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BIOGRAPHIES OF ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS 1. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF MEMPHIS His Eminence Paul Lyngris Elder Archbishop of Memphis was born in 1920 in Kafr-el-Zayat in Egypt. He is a graduate of the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens. He was ordained a deacon in 1940 and a priest in 1952. He served as parish priest and as Vicar General in Harare, Zimbabwe during the years 1954 – 1968. In 1968 he was elected Archbishop of Johannesburg and Pretoria. He organized his Archdiocese, building holy churches and he developed noteworthy religious, social and philanthfopic works. After the passing of Pope and Patriarch Parthenios he was elected as Deputy (Vicar) of the throne. Apart from Greek he speaks Arabic, English and French. 2. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF LEONTOPOLIS His Eminence Dionysios Archbishop of Leontopolis, known in the world as Ioannis Hatzivasiliou, was born in Alexandria in 1929. He holds a degree from the Theological School of Halkis, and received post-graduate education in Paris and Geneva. Apart from Greek he speaks English, French, Russian and Arabic. He has served as chief secretary of the Partriarchate. In 1968 he was elected Bishop of Heliopolis and served as Patriarchal Vicar in Cairo for 6 years. In 1974 he was elected Archbishop of Memphis, and in 1988 he was placed in the Archdiocese of Nouvia and in 1997 in the Archdiocese of Leontopolis. He represents the throne at various congresses and Theological Dialogues. He served in Egypt and Sudan as a teacher in High Schools and Lyceums as well as at the Higher College of Tourism in Cairo. 3. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF AXUM His Eminence Petros, Archbishop of Axum, known in the world as George Giakoumelos, was born in Zakynthos in 1932. He studied at the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens. He was ordained a Deacon in 1955 and a Priest in 1956. In 1965 he studied Sociology at the Sorbonne and Catechism–Pastoral Theology in Paris. He served as Archdeacon, Preacher and Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese of Elasson, as Superior of Holy Churches in England and France and as Great Chancellor of the Throne. In 1972 he was elected Archbishop of Axum. He was appointed to and served as Patriarchal Exarch in the Holy Archdiocese of Kenya and Irenoupolis in 1996 and 1997. He speaks French, English and Italian. 4. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF KENYA His Eminence Makarios Archbishop of Kenya (known in the world as Andreas Tyliirides), was born in Limassol in Cyprus. He studied Theology at the Orthodox Theological Institute of St. Sergius in Paris from where he graduated in 1972. During his studies in Paris he also studied Byzantology at the College de France and at the Ecolle Pratique des Hautes Etudes. These were followed by post-graduate studies in Church History at Oxford University. He received his Doctorate degree in Philosophy in 1976 from the same University. In January 1997, following the desire of Archbishop Makarios III of Cyprus of blessed memory, he arrived in Kenya where he gave himself to the preparation for the operation of the Seminary, being appointed at the same time as its Director. Between the years of 1978 – 1981he attended post-doctoral studies in History and religions and Church History at the Louvain-la-Neuve in Belgium on scholarship. In 1982 he returned to serve in Kenya. IN July 1992 he was ordained Deacon, Priest and Bishop with the title of Rirouta. He served also as Director of the Patriarchal Library. He was elected Archbishop of Zimbabwe on 13th January 1998 and in February of 2001 he was placed at the Archdiocese of Kenya. 5. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF KAMPALA AND ALL UGANDA His Eminence Jonah, Archbishop of Kampala and All Uganda was born in 1945 in Degeya. He completed his general education in Bulemezi and Kyaddondo, Uganda (1952-1964). He studied at the Ecclesiastical School of Crete (1964-1968). He holds a degree in Theology and Philosophy from the University of Athens (1968-1978). He was ordained a Deacon in 1981, Priest in 1982. On 27th January 1992 he was ordained Bishop of Bukoba. On 12th May 1997 he was elected by the Holy Synod as Archbishop of Kampala and All Uganda. 6. