Nekresi, Georgia, September 20, 2021
Photo: wikimedia.org His Eminence Metropolitan Sergi of Nekresi, 62, of the Georgian Orthodox Church has reposed in the Lord. He served the Church in the episcopal dignity for 29 years.
The Metropolitan’s health was complicated by a COVID infection. He was treated in the hospital for several days before his repose, reports the press service of the Georgian Church.
“We express great heartache and sadness over the death of Metropolitan Sergi,” the press service writes.
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Met. Sergi was born on April 13, 1959 in Tbilisi. He became seriously interested in the Orthodox faith while in college. In 1985, he began studies at the Moscow Theological Seminary, and on April 13, 1987, he was tonsured a monk with the name Sergi. He was ordained a hierodeacon soon after, and the next year as a hieromonk.
He was later appointed abbot of Sapara Monastery, where he worked hard to revive faith and knowledge. He was elevated to the rank of archimandrite in 1991, and on December 21, 1992, he was elected Bishop of Akhaltsikhe and Samtskhe-Javakheti. He was consecrated on December 25. That same year he was appointed rector of St. Grigol Khandzteli Seminary in Akhaltsikhe.
In 1996, he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop, and in November 1997, he was transferred to the Diocese of Nekresi—one of the oldest in the Georgian Church. On November 28, 2000, he was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan.
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