Metropolitan

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A Metropolitan (Greek Μητροπολίτης), in the Greek Orthodox Church, is usually a senior bishop who is head over an important diocese e.g. Attica, Patra, Piraeus, Thessaloniki, etc.

The title is derived from the Greek words μήτηρ (mother) and πόλις (city) as the metropolitan is "as a mother to his city".

A metropolitan in the Orthodox church is elected by a synod of bishops in his local area. He serves for life unless he resigns for grave illness or other reasons or is removed.