, Deputy Chief of Staff Office of the Secretary of State of New Jersey. A number of ecumenical leaders also attended, including His Excellency Archbishop El-Kassis, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.
Following the ascent to the throne, the doxology was sung by chanters from the Metropolis, followed by the reading of the Patriarchal and Synodical Letter of the Announcement of Election of Metropolitan Athenagoras by Archdeacon Dionysios Papiris.
In his moving Archpastoral Exhortation, Archbishop Elpidophoros spoke of the two hierarchs’ decades-long friendship and their remarkable journeys to the United States. Calling upon the new Metropolitan to place his gifts entirely at the service of his flock, the Archbishop said:
“Your life as the Shepherd of this Holy Metropolis of New Jersey, will be one of giving and sharing, and indeed of sacrificing yourself, as our Lord sacrificed Himself for the life of the world. Therefore, my Beloved Brother, Metropolitan Athenagoras: Δωρεὰν ἐλάβετε, δωρεὰν δότε. Freely you have received, freely give. Share your marvelous talents with all through abundant love and compassion. And whatever sacrifice you are called to, make it with love, and thereby you will glorify the God of love … the God Who is love.”
Archbishop Elpidophoros encouraged Metropolitan Athenagoras to share his talents through “abundant love and compassion,” reminding him that the faithful themselves constitute the Body of Christ entrusted to his pastoral care.
“They will support you and encourage you, so lean on them and allow their love to sustain and nurture you,” the Archbishop said.
Presenting Metropolitan Athenagoras with his pastoral staff, Archbishop Elpidophoros offered a final charge:
“Receive this Staff of God’s Powerful Love, this Ράβδων Δυνάμεως, a symbol of how you will guide your People to spiritual pastures that are fertile with virtue and peaceful, and which flow with springs of love and mercy. May you ever be worthy of it! ΑΞΙΟΣ!”
> Read the Archbishop’s full remarks
Metropolitan Cleopas, serving as Patriarchal Representative, spoke of the many responsibilities entrusted to a bishop, emphasizing unity, youth ministry, pastoral presence and the importance of responding wisely to the challenges of contemporary life. His remarks underscored that the episcopacy is a ministry of “love, responsibility, and service,” calling the bishop to strengthen the weak, seek those who have grown distant and lead the faithful toward unity.
> Read Metropolitan Cleopas’s full remarks
He encouraged Metropolitan Athenagoras to give particular attention to young people “seeking meaning and direction” and also addressed the growing influence of artificial intelligence and new technologies. Technology, Metropolitan Cleopas said, can serve as “a useful means of communication and service,” but it must always serve the human person and the community “without replacing personal presence and genuine human encounter.”Metropolitan Cleopas also placed particular emphasis on the preservation of unity, praying that the new Metropolitan’s ministry would ensure that “every person, regardless of background or circumstance, may feel welcomed within the embrace of the Church.” In a personal reflection, he spoke of Metropolitan Athenagoras’s “radiant smile,” encouraging him to continue meeting people with kindness, patience and warmth in a world where many are weary and troubled.
In his enthronement address, Metropolitan Athenagoras offered heartfelt gratitude to all those who have accompanied him with their prayers, guidance and love throughout his life and ministry.
He spoke warmly of his lifelong friendship with Archbishop Elpidophoros, recalling that they first met when Metropolitan Athenagoras was 12 and the future Archbishop was 15.
“We were brothers then, and we are brothers now,” Metropolitan Athenagoras said.
He also paid tribute to his family, remembering his father, Demetrios, of blessed memory, and thanking his mother, Fotini, his brother Yiannis and his family for the encouragement and guidance that helped prepare him for the responsibility he now assumes.
Acknowledging those who shepherded the Metropolis before him, Metropolitan Athenagoras pledged to honor and strengthen the foundation entrusted to him. “I stand on the foundation others have laid. My calling is to guard what I have received, and to build on it with love,” he said.
Turning directly to the clergy and faithful, Metropolitan Athenagoras pledged a ministry rooted in listening, presence and personal encounter.
“Now I extend my hand to you, my beloved faithful of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey. I come to know you, to listen to you, and to love you. I want to meet you exactly where you are. In our churches and parish halls, in our classrooms and homes, in days of celebration and days of struggle, I want to hear your stories, share your worries, and rejoice in what you have done. I long for us to be a true spiritual family, bound together by His love.”
Metropolitan Athenagoras also announced the establishment of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Scholarship, created in honor of His All-Holiness as the Church celebrates the 35th anniversary of his election and elevation to the Ecumenical Throne. Metropolitan Athenagoras described the scholarship as a unified commitment to the educational future of young people through two paths: priestly vocation and higher education. The fund currently stands at $500,000.
> Read Metropolitan Athenagoras’s full remarks
In a poignant conclusion, the new Metropolitan offered his vision for the future of the Metropolis and, above all, asked the faithful to accompany him with their prayers.
“This is my prayer for our Holy Metropolis: a Church whose heartbeat is prayer, that serves with sleeves rolled up, and welcomes every person with the love of Christ!”
“And I humbly ask for your prayers as I take my first steps as your Metropolitan,” he continued. “Pray that God will give me wisdom when I must decide, courage when I must lead, humility when I must listen, and tenderness when someone is hurting. Above all, pray that I never forget whom I serve, and whose Church this is.”
“May we begin this journey together, with open hearts, growing faith, and the joy of the risen Christ. Σας αγαπώ!”
Following the enthronement service, a celebratory luncheon was held at The Greycliff. Marigo Michalos Sfaelos served as Master of Ceremonies. Special guests included Archon Savas Tsivicos, Enthronement Committee Chairman; Patricia Karounos, Metropolis of New Jersey, Philoptochos 1st Vice-President; Archon James Polos, Metropolis of New Jersey Council Vice President; Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Panagiotis Papazafiropoulos, Executive Director of Leadership 100; Archon Megas Aktouarios Dr. Anthony Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; His Excellency Kyrikos Pogiatzis, Consul General of Cyprus; and Her Excellency Iphigenia Kanara, Consul General of the Hellenic Republic.
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