Ieronymos of Thebes elected new Archbishop

[Ellinas]

Tension prevails within the Church Hierarchy as behind the stage procedures are coming to a peak in view of Thursday’s elections of new Archbishop. In the meantime, some metropolitan publicly express their preferences while others are stressing the need for unity in the Church. In the meantime, the case of Messinia Metropolitan Hrisostomos, who spoke of blackmailing efforts to support Sparti Metropolitan, Efstathios, has been referred to Justice. On his part, Sparti Metropolitan, Efstathios said he would resign if accusations against him are proved. On Sunday, Thessaloniki Metropolitan Anthimos stated that he will support the contender with the majority of votes in the second round. Meanwhile, Kithira Metropolitan statements about "Judas" within the Church, who should be expelled, have given rise to reactions.

ANA

[Prokomenos]

Metroplitan Ieronymos of Thebes and Livadia was elected on Thursday as the new Archbishop of Athens. Ieronymos was elected to the helm of the Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece by the Holy Synod in the second round of voting.

Church bells at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral, where the Holy Synod convened early Thursday morning to elect the new Archbishop began ringing joyously as the lamp outside the Cathedral was lit to announce that a new Archbishop has been elected.

[Ellinas]

Ieronymos has a great deed as a Bishop, as all the inhabitants of Boeotia admit. He is a good pastor and an educated person, however he keeps a low profile and is not expected to be as active as Christodoulos in the social non-religious issues.

I wish him the best. His mission in the current era is going to be very difficult.

[Ellinas]

Archbishop Ieronymos enthroned

New Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos on Saturday called on the faithful to struggle for common targets, speaking during his enthronement ceremony in Athens.

Ieronymos added that it is vital for the Church and state to cooperate and preserve their distinct roles.

The newly elected Archbishop arrived at 11 a.m. at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral for the ceremony. As soon as Ieronymos entered the Cathedral a circular issued by the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece's Holy Synod and a presidential decree on his election were read out by Archimandrite Cyrrilos Missiakoulis.

Metropolitan of Karystia and Skyros Serapheim made the first address followed by Ecumenical Patriarchate delegate Ioannis Metropolitan of Pergamos, followed by Education & Religious Affairs Minister Evripidis Stylianidis, Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas and Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis.

Ieronymos stressed that the Church's duty is to enunciate the gospels and not to challenge institutions or take political positions, expressing at the same time his support towards the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou also attended the ceremony.

ANA