In the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Hierarchs of the Throne, the new Bishop of Dafnousia, Smaragdos Karagiannidis, was presented with the announcement of his election (Mikro Minima).
Addressing the newly elected Bishop, who will serve as an assistant to Metropolitan of Chalcedon, the Ecumenical Patriarch said, among other things:
May you meet the expectations of the Church and your Geron; make sure you are the cane when he grows old, may you be the pride and praise of our Ecumenical Patriarchate, which needs young, dynamic and educated archpriests, enlisted in its high ecumenical mission.
May you have love, faith, devotion and bravery of your heavenly protector, Martyr Smaragdus, who, along with 39 other brave young men, were martyred for their faith in Christ in the icy waters of the lake of Sebaste.
Have unwavering loyalty and devotion to your wise shepherd who has honored you so much. Be proud that you belong to the sacred Hierarchy of this martyred Throne, the first in honor and ministry to the entire Orthodox world, to which we all owe everything.
In his response, the new Bishop of Dafnousia expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarch for his election, as well as to the Members of the Holy Synod for their positive response to the Ecumenical Patriarch’s positive recommendation.
Then, in the presence of the Synodical Hierarchs, the Patriarchal Court and other clergymen and lay pilgrims, the Bishop of Dafnousa celebrated the Service of the Greater Minima, during which his election was announced in church, and he responded with the text of Thanksgiving, accepting the position in a state of emotion and gratitude.
