At NCCK’s 65th regular general assembly, opened on November 28 in Mapo-gu, Seoul, at St. Nicholas Cathedral of the Orthodox Metropolis of Korea (Korean Orthodox Church), Metropolitan of Korea Jo Seong-am (55) of the Korean Orthodox Church became the new NCCK moderator. The position is held in turn by each member denomination of NCCK.
The original name of new Moderator Jo, who was born in Greece, is Ambrosios Aristotle Zographos. He received a master’s degree in theology with a major in patristics at True Cross Seminary of the Greek Orthodox Church in Boston, USA, and a master’s degree in art history from Princeton Theological Seminary. Dispatched to Korea on December 23, 1998, he began his pastoral activities with the Korean Orthodox Church, and subsequently became head priest of the denomination’s St. Nicholas Cathedral. In 2008, by the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, he was elected Metropolitan of Korea, the leader of the Orthodox Metropolis of Korea. Currently Jo also works as a professor in the department of Greek language at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.
“Korean denominations have gradually increased in number over time, and many Christians don’t seem much concerned about the severity of the divisions,” new Moderator Jo said. “Christ commanded, ‘You must become one.’ I will do my best, through dialogue, to promote harmony and progress among the Korean churches.”
Reporter Lee Saya (Isaiah@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Photo by senior reporter Kang Min Seok
Full Story in Korean:
NCCK 사상 첫 외국인 회장 조성암 대주교: 그리스 출신 정교회 대주교… 총무 정년 65세→ 70세로 적용은 다음 총무부터
