Thessaloniki, October 23, 2023
Photo: Romfea
Metropolitan Dimitrios of Metra and Athyras of the Patriarchate of Constantinople reposed in the Lord yesterday.
He passed away in a Thessaloniki hospital following a brief illness, having served as a hierarch for 43 years, reports Romfea.
His funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at the Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Thessaloniki. He will then be buried the clerics; cemetery of the Resurrection of the Lord Cemetery in Thessaloniki.
May Met. Dimitrios’ memory be eternal!
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Met. Dimitrios was born on March 3, 1939, in Ossa, Thessaloniki.
He was ordained to the diaconate in 1961 and served for 8 years at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Gregory Palamas in Thessaloniki. As a deacon, he organized catechetical schools in Lagadas, established the Youth Spiritual Center, and ran the student boarding school in the same city.
In 1969, he graduated from the Theological School of the University of Thessaloniki and, with a scholarship from the French state, went on to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Strasbourg.
In July 1970, he was ordained to the priesthood. During his studies, he served in the parish of Strasbourg and in the nearby cities of the Metropolis of Germany.
In 1974, he was appointed as the Hierarchical Commissioner of Bavaria in Munich, where he made a significant contribution, especially with youth. Realizing that the children are the future of the Church in the diaspora, he founded the first spiritual center of the Metropolis of Germay in Munich, and under his supervision, for two years, EU-funded study programs were implemented in collaboration with the Holy Metropolis of Germany.
On November 9, 1980, he was consecrated Bishop of Therma in the Cathedral of Bonn.
He worked zealously and was recognized by the president of Greece when on a visit to Munich. He was also the inspiration behind a great and pioneering social work in the city of Thessaloniki: he founded, built, and operated the first Greek Children’s Village of Northern Greece, where orphaned, abandoned, or children from families with difficulties and problems found care and love.
On August 31, 2020, he was elected Metropolitan of Myra and Athyra in recognition of his many years of comprehensive ministry.
Met. Dimitrios lived his earthly life with simplicity and humility, discreetly helping others in various ways. His passing was in keeping with his quiet life.
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