Alexandria, October 9, 2025
St. Silvester (left) and St. Chrysostomos (right). Photo: Romfea
The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria canonized two new saints during its second day of meetings in Alexandria yesterday under the presidency of Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa.
The newly canonized are St. Silvester, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, and St. Chrysostomos (Papasarantopoulos), reports the Orthodoxia News Agency.
St. Silvester, who served as Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria from 1569 to 1590, was originally from Crete. During his patriarchate, the Church of Alexandria experienced a period of flourishing.
St. Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos (1903-1972) was from Vasilítsi in Messenia and was one of the pioneers of missionary work in Africa. He founded the Orthodox mission in Congo, with his work spanning Kolwezi, Kasenga, Kananga, and Kinshasa. For ten years prior, he preached in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, where he built churches and converted souls. At an advanced age, he left the comfort of Athens and traveled alone with declining health to evangelize indigenous African communities, working without financial resources and relying solely on his faith in God and love for people.
During the Synodal session, Patriarchate hierarchs presented reports on both saints. Metropolitan Makarios of Nairobi presented on “The Life and Work of Our Father Among the Saints, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria Silvester,” while Metropolitan Theodosios of Kinshasa presented on “The Life and Missionary Work of Our Venerable and God-bearing Father Chrysostomos (Papasarantopoulos).”
Metropolitan Kyrillos of Rhodes composed the liturgical services for both new saints at the direction of Pat. Theodoros. The service for St. Silvester can be found here, and the service for St. Chrysostomos here (both in Greek).
The hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Alexandria co-signed the acts of canonization together with the Patriarch.
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