August 11, 2019 - The New Archbishops and the Patriarchal Network New Challenges - New Prospects

August 11, 2019

The New Archbishops and the Patriarchal Network
New Challenges – New Prospects

With the recent enthronements of the newly elected Archbishops, Elpidophoros of America, Makarios of Australia and Nikita of Thyateira and Great Britain, a new era begins for these significant Eparchies of the Ecumenical Throne. Their appointments also generate hope that these

Eparchies will enter a new and fruitful collaboration with the Patriarchal Network. This anticipation is based on the fact that these three new Hierarchs have played an important role in the Patriarchal Network.

As Arch-Secretary of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in many ways, from its very beginning, Archbishop Elpidophoros helped in the founding of the Patriarchal Network.  He was always willing to support the Network in the Holy Synod. As a true friend, advisor and co-worker with a genuine pastoral spirit, he was a true ambassador in associating the Network with the Eparchies of the Throne, the Theological Schools in Greece and the Monastery of Chalki. With his distinguished experience and his willingness to improve the quality of care offered by the Church, he will definitely be a worthy pastor to the faithful in America, where there are essential spiritual needs and great potentials. 

Archbishop Makarios of Australia presented the noteworthy and meaningful opening address of the 2^nd International Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care that took place in Rhodes in 2011 entitled “On Suffering and Death”.  Furthermore, as a specialist in the area of bioethics, he has always been willing to assist the Patriarchal Network in this critical area of concern. The new Archbishop of Australia has inherited a prolific pastoral accomplishment which entails a valuable social institute, “The St. Basil Homes”, that provide care to the elderly. His knowledge of medical issues and his multi-dimensional pastoral experience will afford him the capability to expand the notable philanthropic work of the Church in Australia for God’s glory.  

Archbishop Nikita of Thyateira and Great Britain is one of the closest co-workers of the Patriarchal Network. As President of the Synodical Committee of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Youth, he worked closely with the Network. At the 4^th International Patriarchal Conference in Rhodes (2017), he addressed the participants posing the question: “Is there hope for Youth?”  In addition to this, the Patriarchal Network has participated in the three conferences that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has organized regarding “Modern Slavery”, headed by His Eminence. The Network has established close cooperation with His Eminence and his Task Force that deals with this critical and appalling phenomenon. At this present moment in the history of Great Britain, there are pastoral challenges that require discretion and sobriety; a need for new avenues that will enable the Faithful who are in need to enter “into the joy of the Lord" and find divine solace from the Holy Comforter.  As His Eminence stated in his talk following his enthronement, his main task will be to take on these challenges and to open these new and necessary avenues with Christ’s love and the help of the Saints.

The Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care is committed in supporting these new Archbishops so that their pastorates will bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Surely, as longstanding co-workers and “Friends of the Patriarchal Network”, they too will assist and contribute in the continuous networking of pastoral care that is offered by the Mother Church internationally.

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