Enthronement of the new Abbot of the Patriarchal Monastery of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou, Astoria
In an atmosphere of spiritual joy, the enthronement of the new Abbot, Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne, Father Meletios, took place on Sunday evening, 9 February 2025, in the Katholikon of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou in Astoria, USA.
The enthronement was conducted by His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, as a representative of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Their Graces, Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzus, Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, and Bishop Irineos of the Serbian Church, clergy of the Holy Patriarchal Monastery and the Holy Archdiocese of America.
Also present were the Consul General of Greece in New York, Mrs. Ifigenia Kanara, the Consular Port Commander, Mr. Charalambos Angelopoulos, the former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Antonis Diamataris, Archons of the Great Church of Christ, representatives of Greek Orthodox associations and organisations, representatives of the ecclesiastical committees and Philoptochos Associations of the Holy Affiliated Churches of the Patriarchal Monastery and a multitude of pilgrims, who flooded the Katholikon of the Holy Monastery in order to receive the blessing of the representative of His All-Holiness and to wish the new Abbot well upon assuming his new responsibilities.
The new Abbot succeeded the Late Bishop Ierotheos of Efkarpia, who served the Holy and Patriarchal Monastery and its Metochia for a number of years, elevating them spiritually and offering the community a rich spiritual, social and educational work.
The enthronement of Archimandrite Meletios marks a new spiritual era for the Holy Monastery, which has historically functioned as a beacon of faith and prayer for the Greek community.
The new abbot thanked His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, humbly accepting this high ministry. He also thanked His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, to whom, as a sign of honour and gratitude, he offered an Archiepiscopal engolpion. Abbot Meletios also thanked His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, to whom he offered a commemorative gift, expressing gratitude for his presence and support. Finally, he thanked all the attending clergy and laity who travelled from Greece and America in order to participate in the spiritual joy of the Monastery.
A monastic feast followed in the dining hall (archontariki) of the Holy Monastery.
Photographs: Greek American News Photo Agency – DIMITRIOS S. PANAGOS
