An official announcement on the Facebook page of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople states that Archbishop Demetrios of America has finally submitted his resignation to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The Patriarch had sought the resignation for many years, however the embattled Archbishop pf America had been reluctant to offer it despite numerous scandals within the church.

Archbishop Demetrios had taken over as head of the American Church in 1999 following the three-year leadership of Archbishop Spyridon.

READ MORE: What is next for the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia?

The Holy Synod from 9-11 May will look at the leadership of the churches in America, Great Britain and Australia following the resignation of Archbishop Gregorious, 90, from the head of the Archdiocese of Great Britain and Thyatiron and the death of Archbishop  Stylianos of Australia.

The official announcement states:

It is hereby announced that today Saturday, May 4, 2019, His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch received His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America, who apprised Him on various affairs of his God-saved Eparchy.

Thereafter, His Eminence, the Archbishop submitted his written resignation from the throne of the Holy Archdiocese of America, which he shepherded with God-loving care for twenty years, and which the Patriarch will bring for consideration before the Holy and Sacred Synod in its upcoming meeting of next Thursday, May 9.

READ MORE: Game of Thrones for the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia 

Παραίτησις Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής ΔημητρίουΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΘΕΝ Διά τοῦ παρόντος ἀνακοινοῦται ὅτι σήμερον, Σάββατον, 4ην…

Posted by Ecumenical Patriarchate on Saturday, 4 May 2019