Metropolitan of Chalcedon: I thank Ecumenical Patriarch for my new diocese, for my whole course

Addressing the Elder Metropolitan of Chalcedon, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his emotion and great joy, “as we convey to you the happy message of your unanimous election as shepherd of the historic Elder Metropolis of Chalcedon.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch stressed that the promotion to the Metropolis of Chalcedon was deemed as a reward for the long-term contribution to the Mother Church from various positions, “always with exemplary faith and devotion to it.”

He underlined and praised his contribution to the promotion of inter-Christian and inter-religious dialogue, “which is one of the priorities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as well as to the transfer of the voice of Orthodoxy to the European institutions in Brussels. Unfortunately, this testimony was damaged by the reckless creation of many representative offices of various Orthodox Autocephalous Churches.”

He even referred to his tenure in France: “Now you come from the West to the East, which you know well and love, which is why you accepted to be a candidate for the Metropolis of Chalcedon. Everything is auspicious, we are all waiting for you, we all envision a better future with your valuable contribution.

Stay strong, Metropolitan of Chalcedon. May you have a blessed ministry. May the wish of your legendary predecessor and immortal spiritual father and protector of the late Metropolitan Meliton always accompany you everywhere. Worthy!”.

In his reply, the Elder Metropolitan of Chalcedon expressed to the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Synodal Hierarchs his heartfelt gratitude for his election, while he made special reference to the Ecumenical Synod of Chalcedon, which acknowledged the truth regarding the dual nature of Jesus Christ.

“A great work of Chalcedon, Your Holiness, is the respect of the sacred institutions of the Church. I am also called to serve in this land. The extraterritorial jurisdiction of Your Throne and the responsibility of the right to appeal are the sacred fruits of this Synod.

I am grateful, Your All-Holiness! I am grateful for my new province and for my journey, which I made under your inspired guidance, under Your blessing, as a son to a true father.

I promise to continue with the same but also more willingness, fidelity, devotion and dedication to serving the Holy Affairs of the Church, the responsibilities of Your Most Holy Apostolic and Patriarchal Ecumenical Throne, your All-Holiness, our people of God, the benefactor of all of us, our Mother Church.”