Gregory (Tatsis) of Nyssa
His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory (Tatsis) of Nyssa is ruling bishop and primate of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese (ACROD) as a titular bishop of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He was nominated in July 2012, elevated to the episcopacy on August 30, 2012, in Constantinople, and consecrated a bishop and enthroned on November 27, 2012, at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
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Life
His Grace was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 7, 1958, with the baptismal name of George, the first of two children of Peter and Antonia Tatsis. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earning a BA degree in Biology (1981) and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte earning a MS degree in Biology (1989). Working for more than 20 years in the field of cardiovascular research at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, he authored and co-authored over 100 articles, abstracts, and book chapters.
A true son of the Church, from his early youth he served in his home parish of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Charlotte, North Carolina, in various capacities including altar server, Sunday School teacher for 13 years, and in several leadership positions including parish council president. He was also a founding member of St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he served on the parish organizing committee, as Sunday School teacher for four years, as a member of the choir, and as its first parish council president.
After taking part in a mission trip to Alaska sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, he felt the calling to pursue his life-long dream of studying for the holy priesthood. Leaving his secular job in early 2003, he entered Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, in the fall of 2003 and graduated in May of 2006 with the Masters of Divinity degree.
Ordination and Service in the Metropolis of Atlanta (GOARCH)
His Grace was ordained a deacon at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, on November 4, 2006, by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios (Panagiotopoulos) of Atlanta.
He was tonsured a monk at Agia Lavra Monastery in Kalavryta, Greece, on January 17, 2007, receiving the name Grigorios, with St. Gregory Palamas as his patron saint.
He was ordained a priest at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 28, 2007, also by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, and was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite on the same day. On February 1, 2007, he was appointed as the Ierokyrix (itinerant preacher) of the Metropolis of Atlanta. On September 14, 2007, he received the offikion (rank) of Confessor at the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Chapel in Atlanta, Georgia.
Serving in his role as Itinerant Preacher and Confessor, Archmandrite Grigorios has travelled extensively throughout the Metropolis of Atlanta, where he has led parish retreats, heard confessions, and provided spiritual direction to countless numbers of clergy and faithful. Recognizing his affinity for youth ministry and his administrative skills, he was given the responsibility of overseeing all youth programs in the Metropolis of Atlanta.
Archimandrite Grigorios also served as the parish priest of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, from December 20, 2010, until May 31, 2011.
Since October of 2011, he has served as Dean of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in New Orleans, Lousiana, and as Vicar of the Western Conference of the Metropolis of Atlanta.
Election and Consecration as Bishop of ACROD
Archimandrite Grigorios was nominated as successor to His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos by the Clergy of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A. at a Special Assembly on July 14, 2012.
He was canonically elected Titular Bishop of Nyssa and ruling Hierarch of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A. by the Sacred and Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople on August 30, 2012.
His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios (Trakatellis) of America, was blessed by His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to be the main Consecrator of His Grace, Bishop Gregory, on November 27, 2012. Other Co-Consecrators included:
- His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios (Panagiotopoulos) of Atlanta (who in an act of Christian love and concern released His Spiritual Son, His Grace, Bishop Gregory for service in the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese)
- His Eminence, Metropolitan Savas (Zembillas) of Pittsburgh, of the neighboring Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, PA (who presided over the Canonical Election of His Grace, Bishop Gregory by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate)
- His Eminence, Metropolitan Anthony (Scharba) of Hierapolis, of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (who offered great assistance to the Diocese during and after the illness and repose of Metropolitan Nicholas)
- His Grace, Bishop Daniel (Zelinsky) of Pamphilon, of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
| Gregory (Tatsis) of Nyssa | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: — |
Ierokyrix of the Metropolis of Atlanta (GOARCH) 2007-2010 |
Succeeded by: Archim. Christodoulos (Papadeas) |
| Preceded by: Eleutherios (Katsaitis) |
Titular Bishop of Nyssa 2012-present |
Succeeded by: — |
| Preceded by: Nicholas (Smisko) of Amissos |
Primate of ACROD 2012-present |
Succeeded by: — |
Sources
- Archimandrite Grigorios (Tatsis) Is Nominated By Diocesan Priests As Successor To Metropolitan Nicholas. ACROD. July 13, 2012.
- The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople Elects the Very Reverend Archimandrite Grigorios Tatsis Bishop of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese. ACROD. August 31, 2012.
- His Grace Bishop Gregory of Nyssa Is Consecrated and Enthroned As The Fourth Ruling Hierarch of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese. ACROD. November 27, 2012.
External links
- Consecration of Bishop Gregory
- Video highlights of the consecration (YouTube video)
- The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople Elects the Very Reverend Archimandrite Grigorios Tatsis Bishop of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese (ACROD)
- Ierokyrix of the Metropolis of Atlanta
- Fr. Grigorios Tatsis - Homily 6-19-12 (YouTube video), given at St. George's Orthodox Church (ACROD), in Taylor, Pennsylvania
- Nomination of Archimandrite Grigorios Tatsis As Successor to Metropolitan Nicholas (YouTube video), July 14, 2012
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