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Archbishop of America appointed Locum Tenens of the Metropolis of New Jersey

July 23, 2026 · 1 min read

Archbishop Elpidophoros presided yesterday over an extraordinary session of the Holy Eparchial Synod, convened by videoconference following the joyful announcement of the election of Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey as Archbishop of Canada.

The Archbishop and the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod expressed their profound gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and to the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Mother Church for the selection of one of the Hierarchs of our Sacred Archdiocese and a member of the Holy Eparchial Synod as the successor to Archbishop Sotirios in this most significant Eparchy of the Ecumenical Throne.

Accordingly, the procedure prescribed by the relevant provisions of the Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America was initiated. With the concurrence of the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, the Archbishop was appointed Locum Tenens of the now-vacant Holy Metropolis of New Jersey. The matter of electing a new Metropolitan for the Holy Metropolis will be discussed at a forthcoming session of the Holy Eparchial Synod.

Finally, effective immediately, the clergy of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey are instructed to commemorate, in…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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Анастасия Воробьёва

It is understood that Archbishop Elpidoforos is now temporarily governing New Jersey. I wonder when a new metropolitan will be appointed and who exactly. Otherwise the text ends with “are instructed to commemorate.”

Максим Лисенко

Yes, Anastasia, that's right - Elpidophoros is now the New Jersey Warden until a new one is elected. The text really got stuck on who exactly the clerics should commemorate, but I think that's standard procedure. I wonder which of our bishops will be placed there, because the metropolis is not easy.

Ксения Виноградова

It’s good that Elpidoforos immediately became a locum tenens, there is order. It’s a pity that the text breaks off exactly at the point where they should say who the clergy of New Jersey are now commemorating at services. I wonder which of our bishops will be installed later; the metropolis is really not an easy one.

Тимофей Новиков

I agree, order in such matters is important, Elpidoforos quickly sorted everything out. It’s a pity that the text was cut off precisely at the commemoration - they will probably now remember him as a locum tenens. Who would you like to see as the next metropolitan in New Jersey, given that the diocese is large and troublesome?