BOSTON – His Eminence Metropolitan of Rethymno and Avlopotamou was elected on Tuesday January 11, 2022 Archbishop of Crete by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate presided by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The new Archbishop is 54 years old and was born in Heraklion of Crete. He diligently served the Church of Crete in many capacities, including as Metropolitan of Rethymno for the past twelve years.

The new Archbishop was elected from among the Triprosopo (three persons ballot) which was initially presented by the Eparchial Synod of Crete for the election of the new Archbishop. The Triprosopo consisted of the metropolitans Evgenios of Rethymno and Avlopotamou, Amfilochios of Kissamos and Selinou, and Gerasimos of Petra and Herronisou.

It is reminded here that the Eparchial Synod of Crete after Christmas had unanimously decided to relieve the Archbishop of Crete Irineos of his duties, after taking into account the affidavits of three doctors and university professors, regarding the chronic health problems.

According to the announcement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the newly-elected Archbishop is expected to go to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople for the Mikron and Mega Minima – official announcements – to accept the election and the decision of the Church.

The Archdiocese of Crete with its headquarters in Iraklion is semi-autonomous, belonging to the ecclesiological and canonical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. It is governed by the local Eparchial Synod which is presided by the Archbishop of Crete.

The election of the Archbishop, as is the case with all hierarchs, takes place in the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George at the Phanar with secret ballots. The Ecumenical Patriarch stays in his office at the Patriarchate and after the voting process ends and the votes are counted, the result is announced to him.

The salaries of the hierarchs as well as all the clergy of the Archdiocese of Crete are paid by the Greek State, as is the case with the hierarchs and clergy of all ranks of the Church of Greece.