... and then there were THREE!

Also, a bit sad to see "deaconate" in the CVs.

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(Antiochian.org) - Hundreds of clergy and laity from across the Antiochian Archdiocese gathered for the Special Convention on Jan. 13, 2023 in Dallas, Texas to nominate three candidates for the office of Metropolitan of New York and All North America.

His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios, Patriarchal Vicar, presided, conveying the love and blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East, praying that the Holy Spirit would guide the delegates in their discernment.

"You meet to send the names of three nominees as candidates to the care and wisdom of the Holy Synod," His Beatitude said in his statement read aloud at the convention. "The Synod is entrusted to ask the Great Shepherd of our souls to guide our Antiochian Church in choosing an Archbishop to shepherd the Archdiocese during the coming phase, which, as we all discern, shall be full of challenges in a turbulent world. For this, I ask with you the intercessions of the Holy Theotokos, Saints Peter and Paul the founders of the Church of Antioch, and Saint Raphael of Brooklyn to guide the works of your Special Convention."

"Beloved in Christ, I thank the Lord for giving me the chance to be with you and for that he endowed us with the blessings of being together and preparing with the board of trustees and the temporary committee this very important special convention," Sayidna Antonios said in his report.

Each voting delegate cast one ballot, choosing from among nine candidates. The nominees, listed in alphabetical order by first name, are:

• His Grace Bishop John Abdalah (PDF)

• His Grace Bishop Nicholas Ozone (PDF)

• His Eminence Metropolitan Saba Isper (PDF)

His Eminence has submitted these names to His Beatitude who will share them with the Holy Synod of Antioch in consideration of their election of the next Metropolitan at a meeting in the future.

"His Beatitude sends you all his love, adding that we are one family and one church," Sayidna Antonios told the assembly. "He is very proud of you and this Special Convention. He is proud of the bishops, clergy and parishes of this great archdiocese. He was happy to know this Special Convention was a great manifestation of the love of the Lord, the Church, the Archdiocese and the Antiochian See."