Met. Maximos of Pittsburgh resigns citing health reasons

NEW YORK (GOARCH) – The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, at their meeting of August 29th and 30th, accepted the resignation of His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos from his position as Metropolitan of Pittsburgh and hence the See of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh became Vacant. On August 3rd, Metropolitan Maximos submitted his resignation for reasons of health to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios as President of the Holy Eparchial Synod and Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and asked that it be forwarded to His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew. The Archbishop communicated the decision of the Metropolitan to the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of America, and with a heavy heart forwarded the letter of resignation to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

In conveying the decision of Metropolitan Maximos to His All Holiness, Archbishop Demetrios noted:

“For over 32 years, Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh shepherded with apostolic zeal, and with fatherly love and exemplary pastoral care the faithful people of this Metropolis of the Holy Archdiocese.

Beyond this, he ceaselessly offered most valued services to the Holy Archdiocese of America in general, to the Holy Cross Theological School and especially to the on-going theological discussions between the Orthodox and members of other Christian Faiths. Moreover, Metropolitan Maximos actively and productively participated in the meetings of the Holy Eparchial Synod, offering his theological and linguistic abilities to the formulation of significant texts for the Archdiocese. Without a doubt, he was the unwavering voice of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in our midst, representing the spirit, the ethos and the tradition of the Mother Church. His resignation, which I am obligated to submit, is a great loss to us and leaves a void which will be difficult to fill.”

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit has been named Locum Tenens of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh until a new Metropolitan is elected for the See. As per the provisions and directives of the Charter and Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Chief Secretariat, on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod, will immediately commence the procedure leading, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to the election of a new Metropolitan of Pittsburgh.