The New Archbishop of Athens: Kallinikos of Achaia

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Created on Wednesday, 06 October 2010 15:13

Today, Tuesday September 22/October 5, the Holy Synod of the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece met in an extraordinary session; the sole item of discussion was the election of the new Archbishop.

The election took place in the historic church of St Paraskeue in Athens (Dioskouri 6, Plaka), behind closed doors, proceeded by a hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by the youngest bishop in seniority; His Grace Bishop Theodosios of Bresthena.

His Eminence, Metropolitan Maximos of Thessaloniki presided over the Synod as the Locum Tenens of the widowed Archepiscopal throne. All of the members of the Synod were present; His Eminence Metropolitan Pavlos of America was represented by His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Theoupolis, a member of the Eparchial Synod of the Church of the GOC in America.

In the first round of voting; of the 11 voting hierarchs, all of the 11 ballots were valid, and from the tally of the votes:

• His Eminence, Metropolitan Kallinikos of Achaia and all the Peloponnese received 5 votes,
• His Eminence, Metropolitan Maximos of Thessaloniki and Demetrias received 3 votes,
• His Eminence, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Attica and Boiotia received 3 votes.

The by-laws in force in this situation called for a new ballot between His Eminence the Metropolitan of Achaia and one of the two candidates who had tied; to be decided by lot. However, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Attica and Boiotia stated that he withdrew his candidacy and therefore the election process was carried out between the two remaining candidates, the Metropolitans of Thessaloniki and Achaia.

In the second round of voting; of the 11 voting hierarchs, all of the 11 ballots were valid, and from the tally of the votes:

• His Eminence, Metropolitan Kallinikos of Achaia and all the Peloponnese received 8 votes,
• His Eminence, Metropolitan Maximos of Thessalonica and Demetrias received 3 votes.
• Therefore, Kallinikos of Achaia and All the Peloponnese was elected Archbishop of Athens and All Greece.

The announcement of the results took place amidst applaud by clergy and laity present who were visibly moved. The rite of the Great Message followed, and it was decided that the enthronement of the new Archbishop should take place in two Sunday, October 4/17 at 12:00 pm in the Church of St. Athanasios in New Philadelphia, Athens.

From the Press Office of the Holy Synod.