BOSTON – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has appointed Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos as the Archiepiscopal Vicar of the St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria. This is an unpaid position with the hope and expectation that Bishop Athenagoras will contribute to resolving the crisis that, as is well known, exists in the community, to the point where the Archdiocese, acting as a bank, gave a loan to the community of $3.0 million dollars and in exchange, the community granted 39% of its newly constructed commercial building to the Archdiocese.

Sources of The National Herald report that the community requested the appointment of a third priest, due to the “inadequacy” of the existing ones. However, since the community is unable to pay a third salary, the ‘solution’ of appointing an Archiepiscopal Vicar in the person of Bishop Athenagoras was found.

It is worth recalling that during the time of its former presiding priest, and current Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, today Chancellor of the Archdiocese, the community rejected a $25 million grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for the school, with the well-known consequences that followed.
It is also noted that the priest Gregory Stamkopoulos has been appointed as ‘superintendent’ of the school. Stamkopoulos is also the assistant director of the Department of Greek Education of the Archdiocese, the presiding priest of the community of St. Spyridon in Upper Manhattan, and works as the Database Administrator, Department of Information Technology.

The Archdiocese issued the following statement: “On September 23, 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America met with His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos to bestow his Archpastoral blessing on His Grace’s appointment as Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Hellenic Orthodox Community of Astoria.

This new appointment adds to Bishop Athenagoras’s responsibilities within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which include serving as Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod, National Director of the Department of Religious Education (DRE), Spiritual Advisor to the National Ladies Philoptochos Society, and Member of the Board of Trustees of St. Basil Academy. As Archiepiscopal Vicar, His Grace will report directly to His Eminence.
The Hellenic Orthodox Community of Astoria stands as one of the oldest and largest Greek Orthodox communities in the United States. It encompasses the Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Saints Catherine and George Greek Orthodox Church, and Saint Demetrios Greek-American School, which serves students from Pre-K to Grade 12.

Through the grace of God, the significance, complexities, and potential of the Hellenic Orthodox Community of Astoria inspired the Community to request that Bishop Athenagoras assume the role of Archiepiscopal Vicar. The last appointment of an Archiepiscopal Vicar for the Community of Astoria occurred in 1987 when His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta served as Bishop of Troas.

Also in attendance at the meeting were the Chancellor of the Archdiocesan District, Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Fr. Elias Villis, and the Cathedral Dean, Rev. Protopresbyter Fr. Anargyros Stavropoulos.

Bishop Athenagoras’s official start date as Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Hellenic Orthodox Community of Astoria will be October 1, 2024. His first Divine Liturgy at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Cathedral will take place on October 13, 2024, and his first Divine Liturgy at Saints Catherine and George Greek Orthodox Church will occur on October 20, 2024. This appointment marks a significant moment for this cherished Community of Astoria as it looks forward to His Grace’s spiritual leadership.”