Following the acceptance of the resignation of the former Metropolitan of Lambi, Sybritos, and Sfakia, His Eminence Irenaeus, the work of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate continued today for a second day at the Phanar in Istanbul.

As announced by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Holy and Sacred Synod, responding to a request from the Holy Provincial Synod of the Church of Crete to complete its membership in order to proceed with the election of new Metropolitans for the vacant Metropolises of Kydonia and Apokoronas, and of Lambi, Sybritos, and Sfakia, appointed His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and His Eminence Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria to travel to Crete and participate in the electoral process.

The communiqué issued regarding the proceedings of the Holy and Sacred Synod on Friday states:

“The Holy and Sacred Synod continued today, January 9, 2026, its work under the presidency of His All-Holiness, having examined all matters included on the agenda and taken the necessary decisions.

Accordingly, the draft ‘Regulations for the Acceptance of Ecclesiastical Justice for Archbishops,’ prepared by the competent committee, was approved.

>Related articles

How the path was cleared for work to resume on the Greece–Cyprus cable: France’s moves and the Turkey backdrop

Cretan shepherd goes viral and catches BBC’s attention (video)

Libya challenges Greek exploration south of Crete and threatens to halt maritime boundary talks

Furthermore, the Holy and Sacred Synod, having examined the relevant written request of the Holy Provincial Synod of the Church of Crete, which seeks the appointment of two Hierarchs in order to complete the number of members required by law and the Holy Canons for the election of Bishops for the vacant Metropolises of the Great Island, appointed His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and His Eminence Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria. Their secretary will be the Reverend Deacon Oikoumenios of Chalcedon, Sub-Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod.

The Synod also received the brief address of the Theophilest Bishop-elect of Elaia, Bartholomew, as well as his Great Message, and the Great Message of His Eminence the Metropolitan of Sinope, Ambrosios, who received the congratulations of His All-Holiness, the Hierarchs, and the members of the Patriarchal Court.”

From the Chief Secretariat of the Holy and Sacred Synod.