In a letter dated July 3, 2014, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America congratulated His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph on his election as head of the Antiochian Archdiocese.
His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocse of N. America
P.O. Box 5238
Englewood, NJ 07631-5238
Your Eminence and Beloved Brother in Christ, Metropolitan Joseph,
I greet you in the grace and peace of the Lord and I congratulate you upon hearing the joyous news of the election by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Antioch of Your Eminence as the Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.
More than three months have passed since the faithful of the Antiochian Church in America were saddened by the great loss of the falling asleep in the Lord of their spiritual leader, Metropolitan Philip. Today, I believe that this precious flock rejoices as they receive the announcement of your election. I am most confident that through the God-given gifts and natural talents that Your Eminence possesses you will continue to shepherd these holy people of God for years to come.
Moreover, as the presiding hierarch of the Church of Antioch in the United States, Your Eminence also serves as the First Vice-Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. I very much look forward to increasing the work of our Assembly through close cooperation with you and the rest of the member hierarchs.
Your Eminence, please allow me to extend to you, once again, my heartfelt fraternal congratulations on your election. It is my prayer that you will continue to serve the Church with the sacrificial love of Christ, as you have done for so many years as a dedicated and faith filled hierarch of the Church. I very much look forward to the day of your enthronement, where I will be able to proclaim, along with the rest of the Church: AXIOS!
Your brother and concelebrant in Christ,
+ Demetrios
Archbishop of America