Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
With great joy and emotion, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was informed today, following a related telegram from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, of the unanimous election by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela as the new Metropolitan of Atlanta.
The same joy and emotion fill the hearts of the entire hierarchy, the holy clergy, and the faithful of the Holy Archdiocese, especially those of the Holy Metropolis of Atlanta, which has gained a new shepherd in the person of the beloved Metropolitan Sevastianos.
In consultation with the locum tenens of the Holy Metropolis of Atlanta, His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, an encyclical from the Archbishop has been issued to the holy clergy of the Metropolis, urging them to commemorate from today the canonical name of their new shepherd, His Eminence Sevastianos, in the holy services.
Finally, it is announced that the enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation in Atlanta.
We all express our gratitude and thanks to our Mother Church of Constantinople and personally to its illustrious 34-year Primate, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and the Holy and Sacred Synod for their attentive ear to the unanimous plea and proposal of the Archbishop, the members of our Holy Eparchial Synod, the clergy and the laity, as well as of His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios himself, for the election of His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos, succeeding his venerable and respected predecessor.
Worthy is the new shepherd of the Holy Metropolis of Atlanta, His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos!