[blohannaserri]

Official Announcement (In Greek only)

Metropolitan Ieronymos of Thebes was elected the new Archbishop of Athens and all Greece just before 11.30am this morning (Thursday 7th February 2008, CET), defeating Metropolitan Evstathios of Sparta. Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessalonika and Metropolitan Ignatius of Dimitriados were also candidates.

I do not have any background information in English at present that I can post on the new archbishop. Eis Polla Eti Despota!

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

[Suentiend]

Dear Father Anthony,

Thanks for sharing this. I didn't know this was an elected position--obviously I am completely ignorant about this--and I am wondering who votes for the Archbishops?

In Christ,
Rick

[blohannaserri]

Dear Father Anthony,

Thanks for sharing this. I didn't know this was an elected position--obviously I am completely ignorant about this--and I am wondering who votes for the Archbishops?

In Christ,
Rick

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

[vipBrooriErok]

It depends on what local church one is in. Usually, the Archbishop, Metropolitan, or Patriarch presiding over a local church is elected by the Holy Synod of that church. However, on Cyprus, the Archbishop is elected in a popular election, with campaigning and all Cypriots casting their votes. Such a practice is, I understand, quite old. It was also implemented in Russia after the All-Russian Council of 1917-1918. At least one bishop, Metropolitan St. Benjamin of Petrograd, was elected by the whole city, revolutionaries and all. He then proceeded to hold a council anathematizing the Living Church for Arianism and other heresies. It's an exciting story to read. He had continuous support from the locals, and for this reason the Bolsheviks at the top had to get rid of him. He was given a show trial and executed.

[Logaleta]

Many years!