Metr. Apostolos of New Jersey Elected New Archbishop of Canada

ISTANBUL — The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate unanimously elected Metr. Apostolos of New Jersey as the new Archbishop of Canada on Wednesday, entrusting him with the leadership of one of the Ecumenical Patriarchate's largest archdioceses following the retirement of Abp. Sotirios after more than five decades of service.

The election took place at the Patriarchal Church of St. George in the Phanar during a session of the Holy Synod presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Apostolos succeeds Abp. Sotirios, whose 52-year tenure helped shape the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, perhaps most recognizably through the expansion of parishes, ministries, and educational initiatives. His long episcopate established a foundation of organizational stability that made him one of the longest-serving Orthodox hierarchs in North America.

Born Evangelos Koufalakis on the Greek island of Rhodes, the Archbishop-elect studied at the Patmias Ecclesiastical School before being tonsured a monk in 1993 at the Monastery of Panagia Paramythia, where he received the name Apostolos. Ordained first to the diaconate and later to the priesthood by the late Metr. Apostolos of Rhodes, he earned a theology degree from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki before continuing his studies at Boston University, where he received a Master of Sacred Theology degree.

His ministry in North America has included parish leadership in the Boston area, service as dean of the historic St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, director of the Archdiocese's Hellenic Cultural Center, chancellor of the Metropolis of San Francisco, auxiliary bishop with the title of Bishop of Medeia, chief secretary of the Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and Patriarchal Commissioner for the Metropolis of New Jersey before his unanimous election as Metropolitan in 2023. Throughout those assignments, he became known for overseeing major archdiocesan initiatives, organizing national church events, and serving in key administrative and pastoral roles within the Archdiocese of America.

As Archbishop of Canada, Apostolos now assumes responsibility for building upon the legacy of Abp. Sotirios while guiding the archdiocese through its next chapter under the Ecumenical Patriarchate's spiritual leadership.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Sotirios celebrated his final Sunday Liturgy as Archbishop of Canada.