Phanar head dismisses Metropolitan of Chicago from Synod without explanation

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: EK

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople has relieved Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago from his duties in the Holy Synod of the Phanar through an official letter, reports the resource EK.

The letter did not specify the reasons for this decision, only stating that another hierarch would replace Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago.

This information became known on November 2, during the celebration of the name day of Archbishop Elpidophoros, who delivered the letter from the Phanar head to Metropolitan Nathanael.

It is worth noting that at a recent Synod of the Phanar Exarchate in the United States, Metropolitan Nathanael challenged one of Archbishop Elpidophoros' decisions, proposing Metropolitan Evangelos of Sardis for a position within the exarchate's structure.

According to Greek media, Elpidophoros has a strong dislike for Evangelos, which caused additional tension.

This conflict may have been one of the reasons for the dismissal of Metropolitan Nathanael from the Synod.

As earlier reported by the UOJ, Archbishop Elpidophoros accused the Phanar hierarch in the U.S. of whistleblowing.

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