Greek Archdiocesan Synod echoes Abp. Elpidophoros, thanks Constantinople for opportunity to draft new charter

New York, October 13, 2020

Photo: romfea.gr Photo: romfea.gr     

The Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America met in an extraordinary teleconference session yesterday, convened by Abp. Elpidophoros to evaluate the decisions made by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople last Thursday.

As OrthoChristian reported yesterday, Abp. Elpidophoros personally praised Constantinople’s decision to suspend the GOA’s charter until a new one can be drafted, saying: “We have just received a wonderful opportunity to rebuild the Church in America from the ground up… I consider this decision to be divinely inspired and auspicious.”

The Synod echoed the Archbishop’s personal statement, resolving to express its “gratitude to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod for the opportunity provided to the Archdiocese of America to draft a new charter … in view of the completion of the first hundred years of its life in 2022,” reports Romfea.

The GOA Synod will commission a committee composed of representatives of the hierarchy, clergy, and laity to develop ideas for a new charter, and another to participate in the joint committee that will be established by the Patriarchate of Constantinople to convey the ideas of the first committee.

The Eparchial Synod also expressed its approval of the Archdiocesan press release stating that the Church’s administrative bodies will continue to operate as before until a new charter comes into effect.

The upcoming sessions of the Archdiocesan Council will be dedicated to formulating a vision for the new charter.

The Eparchial Synod also promises to ensure a dignified living for Met. Evangelos of New Jersey who Constantinople suddenly transferred to the Diocese of Sardis after 17 years of service in the GOA.

The GOA hierarchs also appointed a chancellor and the Metropolitan Council for the Metropolis of New Jersey.

As OrthoChristian reported yesterday, Constantinople’s decisions to suspend the charter, suspend Met. Methodios of Boston until Christmas, and to transfer Met. Evangelos have proven quite controversial throughout the GOA.

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10/13/2020

See also
Constantinople’s decisions spark controversy in the Greek Archdiocese Constantinople’s decisions spark controversy in the Greek Archdiocese Constantinople’s decisions spark controversy in the Greek Archdiocese Constantinople’s decisions spark controversy in the Greek Archdiocese
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is divided in its response to the recent decision of the Patriarchate of Constantinople to suspend the archdiocesan charter, suspend Met. Methodios of Boston until the feast of the Nativity, and move Met. Evangelos of New Jersey to the See of Sardis in Turkey. Constantinople suspends Metropolitan of Boston, transfers Metropolitan of New Jersey, suspends Archdiocesan charter Constantinople suspends Metropolitan of Boston, transfers Metropolitan of New Jersey, suspends Archdiocesan charter Constantinople suspends Metropolitan of Boston, transfers Metropolitan of New Jersey, suspends Archdiocesan charter Constantinople suspends Metropolitan of Boston, transfers Metropolitan of New Jersey, suspends Archdiocesan charter
On the third day of its current session yesterday, the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople made several major decisions regarding its Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Abp. Elpidophoros publicly reiterates his stance on open Communion for non-Orthodox spouses Abp. Elpidophoros publicly reiterates his stance on open Communion for non-Orthodox spouses Abp. Elpidophoros publicly reiterates his stance on open Communion for non-Orthodox spouses Abp. Elpidophoros publicly reiterates his stance on open Communion for non-Orthodox spouses
In a virtual town hall meeting held yesterday, Saturday, April 11, Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Patriarchate of Constantinople publicly reiterated his belief that non-Orthodox spouses who were married in the Orthodox Church should be allowed to receive Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church.
Comments
Gary10/14/2020 10:13 am
Does this bring 2 Thessalonians 2: 2-12 to our mind?
Hal S.10/14/2020 2:02 am
Why was Met. Evangelos sent to Sardis? Currently the actual city of Sardis is renamed as Sart and there is no active church remaining in the historical city, just archeological ruins. He was one of the signatories of the Tomos for the OCU in Ukraine, according to a pdf copy of the Tomos on the Archons' website. I don't know if he was on the EP's synod in 2018 when the Tomos was given, but I read that the signatories of the Tomos were the EP's synod. After the Tomos, Met. Evangelos had an encyclical read out in all the churches of his diocese denouncing those who "defied" the EP's decision about Ukraine. The sense of the encyclical suggested that the EP was the head of the whole Orthodox Church globally, due to language like calling those who disagreed as "defiant" (a term typically used to refer to someone opposing a higher power). So it's surprising for me to see Met. Evangelos being retired against his will by the EP. Met. Evangelos had complained that he only found out about his removal through the media, not from a direction EP communication.
Dean Calvert10/14/2020 12:29 am
To all of you supporters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate: Do yourselves a BIG favor - go to WIKILEAKS, and type in "Ecumenical patriarch". 587 results!!!! Start reading!
George Moshen 10/13/2020 10:59 pm
As a Greek Orthodox lay person active for some time in a New Jersey GOARCH parish, I am shocked at the dismissal of His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos. Back in 2004, while serving on the PC, we met with His Eminence concerning the retirement of our founding priest of many years and his replacement. We found our Bishop to be both concerned for our welfare both as a community and personally. His paternal visits on our church's nameday were always pleasant and his exhortations to us as Orthodox Christians were constantly inspiring. To read about him being transferred to a church that St John in the Book of Revelation called dead seems so insulting. Lord have mercy! Please forgive me but I was very hurt to have read about this.
Peter10/13/2020 6:56 pm
Well...so much for them fighting back
John10/13/2020 5:11 pm
The same slavish rhetoric we just heard from Finland. "Thank you, mother, may I have another." Even to be abused by Constantinople is such a gift from God.
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