BOSTON – The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate presided by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew elected unanimously Metropolitan Emmanuel of France Metropolitan Elder of Chalcedon in Constantinople.

Metropolitan Athanasios of Chalcedon, who had been in that post, was removed from due to his contumacy and disrespectful behavior towards the His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod, as was stated in the official announcement of the Holy Synod.

The newly elected Metropolitan Geron Emmanuel of Chalcedon is one of the most eminent and theologically learned hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne and also one of the closest coworkers of Patriarch Bartholomew.

His election to the Metropolis of Chalcedon signals reorganization of the administration of the Metropolises of the Ecumenical Throne and other prospects.

In addition, Bishop Kirillos of Abydos was elected Metropolitan of Krini and was appointed Patriarchal Exarch of the newly-established Exarchate of Melitis (Malta).

Auxiliary Bishop Irineos of Rigion who has been serving at the Metropolis of France, was appointed as temporary Patriarchal Vicar of the Metropolis of France.

On a telephone interview the new Metropolitan Geron of Chalcedon Emmanuel told The National Herald that “my election today at the recommendation of His All Holiness, to the historic and Elder Metropolis of Chalcedon by the Holy and Sacred Synod, is a supreme honor for me. I feel a great responsibility, and I will answer this new call of the Church in the fear of God. In the Church, we learn to always be obedient. As the Apostle Paul says, "obey your leaders and submit to them" (Hebrews 13:17).”

He also said that “my ministry in the Diaspora has enriched me with a new perspective, which will enrich as well my ministry at the Seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and my archpastoral work for this Sacred Elder Metropolis, whose throne has been adorned in recent years by great figures such as the late Meliton of Chalcedon, His All Holiness himself, and the current Elder Metropolitan of Nicomedia Joachim.

I ask for the prayers of all of you, so that I may be shown worthy of the expectations of our Patriarch, and that I may be well-pleasing to both God and man.”

His Eminence, Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel (Adamakis) of Chalcedon was born in Agios Nikolaos, Crete on December 19, 1958, where he received his primary education.

From the visit of Metropolitan Geron Emmanuel of Chalcedon to the Monastery of Xenophontos of Mt. Athos as Metropolitan of France. Abbot Alexios extended him a warm welcome to the Athonite Monastery. (Photo: Metropolis of France)

He studied at the Pedagogical Academy of Heraklion, Crete, and completed his studies at the Faculty of Philosophy at the Catholic University of Paris in parallel with his theological studies at the Theological Institute of Saint Sergius in Paris. In 1984, he received a master's degree from the Ecumenical Institute of the Catholic University of Paris, and the following year received another master's degree from the Sorbonne University (Paris IV) in History of Religions.

He was ordained to the diaconate and then priesthood in 1985. In 1987, he received a master's degree from Holy Cross School of Theology in Boston and assumed responsibilities as Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Belgium while simultaneously serving as hierarchal proistamenos of the Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Brussels. For twenty years (1994-2014) he headed the Office of the Orthodox Church at the European Union. On September 5, 1996, he was unanimously elected bishop of the once-glorious Diocese of Reghion by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and served as Auxiliary Bishop to the Metropolitan of Belgium.

On January 20, 2003, he was unanimously elected Metropolitan of France by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and was at the same time appointed to represent the Ecumenical Patriarchate in both the Theological Dialogue between Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Academic Meetings with Islam and Judaism. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the KAICIID Dialogue Center in Vienna, Co-moderator of Religions for Peace International, and former President of the Conference of European Churches (KEK). He has been a participant in numerous ecumenical and scientific conferences.

On February 16, 2021, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate unanimously elected him Elder Metropolitan of Chalcedon.