Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Before the establishment of a Greek Archdiocese in the Western Hemisphere there were numerous communities of Greek Orthodox Christians.{{sfn|Pappaioannou|1984|p=180}} On June 26, 1768, the first Greek colonists landed at St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest city in America.{{sfn|Pappaioannou|1984|p=178}} The first Greek Orthodox community in the Americas was founded in 1864, in New Orleans, Louisiana, by a small colony of Greek merchants.{{sfn|Pappaioannou|1984|p=179}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.nola.com/homegarden/index.ssf/2014/05/tracing_greek_geography_from_b.html|title=Tracing Greek geography from Bayou Road to the banks of Bayou St. John|work=NOLA.com|access-date=2017-10-03|language=en-US}} The first permanent community was founded in New York City in 1892,{{sfn|Pappaioannou|1984|p=180}} today's Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and the See of the Archbishop of America. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America was incorporated in 1921,{{sfn|Pappaioannou|1984|p=182}} and officially recognized by the State of New York in 1922.

In 1908, the Church of Greece received authority over the Greek Orthodox congregation of America,{{sfn|Pappaioannou|1984|p=180}} but in 1922 Patriarch Meletius IV of Constantinople transferred the archdiocese back to the jurisdiction of the Church of Constantinople.{{sfn|Pappaioannou|1984|p=182}} In 1996, the archdiocese was split by the Ecumenical Patriarchate into four separate archdioceses: those of America (the USA), Canada, Central America, and South America.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is composed of an archdiocesan district (New York City) and eight metropolises (formerly dioceses): New Jersey, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Boston and Denver.{{cite web|url=http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/metropolises//|title=Metropolises|publisher=GOARCH |access-date=February 9, 2008 }} It is governed by the archbishop and the Eparchial Synod of Metropolitans. The synod is headed by the archbishop (as the first among equals) and comprises the metropolitans who oversee the ministry and operations of their respective metropolises. It has all the authority and responsibility which the Church canons provide for a provincial synod.{{cite web|url=http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/documents/official_charter.asp|title=The Official Text of the Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|publisher=GOARCH|access-date=February 9, 2008|archive-date=March 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314233637/http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/documents/official_charter.asp|url-status=dead}}

There are more than 500 parishes, 800 priests and approximately 440,000 to 2 million faithful in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, depending on the source of reports and the counting method being used.{{cite web| url=http://hirr.hartsem.edu/research/quick_question17.html| title=How many Eastern Orthodox are there in the USA? |publisher=Hartford Seminary |access-date=February 9, 2008 }} The number of parishes in the Greek Archdiocese rose by about 9% in the decade from 1990 to 2000, and membership growth has largely been in terms of existing members having children.{{cite web| url=http://hirr.hartsem.edu/research/tab2.pdf| title=Orthodox Churches in USA: Origins, Growth, Current Trends of Development| publisher=Hartford Seminary |access-date=February 9, 2008 }} Membership is concentrated in the Northeastern United States. The states with the highest rates of adherence are Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and New York.{{cite web| url = http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_862_d.asp| title = 2000 Religious Congregations and Membership Study| publisher = Glenmary Research Center| access-date = 2009-12-01| archive-date = 2021-04-17| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210417110316/https://thearda.com/Denoms/D_862_d.asp| url-status = dead}}

The archdiocese receives within its ranks and under its spiritual aegis and pastoral care Eastern Orthodox Christians, who either as individuals or as organized groups in the Metropolises and Parishes have voluntarily come to it and which acknowledge the ecclesiastical and canonical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.{{cite web| url=http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/about//| title=The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America| publisher=GOARCH |access-date=October 23, 2011 }}

Additionally, one seminary is operated by the Greek Archdiocese, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, which educates not only Greek Archdiocese seminarians but also those from other jurisdictions, as well.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America was a member of SCOBA and is a member of its successor organization, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America.

