With this letter I would like to inform you about a number of important decisions that were taken at the last meeting of the Holy Synod of our Church.


September 21/October 4, 2015
Holy Prophet Jonas

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

With this letter I would like to inform you about a number of important decisions that were taken at the last meeting of the Holy Synod of our Church.

First, having accepted the retirement of His Eminence, Metropolitan Ephraim, the Holy Synod formally elected His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory, as the ruling Metropolitan of the Metropolis of Boston and, in accordance with the tradition existent in our Church as expressed in her by-laws, the new Metropolitan of Boston was automatically confirmed as the President of our Holy Synod. As mentioned in an earlier letter sent by Metropolitan Ephraim, the Synod decided that His Eminence Ephraim should carry the title of a Retired Metropolitan of Boston, that he should keep his vote in the Holy Synod and that the commemorations in the holy churches of the Metropolis of Boston should be done this wise: “For our Metropolitans Ephraim and Gregory…”.

Secondly, it is with much joy that I announce the election of two new Bishops to shepherd the flock of our Church. The Holy Synod decided to consecrate Protopresbyter Ihnat (Ponomarchuk) as the Metropolitan of Seattle and Hieromonk Chrysostomos (Larrea) as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolis of Boston.

With the consecration of Father Ihnat, the Metropolis of Seattle will be reestablished as a functioning third independent Diocese of our Church and with the consecration of Father Chrysostomos, a much needed Auxiliary Bishop will be added to the Metropolis of Boston.

The dates of the Hierarchical Consecrations are as follows:

The consecration of Metropolitan-Elect Ihnat as the Metropolitan of Seattle will take place at the Cathedral Church of Saint Nectarios in Seattle on November 30/December 13, 2015

The consecration of the Bishop-Elect Chrysostomos as the Auxiliary Bishop of Lanham of the Metropolis of Boston will take place in the Cathedral Church of Saint Mark of Ephesus in Boston, on January 17/30, 2016.

I ask all of you to pray for us, your unworthy shepherds, and especially for the Bishops-Elect Ihnat and Chrysostomos, that our merciful Saviour may guide us in serving His Holy Church with oneness of mind and with selfless dedication. Amen.

Your fervent supplicant unto the Lord,

Andrew, Bishop of Markham
Secretary of the Holy Synod

No comments:

Post a Comment