BOSTON – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros presided at the ordination to Episcopacy of Right Reverend Timothy Bakakos, Chancellor of the Metropolis of Chicago, on Saturday, December 5 at the Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen in Merrillville, Indiana.

Archbishop Elpidophoros was assisted by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago of Chicago, Metropolitan Ilia of Philomelion from the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America, and Bishop Sebastian of Zelon, assistant to Metropolitan Alexios.

The entire Service was livestreamed, in compliance with restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros in his speech said among other things: “Beloved Bishop-Elect of Hexamilion, Your Grace Timothy, My dear brother Timothy, today we gather in this Cathedral with the pleroma of the Church – the fullness of the Clergy and Laity, and with the Heavenly Ranks of the Angels and Saints, led by the Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. We are gathered for you, dear brother, to raise our prayers on high, as you are raised to the Episcopal Dignity.

“Beloved Bishop-Elect Timothy, your name means ‘the honor of God’ and it is the name of a renowned and saintly Bishop, a spiritual son of the Apostle Paul, who is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament. In his Epistle to the Philippians, Saint Paul speaks of him thus: But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you … for I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

“This comparison echoes through the ages, as a standard for the episcopacy. Our minds should be faithful like that of the Apostle himself, and our natural instinct should always be to care for the state of the souls entrusted to us.”

In another instance the Archbishop said “as a Bishop of the Church of God, you are called to inspire the Faithful to seek after the experience of the one, true God. Your life is to be an open book to the clergy and laity alike, where they may read the narrative of your virtues that will spur them on in their spiritual life: through the Sacraments, through prayer, through the whole liturgy of the Church, and through their deep yearning for transfiguration in Christ.”

The Archbishop then declared: “I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season … be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. Fight the good fight. Finish the course. Keep the faith.”

Bishop Timothy, addressing Archbishop Elpidophoros, said “this morning I stand before you, knowing that I am unworthy as the Church calls upon me to another step in serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. First and foremost, I extend my humble appreciation to His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew and members of the Holy and Sacred Synod in Constantinople for electing me to rank of Bishop. It is my promise to pledge my obedience to His All-Holiness, the Holy and Sacred Synod and to Christ and His Church.”

He also thanked everyone involved in his ordination, including the hierarchs of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the volunteers who assisted in the ordination festivities: “Realizing the pandemic that our country and world have faced these past many months, I am thankful for the prayers of those members of the Eparchial Synod who are able to be here in person today.”

His Grace expressed his commitment to Christ and the faithful of the Church. He said that “our purpose as Church leaders is to bring our faithful closer to Christ, assisting them in small, successive steps toward salvation. With God’s blessing, that is and will continue to be my mission.”

Bishop Timothy is actually assistant to Archbishop Elpidophoros but he will continue to serve as Chancellor of the Metropolis of Chicago.