On May 11, 2019, the church's synod unanimously elected Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Bursa as the new archbishop of America following the voluntary resignation of Archbishop Demetrios. In addition to serving as Metropolitan of Bursa, Elpidophoros has also served as Abbot of the Holy Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Halki and Professor of the Theological School of the Aristoteleian University of Thessaloniki. Metropolitan Methodios of Boston served as the locum tenens until Elpidophoros was enthroned on June 22, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalherald.com/243788/metropolitan-elpidophoros-new-archbishop-of-america/|title=Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Bursa Elected Archbishop of America, Sends Message to Community through TNH|first=Theodore|last=Kalmoukos|date=May 14, 2019|access-date=May 11, 2019|archive-date=May 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515062702/https://www.thenationalherald.com/243788/metropolitan-elpidophoros-new-archbishop-of-america/|url-status=dead}} These leaders succeed the following archbishops:

• † Alexander (Demoglou), 1922–1930
• † Athenagoras (Spyrou), 1931–1948
• † Timotheos Evangelinidis, 1949 (elected, but reposed before taking office)
• † Michael (Konstantinides), 1950–1958
• † Iakovos (Coucouzis), 1959–1997
• Spyridon (Papageorge), 1997–1999

The archbishop of the archdiocese is variously titled as, "Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, President of the Holy Eparchial Synod, and Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America."

The Holy Eparchial Synod of the archdiocese is composed of:

• Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis) of America, President
• Metropolitan Methodios (Tournas) of Boston
• Metropolitan Apostolos (Koufallakis) of New Jersey
• Metropolitan Isaiah (Chronopoulos) of Denver
• Metropolitan Sevastianos (Skordallos) of Atlanta
• Metropolitan Nicholas (Pissaris) of Detroit
• Metropolitan Savas (Zembillas) of Pittsburgh
• Metropolitan Gerasimos (Michaleas) of San Francisco
• Metropolitan Nathanael (Symeonides) of Chicago

• Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis) of America
• Metropolitan Methodios (Tournas) of Boston
• Metropolitan Constantine (Moralis) of Denver
• Metropolitan Sevastianos (Skordallos) of Atlanta
• Metropolitan Nicholas (Pissare) of Detroit
• Metropolitan Gerasimos (Michaleas) of San Francisco
• Metropolitan Savas (Zembillas) of Pittsburgh
• Metropolitan Apostolos (Koufallakis) of New Jersey
• Metropolitan Nathanael (Symeonides) of Chicago

(This is the actual hierarchical seniority order and formal listing of the bishops.){{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

• Bishop Demetrios (Kantzavelos) of Mokissos, assigned to the Metropolis of Chicago
• Bishop Sebastianos (Skordallos) of Zela
• Bishop Joachim of Amissos
• Bishop Spyridon of Amastris
• Bishop Timothy of Hexamilion
• Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea
• Bishop Constantine of Sassima{{Cite web|url=https://www.goarch.org/hierarchs|title=Hierarchs of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|website=www.goarch.org}}

• Bishop Iakovos (Pililis) of Catania (reposed in June 2018)
• Metropolitan Dimitrios (Couchell) of Xanthos, Elevated to Metropolitan in January 2023
• Metropolitan Isaiah (Chronopoulos) of Lystra
• Metropolitan Alexios (Panagiotopoulos) of Atlanta

• Archbishop Athenagoras (Cavadas) of Thyateira and Great Britain (formerly of Boston)
• Archbishop Athenagoras (Kokkinakis) of Thyateira and Great Britain
• Metropolitan Anthony (Gergiannakis) of San Francisco
• Metropolitan Germanos (Polyzoides) of Hierapolis
• Metropolitan Iakovos (Garmatis) of Chicago
• Metropolitan Joachim (Alexopoulos) of Demetrias (formerly of Boston)
• Metropolitan Philaretos (Johannides) of Syros (formerly of Chicago){{cite web

|url = http://www.annunciation.org/about/cathedral-history/historical-archives/fr-philaretos-johannides-%CF%86%CE%B9%CE%BB%CE%AC%CF%81%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%82-%CE%B9%CE%BF%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%BD%CE%AF%CE%B4%CE%B7%CF%82/

|title = Fr. Philaretos Johannides (Φιλάρετος Ιοαννίδης)

|publisher = Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation

|location = San Francisco, California

|work = www.annunciation.org

|access-date = 2 November 2011

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110803041553/http://www.annunciation.org/about/cathedral-history/historical-archives/fr-philaretos-johannides-%CF%86%CE%B9%CE%BB%CE%AC%CF%81%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%82-%CE%B9%CE%BF%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%BD%CE%AF%CE%B4%CE%B7%CF%82/

|archive-date = 3 August 2011

|url-status = dead

}}

• Metropolitan Silas (Koskinas) of Saranta Ekklesia (formerly of New Jersey)
• Bishop Aimilianos (Laloussis) of Harioupolis
• Bishop Eirinaios (Tsourounakis) of San Francisco{{cite web

