About Us
About the Holy Metropolis of New Zealand (Fiji Tonga and Samoa)
Brief History
The Holy Metropolis of New Zealand was established by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1970, being detached from the then Holy Archdiocese of Australia. At its erection, the new Metropolis was entrusted not only with New Zealand but also with missionary responsibility in parts of Asia and Oceania that were later organised as separate jurisdictions: the Metropolis of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia (1996), the Metropolis of Singapore and South Asia (2008), while Korea—temporarily under New Zealand from 1970—was elevated to a Metropolis in 2004.
Hierarchs
His Eminence Metropolitan Dionysios (Psiahas), the first Metropolitan of New Zealand (1970–2003), bearing the title Exarch of India, Korea, and Japan.
His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph (Harkiolakis) (2003–2005), later elected Metropolitan of Proikonnisos (2008).
His Eminence Metropolitan Amphilochios (Tsoukos) (2005–2018), currently holding the titular title of Metropolitan of Ganos and Chora and All the Thracian Coast.
His Eminence Metropolitan Myron (Ktistakis) (2018–present), Metropolitan of New Zealand and Exarch of Oceania, enthroned at the Annunciation of the Theotokos Cathedral, Wellington, on 22 September 2018.
About Us
Territory today
The Metropolis comprises New Zealand and the island nations of the Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa in the South Pacific.
The See is in Wellington;
the Annunciation of the Theotokos Cathedral stands at 3 Hania Street (City),
the Metropolis Chancery is at 365 Broadway, Miramar, Wellington 6022.
Holy Metropolis
Contemporary Growth and Missionary Work
From its establishment in 1970, the Holy Metropolis of New Zealand carried a missionary responsibility extending far beyond its immediate territory. Under its first Metropolitan, Dionysios (1970–2003), the Metropolis played an important role in the development of Orthodox communities throughout Asia, particularly in Korea, contributing to the foundations of what would later become separate Orthodox Metropolises.
A new chapter began under Metropolitan Amphilochios (2005–2018). In New Zealand, two new parishes were established — St Nicholas in New Plymouth (2006) and St Demetrios in Hastings (2008) — while the Holy Monastery of the Archangels in Levin, founded in 2009, became both a centre of monastic life and a base for missionary activities
With the blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2006, organised missionary work began in Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa in 2009. Through Metropolitan Amphilochios’s tireless pastoral journeys, churches and mission centres were established, hundreds received Holy Baptism, and indigenous clergy were ordained to serve their own communities. The founding of the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Fiji, the formation of indigenous monastics, and the establishment of St Tabitha Children’s Home in 2015 further strengthened the spiritual and charitable life of the Mission.
Today, under Metropolitan Myron, the Holy Metropolis continues this apostolic work, strengthening parish life in New Zealand while nurturing the growing Orthodox communities throughout the Pacific Islands. Through the establishment of new Mission Centres, the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, education, pastoral care, and philanthropia — the practical expression of Christian love and mercy — the Church continues to take root and flourish among the peoples it serves.
Holy Metropolis
Administration
Metropolitan:
His Eminence Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand, Exarch of Oceania.
Archdiocesan Vicar of New Zealand:
V. Rev. Protopresbyter Amphilochios Vassiltsotelis
Archdiocesan Vicar of Pacific:
Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Meletios Pantic
Religious Trust:
President: Metropolitan Myron;
Members: Protoprebyter Amphilochios Vassiltsotelis, Archim. Meletios Pantic, Mrs Stella Barres and Mrs Charlotte Economou
Property Trust:
President, Metropolitan Myron;
Members: Mr Jim Barres, Mrs Anna Gougoula Matsis and Mrs Neove Economou
Management/ Address :
Holy Metropolis of New Zealand 365 Broadway, Miramar, 6022 Wellington, NZ
Telephone number: +64 4 388 8824
E-mail: info@imnz.nz
our Priests
Directory of Priests
- Presbyter Fr. Alexios Nand
Phone: (+679) 9457846 - Protopresbyter Fr. Amphilochios Vasiltsotelis
Phone: (+64) 2 1063 0468
Email: amphilochio@yahoo.gr - Presbyter Fr. Andronicos Erasmus
Phone:(+64) 6 368 9310
Email: andronicus.erasmus@gmail.com - Presbyter Fr. Cristian Alincai Phone: (+64) 803 317
- Economos Fr. George Pillay
Phone:(+679) 905 1621,
- Archimandrite Fr. Ioakim Raptopoulos
Phone: (+64) 2 7713 7813,
Address: 304 McLean st., St Leonards, Hastings 4120
- Archimandrite Fr. Meletios Pantic
Phone: (+64) 6 367 2555
Email: taxiarhis@xtra.co.nz - Archimandrite Fr. Michael McDonald
Phone: (+64) 2 7528 7878
Email:frmichaelnz@hotmail.com - Presbyter Fr. Michael Ruskin
Phone: (+64) 027 482 9509
Email: ruskinm@xtra.co.nz - Hieromonk Fr. Nathanael Karofylakis
Phone: (+64) 21970480
Email: frnathanael@imnz.nz - Presbyter Fr. Timothy Triantafyllou
Phone: (+679)
Email:
✝ Fr. Βartholomew Senibulu, ✝ Fr. Varnavas Nair, ✝ Fr. Panagiotis Singh, ✝ Fr. George Kanellis