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF JOHANNESBURG AND PRETORIA His Eminence Seraphim Archbishop of Johannesburg and Pretoria, (known in the world as George Philip Iakovou), was born in Galataria, Paphos on 2nd February 1961. In 1963 he entered the Holy Monastery of Kykkos as a novice, graduated as an A’ student from the Lyceum of Kykkos and then also from the Theological Faculty of the National Kapodistrias University of Athens. In 1983 he was ordained as Hierodeacon and in 1991 as Priest, given the rank of Archimandrite from His Beatitude Chrysostomos Archbishop of New Justinian and All Cyprus. During the years of 1988-1993, and on scholarship from the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus and the Holy Monastery of Kykkos he studied Patristics at the Universities of Oxford and Durham in Great Britain. He was as a member of the Central Executive Committee of the International Organization of Orthodox Youth, SYNDESMOS, and served as a Parish Priest in the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, the Holy Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain and as Vicar General of the Holy Archdiocese of Kenya and Irenopolis being elected as its Archbishop on September 23rd 1997. He was ordained Bishop on 28th September 1997 by His Beatitude Petros VII, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa and was enthroned by him on 16th November 1997. During the years of 1997 – 2001, by order of His Beatitude Petros VII, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, apart from his pastoral duties as Archbishop of Kenya and Irenopolis, he served as Director of the Archbishop Makarios III of Cyprus Patriarchal Seminary in Nairobi, Patriarchal Vicar of the Holy Archdiocese of Dar Es Salaam and of the Diocese of Bukoba. On the 22nd February 2001, during the meeting of the annual Synod of our Patriarchate and after the early passing of Archbishop Ioannis of blessed memory, and suggested by His Beatitude Petros VII Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, he was unanimously elected by the members of the Holy Synod as the new Archbishop of Johannesburg and Pretoria. He was enthroned on 18th March 2001. His name day is on 2n January, the Feast Day of St Seraphim of Sarov. He is a member of the Trustees of the Archbishop Makarios III of Cyprus Patriarchal Seminary in Nairobi, a member of the Executive Administration Committee of the Holy Archdiocese of Kenya and Irenopolis and a member of the Synodal Committees on Ecclesiastical Periodicals, on Missionary Matters and on Inter-Christian Issues and Dialogues with the Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Islam. He is the General Director of the new Missionary Ecclesiastical School “Catechetical School of Alexandria”, and President of the local Non-Governmental Organization “Alexandrian Lighthouse”. 7. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF NIGERIA His Eminence Alexandros, Metropolitan of Nigeria (known in the world as George Gianniris) was born in Athens in 1960. He is a graduate of the Faculty of Pastoral and Social Theology of the University of Thessalonica. He was enrolled in the clergy of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and ordained Deacon on 1st October 1988 and Priest on 2nd October 1988. From the time of his ordination he served in the Holy Archdiocese of Johannesburg and Pretoria as Superior of the Patriarchal Church of the Holy Unmercenaries and as secretary of the Archdiocese. He issued the bilingual magazine Orthodox Approach and was responsible for the radio programmes of the Archdiocese. He was a member of the South African Institute of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies. In April 1997, he was appointed Director of the Private Patriarchal Office. He was elected Bishop of Nigeria on 23rd September 1997, and was consecrated by His Beatitude on 24th November 1997. On October 27, 2004 he was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan. 8. