Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Zealand

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The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Zealand, headquartered in Wellington, is an eparchy of the Church of Constantinople. Its current primate is His Eminence Metropolitan Amphilochios (Tsoukos) of New Zealand.

Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Zealand
Jurisdiction Constantinople
Diocese type Metropolis
Founded 1970
Current bishop Met. Amphilochios
See(s) Wellington
Headquarters Wellington, New Zealand
Territory New Zealand
Liturgical language(s) Greek
Musical tradition Byzantine Chant
Calendar Revised Julian
Population estimate 9,588 (2001 Census, all Orthodox included)
Official website Greek Metropolis


History

In 1924, the jurisdiction of New Zealand was transferred to the Church of Constantinople, who sent Christoforos to be the first metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand. He served until 1929 when he returned to Samos, his homeland. The next metropolitan was Timotheos, and he arrived in 26 January 1932, serving until he was elected metropolitan of Rhodes in 1947. He was replaced by Theophylactos, who served until his death in a car crash on 2 August 1958. Ezekiel, then assistant bishop of America, was elected metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand in February 1959, and arrived on 2 April 1959.

On 1 September of that year, the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand was elevated to Archdiocese, and Ezekiel to Archbishop. Later, in 1970, the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople separated New Zealand from Australia, leaving the Archdiocese of Australia and the Metropolitanate of New Zealand, electing Dionysios to be the first metropolitan of New Zealand and exarch of Korea and Japan.

In 2003, Dionysios was promoted to the Metropolis of Proussa, promoting Joseph to be the second metropolitan of New Zealand. In 2004, the decision was made to separate the exarchate of Korea from New Zealand and to make it a metropolis of its own, leaving Metropolitan Joseph the sole hierarch of New Zealand. In August 2005, Metropolitan Joseph resigned from his see, and has left New Zealand to reside in Greece. In October 2005, Amphilochios was promoted to Metropolitan of New Zealand.

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Orthodoxy in
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Antiochian - Apr Jack Witbrock
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Organisation

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Zealand is a single metropolis with seven churches. There is also a monastery, founded and headed by the Metropolitan, centered at the archdiocese.

The Episcopacy

Current Episcopacy

  • Metropolitan Amphilochios of New Zealand, Oct 2005-present.

Previous Bishops of the Metropolis

See also

External Links