Saint Augustine, Florida, February 20, 2026
Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
Metropolitan Dimitrios of Xanthos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America reposed in the Lord yesterday, February 19, GOARCH reports.
Upon hearing the news, Archbishop Elpidophoros served a trisagion for the repose of his soul. Reflecting on the hierarch’s ministry, he said:
Our beloved Metropolitan Dimitrios served our Church in America with unwavering love, deep devotion, and heartfelt zeal. He guided our Church forward—strengthening our youth, advancing our missions, and fostering ecumenical outreach. May his memory be eternal, and may we faithfully continue along the path he so thoughtfully set before us.
Met. Dimitrios’ funeral will be held on February 26 at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity in St. Augustine, Florida.
May his memory be eternal!
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Biography from the Orthodox Observer:
Met. Dimitrios (Couchell) of Xanthos was born on February 17,1938, and graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1963. After continuing studies at Yale Divinity School, he became a part of the Archdiocese staff under Archbishop Iakovos.
He left behind many blessed and great ministries that will survive him for centuries to come, all for the glory of God. He was the founder of Orthodox Christian Fellowship campus ministry, founding editor of the Orthodox Observer, founding Director of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center and founding Executive Director of St. Photios National Shrine.
In 1977, he was elected to serve as President of Syndesmos, an Orthodox youth movement, which was headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, concluding in 1980 with the first World Orthodox Youth Festival, hosted by the Orthodox Monastery in Valamo, Finland. Today the Syndesmos legacy is continued and revived through SUPRASL: A World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth, held in the historic Monastery of the Annunciation in eastern Poland.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 1983, elevated to the rank of archimandrite in 1985, and consecrated to the episcopacy in 1988.
Met. Dimitrios also assumed the following roles and responsibilities: Foreign Mission efforts of the Archdiocese, Ecumenical Officer responsible for the Inter-Orthodox, Inter-Christian and Inter-faith relations of the Archdiocese, General Secretary of SCOBA while serving on the Executive Committee of the NCC, and various committees of the WCC, and was on the Board of the New York City Council of Churches.
Met. Dimitrios continued to be a presence and active member in Saint Augustine, FL following his retirement in 2007, where he has a standing exhibit in the creed room at the Shrine Museum. This dedication is a testament to his time at St. Photios National Shrine, beginning when he was elected as Executive Director in 1981.
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