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF TRIPOLIS His Eminence Theophylaktos Metropolitan of Tripoli, was born Konstantinos Tzoumerkas in 1945 in Exohi, Nea Pieria, where he completed his schooling. From a young age he entered the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedion as a monk. He studied at the renowned Athonite Ecclesiastical School and worked as Chief Secretary and librarian of his Holy Monastery. He holds a degree from the Theological Faculty of the Aristotelian University and is also a teacher. He was ordained as a deacon in 1966 and Priest in 1969. He served in the Holy Archdioceses of Veria and Naousa, Larisa and Rhodes. In 1991 he was seconded to the Holy Archdiocese of Carthage in Tripoli, Libya, where he served as dean of the Cathedral of St George in Tripoli and Head of the High School there, showing great work in the Hellenic Centre of Greek Language learning which was established under his initiative in Tripoli, for children of mixed marriages and for Libyans and others who wished to learn the Greek Language. Through his efforts and the contribution of the Hellenic-Cypriot Company J&P (Joannou & Paraskevaidis), the Church of the Saint was totally renovated, as was the Metropolitan Residence, the home of the Parish Priest and the Greek School. In 1999 he was elected Bishop of Babylon (Old Cairo) by the Holy Synod, and he undertook the responsibility of the Holy Patriarchal Church of St George in Old Cairo, which he renovated extensively, as well as the Orthodox cemetery therein. He was unanimously elected as Metropolitan of Tripoli by the Holy Synod on 27th October 2004 following the proposal of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. 9. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE His Eminence Sergios Archbishop of the Cape of Good Hope was born in 1967 in Kaminaria, Marathasa (Myrianthousa) in Cyprus. Following the completion of his high school studies he entered the ranks of the Brotherhood of the Holy Royal Monastery of the Panagia of Kykkos Founded with a Cross. He was ordained a Deacon in 1986 and Priest in 1996, receiving also the official rank of Archimandrite by His Beatitude Chrysostomos Archbishop of New Justinian and All Cyprus. He studied Theology at the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens, receiving his degree in 1992. During his years of study he served the Church of Greece in the Holy Archdiocese of Athens. From 1997, following an invitation by His Beatitude Petros VII Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, he served in South Africa as Parish Priest in Port Elizabeth. ON 23rd November 199 he was elected by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria as Archbishop of the Cape of Good hope and was ordained on 27th November by His Beatitude Petros VII, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. 10. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF CARTHAGE
11. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF PILOUSION His Eminence Panteleimon Metropolitan of Pilousion (Port Said) (known in the world as GeorgeLambadarios), was born in Kalymnos on 15th May 1955. He is a graduate of the Department of Pastoral and Social Theology of the University of Athens and a holder of post-graduate studies from the Rand Afrikaans University of South Africa. As a young child he emigrated with his parents to the U.S.A. in 1970 he was tonsured a monk at the Holy Monastery of St Panteleimon in Kalymnos. In 1980 he was ordained Deacon and in 1983 a Priest. He was enrolled into the Holy Clergy of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in 1987 and served as Vicar General in the Holy Archdiocese of Johannesburg and Pretoria (1987-1992), as a Preacher in the Holy archdiocese of the Cape of Good Hope (1992-1993), as Superior of the Holy Church of St George in Cape Town (1996-1997) and as Patriarchal Vicar in Alexandria (1997-1999). He was elected as the first Bishop of Ghana on 23rd November 1999. On October 27, 2004 he was elected Metropolitan of Pilousion. 12. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF KHARTOUM AND ALL SUDAN His Eminence Kallinikos Pippas Archbishop of Khartoum and All Sudan was born in Megara, Attica in 1936. He is a graduate of the Holy Theological School of Halkis. He was ordained Deacon and Priest in 1964 by His Eminence Chrysostomos Papaignatiou, late Archbishop of Grevena and at the same time was appointed as Preacher in the border town Archbishopric of Grevena where he served for 15 years. From 1978 he served as a Preacher in the Holy Archdiocese of Peristeri for 18 consecutive years. He then served as Administrator and Patriarchal Vicar in the Cairo Committee for three years, as well as Superior of the Holy Church of Ss Constantine and Helen of the Cairo Community. On 23rd November 1999 he was elected as Bishop of Mareotis by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and was consecrated on 12th December of the same year by His Beatitude Petros VII, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. He was appointed as Patriarchal Vicar in Alexandria at the same time. In February 2001 he was elected and placed as Archbishop of the Holy Archdiocese of Khartoum and all Sudan. 13. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF PTOLEMAIS His Eminence Proterios Metropolitan of Ptolemais (Upper Egypt), known in the world as Stylianos Pavlopoulos, was born in Koronos, Naxos in 1946. He studied at Higher Faculty of the University of Athens. He completed post-graduate Patristic studies at Durham University in England. He was ordained Deacon and Priest in 1972 by His Eminence Dr Methodios of Axum. He served in Ethiopia, Malta, England, South Africa and Greece. In the above positions he served as Chancellor, Hierarchal Vicar, Preacher, Missionary, Catechist, establishing churches and schools and becoming a Director of teaching, developing much pastoral and philanthropic activity. On 22nd February 2001 he was unanimously elected as Archbishop of the newly-created Archdiocese of Dar Es Salaam, Eastern Tanzania, by the Holy Synod and consecrated by His Beatitude on 3rd March 2001. On October 27, 2004 he was elected Metropolitan of Ptolemais. 14. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF ZIMBABWE His Eminence George, Metropolitan of Zimbabwe, (born George Vladimirou), was born in Limassol, Cyprus, on 27th March 1966. On a scholarship given by the Ministry of the Presidency of the Greek Government he graduated as a “Leader” from the Anargyrios and Korgialenios School in Spetses. He studied Law at the Aristotelian University of Thessalonica, Business Management at the Thames Valley University of London, where he was awarded a number of prizes and distinctions and then studied Theology at the University of Athens. During his four-year stay in London he worked as a teacher at the Greek School of the Virgin Mary in Camberwell Green. In the period of 1993-1997 he worked in the private sector in Athens and did voluntary work in the Missionary centres in Madagascar and India. On 30 June 1998 he was ordained a deacon and on 5 July 1998 Priest by His Eminence Nikitas Metropolitan of Hong Kong. That same year he took over the duties of Dean of the Cathedral of St Luke in Hong Kong and a short time later was appointed Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese. He also undertook the publication of the local Orthodox magazine “The Censer”, worked as a teacher at the St Makrina Greek School of the Church and gave lessons in Orthodox faith at the Anglican Church Seminary as well as that of the Lutherans. In 1999 he was enrolled in the ranks of the venerable clergy of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, where he was first the secretary of the Patriarch and Dean of the Holy Church of the Annunciation in Alexandria. As a member of the entourage of the Patriarch of Alexandria, he participated in many official peaceful visits and missionary journeys; he is a member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches as well as of the Combined Committees of Theological Dialogue with the Universal Union of Reformed Churches and with the Lutherans and represented the Patriarch at various conferences, enthronements and ceremonies. He was unanimously elected Bishop of Nilopolis by the Holy and Sacred Synod on 22nd February 2001 and was ordained by His Beatitude Patriarch Petros VII on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, 4th March 2001, in the Holy Church of the Annunciation in Alexandria and was simultaneously appointed by His Beatitude as Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria. By proposal of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, he was unanimously elected by the Holy and Sacred Synod as Metropolitan of Zimbabwe on 27th October 2004. 15. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF ERMOUPOLIS His Eminence Nicholas Archbishop of Ermoupolis was born in Cairo on 20th March 1944. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Helouan University in Cairo (1974) and a degree in Theology from the University of St John of Damascus (Balaman), Lebanon 1988. He was ordained a Deacon in 1980, a Priest in 1983 and in 1992 he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite. Also in 1992 he was elected as Archbishop of Ermoupolis and was placed as Patriarchal vicar of the Arab-speaking Orthodox Christians of Egypt. 16. