The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has imposed canonical penalties on an inactive bishop residing in the United States and a deacon of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, following its regular session on Tuesday, 10 February 2026.
The Synod convened under the presidency of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, during which a number of agenda matters were examined and corresponding decisions reached.
Among the cases reviewed were those of Bishop Emilianos of Meloa, who currently resides in the United States, and Deacon Christos Karafotias, a cleric of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. The Synod determined that both had committed canonical offences.
No further details regarding the nature of the offences were included in the official announcement. In a statement on social media, Deacon Christos confirmed he had joined the ranks of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), which is under the Moscow Patriarchate.
As a result, the Bishop of Meloa has been suspended from all sacred duties for a period of six months.
In the case of Deacon Christos, the Synod imposed the penalty of dismissal from his highest clerical office, returning him to the lay order.
Source: Orthodox Times
*This story has been updated
