Source: The National Herald
The Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Photo GOA/Dimitrios Panagos
BOSTON – Bishop Constantine of Sasima is the new Metropolitan of Denver, according to the ‘triprosopon’ (the list of three candidates) prepared by the Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of America, which met on Monday, May 13 under the presidency of Archbishop Elpidophoros. During the voting, Bishop Constantine, who serves in the Metropolis of Denver as the chancellor, received eight votes. Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, chancellor of the Metropolis of Atlanta, received two votes, and Fr. George Nikas, presiding priest of the Holy Trinity community in Salt Lake City, UT, also received two votes.
In support of Bishop Constantine’s candidacy, letters were sent by the Metropolitan Council and the Clergy Association of the Metropolis of Denver.
The National Herald in its May 9, 2024 edition wrote among other things: “The Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, with Archbishop Elpidophoros presiding, is scheduled to convene on Monday, May 13 to prepare the ‘triprosopon’… for the election of a new Metropolitan of Denver. Former Metropolitan Isaiah resigned, and was elected to the historic Metropolis of Lystra in Asia Minor. The composition of the triprosopon will be drawn from the current list of candidates for election to episcopacy.”
Photo Metropolis of Denver
The article continues: “The National Herald has learned that both the Clergy Association and the Metropolitan Council of the Denver Metropolis are requesting the election of Bishop Constantine of Sasima, who has been serving as the chancellor in the Denver Metropolis since the day he became a bishop, essentially having full responsibility since Metropolitan Isaiah left Denver long ago due to health reasons and now resides at the Monastery of the Archangels in Kendalia, Texas. Bishop Constantine’s election is expected to take place during the next session of the Synod of the Phanar, which begins on Friday, May 17.”
It is noted that even before the conclusion of the Eparchial Synod’s session on Monday, the Archdiocese issued the announcement “to preempt others” as was characteristically said, alluding to The National Herald.
In the meantime, by mistake, one of the Synodal Metropolitans also voted for Archbishop Sotirios of Canada for Metropolitan of Denver.
The Communiqué of the Holy Eparchial Synod follows:
“Today, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over a special meeting of the Holy Eparchial Synod, which was convened through videoconference.
At the beginning, the Archbishop thanked wholeheartedly His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, for the pastoral care of the vacant Metropolis of Denver, where he serves as Locum Tenens and proposed to fill the vacancy in the See of the Holy Metropolis of Denver. The Eparchial Synod unanimously approved this proposal and then proceeded to form the three-candidate list (Triprosopon).
The confidential voting process was based on the List of Clergy eligible for election fulfilling the Conditions of Article 14 of the Charter of the Archdiocese as approved by the Ecumenical Patriarchate (June 15, 2023).
The Triprosopon for the Metropolis of Denver was determined as follows:
His Grace Bishop Constantine of Sassima with 8 votes;
His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela with 2 votes;
Very Rev. Archimandrite George Nikas with 2 votes.
The Archbishop will submit, by letter today, the Triprosopon to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and to the Holy and Sacred Synod to serve as the basis for the canonical election of a new Metropolitan of Denver.
In continuation, the Holy Eparchial Synod discussed current correspondence according to the order of the agenda.”
Biography of Bishop Constantine of Sassima
His Grace Bishop Constantine of Sassima (Moralis) was born in 1966 in Baltimore, Maryland. He is the son of the late Petros (a refugee from Asia Minor born in Athens) and Sarah (of Mobile, Alabama), and is the youngest of three children.
From an early age, His Grace served as an acolyte at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in Baltimore, MD under the late Fr. Constantine M. Monios of blessed memory, a mentor who encouraged him to pursue ordained ministry. In 1988, he began his studies at Hellenic College and graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1994. He was ordained to both the holy Diaconate and Presbyterate in 1996 by the late Metropolitan Silas of New Jersey of blessed memory and was assigned to the Annunciation Cathedral in Baltimore — the same parish where he was baptized and raised — and has served as its pastor to the present day. He was elevated to the rank of Confessor in the year 2000 and to the rank of Archimandrite in 2002, at which time he was also installed as Dean of the Annunciation Cathedral. On July 22, 2022, he was elected by the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Holy and Sacred Synod as the Bishop of Sassima.
With over 1,000 families at the Cathedral, His Grace has worked tirelessly to serve the needs of the parish and the greater Baltimore community. He has established a number of programs for youth and young adults and is the founder of the Annunciation Senior Center. His Grace’s pride and joy, the Annunciation Senior Center affords senior members of the community a safe haven for Christian fellowship while receiving the highest level of care, but has temporarily closed due to Covid. He served as the director of the Chesapeake region’s Camp Good Shepherd and has led four overseas pilgrimages. His Grace currently serves on the Board of Trustees for both Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and St. Basil Academy.
On July 22, 2022, a communication from the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Holy and Sacred Synod announced the unanimous election of His Grace Bishop Constantine of Sassima (Moralis) as an auxiliary Bishop for the Holy Metropolis of Denver. His Grace’s ordination to the Holy Episcopacy took place on October 15, 2022 at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City, NY.
