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Hierarchy Agenda 2026: The pending ordination of Bishop Asterios, contemporary pastoral challenges and elections of Assistant Bishopstranslated

July 9, 2026 · 1 min read

Report office ope.gr From October 6 to 8, 2026, the Holy Synod of the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece will be convened as part of the regular meeting for the current year, with the agenda of the issues that will concern it, which ope.gr presents today, already determined. Among the subjects of the Agenda, the presentation that will be made by Rev. Metropolitan of Nea Smyrna, Mr. Simeon, on the subject: "The pending issue of the Episcopal ordination of the elected Bishop of Asterio, Mr. Christodoulou Kotsifis". It is recalled that the election of Bishop Asterios had taken place during the Hierarchy in October 2024 as the position of Assistant Bishop for the Holy Metropolis of Kaisariani, Byronos and Hymettos, however to this day the elected Bishop has not been ordained.

On the recommendation of His Excellency Mr. Simeon, which will be read on Thursday, October 8, 2026, a discussion will follow on this topic, while as indicated in the Agenda, a relevant decision is expected to be made regarding the ordination.

The first day According to the program, the first day of the Hierarchy will begin with the celebration of Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Chapel...

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💬 Comments (22) 🌐 Show original

Людмила Бондаренко

It is interesting that two years have passed since the election of Bishop Asterios, and the consecration has not yet taken place. It is good that Metropolitan Simeon will introduce this issue and there will be a concrete decision on October 8. Let's pray that everything will be settled peacefully.

Ქ

ქეთევან კვარაცხელია

But why isn't it two years already? Not a single word is written about what goes on there behind the curtain. It's good that Metropolitan Simeon will raise the issue and finally something will be decided.

Maria Ciobanu

I hope it will be resolved with this ordination. Two years since they elected Bishop Asterios and still nothing, that's a long time. I am glad that Metropolitan Simeon brings the subject clearly to the table on October 8, maybe a concrete decision will come out.

Πέτρος Λαμπρόπουλος

It's true, two years is a long time. Christodoulos Kotsifis was elected in October 2024 as an assistant in Kaisariani and we are still waiting. It's good that Metropolitan Simeon is putting it on the agenda for October 8; let's hope for a clear decision.

Antoine Girard

Yes, two years is a long time. We elected Christodoulos Kotsifis in October 2024 as auxiliary to Kaisariani and we are still waiting for chirotony. Glad that Mgr Syméon will put this in black and white on October 8, we will see what the Hierarchy decides.

Მ

მაია ჩხეიძე

True, two years have already passed and they still don't know anything. It is good that Simeon raised this topic, maybe they will find out what is happening in the Synod. What do you think could be the reason?

Anastasia Kristo

Two years are many, yes. Ο Χριστοδουλος Κοτσίφης was elected in October 2024 to help Caesar and we are still waiting for ordination. Καλο που ο μητροπολίτης Σymεών το πάάζει στην διενήσεις της 8ης Οκτοβρίου, let's see what the Synod will decide.

Софья Зайцева

Two years is a long time indeed, especially when a person has already been chosen as assistant bishop in Caesariani, Viron and Imitos. It’s good that Metropolitan Simeon will put this up for October 8 and the Synod will finally make a decision. Let's pray that everything goes peacefully and in good faith.

Sophie Moreau

Yes, two years is a really long time, especially for an elected official like Christodoulos Kotsifis who was ready since October 2024. I hope that the discussion on October 8 will allow us to see things clearly without delaying any further. Do you think it’s mainly a question of timing or is there something else behind it?

Jakub Svoboda

Two years to wait for chirotonia, that's a really long time. Christodoulos Kotsifis was already elected in October 2024 as auxiliary bishop for Kaisariani, but still nothing. It's good that Metropolitan Symeon will put it on the table on October 8th, hopefully a clear decision will finally be made.

Გ

გელა გელაშვილი

Maya, two years is really long for this case. I think there will be some canonical or personal obstacle that the Synod did not make public. If Simeon raises it, it's good, but it's interesting, what do you suspect, what could it be?

Василь Петренко

Yes, two years is a really long time for such a question. It is good that Metropolitan Simeon will finally bring it up for discussion, maybe they will finally put an end to it. Let's pray that the decision will be wise and without unnecessary arguments.

Антон Лебедев

I agree, two years really took a long time, especially for someone chosen already in 2024. I wonder what exactly Metropolitan Simeon will say in his report on October 8th. Let's pray that the decision will be made according to the regulations and without unnecessary disputes.

Ს

სალომე დოლიძე

You're right, Gela, two years is a really long time for that. I think a personal reason is more likely because if it was canon they would probably have figured it out sooner. How do you think this can be resolved in the end?

Πέτρος Δημητρίου

I agree Peter, two years is a really long time. I remember that there was talk of a need to staff the Metropolis of Caesariana after the changes, but still nothing. Let's see what Rev. will say. Symeon on the 8th, maybe a clear decision will finally come out.

Marek Dvořák

Yes, two years is really a long time, Jakub. Christodoulos Kotsifis was elected two years ago and he is still waiting, one wonders if there is some deeper reason that we do not know. We'll see what comes out of that meeting on October 8th.

Ვ

ვახტანგ ნოზაძე

Salome, I agree, two years is really long. Personal reasons are the most likely, since the canonical question could have been decided by the synod earlier. I wonder what you would think if they finally decided not to ordain at all?

Наталія Коваль

Yes, two years is really too long for such an essentially simple question. It is good that it was finally brought to the Synod, because people are already starting to get confused about who is a bishop and who is not. Let's pray that everything goes smoothly, without unnecessary emotions. What do you think, why did it take so long?

Eva Svobodová

You're right, two years is a really long time. I wonder if it has to do with his health or if it's more of some canon details that aren't public yet. We will see what the Synod decides.

Kateřina Svobodová

I think it will be the canonical reason, because something would have been heard about health. Here in Olomouc, we had a similar case years ago, and in the end it was about unresolved paper formalities from the previous diocese. We'll see what Symeon's proposal says.

Юрій Коваленко

Yes, two years is really too long, people are really starting to get confused. Apparently, there were some internal reasons in the metropolis that we do not know about, but it is good that it was finally brought to the Synod. Have you heard whether there is already a concrete date for the ordination, or is it still being discussed?

Petr Novák

Yes, two years is a really long time, you're right. I would rather bet on the canonical things, because here in Pilsen there was also a wait due to an old dispute about the boundaries of the parish and no one spoke about it out loud. We will see what the proposal from Metropolitan Symeon will bring.