Exclamations of “Axios!” were cried as Metropolitan Sevastianos was enthroned on January 25, 2025, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and in the presence of hundreds of faithful. 

Metropolitan Sevastianos has served as a beloved hierarch in the Metropolis of Atlanta since December 2018. He succeeds Metropolitan Alexios, who served as presiding hierarch of Atlanta from 1997-2024. Metropolitan Sevastianos is the 2nd Metropolitan for the Metropolis, which covers more than 70 parishes in the states of Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina. 

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was represented at the Enthronement by His Excellency Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA, who read the Official Address of His All-Holiness for this auspicious occasion. 

Hierarchs from across the country gathered to be present at this momentous service included, Their Eminences Metropolitan Alexios, formerly of Atlanta; Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh,  Locum Tenens for the Metropolis of Atlanta; Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago; Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey; Metropolitan Dimitrios of Xanthos; Metropolitan Vasilios of Constantia and Ammochostos; Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa; Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America (Serbian Orthodox Church); as well as Their Graces Bishop Nicholas of Miami and the Southeast (Antiochian); Bishop Andrei of Cleveland (OCA); Bishop Spyridon of Amastris; Bishop Timothy of Hexamillion; Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia; Bishop Anthony of Synada;  and Bishop Theofanis of Philomelion. 

His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, delivered the Patriarchal and Synodical letter of the Announcement of the Election of His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta.  Filling the church to capacity were clergy, civic leaders, ecumenical guests, family members, and faithful from the Metropolis of Atlanta and from around the country and the world. 

Archbishop Elpidophoros addressed the new Metropolitan and the faithful, recognizing the enthusiasm and outpouring of love for their new Metropolitan. His Eminence noted his assurance that Metropolitan Sevastianos will nourish the Metropolis of Atlanta’s flock, shepherding them with love, compassion, mercy, and goodness. 

Metropolitan Sevastianos, speaking with heartfelt emotion, remarked, “Some of you have met me as a priest, others as a Bishop. From now on, I assure you all, that as Metropolitan, I will remain the same enthusiastic and always eager co-worker of yours, striving to serve the Church of Christ. This is the mission of the Church to be the 'Ecclessia' that is to say, to be a vivid calling, an invitation: to togetherness in a communion of love, healing, and sanctifying.” 

Following the Enthronement, a Luncheon was held in the Thalia N. Carlos Hellenic Community Center Ballroom. which included many inspiring speakers and a video presentation. 

Source: Orthodox Observer 

Photos: Dimitrios Panagos