Historic First Synaxis of Orthodox Hierarchs of Ecumenical Patriarchate in USA

The First Synaxis of Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the USA convened on January 28 in Los Angeles, California, under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. The hierarchs, twelve in all, represent the Orthodox ecclesiastical eparchies under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, namely the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, as well as the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox and Albanian Orthodox dioceses.
“As leaders of our communities at every level, we have the responsibility and privilege to voice the concerns of the Ecumenical Throne, and to provide advocacy for Her interests,” said Archbishop Elpidophoros in his opening remarks.
He called the Synaxis an additional opportunity for the hierarchs to engage with one another and share their ideas: “Most, if not all, of you, have participated in the wonderful Synaxēs of the Ecumenical Throne at the Phanar. When His All-Holiness assembles us, it is a tremendous opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives with our fellow brethren of Asia Minor, as well as the bishops of the worldwide Diaspora. We can learn so much from each other if we are open to fresh viewpoints. That is why, since we are meeting as the Assembly of Bishops, I thought it providential and prudent for us to gather in a Synaxis, as Hierarchs in the United States of the First Throne of Orthodoxy.”
The Ecumenical Patriarch’s message to the hierarchs also underscored their responsibility to represent and express the principles and spirit of the Ecumenical Patriarchate— most importantly, the “supra-national character” at “the very core” of its identity. “For those within the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, cultural identity functions on the basis of the sacred canons and a healthy ecclesiology, without constituting a central criterion for the organization of church life,” His All-Holiness said.
Following the opening remarks, hierarchs discussed and shared information about their respective eparchies and familiarized themselves with the work of the upcoming XII Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA, which is made of all active canonical Orthodox bishops, of every jurisdiction, in the United States.
Participating hierarchs in this historic first meeting include: His Eminence (H.E.) Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, H.E. Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, H.E. Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa, His Grace (H.G.) Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, H.G. Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, H.G. Bishop Apostolos of Media, H.G. Joachim of Amissos, H.G. Bishop Spyridon of Amastris, H.G. Bishop Timothy of Hexamilion, H.G. Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea, H.G. Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, and H.G. Bishop Constantine of Sassima.
The Synaxis of Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the USA is expected to meet every year.
“Just as there can be no son without a mother, there can be no hierarch of Constantinople without the Mother, which is the Mother Church of Constantinople,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said. “But I know there is no lack of loyalty and devotion to the Great Church by Your Eminences and Graces. Each of you exercises, in your own way, the interests and dignity of the Ecumenical Throne.”
Read more at thenationalherald.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- 1) FedHATTA | Tourism Bridges between Greece and the Chinese province of Guizhou
- 2) FedHATTA: Dynamic presence of Greek travel agencies at the international Dubai exhibition ATM 2025
- 3) FedHATTA Cooperation with Shaanxi Province, China
- 4) Workshop in Thessaloniki and Athens for cooperation between Greece and Turkey in tourism
15/05 10:42
15/05 01:23
United Airlines | Premium Experiences on the New Boeing 787-9
14/05 15:11
14/05 13:16
St. Arnaoutakis: “The new generation highlights Cretan gastronomy”
14/05 12:34
Christos Dimas: Progress of construction of the Patras – Pyrgos motorway at 77%
14/05 12:29
14/05 12:24
Princess Cruises | 14-day 2026 Mediterranean Solar Eclipse Cruise (and Corfu)
14/05 11:45
14/05 10:57
The new Airbnb was introduced | 3 innovations that change the travel hospitality model
14/05 09:47
14/05 07:49
14/05 06:53
14/05 06:30
Alltours strengthens its presence in Greece: New hotels, investments and dynamic demand from Germany
14/05 01:50
10% more trips from the US to Europe this summer | Allianz Partners
13/05 19:49
13/05 18:59
13/05 17:15
Olga Kefalogianni at Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry
13/05 17:05
Municipality of Rhodes: Awards to an Indian philanthropist and a couple of Dutch tourists
13/05 12:20
13/05 11:42
Wyndham - Le Park Concord Agreement | 100 Super 8 Hotels in Saudi Arabia
13/05 11:38
Pieria: “Olympus Riviera Ambassadors” Award to German Tourists
13/05 11:34
Crete: 13 new water supply projects in municipalities on the island
13/05 11:29
Preveza to join the European Association of Historic Spa Towns
13/05 11:25
GNTO: Promotion of Greece in Sweden as a destination for silver tourism
13/05 08:47
13/05 07:54
12/05 23:16
"KIMOLOS, like you, Unique, Authentic, Real" - the message to visitors
