New Greek Orthodox Metropolitan to oversee Stark parishes

12/8/2011

PITTSBURGH —On Thursday, Bishop Savas Zembillas of Troas will be enthroned as Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Metropolis of Pittsburgh, which encompasses Stark County.

Metropolitan Savas was elected Nov. 3 by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, Turkey. He succeeds the retired Metropolitan Maximos.

A native of Gary Ind., Savas is a graduate of Colby College, Waterville, Maine, and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Mass. He served as the pastoral assistant at Holy Trinity/St. Nicholas in Cincinnati from 1985 to 1987 before resuming his academic studies at Oxford University, England.

Savas was ordained to the Holy Diaconate in 1992, to the priesthood in 1995, and elevated to the rank of Archimandrite in 1996. He was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese in 1999. In 2001, he was elected an auxiliary bishop and given the title “Bishop of Troas.” In 2002, he was consecrated to the Holy Episcopacy.

Stark County is home to three Greek Orthodox parishes: St. Haralambos and Holy Trinity in Canton, and St. George Church in Massillon.

The enthronement will take place at St. Nicholas Cathedral and will be broadcast live on the Internet beginning at 3:30 p.m. A link will be available at the archdiocese’s home page at www.goarch.org.

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