Leadership Shuffle in Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria: Patriarchate Announces Key Appointments

Orthodox Times and Wanjala Immanuel (Delegate of Uganda and All East Africa) – OCP News Service – 16/12/2024

Cairo – Egypt: Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria presided over a significant Holy Synod meeting with various announcements and elections impacting the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria on February 15,2024, at the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of Saint George in Old Cairo.

Resignations and Appointments:

• Metropolitan Innocentios of Burundi resigned due to health reasons and was given the honorary title of Metropolitan of Sozusa.
• The resignation of Metropolitan Athanasios of Cyrene was not accepted.
• The Diocese of Botswana was renamed as the Diocese of Gaborone and Botswana.
• The Metropolis of Burundi and Rwanda into two Dioceses, namely Bujumbura & Burundi and Kigali & Rwanda. Archimandrite Nektarios Doumas was appointed Patriarchal Vicar of the Holy Diocese of Kigali.

Elections of New Hierarchs:

• Metropolitan Theophylaktos of Tripoli was given the title of Elder Metropolitan of Caesarea.
• Metropolitan Emmanuel of Ptolemais was elected Metropolitan of Diospolis.
• Metropolitan Panteleimon of Naucratis was elected Metropolitan of Ptolemais, who remains in the position of Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod.
• Bishop Theodore of Babylon was elected Metropolitan of Brazzaville and Gabon.
• Metropolitan Daniel of Axum was elected Metropolitan of Accra.
• Metropolitan Petros of Accra was elected Metropolitan of Axum.
• Metropolitan Gennadios of Botswana was elected Metropolitan of Libya, who remains the representative of the Patriarchate in the Holy See.
• Metropolitan Nikodimos of Neiloupolis was elected Metropolitan of Nigeria.
• Archim. Isaac Tsapoglou was elected Bishop of Bujumbura and Burundi.
• Archimandrite Timotheos Duba was elected Bishop of Gomas (in the Democratic Republic of Congo).
• Archim. Polykarpos Diamantopoulos was elected Bishop of Bunia and Kisangani (in the Democratic Republic of Congo).
• Archimandrite Konstantinos Bonabiya was elected Bishop of Juba and South Sudan.
• Archim. Athanasios Kayebe was elected Bishop of Benin and Togo.
• Archim. Stefanos Soulimiotis was elected Assistant Bishop of Ippon to the Patriarch.

Symbolism and Future Direction:

The decisions made during the Synod reflect the Patriarchate’s focus on strengthening its presence in Africa, addressing pastoral needs, and ensuring continuity of leadership. Marking the anniversary with such significant actions underlines the commitment to upholding the legacy of the Patriarchate while navigating the evolving religious landscape of the continent.

Source:
OCP News Service and Orthodox Times