Evangelos Kourounis
Evangelos | |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan of New Jersey | |
.jpg) Evangelos in 2013 | |
| Archdiocese | Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America |
| Elected | April 12, 2003 |
| Installed | May 16, 2003 |
| Term ended | October 8, 2020 |
| Predecessor | George (Papaioannou) |
| Successor | Apostolos (Koufallakis) |
| Other post(s) | Metropolitan of Sardis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 20, 1961 |
| Denomination | Eastern Orthodox |
| Alma mater | Hellenic College Holy Cross University of Geneva |
Metropolitan Evangelos Korounis, (Greek: Ευάγγελος Κορούνης; born September 20, 1961) is a Greek Orthodox bishop and former metropolitan of New Jersey until his dethronement in 2020.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Kournis was born to John and Magdalene and two brothers in 1961 in New York City. In 1983 he graduated from the Hellenic College in Boston, and in 1986 he obtained a Masters in Divinity from the same university. From 1987 to 1988 he lived in Geneva, Switzerland when he was ordained into the deaconate in February 1, 1987. While in Switzerland he also served as deacon to Archbishop Iakovos in a variety of roles, and also obtained a Certificate of Ecumenical Studies from the University of Geneva.[1] On July 30, 1989, he was ordained into the priesthood and relocated to Astoria, New York in order to serve as assistant priest to the Dean of St. Demetrios Cathedral. While in New Jersey he served a variety of administrative and assistant roles across various positions, such as Director of the Registry and Chancellor of the Diocese of New Jersey, and President of the Spiritual Court for the Archdiocesan District.[2]
Metropolitan
[edit]On April 12, 2003 he was elected as Metropolitan of New Jersey and enthroned on May 16, 2003. The position had been vacant since the sudden passing of its previous bishop, George Papaioannou, in 1999.[3]
In October 2013 he was involved in a dispute with the Albanian Orthodox Dicoese when a priest, Jose Rafael Melendez, claimed to have established a chapel in Red Bank, New Jersey with approval from Bishop Ilia. Evangelos issued an encyclical stating that the chapel was improperly established and urged parishioners and clergy not to attend its services. On November 14, 2017, Melendez sued Evangelos and the New Jersey Diocese for defamation. The case was ruled in favor of Evangelos in December 13, 2017 when the lawsuit was dismissed.[4]
Metropolitan Evangelos was dethroned from his position in October 8, 2020 and the Diocese was suspended by Archbishop Elpidophoros, allegedly to absorb the New Jersey Diocese into the Archdiocesan District. However, this was never fulfilled as the suspension was lifted in 2022 by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the diocese was restored. Evangelos was instead moved to the position of Metropolis of Sardis, a titular and much smaller position.[5] In 2023, he was appointed member of the Holy Synod of the Phanar for a one year term, starting in March of that year.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Kalmoukos, Theodore (19 January 2023). "Metropolitan Evangelos of Sardis Appointed to Holy Synod of the Phanar - Orthodox Christian Laity". ocl.org. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ "Ordination of Metropolitan - Elect Evangelos Kourounis Saturday, May 10 at Holy Trinity Cathedral - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America - Orthodox Church". Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ Services, Tribune News (16 May 2003). "Greek Orthodox bishop installed". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ Melendez v. Kourounis, A-0744-16T1 (Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division) ("The Superior Court of New Jersey granted summary judgment in favor of Kourounis and the Metropolis, dismissing Melendez's complaint.").
- ^ Zachariadi, Eirini (22 September 2023). "Former and Current Metropolitan Evangelos and Apostlos of New Jersey at the Synod of the Phanar". The National Herald. Retrieved 20 February 2025.