12/05 21:13
12/05 19:07
The Athens Epidaurus Festival returns to Lycabettus with 4 concerts
12/05 18:37
Air France, KLM, and Delta Air Lines organize the 3rd Marine Day in Athens
12/05 18:22
Corfu | Honorary event at Mon Repos for the birthday of King Charles
12/05 18:20
NBA Basketball School kicks off at Costa Navarino with Isaiah Thomas
12/05 14:44
12/05 14:41
Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Santorini reopens for the 2025 season
12/05 13:47
The Swedish Olympic Team at Giannoulis Cavo Spada Luxury Resort & Spa
12/05 11:51
Survey | Timeliness does not limit Germans’ willingness to travel
12/05 07:59
12/05 07:55
12/05 06:35
11/05 12:16
11/05 07:25
Zygaktis Trail: Mountain races in Kefalari, Drama, with a backdrop of myth and nature
11/05 07:20
10/05 12:45
M. Vamiedakis: Value for money will determine the success of destinations and businesses in 2025
10/05 08:32
Expedia Trip Matching | Social media inspiration now bookable instantly
10/05 08:28
International Conference focusing on the Apostle Paul in Corinth
10/05 07:38
Norse Atlantic invests in Athens – Brings 49,000 seats from Los Angeles and JFK
09/05 21:44
Motorhome Tourism | Green Smoke from the Ministry of Tourism for Camper Stops
09/05 21:23
Destination Management and Promotion Organization in the Peloponnese
09/05 21:19
Motorhome Tourism | Green Smoke from the Ministry of Tourism for Camper Stops
09/05 21:03
09/05 20:31
Historic day for Northern Road Axis of Crete: Contract signed for Chania – Heraklion section
09/05 13:36
GNTO at Travel Expo Cyprus 2025 | Increasing travel flow from Cyprus to Greece
09/05 11:43
Targeted actions for the tourism promotion of the Peloponnese
09/05 11:39
09/05 11:00
The wait is over – Navarino Challenge 2025 schedule is revealed
09/05 08:53
09/05 08:46
09/05 07:58
Friendship Pact of the Municipality of Elliniko-Argyroupoli with Cities in Egypt
09/05 07:57
Historical, Tourist, and Cultural Documentary on Ancient Olympia
09/05 07:00
08/05 17:08
Greek Tourism Minister meets with Mozambique’s Deputy Minister of Tourism
08/05 16:04
08/05 15:57
Greek Tourism 2024 | The final performance in revenues, arrivals, cruises, and regions
08/05 14:13
Promoting the sustainable development of cruising in Mykonos
08/05 13:32
HCH | The Panhellenic Student Competition “I Paint Hospitality” is underway
08/05 13:28
08/05 11:44
Under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization, sports events in May
08/05 09:50
08/05 07:54
08/05 07:09
ThermopylaeForum 2025: Strategic Dialogue for the Greece of Tomorrow
08/05 06:57
Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum 2025: Cruise industry seeks new destinations
07/05 20:50
07/05 19:58
The way has been opened for the VORIA project in Maroussi, with a casino, hotel, and entertainment
07/05 15:53
The winners of the 9th Youth Innovation Competition, Idea Platform
07/05 13:05
07/05 12:16
Anna Karamanli | Crete is steadily strengthening its position on the cruise map
07/05 12:13
Ioannis Afoukatoudis: Greek in the leadership team of the Austrian tour operator Rhomberg Reisen
07/05 08:43
The communication promotion program of the Municipality of Rethymno
07/05 08:28
Crete celebrates its cultural heritage with two major events in May
07/05 08:09
07/05 07:49
8th Ioannina Half Marathon: A two-day celebration of sports, participation, and social contribution
07/05 07:31
06/05 23:11
Municipality of Sfakion | Request for the creation of a "Mountain Guide" department
06/05 20:31
06/05 18:41
Samaria Gorge: Over 1,200 visitors on the first day of its reopening
06/05 18:00
7 years of “Tourism Partnership for Chania”: Positive review with an eye on the future
06/05 16:46
Region of Crete: Meeting with tourism stakeholders in the presence of Mr. Tzitzikostas
06/05 15:54
Environmental Action “Global Action Days” at Aquila Rithymna Beach
06/05 15:51
New Metropolitan Attica: Dynamic Presence at the East Med Yacht Show 2025 in Poros
06/05 13:04
06/05 12:08
Monastic cuisine at the heart of the 7th Corfu Food & Wine Festival
06/05 11:34
Athens Airport | Passenger traffic up 9% in April, +10.6% in 4 months
06/05 11:18
06/05 11:15
The Municipality of Thira at the Arabian Travel Market 2025 tourism exhibition
06/05 07:27
06/05 07:22
Strategic planning for the development of Kavala and Alexandroupoli airports
06/05 06:58
06/05 06:32
05/05 18:00
Nafplio at the epicenter of world yachting with the 10th Mediterranean Yacht Show
05/05 17:42
Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price”
United Airlines | Premium Experiences on the New Boeing 787-9
Princess Cruises | 14-day 2026 Mediterranean Solar Eclipse Cruise (and Corfu)
The new Airbnb was introduced | 3 innovations that change the travel hospitality model
St. Arnaoutakis: “The new generation highlights Cretan gastronomy”
Alltours strengthens its presence in Greece: New hotels, investments and dynamic demand from Germany
10% more trips from the US to Europe this summer | Allianz Partners
Christos Dimas: Progress of construction of the Patras – Pyrgos motorway at 77%
Storm 'Atena' will bring bad weather to Greece starting Monday night
Wyndham - Le Park Concord Agreement | 100 Super 8 Hotels in Saudi Arabia
Olga Kefalogianni at Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Municipality of Rhodes: Awards to an Indian philanthropist and a couple of Dutch tourists
The Athens Epidaurus Festival returns to Lycabettus with 4 concerts