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Orthodox Observer - September 1996

A New Era Begins

Our Mother Church in Constantinople delivered a strong, positive message on July 30 with the election of the former Metropolitan of Italy, Spyridon, as the new Archbishop of America.

"We are sensitive to your needs, we care about the future of America's Greek Orthodox youth, we want the Church to progress as it moves into another century," is what Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Synod said in selecting the first American-born Greek Orthodox Christian to assume the heavy mantle of leadership of the Church in this country.

Born in Ohio and growing up alternately in this country and on the Greek island of Rhodes, Archbishop Spyridon can relate equally well with the "American experience" of those born here, as well as those from the mother country.

At 51 years of age, he is a peer of the American-born generation that has been assuming more of the Church's leadership roles over the past few years.

Our new Archbishop has the ecclesiastical experience and the educational background that will serve him well over the years. He is fluent in five languages - English, Greek, Italian, French and German ­ which makes him uniquely qualified to present the message of Orthodox Christianity to a receptive worldwide audience. And his technological expertise will further enhance his ability to effectively communicate the Church's message. (He is fully computer literate and one of his first official actions after being named Metropolitan of Italy was to establish a home page for his jurisdiction on the World Wide Web).

His extensive education includes the revered Theological School of Halki, graduating with highest honors, and post-graduate work in Germany and Switzerland.

Archbishop Spyridon is a familiar figure to Roman Catholic and Protestant leaders in Europe through his long service at the Orthodox Center in Geneva and in other positions. He served as the Ecumenical Patriarch's envoy to Pope John Paul II, expressing Orthodox concerns about the Vatican's initiative in the former Soviet Union, and also was the chairman of the Inter-Orthodox Commission in the dialogue with the Lutheran World Federation.

As Metropolitan of Italy, he demonstrated his dynamic leadership by initiating many new programs, working closely with Orthodox youth and reintroducing Orthodox monasticism to Italy.

Archbishop Spyridon's election has brought a collective sense of exhiliration from Orthodox Christian faithful in this country who may have been apprehensive about the Church's future.

The new Archbishop deserves the full support, assistance and love of all the Greek Orthodox faithful as he leads the Church into the 21st century and deals with the issues and challenges facing the Church and our nation.

His enthronement has been planned for Saturday, Sept. 21, at Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York. Orthodox Christians from near and far should make it a point to attend the magnificent ceremony of the enthronement and shout the enthusiastic exclamation of "Axios!" for our new Archbishop.

As we begin this new era, let us all pray: "First Lord, remember our Archbishop Spyridon, grant that in your holy churches he may teach your message of your truth in peace, with safety, honor, health and for many years."

[ Orthodox Observer - Vol. 61, No. 1118 - September 1996 - p. 8 ]