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Bp. Athenagoras of Nazianzus Reportedly Elected New Jersey Metropolitan
Numerous reports say Bp. Athenagoras of Nazianzus was elected Metropolitan of New Jersey, although the Ecumenical Patriarchate has not yet officially announced the election.
NEW YORK — Bp. Athenagoras of Nazianzus was reportedly elected on October 1, 2026, as the new Metropolitan of New Jersey by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, according to numerous reports. However, as of publication, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has made no official announcement confirming the election.
According to the reports, Bp. Athenagoras received 11 votes, with one blank ballot. Born Christos Ziliaskopoulos in 1970 in Reutlingen, Germany, the hierarch studied German language and literature and theology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He later earned a doctorate in pastoral and social theology, focusing on relations between the Evangelical and Roman Catholic Churches.
He entered monastic life in 1992 and was ordained a deacon in 1994 and a priest in 1998 by Metr. Augustine of Germany. He served in several German parishes and held leadership roles including Hierarchical Commissioner of Hesse-Rhineland-Palatinate and president of Frankfurt’s Council of Religions.
From 2017 to 2019, he served the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, including as director of the Patriarchal Orthodox Theological Academy of Toronto. In 2019, he transferred to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston, where he served as Ecclesiarch.
Abp. Elpidophoros of America appointed him Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod in 2021. That same year, the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected him Titular Bishop of Nazianzus, and he was consecrated on June 5, 2021. He later served as director of religious education for the Archdiocese and, beginning in October 2024, as Hierarchical Commissioner of St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Apostolos of New Jersey was elected the new Archbishop of Canada.
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