Archdiocese of America selects candidates for New Jersey Metropolis

The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of America has selected three candidates to fill the vacant Metropolis of New Jersey. Following a secret ballot held on September 12 in Boston, Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzus, Bishop Antonios of Synods, and Archimandrite Bartholomew Mercado each received five votes.

Archbishop Elpidophoros has submitted the names of these candidates to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod to proceed with the election of the new Metropolitan. The decision was made based on a list of eligible clergy recently approved by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

During the same session, the Synod announced the funding of an academic chair at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki titled ‘Patriarch Bartholomew – Law and Theology’ to mark the 35th anniversary of the Patriarch's election. Additionally, the Synod decided that the teaching of the Greek language and liturgical texts at St. Timothy Theological School will be conducted in cooperation with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Plans are also underway to organize celebrations in 2027 for the 90th anniversary of the theological school's founding.