On Sunday, May 31, 1998 a much beloved priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Fr. Dimitrios Couchell, was consecrated a bishop. Archbishop Spyridon of America presided at the consecration in St. George's Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia. He was assisted by Metropolitan Silas (retired hierarch of New Jersey), Metropolitan Paisios of Tyanon, Bishop Philotheos of Meloa, Bishop Vikentios of Apameia, and other clergy.

The official Church title given to the newly ordained hierarch by the Ecumenical Patriarchate is Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos. The new bishop enjoyed a distinguished career of service in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America prior to his consecration.

During the immediate thirteen years before his elevation, Fr. Dimitrios served brilliantly as the first Executive Director of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), formerly the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Mission Center, located in St. Augustine, Florida. He oversaw a program along with a 45-member Board of Missions representing all the jurisdictions of SCOBA, that developed into a world-wide mission outreach of the Orthodox Church, with ministries in over 20 countries. Simultaneously His Grace edited a comprehensive "Mission Newsletter" which kept readers and supporters thoroughly informed of every activity of the OCMC.

Under Father Dimitrios' stewardship, the Mission Center received generous and widespread support from various Orthodox jurisdictions under SCOBA. The annual budget exceeded one million dollars. Hundreds of young and older adults joined the popular short-term "Summer Mission Teams" begun in 1987, while long-term missionaries served in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Slovakia, Albania, Haiti, Mexico and the USA. The mission program continues to expand and bring new enthusiasm and converts as Orthodoxy spreads over the globe.

Previous areas of noteworthy service of the new bishop include the following: Executive Director of the Campus Commission of SCOBA (seven years); Executive Director of the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine (seventeen years); Editor of "CONCERN" magazine (six years) and the "Orthodox Observer" (ten years); President for three years of SYNDESMOS, the worldwide Orthodox youth organization; Secretary of the Orthodox Theological Society of America; TV host of a weekly program for the New York City Council of Churches; and delegate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese at numerous national and international conferences.

As His Grace prepares to undertake his new duties as Bishop of Xanthos, he leaves behind a healthy and vibrant Mission Center, which has touched all corners of the earth for Orthodoxy. Those of us who have worked closely with Father Dimitrios in the Church's missions proclaim him a most worthy clergyman to be elevated to the rank of Hierarch. AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS! We believe that he will continue his service for the Gospel in the same competent manner that has marked all his previous assignments.

Remarks from Bishop Dimitrios on the weekend of his consecration:

"I express my respect and thanks to His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon...to the Ecumenical Patriarchate...To His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos, who was my mentor and spiritual father for 33 years...to Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos, who served as an inspirational role model...to Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, classmate and steadfast friend...to the hundreds who have served as missionaries...to the dedicated staff in St. Augustine...to Father Alexander Veronis, our pioneer in Orthodox missions, and to Father John Chakos, President of the OCMC...to all the clergy present...to the entire St. George Cathedral family for their generosity and hospitality...to the late Father James Christon, who was the priest whose example led me to enroll at Holy Cross...to my four grandparents of blessed memory...to my wonderful and faithful mother, my sister and brother and dozens of relatives...I offer myself with humble heart, praying that the Holy Spirit will heal that which is infirm in me and complete that which is missing, illuminating my mind, fortifying my soul and directing my footsteps in the fulfillment of the holy duties of the episcopacy."