Archbishop Demetrios of America submits his resignation

GreekNews - May 5, 2019

New York.- By Apostolos Zoupaniotis

Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America returned from Constantinople to JFK, little before the midnight of Saturday, May 4, after he met with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and submitting his resignation.

In spite of the long trip and the late hour, Archbishop Demetrios – who stayed in Constantinople less than 48 hours – was in good spirits and greeted each and every one of the people who waited to welcome him back to New York. Among them, the Director of his Office Alice Kurian, his spokesman Stavros Papagermanos, Fr. John Vlahos Dean of the Cathedral, Fr Vasilios Louros, Fr. Aristides Garines, Deacon Eleftherios Constantinides and the chantor of the Cathedral Nectarios Andoniou. Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos accompanied the Archbishop in Turkey.

In comments to the “Gree News”, Archbishop Demetrios said that “as we have announced and the statement says, we went to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. I briefed His All Holiness for the issue of our Archdiocese; we are at a stage that many things move forward. In addition we had the issue of the resignation and I read him (the letter). He listened to me, he thanked me and he said that he will bring the issue to the Holy Synod.”

Archbishop Demetrios told the “Greek News” that “the status of the Archbishop Geron former of America is a status that means no inactivity. It means participation in many things that the Ecumenical Patriarchate may need and my own contribution is necessary.”

Following the meeting between Archbishop Demetrios and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the following announcement was issued at the Fanar:

“It is hereby announced that today Saturday, May 4, 2019, His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch received His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America, who apprised Him on various affairs of his God-saved Eparchy.

Thereafter, His Eminence, the Archbishop submitted his written resignation from the throne of the Holy Archdiocese of America, which he shepherded with God-loving care for twenty years, and which the Patriarch will bring for consideration before the Holy and Sacred Synod in its upcoming meeting of next Thursday, May 9.”

Archbishop Demetrios traveled to Constantinople on Thursday, May 2, after he attended along with other religious leaders the National Day of Prayer Service at the White House Rose Garden. The previous evening, Wednesday May 1, Archbishop Demetrios accompanied by Fr. Alexander Karloutsos participated in the formal dinner at the White House hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania.

ARCHDIOCESAN COUNCIL

The new of the resignation of Archbishop Demetrios received big coverage in the Greek media, that started predicting possible successors. The Holy Synod will convene at the Fanar from May 9-11 to examine Demetrios’ resignation, along with the situation in the Archdioceses of Australia (Archbishop Stylianos died in March) and of Great Britain.

Regarding Archbishop Demetrios, it is unclear if the Synod will move immediately forward to elect his successor, or wait few days. In the case of an election, the Synod must also choose a vicar, to deal with the affairs until the enthronement of the new Archbishop. According to the Charter of the Archdiocese, the vicar should be one of the neighboring metropolises (New Jersey or Boston).

Archbishop Demetrios was expected to participate on Sunday of Thomas at the feast of the Parish of the Resurrection in Brookville and on Thursday and Friday to preside at the meeting of the Archdiocesan Council. On May 18 he is scheduled to take part at the graduation ceremony of the Holy Cross/Hellenic College.

Although the statement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate leaves the decision to the Holy Synod, it is possible the resignation to be effective by the end of May, instead of immediately.

[ ... ]

[ GreekNews
www.greeknewsonline.com/archbishop-demetrios-of-america-submits-his-resignation/
May 5, 2019 ]