Ecumenical Patriarch presides over Memorial Service for late Metropolitan of Kydonia

On Wednesday, 9 April 2025, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over a Trisagion memorial service at the venerable Patriarchal Church of Saint George for the repose of the soul of the late Metropolitan Damaskinos of Kydonia and Apokoronas.

Metropolitan Damaskinos fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, 8 April 2025, at the age of 67, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. His passing marks a significant loss for the Church of Crete and the Orthodox faithful of his Metropolis.

In response to the news of his repose, the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Church of Crete convened an emergency session on the morning of 9 April 2025 in Heraklion. During the session, several key decisions were made concerning the funeral arrangements and temporary administration of the Metropolis of Kydonia and Apokoronas.

According to the Synod’s decision, the funeral service for the late Metropolitan will be held on Saturday, 12 April 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Entry of the Theotokos in Chania.

The Holy Synod has appointed Metropolitan Amphilochios of Kissamos and Selinos as the locum tenens (temporary administrator) of the Metropolis of Kydonia and Apokoronas until the election of a new hierarch.

Metropolitan Damaskinos was deeply loved and respected for his pastoral care, spiritual leadership, and tireless dedication to the faithful. His memory will remain a blessing to all who knew him.