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Today, September 12, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the regular Fall session of the Holy Eparchial Synod, at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston. 

At the beginning of the session, the Archbishop welcomed the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, extended his wishes for a fruitful and healthy new Ecclesiastical Year, and expressed his joy over the progress of the Theological School.  

The Holy Eparchial Synod then addressed the items on its agenda and, among other matters: 

  1. Commended the initiative of His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh to communicate to the clergy of his Holy Metropolis the decision of the Holy Eparchial Synod concerning the criteria for the selection of prospective seminarians for Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. It subsequently resolved that the National Chancellor, through the local Chancellors, direct the Presiding Priests of the Parishes that they encourage prospective seminarians who meet the criteria set forth by the Holy Eparchial Synod.  
  2. On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the election of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, resolved to fund an academic chair in the Department of Pastoral and Social Theology of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, to be named “Patriarch Bartholomew – Law and Theology.” 
  3. Resolved that the teaching of the Greek language, and especially of liturgical texts, at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology be conducted in cooperation with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and that the appropriate proposals be submitted to the administration of the School. 
  4. Resolved to organize commemorative events marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 2027, and appointed His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago as Chair of the Organizing Committee. 
  5. Resolved that the Holy Metropolis of Chicago will host the 50th Clergy-Laity Congress in 2030. 
  6. Proceeded with the formation of the three-person slate (triprosopon) for the filling of the vacant Holy Metropolis of New Jersey. Following a secret ballot, based upon the list of the clergy eligible for election to the episcopacy, recently approved by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as stipulated by Article 14 of the current Charter of the Archdiocese, the following received five votes each: 
    1. His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos,
    2. His Grace Bishop Anthony of Synada, and
    3. Very Rev. Archimandrite Bartholomew Mercado. 

The three-person slate was submitted today, by means of a corresponding letter from the Archbishop, to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod, with the request that, on the basis thereof, the election of the new Metropolitan take place. 

At the conclusion of the session, the Archbishop and the Synodal Hierarchs exchanged heartfelt wishes with regard to the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s enthronement upon the Throne of the Venerable Center of Orthodoxy. For this purpose, the Sacred Archdiocese is organizing a pilgrimage to the Phanar from October 19–25, in cooperation with the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle. 

From the Office of the Chief Secretary 

The post Communiqué of the Holy Eparchial Synod, 12 September 2026 appeared first on Orthodox Observer.