Three Candidates Named for Vacant Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey

BOSTON, MA — The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has selected a three-person slate of candidates for the vacant Metropolis of New Jersey following the July election of then-Metr. Apostolos as Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada.

The Synod met on September 12, 2026, at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston under the presidency of Abp. Elpidophoros. Following a secret ballot, Bp. Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Bp. Anthony of Synada, and Archim. Bartholomew Mercado each received five votes and were selected for the triprosopon.

The slate was submitted by Abp. Elpidophoros to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Synod in Constantinople, which will be asked to proceed with the election of the new Metropolitan.

The three candidates have extensive experience within the Archdiocese. Bp. Athenagoras serves as Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod, Episcopal Vicar of St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, director of the Department of Religious Education, and spiritual adviser to the National Philoptochos Society. Bp. Anthony serves as director of Holy Cross Orthodox Press and has previously directed the Archdiocese’s Department of Religious Education. Archim. Bartholomew Mercado is a professor of canon law at Holy Cross who also serves as the interim dean of students and ecclesiarch of the school’s chapel.

According to reporting from the National Herald, Metr. Evangelos of Sardis received three votes and was not included in the triprosopon. The outlet further reported that Abp. Elpidophoros opposed Metr. Evangelos’ inclusion and had communicated his concerns to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The National Herald states that these claims were not included in the official communiqué announcing the triprosopon.

Metr. Evangelos had served as the Metropolitan of New Jersey from 2003-2020, when he was suspended, dethroned, and later replaced by Metr. Apostolos. Reports at the time alleged that Abp. Elpidophoros had worked for Metr. Evangelos' removal as part of a plot to absorb the Metropolis of New Jersey into the Direct Archdiocesan District, which did not succeed.

In 2022, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew lifted the suspension and maintained New Jersey as its own Metropolis. Evangelos was given the title Metropolitan of Sardis, and even served for a year on the Ecumenical Patriarchate's Synod at the same time as Abp. Elpidophoros in 2023.

In other news, the Eparchial Synod also addressed the teaching of Greek at Holy Cross, resolving that instruction in the language, particularly liturgical Greek, be conducted in cooperation with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The issue follows an earlier Synod decision to strengthen Greek-language instruction at the seminary.

Other decisions included plans to establish an academic chair at Aristotle University named “Patriarch Bartholomew – Law and Theology,” commemorative events for the 90th anniversary of Holy Cross in 2027, and the designation of the Metropolis of Chicago to host the 50th Clergy-Laity Congress in 2030.

The election of the next Metropolitan of New Jersey will now proceed through the Ecumenical Patriarchate based on the triprosopon submitted by the Archdiocese.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Apostolos issued his first archpastoral message to Canada.