ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
OUR MAIN IMAGE: An artistic rendition of the duo of disaster…
The newly elected Metropolitan of New Jersey brings decades of international, academic, and administrative experience to the post. But two recent controversies — one involving an interfaith appearance at a Hindu temple and another over parish governance in Astoria — will follow him into his new role.
By Helleniscope’s Editorial Team
Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos was elected Metropolitan of New Jersey on October 1, 2026, by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, filling the vacancy created by the transfer of Metropolitan Apostolos to Canada.
The election took place at the Phanar from the three-person slate submitted by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The slate included Athenagoras, Bishop Anthony of Synada and Archimandrite Bartholomew Mercado. Following his election, Athenagoras performed the traditional Small Message and formally accepted his new assignment.
For those who follow the internal life of the Archdiocese, Athenagoras is hardly an unknown quantity.
Born Christos Ziliaskopoulos in Reutlingen, Germany, in 1970, he was raised between Germany and Greece and spent part of his youth in monastic life on Mount Athos. He was ordained a priest in 1998 and later served for many years in Germany before moving first to Canada and then to the United States.
Since arriving in America, his rise has been steady. He served at Hellenic College Holy Cross, became Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod, directed Religious Education, and in 2021 was elected Bishop of Nazianzos. More recently, he was entrusted with the troubled Hellenic Orthodox Community of Astoria as Archiepiscopal Vicar.
His election to New Jersey therefore places a hierarch closely identified with the current Archdiocesan administration into one of the most important metropolitan sees in the country.
His supporters will point to his international background, theological education and extensive administrative experience. But his recent record also contains episodes that deserve attention as he begins this new chapter.
The first occurred in October 2023, when Athenagoras represented Archbishop Elpidophoros at an “Interfaith Harmony Day” at the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Hindu complex in Robbinsville, New Jersey. His appearance, along with the language of the message he delivered, drew criticism from Orthodox clergy and faithful who believed the event crossed important religious boundaries. In January 2024, during a visit to St. Anthony’s Monastery in Arizona, Athenagoras, to his credit, publicly apologized to those who had been scandalized and acknowledged that he would approach such situations differently in the future.
PHOTO: At the October 2025 event in Astoria, Athenagoras tried unsuccessfully to cover for the many disastrous mistakes of Elpidophoros and Bp. Nektarios… But trying to cover the slogans “Get the Turks out of our Church” by singing “Christos Anesti,” as he did, will not be easily forgotten…
The second episode came in Astoria in October 2025. With St. Demetrios facing a serious financial and governance crisis, the Archdiocese removed the parish president and several council members and sought tighter oversight. The intervention provoked protests and deep resentment among parishioners. Athenagoras became one of the principal public defenders of the Archdiocesan action, arguing that the measures were necessary to restore stability. A negotiated settlement followed days later.
Neither episode, by itself, defines his episcopacy. But together they offer an early indication of the challenges he may face in New Jersey: balancing obedience to the Archdiocesan center with the sensitivities, traditions and expectations of local communities.
That balance may ultimately prove more important than the ceremony of his election.
Will he prove Axios or one more Anaxios of the many hierarchs of the Istanbul Patriarchate? Will he ever express the feelings of most faithful and lead Orthodoxy in America towards a new autocephalous Church?
October 1, 2026, www.helleniscope.com, n.stamatakis@aol.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
