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GOARCH - August 20, 1999
NEWS & EVENTS

Patriarchal Encyclical
to be read at Divine Liturgy on August 22, 1999

Protocol Number 118/99

August 20, 1999

To the Reverend Clergy
The Esteemed Councils of our Communities
The Philoptochos Sisterhoods
The Youth Organizations
And the Christ-loved Faithful of the Holy Archdiocese of America

Beloved Greek Orthodox Christian Sisters and Brothers,

Yesterday, Thursday, August 19, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate met under the presidency of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and elected Metropolitan Demetrios of Vresthena as the new Archbishop of America. Today, Friday, August 20, the liturgical service of the Mega Minima (Acceptance) and expressions of thanksgiving by the new Archbishop took place.

The new Archbishop has assigned my humble person the duties of the Archiepiscopal Vicar. Faithful to the directive of the Ecumenical Patriarchate I am forwarding the Patriarchal Encyclical which proclaims the joyous news of the election of Archbishop Demetrios, and I earnestly request that it be read from the pulpit at the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 22, 1999.

Also, effective today the clergy of the Archdiocesan District of New York will commemorate Archbishop Demetrios by name, whereas the clergy of the three Dioceses, namely of New Jersey, Atlanta, and Detroit will commemorate Archbishop Demetrios by name as well as the name of their respective diocesan Bishop.

Conveying the good wishes and blessings of Archbishop Demetrios, I remain,

With paternal blessings,

+ Bishop George of New Jersey
   Archiepiscopal Vicar

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