GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY

ACQUIRES NEW PERMANENT HEADQUARTERS

His Eminence, Metropolitan EVANGELOS of New Jersey, the Spiritual Leader of the Greek Orthodox Faithful in the Mid-Atlantic States, has joyously announced the recent acquisition of an Office Building in Westfield, NJ, that will serve as the new permanent Ecclesiastical Headquarters for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey.  Under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Venerable Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey serves the Greek Orthodox Parish/Communities of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the Greater Philadelphia Region, with the Ecclesiastical See being in the state of New Jersey. The Greek Orthodox Diocese of New Jersey was established in 1977 After 30 years since its establishment, the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey has acquired its own Metropolis Headquarters. The first Bishop and later Titular Metropolitan of New Jersey was His Excellency, Metropolitan Silas of blessed memory, succeeded by Bishop George, also of blessed memory. By decision of the venerable and Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Greek Orthodox Diocese of New Jersey was elevated from a Diocese to a Metropolis in 2003, and with the election, consecration and enthronement of our spiritual leader, His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos is the first Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey.

Expressing his overwhelming joy concerning the acquisition of the new Metropolis Headquarters, His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey said, “I am very happy and enthusiastic for the discovery and purchase of this most appropriate building and I glorify the Name of the Most High God because He has heard the prayers of our pious Orthodox Faithful and our Reverend Clergy, as well as my daily unceasing prayers and as such revealed to us the site which shall become the Center of our Metropolis.  From this, we shall continue to serve Him and the faithful Orthodox Christians of our Parish/Communities entrusted to my spiritual care.” Furthermore, Metropolitan Evangelos noted that, “the new offices are a cause for jubilation, and relief since the Metropolis had been initially housed in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese headquarter in New York City, and since 1999 in rented venues with the most recent being in the PanGregorian Enterprises building,   whose members embraced the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey and its mission with much respect, love and piety for the last 4 years since my election as Metropolitan.”

Describing the building, His Eminence added, “it is a building with 3 floors, 9,600 square feet.  The main floor will house the Metropolis Chapel dedicated in honor of the Patron of our Metropolis, St. John Chrysostom, the Office of the Metropolitan, the Metropolis Library and Reception room where gatherings seminars and other events shall take place. The administrative offices will be located on the second floor, and the lower level will serve as the larger lecture, conference and hospitality area.   His Eminence further explained that “the building was purchased for the amount of $1,550,000.  An initial down payment of $900,000 was made and a $1,000,000 loan was secured from the Town Bank of Westfield. The building will undergo some renovations in order to acquire the necessary ecclesiastical rendering and form.”

It is His Eminence’s prayer and hope that the new Headquarters will become a source of pride and boast for our Clergy and Laity of our Metropolis, to whom in reality it belongs. Our Holy Metropolis is Christocentric, and as such, the Holy Chapel will be a center of Divine Worship, the focal point of our ecclesiastical, worship, administrative educational and cultural activities which will be for the spiritual edification of our people. Anyone and everyone interested in becoming a part of the realization of this beautiful dream may offer their support to their Holy Metropolis of New Jersey by offering a contribution to the Building Fund and payable to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey.  Donations may be offered for the health of, or in memory of a loved one.  Needless to say, the prayers of all are most appreciated as we look forward to an even brighter future in our new Metropolis–a home established and which belongs to all.