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America's Hopeful Overseer of the Diocese of New Jerseytranslated

July 23, 2026 · 1 min read

Yesterday, July 22, 2026, the Holy Provincial Synod of the Archdiocese of America met in an emergency, under the presidency of Archbishop Mr. Elpidophoros, on the occasion of the election of the Most Reverend Metropolitan of New Jersey Mr. Apostolos as the new Archbishop of Canada. The Holy Provincial Synod expressed its gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Bartholomew for the selection of one of its Hierarchs to fill the Archbishop's Throne of the Church of Canada and decided to appoint the Most Reverend Archbishop of America Mr. Elpidophoros as Vicar of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey.

Finally, she announced through her announcement that the matter of filling the New Jersey Diocese will be discussed at its next meeting.

The announcement in detail:

Rev. Archbishop Mr. Elpidophoros presided today at the session of the Holy Provincial Synod, convened, exceptionally via teleconference after the announcement of the joyful news of his election until then Rev. Metropolitan of New Jersey Mr. Apostolos to Archbishop of Canada.

The Archbishop and the members of the Provincial Synod expressed their gratitude to His Holiness the Ecumenical...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (7) 🌐 Translate comments

George Smith

Metropolitan Apostolos moving up to Canada makes sense, he's been solid in New Jersey. Interesting that Archbishop Elpidophoros is stepping in as locum tenens for New Jersey himself instead of naming someone else right away. Looking forward to seeing who they pick next.

Viorica Stan

Să vedem cum se descurcă Arhiepiscopul Elpidoforos cu această dublă responsabilitate. Apostolos a lucrat bine în New Jersey, e firesc să urce, dar e ciudat că nu au numit imediat pe altcineva locum tenens. Oricum, vom afla la următoarea ședință cine vine.

Gregory Mitchell

Makes sense to me too — Apostolos has done steady work in New Jersey these past years. A bit surprised Elpidophoros took the locum tenens role himself instead of tapping one of the other bishops for now, but maybe he wants to keep things simple until the next Synod meeting. Any names you’re hoping they consider for the permanent spot?

Thomas Taylor

Yeah, Apostolos has been steady in New Jersey, no doubt. Elpidophoros taking the locum tenens spot himself is a bit unusual though — maybe he just wants to keep a close eye on things until the next meeting. Who do you figure they might tap for the permanent spot?

طوني معلوف

Ελπίζω να βρουν γρήγορα μητροπολίτη για το Νιου Τζέρσεϊ, γιατί ο Απόστολος όντως δούλεψε σταθερά εκεί τόσα χρόνια. Το ότι ο Ελπιδόφορος παίρνει ο ίδιος το τοποτηρητή είναι λίγο ασυνήθιστο, αλλά ίσως θέλει να ελέγξει τα πράγματα από κοντά μέχρι την επόμενη σύνοδο. Θα δούμε ποιον θα διαλέξουν.

Olivia Lewis

Yeah, I noticed that too — having Elpidophoros step in personally does feel different from the usual pattern. I’m curious if it’s because the diocese has some immediate practical needs only he can handle right now, like the hospital chaplaincy programs we support from Ottawa. Who would you like to see as the next Metropolitan there?

Grace Thomas

Yeah, Elpidophoros stepping in as locum tenens does feel a bit hands-on, especially after Apostolos had been there so long. I wonder if they’ll look inside the archdiocese again or bring someone over from Greece. Any names you’ve heard floated around?