New Composition of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

By Theodore Kalmoukos

BOSTON – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew announced the new composition of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the period March 1 to August 31 as part of its regular practice of semi-annual reorganization.

The new composition of the Holy Synod, under the presidency of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, includes the following:

Metropolitan Augustinos of Germany, Metropolitan Germanos of Tranoupolis, Metropolitan Sotirios of Toronto, Metropolitan Makarios of Anaeon, Metropolitan Theodoritos of Laodicea, Metropolitan Evgenios of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, Metropolitan Amphilochios of Ganos and Chora, Metropolitan Damaskinos of Kydonia and Apokoronas, Metropolitan Nathanael of Kos and Nisyros, Metropolitan Konstantinos of Singapore, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Symi, and Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sets the agenda for the topics that will be discussed in each session. Also, the Patriarch makes the recommendations for elections of new hierarchs, transfers, reorganizations, and elections of new Archbishops and Metropolitans to the Ecclesiastical Eparchies of the Ecumenical Throne around the World.

The next Synodic meeting will be held March 14-16. There will not be a meeting in April due to Holy Week and Easter. Following the March meeting, the Synod will next meet May 9-11.

One of the issues that is expected to be discussed during the next meeting of the Synod is the constant attacks that the Patriarchate of Moscow has launched against the Ecumenical Patriarchate due to its granting of the status of Autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine on the Feast Day of the Epiphany on January 6, 2019.

The Patriarchate of Moscow is unertaking a divisive effort against the unity of the Orthodox Church in the World, exerting influence, for many reasons, not only ecclesiastical, on the Patriarchates of Antioch, Serbia, and the Church of Poland, which requested from Patriarch Bartholomew that he convene a Synaxis of the Prelates to examine the issue.

Patriarch Bartholomew in his reply to Patriarch Ioannis of Antioch wrote that such a Synaxis will be “unavailing.”

Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria continues his delaying tactics while it is widely known that he has been closely connected with the Patriarchate of Moscow since the time he served there as an Exarch.

Archbishop Ieonymos of Athens and All Greece is playing his own waiting game regarding the recognition of the Autocephalous Church of Ukraine, passing the issue on to the Synod of Hierarchs of the Church of Greece, which may be convened in March for the election of new Metropolitans for Sisaniou, Siatistis and Vouliagmeni.

According to information received by The National Herald, the new Synod will also deal with issues related to the reorganization of the Ecclesiastical Eparchies of the Ecumenical Throne abroad, including the United States.