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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 Islands, 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

Growth and Missionary Work

In New Zealand (2005–2018), under Metropolitan Amphilochios, two new parishes were organised and one monastery established:

  • St Nicholas, New Plymouth (founded December 2006),

  • St Demetrios, Hastings (opened 2008), and

  • the Monastery of the Holy Archangels, Levin (opened 1 May 2010).

During this period His Eminence also ordained numerous clergy and tonsured several monastics and strengthened parish life throughout the country.

 

In the Pacific Islands (c. 2009–2018), missionary activity brought forth:

  • Five churches,

  • the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Saweni, Fiji),

  • the St Tabitha Orphanage and Safe Home (Lautoka, Fiji, opened 2015),

  • the ordination of indigenous clergy (four Fijian priests), and

  • the clothing and tonsuring of monastics, including the appointment of the first Fijian abbess.

Through these efforts, the mission led to the baptism of hundreds and the establishment of mission centres, church purchases, and land acquisitions across the islands and the Metropolis’ mission in Oceania took deep root.

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

 

✝ Fr. Varnavas Nair , ✝ Fr. Panagiotis Singh,  ✝ Fr. George Kanellis