|url = http://www.annunciation.org/about/cathedral-history/historical-archives/bishop-eirinaios-tsourounakis

|title = Bishop Eirinaios Tsourounakis

|publisher = Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation

|location = San Francisco, California

|work = www.annunciation.org

|access-date = 2 November 2011

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110803022823/http://www.annunciation.org/about/cathedral-history/historical-archives/bishop-eirinaios-tsourounakis/

|archive-date = 3 August 2011

|url-status = dead

}}

• Bishop George (Papaioannou) of New Jersey
• Bishop Gerasimos (Papadopoulos) of Abydos
• Bishop Germanos (Liamadis) of Constantia
• Bishop Germanos (Psallidakis) of Synadon
• Bishop Kallistos (Papageorgapoulos) of San Francisco{{cite web

|url = http://www.annunciation.org/about/cathedral-history/historical-archives/bishop-kallistos-papageorgapoulos

|title = Bishop Kallistos Papageorgapoulos

|publisher = Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation

|location = San Francisco, California

|work = www.annunciation.org

|access-date = 2 November 2011

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110819192116/http://www.annunciation.org/about/cathedral-history/historical-archives/bishop-kallistos-papageorgapoulos/

|archive-date = 19 August 2011

|url-status = dead

}}

• Bishop Meletios (Diacandrew) of Aristeas
• Bishop Meletios (Tripodakis) of Christianopoulis{{cite web

|url = http://www.annunciation.org/about/cathedral-history/historical-archives/fr-meletios-tripodakis

|title = Fr. Meletios Tripodakis

|publisher = Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation

|location = San Francisco, California

|work = www.annunciation.org

|access-date = 2 November 2011

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110803035757/http://www.annunciation.org/about/cathedral-history/historical-archives/fr-meletios-tripodakis/

|archive-date = 3 August 2011

|url-status = dead

}}

• Bishop Paul (deBallester) of Nazianzos
• Bishop Philip (Koutoufas) of Atlanta
• Bishop Theodosius (Sideris) of Ancona
• Bishop Timothy (Haloftis) of Chicago
• Metropolitan Philotheos (Karamitsos) of Meloa

Information about different institutions throughout the United States which are part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

File:Greek Orth Cathedral of Trinity 319 E74 jeh crop.jpg]]

The Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity provides regular divine worship, counseling, Christian education, human services and cultural programs for people in the New York City area.

Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology together constitute a Greek Orthodox Christian institution of higher learning providing undergraduate and graduate education. Located on a {{convert|52|acre|adj=on}} campus in Brookline, Massachusetts, Hellenic College and Holy Cross seek to educate leaders, priests, lay persons, men and women.

File:St Barbara Philoptochos Society Merrick parade 65 St 5 Av jeh.jpg]]

• Saint Basil Academy (Garrison, New York)

• Archbishop of America
• Greek Orthodox Church
• Greek American
• Greek Canadians
• Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America
• Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

:1.{{Note|1}}The number of adherents given in the "Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Churches" is defined as "individual full members" with the addition of their children. It also includes an estimate of how many are not members but regularly participate in parish life. Regular attendees includes only those who regularly attend church and regularly participate in church life.Krindatch, A. (2011). Atlas of American orthodox christian churches. (p. x). Brookline, MA: Holy Cross Orthodox Press

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last=Pappaioannou| first=Rev. George

|year= 1984

|contribution=The Historical Development of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America

|editor-first=F.K. |editor-last=Litsas

|title=A Companion to the Greek Orthodox Church

|pages=178–206

|place=New York, N.Y.

|publisher=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America. }}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Commons category-inline}}

• {{Official website|http://www.goarch.org/}}
• [http://www.patriarchate.org/ Official Website of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople]
• [http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_862.asp Profile of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on the Association of Religion Data Archives website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425001329/https://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_862.asp |date=2021-04-25 }}

{{Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate}}

{{National Council of Churches members}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Eastern Orthodox Church bodies in North America

Category:Christian organizations established in 1921

Category:Organizations based in New York City

Category:Members of the World Council of Churches

Category:Eastern Orthodox organizations established in the 20th century

Category:Dioceses established in the 20th century

Category:Members of the National Council of Churches

Category:1921 establishments in New York (state)

Category:Greek Orthodoxy in the United States