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF IRINOUPOLIS His Eminence Dimitrios Metropolitan of Irinoupolis (Tanzania & Seychelles) (known in the world as Themistocles Zaharengas), was born in Sohos, Thessalonica, in 1965. He studied at the ecclesiastical Education Academy of Thessalonica and at the Theological Faculty of the Aristotelian University of Thessalonica. After completing his military obligations, he was enrolled in the Missionary Monastery of the Archangel Michael-Tharri in Rhodes in 1989. He served as a missionary from 1992 in Madagascar, India, Hong Kong, and the Philippines and developed a most noteworthy philanthropic activity. He was ordained a Deacon and Priest by His Eminence Nikitas of Hong Kong in 1999. He served as superior of the Holy Church of the Annunciation in Alexandria and as Press Office and Public Relations Manager of the Patriarchate of Alexandria. He participated in many Peaceful Visits and Missionary Journeys around the world with His Beatitude. He was unanimously elected as Archbishop of Cameroon on 16th September 2002 by the Holy Synod and was ordained by His Beatitude on 6th October 2002. 17. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF CENTRAL AFRICA His Eminence Ignatios Archbishop of Central Africa (known in the world as George Madenlides), was born in 1930 is Edessa, Macedonia, where he completed his schooling. In 1952 he received his degree from the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens. He served as a Midshipman in the Hellenic Navy. He journeyed through 32 Archdiocesan area preaching the word of God. In 1968 he was ordained Deacon and Priest in 1969 (Archimandrite). For 40 years he served as a Preacher (firstly as a layman and member of the Brotherhood of Theologians “O SOTIR”, and then, from 1969, as a member of the clergy) in the Holy Archdiocese of Larisa until 1998. From 1981, he spent 3-5 months of every years working as an assistant to Archimandrite Hariton Pnevmatikakis the missionary, in Kananga, Congo (formerly Zaire). In 1997 he was appointed manager of this subdivision of Mission under the late Archbishop Timotheos of Central Africa, due to the illness of Elder Fr Hariton. On 14th March 2003, he was elected as Archbishop of Central Africa by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria. On 16th March 2003 he was consecrated Bishop and on 6th April 2003 he was enthroned in the Archdiocese of Central Africa by His Beatitude Petros VII, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. 18. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF CAMEROON
BISHOPS OF THE THRONE
1. HOLY DIOCESE OF BUKOBA His Grace Ieronymos Bishop of Bukoba was born on 18th March 1963 in Bulopa, Busoga, Uganda. He studied Theology at the University of Athens (1986-1991). He also did post-graduate studies in Canon Law at the University of Athens (1992-1996). He was ordained Deacon and Priest in 1996. He served as Vicar General in the Holy Archdiocese of Kampala (1996-1997) and as Vicar General of the Diocese of Bukoba (1997-1999). He was elected Bishop of Bukoba on23rd November 1999. 2. HOLY DIOCESE OF ZAMBIA His Grace Ioakeim Bishop of Zambia (known in the world as Konstantinos Kontobas) was born in Volos in 1966, where he completed his schooling. He is a graduate of the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens. He was ordained Deacon in 1986 by the late Archbishop Hezekiel of Kos and Priest in 1993 by His Eminence Archbishop Chrysostomos of Peristeri. He has served in various Churches in Greece. He was enrolled in the ranks of the Alexandrian Throne in 1996, serving originally as superior of the Cathedral of St Froumentios in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, at the same time serving as the superior of the Holy Church of the Annunciation in Asmara Erytrea. On the election of Petros VII as the new Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, he was recalled to Alexandria and served firstly as Secretary and then as Chief Secretary of the Patriarchate up until his election. During this time he also served as superior of the Holy Patriarchal Church of St Nicholas Ibraimia, renovating it and developing able pastoral activities. He holds a degree in English, and also speaks Arabic. He was unanimously elected Bishop by the Holy Synod on 14th March 2003 and was consecrated on 23rd March in the Holy Cathedral of St Savvas in Alexandria. 3. HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF GHANA
4. HOLY DIOCESE OF MADAGASCAR
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