Athens, Greece, September 10, 2021
Fr. Chrysostomos is second from the right. Photo: piraeuspress.gr
The faithful of Paros, Greece, and beyond were sad to learn of the passing of Archimandrite Chrysostomos (Pichos) last night after a long battle with COVID.
Fr. Chrysostomos, who served as abbot of the Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring in Paros for 20 years, breathed his last in the ICU of Evangelismos Hospital in Athens, reports parianostypos.gr.
The monastery was revived largely by the efforts of Fr. Chrysostomos, who was entrusted with its care by Elder Gregory of Dochariou Monastery of Mt. Athos, thus fulfilling the prophecy of the former abbot Elder Philotheos (Zervakos), who said that the monastery would be left to the blessed Metropolitan Augustinos (Kantiotis) of Florina, who was the spiritual father of Fr. Chrysostomos, according to a leaflet distributed by the monastery.
Elder Chrysostomos was the abbot to thousands and characterized by modesty, humility, and asceticism, despite the many health problems he faced for years.
“He preached the word of God with a fiery theological discourse, consistent and steadfast, but at the same time, very loving and compassionate,” writes Naxos Press.
In 2017, the abbot formally submitted to the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church a detailed accusation of heresy against Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. In his letter the abbot asked the Holy Synod to recognize as contrary to the Orthodox faith and condemn a series of twelve heterodox teachings from Constantinople outlined in the letter.
His funeral will take place tomorrow at noon, followed by his burial at the monastery.
May his memory be eternal!
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