Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
NEW YORK – His Grace Bishop Gregory of Nyssa was consecrated and enthroned Nov. 27, as the fourth ruling hierarch of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, at the Christ The Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown, Pa., with more than 500 clergy and faithful in attendance.
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, who served as Locum Tenens of the Diocese, since the falling asleep in the Lord of Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos in March 2011, presided at the ordination and enthronement of the new bishop. The Archbishop was assisted by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, who in previous years had ordained Bishop Gregory to the diaconate and the priesthood, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, and Metropolitan Antony and Bishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.
Bishops of other Faiths present included: Bishop Joseph Bartchak of the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese; Bishop-Emeritus Joseph Adamec of the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese; Bishop Gregory Pile of the Lutheran Church, Allegheny Synod; Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh; and Bishop-Emeritus Basil Losten of the Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Diocese of Stamford.
The chorus of AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS! ( He is WORTHY!) thundered throughout the Church time and time again during the Hierarchical Liturgy, as His Grace, Bishop Gregory was vested and enthroned. The joy of the day was complete when His Grace ascended the Episcopal Throne and delivered his enthronement address.
The festivities of the day continued with an afternoon celebratory banquet at the Pasquerella Community Center in downtown Johnstown where the clergy and faithful had the opportunity to break bread and share in the joy of the day.
(For more information and photos visit: www.acrod.org)
Biographical information:
Bishop Gregory was nominated as successor to Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos by a Special Assembly of Diocesan Priests of the Carpatho-Russian Diocese on Saturday July 14, 2012. On August 30, 2012, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, canonically elected Bishop Gregory as Titular Bishop of Nyssa and ruling Diocesan Hierarch of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A. Then the bishop-elect traveled to Constantinople and officially accepted the call of the Church to serve as Bishop during the Mega Minima service.
Bishop Gregory was born in Charlotte, N.C. Dec. 7, 1958, with the baptismal name of George, the first of two children of Peter and Antonia Tatsis. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earning a BA degree in Biology (1981) and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte earning a MS degree in Biology (1989). Working for more than 20 years in the field of Cardiovascular Research at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., he authored/co-authored over one hundred articles, abstracts, and book chapters.
A true son of the Church, from his early youth Bishop Gregory served in his home parish of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Charlotte, N.C. in various capacities including altar server, Sunday School teacher for 13 years and in several leadership positions including Parish Council President. He was also a founding member of St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, N.C. where he served on the Parish Organizing Committee, as Sunday School teacher for four years, as a member of the choir and as its first Parish Council President.
After taking part in a mission trip to Alaska sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, Bishop Gregory felt the calling to pursue his life-long dream of studying for the Holy Priesthood. Leaving his secular job in early 2003, he entered Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Mass. in the Fall of 2003 and graduated in May of 2006 with the Masters of Divinity degree.
Bishop Gregory was ordained a Deacon at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, N.C. on November 4, 2006 by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta. He was tonsured a Monk at Agia Lavra Monastery in Kalavryta, Greece on January 17, 2007, receiving the name Grigorios with St. Gregory Palamas as his Patron Saint. He was ordained a priest at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Atlanta, Ga. on January 28, 2007 also by His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta and was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite on the same day. On February 1, 2007, he was appointed as the Ierokyrix (Itinerant Preacher) of the Metropolis of Atlanta. On September 14, 2007, he received the offikion (rank) of Confessor at the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Chapel in Atlanta, Ga.
Serving in his role as Itinerant Preacher and Confessor, Bishop Gregory traveled extensively throughout the Metropolis of Atlanta, where he has led parish retreats, heard confessions and provided spiritual direction to countless numbers of clergy and faithful. Recognizing his affinity for youth ministry and his administrative skills, he was given the responsibility of overseeing all youth programs in the Metropolis of Atlanta.
Bishop Gregory also served as the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Raleigh, N.C. from December 20, 2010 until May 31, 2011. From October 1, 2011 – September 30, 2012 he served as Dean of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in New Orleans, La., and as Vicar of the Western Conference of the Metropolis of Atlanta.