Kitros, Pydna-Kolindros, Greece, June 10, 2024
Photo: Romfea
A retired hierarch of the Patriarchate of Constantinople reposed in the Lord this morning.
“The bells of the churches in Katerini tolled mournfully on Monday, June 10 at 7:30 in the morning, announcing the passing of the late Metropolitan Elder Agathonikos, formerly of Kitros, who peacefully took his last breath early that same morning,” reports the Orthodoxia News Agency.
The Metropolitan, who was being cared for at the Metropolitan center in Katerini, reposed after a long illness at the age of 86.
The flags at the Metropolitan administration and churches and monasteries throughout the Metropolis are flying at half-mast. The Metropolis of Kitros is officially a diocese of the Patriarchate of Constantinople but administered as a part of the Church of Greece.
His body will be placed in the Holy Ascension Cathedral in Katerini starting this afternoon.
May his memory be eternal!
***
Met. Agathonikos was born in Agios in 1937. He graduated from the Theological School of the University of Athens.
In 1960, he was tonsured a monk at St. Varlaam Monastery in Meteora, ordained a deacon, and appointed as a preacher. In 1964, he was transferred to the Metropolis of Gortynos and ordained to the priesthood and received the title of archimandrite.
In the coming years, he served in various ecclesiastical schools and as the director of the Youth and Preachers Department for the Archdiocese of Athens. He was also the vice president of the St. Andrew Orphanage in Nea Smyrni.
He later served the Greek community in Iraq.
In 1985, he was elected Metropolitan of Kitros, Katerini, and Platamon, where he served for 28 years, carrying out rich spiritual, charitable, and social work, including the beautification of the cathedral in Katerini and many other churches.
He founded a library for the Metropolis and ordained 100 clerics, ensuring their spiritual and ecclesiastical training.
During his tenure, 27 churches were built and 40 were consecrated. At his prompting, 32 spiritual centers were built, serving both the pastoral and charitable needs of the Metropolis. He also renovated the ecclesiastical nursing home and founded a daily meals program. A free clothing store was also established.
He is also known as the reviver of monasticism in the Metropolis of Kitros, with the reopening of old monasteries and the establishment of new ones.
In 2013, the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece relieved him of his duties due to irreparable health issues.
He patiently and silently endured the trial of his long illness.
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