Recognizing the Tenth Anniversary Gala Held in Honor of the Episcopal Ordination of His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey

Floor Speech

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey as he is honored for his profound devotion to the Greek Orthodox Church and to the Greek American Community. I join the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey as they commemorate the ordination of His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos to the Holy Episcopacy. It is my privilege to join in celebration during the Metropolitan 10th Anniversary Gala, His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey is truly deserving of this body's recognition.

Metropolitan Apostolos began his service to the Greek Orthodox church on July 28, 1996, when he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood and received the Offikion of Archimandrite by Metropolitan Apostolos of Rhodes. In March of 2000, he continued his theological education at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where he was granted the degree of Master of Divinity. To expand his studies and service globally, he attended Boston University School of Theology. His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston assigned Archimandrite Apostolos as the visiting priest at the Annunciation Church in Brockton, Massachusetts.

Archimandrite Apostolos went on to serve many others throughout the country, including the historic parish of St. George in Southbridge, Massachusetts, the Saints Anargyroi parish of Marlborough, Massachusetts, Metropolis of San Francisco and more. Notably, Archimandrite Apostolos Koufallakis was granted the title of honorary president during his service as the Dean of the historic Cathedral of St. Demetrios in Astoria by the president and members of Society of Patmos. Metropolitan Apostolos was also recognized for his devotion to the community during the 2008 Greek Independence Day Celebrations by the President of the Borough of Queens, New York. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America appointed Archimandrite Apostolos Koufallakis as the director of the Archdiocesan Hellenic Cultural Center.

On July 24, 2023, His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos upon the recommendation of His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was unanimously elected by the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the New Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey. His leadership is currently responsible for parishes in New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Delaware.

Mr. Speaker, once again, please join me in congratulating Metropolitan Apostolos on another honorable year of his enthronement. The continued efforts to honor the Hellenic heritage are truly admirable.

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