On January 25, 2025, the Annunciation Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia, was filled to capacity as hierarchs, clergy, faithful, and dignitaries from around the world gathered to witness the enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta. The heartfelt exclamations of “Axios! Worthy!” resounded as His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the ceremony, marking a new chapter for the Metropolis of Atlanta.

Metropolitan Sevastianos, who has served faithfully in the Metropolis since December 2018, succeeds Metropolitan Alexios, who led the Metropolis for over 27 years. As the second Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta, he now shepherds more than 70 parishes across eight southern states, bringing a wealth of experience, humility, and love to his new role.

This solemn occasion, presided over with great reverence, marked a moment of ecclesiastical unity and spiritual renewal for the faithful of the Metropolis and beyond.

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 (Serbian Orthodox Church); as well as Their Graces Bishop Nicholas (Antiochian); Bishop Andrei (OCA); Bishop Spyridon of Amastris; Bishop Timothy of Hexamillion; Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia; Bishop Anthony of Synada; Bishop Theofanis of Philomelion and Bishop-elect Alexander of Nicopolis. 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 dozens of clergy, family members, and faithful from the Metropolis of Atlanta and from around the country and the world. 

The ceremony was graced by the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, who served as the personal representative of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Representing the Mother Church of Constantinople, Archbishop Daniel conveyed the paternal blessings and greetings of the Ecumenical Patriarch to the newly enthroned Metropolitan. With joy and solemnity, the Archbishop presented a patriarchal letter and an exquisite gift - a panagia and a pectoral cross adorned with amber from Ukraine. This meaningful gesture symbolized the unity of the Orthodox Church, bridging the spiritual heritage of Constantinople with the Archbishop's own Ukrainian roots.

As the faithful and clergy gathered, the traditional exclamation of "Axios! Worthy!" echoed through the cathedral, affirming Metropolitan Sevastianos’ worthiness to lead the Metropolis of Atlanta. Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America joined in this proclamation, offering his own words of encouragement and prayers for the Metropolitan's new ministry.

Ecumenical and civic leaders attending were Most Reverend Gregory John Hartmayer, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Atlanta; Right Reverend Peter Eaton, Episcopal Bishop of Southeast Florida; The Honorable Michalis Firillas, Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus in New York; The Honorable Konstantinos Adamopoulos, Consul of the Hellenic Republic; The Honorable Polyxeni Potter, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Cyprus; The Honorable Congressman Gus Bilirakis; The Honorable Savas Tsivicos, Supreme President of AHEPA; and Kyriacos Papastylianou, President of the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations, and many representatives from organizations and institutions of the Archdiocese including Philoptochos, Leadership 100 and the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council.

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: “You, my dear Metropolitan, have demonstrated your love for our Lord through a lifetime of service. Now, He entrusts to you the care and the feeding of His flock here in the Metropolis of Atlanta. You will nourish them by the teaching of the unalloyed Faith of Jesus Christ as taught in our Holy Church for two thousand years. You will shepherd them with love and compassion, with mercy and goodness, just as the Psalmist speaks of our Lord’s pastorate with us. You will lead them to dwell in green pastures, and nurture them besides waters of rest. You will show them that even when shadows of evil and death fall upon us, we will not be afraid; because the staff of the Lord – His Precious and Life-giving Cross, is our everlasting comfort. 

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” («ἐκ-καλῶ») that is to say, to be a vivid calling, an invitation: to togetherness in a communion of love, healing, and sanctifying. This togetherness is exemplified by what Saint Ignatius, the God-Bearer, taught, as he received it from the Apostles and wrote it down to be left as his legacy to the Early Church. None of the Bishop’s initiatives can reach completion without the people, nor can any work of the people come to fruition without the Bishop’s blessing. With this legacy, I intend to start my work by adhering to the words of the Apostle Paul, who exhorted the Thessalonians: ‘Stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle’(2 Thes 2:15). Thus, together we will continue to serve Christ and tending His flock, building on the foundation of my predecessors, and welcoming everyone on our spiritual journey together.”

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.

In a heartfelt address at the celebratory banquet, Archbishop Daniel reflected on the deep connections between the faithful of various Orthodox jurisdictions. He spoke on behalf of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, as well as the villagers from Cyprus, where Metropolitan Sevastianos was born. A touching moment arose when the Archbishop recounted his personal connection to the newly enthroned hierarch. Years ago, while serving as a chaplain at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Archbishop Daniel crossed paths with Captain Blake Davenport. Nine years later, their lives intersected again when Captain Davenport married Louisa Fouli, a parishioner of St. Anthony of the Desert Ukrainian Orthodox Mission in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Louisa, a native of the same Cypriot village as Metropolitan Sevastianos, facilitated communication between the Archbishop and the village council in Cyprus.

A letter from the council, filled with blessings and pride, was delivered to Metropolitan Sevastianos during the banquet. This letter carried the voices of those from his ancestral homeland - a village now under Turkish occupation - whose prayers and hopes accompanied him on his spiritual journey. Archbishop Daniel’s recounting of this connection served as a poignant reminder of the enduring bonds of faith, heritage, and love for one’s homeland.

Through the prayers, hymns, and expressions of unity during the enrollment, the event exemplified the transcendent nature of Orthodox Christian faith. It was a celebration not only of Metropolitan Sevastianos’ leadership but also of the enduring unity within the Orthodox Church - a unity that transcends ethnic, cultural, and national boundaries.

As the faithful of the Metropolis of Atlanta look forward to the leadership of Metropolitan Sevastianos, they do so with hearts filled with hope and gratitude for the blessings of this historic moment. May his ministry bear abundant spiritual fruits and continue to unite the faithful in the love of Christ. AXIOS!