Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Today, Thursday, October 8, 2020, on the third day of its work in this current month, the Holy and Sacred Synod extensively examined, among other items, issues of the Holy Archdiocese of America, and considered reports of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. The following decisions were taken:
- It placed into abeyance the force of the Charter of the Holy Archdiocese of America, with the objective of constituting a joint Committee of representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Archdiocese for the composition of a new Charter.
- It placed His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston under a penance of suspension until the Feast of Christmas, on account that he had fallen into canonical transgressions.
- It transferred His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey to the Holy Metropolis of Sardes and appointed as Patriarchal Vicar in the vacant Eparchy of New Jersey, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
From the Chief Secretariat of The Holy and Sacred Synod
2 Comments
What is going on here?
Something’s up. Placing the Constitutional Charter of the Archdiocese of America in abeyance is unprecedented, except for in 1930 when a Patriarchal Exarch was sent to intervene into the administration of the Archdiocese of (N.&S.) America.
Absent the Charter, there are no due process avenues for deliberations.
In the absence of the Charter, what is the authority of the Eparchial (Provincial) Synod, “the instrument of governance of the Holy Archdiocese,” per the Charter?
It’s a good sign that Archbishop Elpidophoros has called a Special Session of the Synod for October 12th.
Does His Eminence recognize its authority?
Or, is this meeting “ya ta matia?”
Why is His Eminence appointed “Patriarchal Vicar” of the vacant metropolis sees? This is an unprecedented title here.
Is His All Holiness the interim bishop of the Metropolises of Boston and New Jersey?
The Charter would have called for the appointment of a “Locum Tenens” to the vacant sees by metropolitans of the neighboring metropolises.
Why wasn’t the need for a Charter revision brought up to the 45th Clergy-Laity Congress?
Why are none of the Metropolitan’s of the metropolises of the Archdiocese of America seated on the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate this term?
I think we must revive the GOAL (Greek Orthodox American Leaders) organization promptly. It must be well financed. Something serious is afoot at 8-10 East 79th Street.