His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Apollonia, formerly Assistant Bishop of New South Wales in Australia, has been promoted by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and given the title 'Metropolitan of Sebasteia'.
After attending and studying Theology at the University of Salonika, Metropolitan Seraphim of Apollonias continued with post-graduate studies at the faculty of Practical Theology at the same University. He was ordained a deacon in 1975 and a priest at the end of the same year, serving for four years at the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain before being appointed as parish priest to the Metropolis of Nea Krini and Kalamaria.
In 1986, the late Archbishop Stylianos invited him to Australia and appointed him parish priest at the Archdiocesan Church of St. Eustathios. In 1991 he was unanimously elected a bishop, with the honorary title of Apollonias.
His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim has served the Archdiocese of Australia from 1986; five years as a priest at St Efstathios Church in South Melbourne and 28 years as an Assistant Bishop to the Archbishop.
Axios!
Bishop Nikandros of Dorylion, formerly Assistant Bishop of South Australia, has also been promoted by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and given the title 'Metropolitan of Eirinoupolis'.
His Eminence Metropolitan Nikandros had served the Archdiocese of Australia for 19 years since 2000 as Assistant Bishop to the Archbishop in South Australia and West Australia.
Axios!
The two new hierarchs of the church were congratulated by Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
Archbishop Makarios, who, these days, is in Constantinople, wished Metropolitan Seraphim of Sebasteia and Metropolitan Nikandros of Irenopolis, a long and thriving high priesthood “for the glory of Christ and the Church”.
“I am pleased with this development and I call on the brothers to continue to stay with me for as long as they want. Australia has been and will continue to be their home,” the Primate of Australia said.
The new Metropolitans were moved and thanked the Archbishop for his love and promised that they would continue to contribute in every way to the progress and unity of the Archdiocese of Australia.
Finally, Archbishop Makarios offered them an Engolpion and a Cross with the request to keep him, the clergy and the people of Australia in their prayers.
*Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
*Images by Nick Bourdaniotis Photography (Copyright)