Presented before the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Hierarchs of the Throne, today, the newly elected Metropolitan of Elders Chalcedon Emmanuel for the Small Message.
Addressed to the Metropolitan Elder Chalkidonos, His Holiness expressed his emotion and great joy, "as we convey to you the gospel message of your popular election as the pastor of the nearby Gerontiki historical Metropolis of Chalkidonos, which we also praised for a short period of time"…………..
And the Patriarch continued:
"Your elevation to this coveted position rewards and covers your long-term contribution to the Mother Church from various positions, always in exemplary fidelity and devotion to her.
We particularly wish to underline and highlight your valuable contribution to the promotion of inter-Christian and inter-religious dialogues, which are one of the priorities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as well as in the transfer of the voice and witness of Orthodoxy to the European institutions in Brussels. Unfortunately, this testimony was broken and damaged by the imprudent creation of many Offices of representation of various Orthodox Autocephalous Churches.
But also in the Province of France, which you longed for, work as a true father of your flock, while at the same time the Orthodox Episcopal Assembly there under your responsibility has functioned in an orderly manner until today, as far as this was dependent on the following Sanctity.
She always behaved in a brotherly manner towards us personally, as a real contemporary in the lifting of the cross of the patriarchal ministry, never refuse service when asked what par’ of this one, many times and with her own initiative she helped and promoted us and our humble ministry in academic circles and interreligious contact. Many official visits and exiles of the Temperance day abroad are due to the following suggestion or intercession. All these things immeasurably affected our Church as well, which we have the blessing from God to serve for three consecutive decades as its Primate.
Now come from the West to kat’ us East, from the great island of Crete from which you came and which, East, well you know and love, d’ this, after all, and accepted to be a candidate for the relevant Chalkidon District. Her flock awaits you’ excitement, admiration, as he has already been informed of your surroundings and scope, and, yet, after users hope, expectations, filial love and respect. He needs you. Thirst. And you are moving towards that, full of paternal affection, zeal and disposition to support him and build in Christ, according to the traditions of our pious race and especially of the Great Church and this City.
You are sacred and popular, brother and companion and competitor, everything is auspicious, we are all waiting for you here, we all envision a better future with your valuable contribution, with your knowledgeable diligence and energy initiatives, with the support of the diverse Patriarchal work, especially now when old age comes only for your talking older brother.
Good power, Saint Chalcedon! Blessed pastor! The wish of your legendary predecessor and immortal spiritual father and protector of the late Metropolitan Melitonos to accompany you everywhere and always. 'Worthy!».
In his objection, Metropolitan Geron Chalkidonos expressed to the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Synodal Hierarchs his heartfelt gratitude for his election, while making special reference to D’ Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon, which confessed the unregenerate Truth about the two natures of the Lord.
"In the high priesthood and more generally in the black tribune, were perceived and I constantly perceive and understand this double nature of the God-man as constantly existing and magnified in the whole life and course of our Holy Church. And this is because the Theology of the Holy Table also extends within pastoral care. Pastoral care is a struggle for Theology. Theology cannot be understood without acknowledging and experiencing the canonical work of the Holy Fathers. All together. Confused. Without a twist or a beat.
Chalcedon's great work, Your Holiness, is the respect of the sanctuaries of the Church institutions. The spiritual and hierarchical majesty of the Great Church of Christ was gathered in the lands where I was called to serve.. The extrajudicial jurisdiction of Your Throne, the liability of the appellant, is the sacred sourness of the fruits of this Synod.
I'm grateful, Your Holiness! I am grateful for my new Province and di’ all my way, which they passed under your inspired guidance, under Your care, son to genuine father.
I promise to continue with the same and more mood, faithfulness, devotion and dedication to serve the sacred affairs of the Church, the responsibilities of Your Most Holy Apostolic and Patriarchal Ecumenical Throne, Septon Your face, the ideals and saints of our Nation, the people of God, the benefactor of all of us Mother Church ".
Subsequently, at the Patriarchal Church of Agios Georgios, in the presence of High Priests, of the Patriarchal Court, of the clergy of the Diocese of Chalcedon, but also other clergy and lay pilgrims, the Metropolitan of Geron Chalkidonos Emmanuel performed the Mass of the Great Message, during which his election was announced to him in church, he did not respond with the text of the Eucharist, accepting the "order".
After the Great Message, the new Pastor of Chalcedon received the congratulations and wishes of those present.
Photo: Nikos Magginas/Ecumenical Patriarchate