New Metropolis of the Ecumenical Throne founded in Ireland, with its first Metropolitan being Bishop Iakovos of Zinoupolis

The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate convened its regular session on Friday, 22 March 2024, under the presidency of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,

During the meeting, the Ecumenical Patriarch and the newly appointed Synodal Hierarchs, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Makarios of Anea, exchanged customary salutations and responses on the occasion of the beginning of a new synodal period.

The Holy and Sacred Synod unanimously enacted the following canonical decisions:

a) In response to the substantiated request from His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, the Synod approved the establishment of the “Holy Metropolis of Ireland” as a new ecclesiastical entity, addressing the needs of the increasing Orthodox community in Ireland. His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Zinoupolis was elected as the Metropolitan of this newly formed Metropolis.

b) Following the canonical request of the Holy Eparchial Synod of America, the Synod elected two assistant bishops to join His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Archimandrite Nektarios Papazafeiropoulos, serving as the Protosyncellus of the Holy Archdiocese of America, was appointed to the Diocese of Diokleia, while Archimandrite Antonios Avramopoulos was assigned to the Diocese of Synadon. Their election was announced through both a Mikro Minima (small announcement) and a Mega Minima (great announcment) on the same day.

Additionally, all pertinent agenda matters were thoroughly addressed, and appropriate decisions were made.