Ioannina, Greece, June 30, 2025
Photo: orthodoxalbania.org His Eminence Metropolitan Dimitrios of Gjirokastër reposed in the Lord on Friday, June 28, at the age of 85.
The Metropolitan had been hospitalized at the University General Hospital of Ioannina due to a respiratory infection and endocarditis. Despite the doctors’ efforts, he was unable to overcome the illness and reposed as a result of multi-organ failure, reports the Albanian Church.
He began his ecclesiastical career as a monk of St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mt. Sinai and later served the Church for 19 years as a hierarch.
His funeral will be served tomorrow at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Gjirokastër.
May Met. Dimitrios’ memory be eternal!
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Met. Dimitrios was born in Serres, Greece, in September 1940. He completed his studies at the Faculty of Theology of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
His life was characterized by complete devotion to the Church. He was a member of the monastic brotherhood of the Holy Monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai, where he became a monk in 1974. In this monastery, he worked in the field of paleography and the systematization of ancient manuscripts, which constitute one of the most renowned treasures of this monastery.
He joined the missionary activity of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania from its first steps, after the arrival of Archbishop Anastasios in August 1991. From the autumn of 1994 he served as Protosyncellus of the Metropolis of Gjirokastër.
His election to the throne of the Metropolis of Gjirokastër took place on November 11, 2006. He was consecrated bishop on November 16, 2006, at the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Tirana, while his enthronement ceremony was held on November 26, 2006, in Gjirokastër, at the Holy Church of the Archangels.
During his ministry as Metropolitan, His Eminence made an important contribution to the revival of the Orthodox Church in southern Albania. With unwavering zeal and great love, he spiritually led his flock for 19 years, building churches, developing catechesis and philanthropic activities, and strengthening the spiritual life of the faithful.
He was distinguished for his deep knowledge of Orthodox Tradition and his Biblical formation, being a reliable support for the flock of his diocese. He served with dedication for many years as Deputy Chairman of the Breath of Love Educational Foundation established by the late Archbishop Anastasios, contributing substantially to the development and advancement of Orthodox education.
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