Former Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki fell asleep in the Lord

The former Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki has passed away at the age of 91, according to recent information.

Former Metropolitan Anthimos (Dionysios Roussas) was born in Salmoni, Pyrgos, Ilia, in 1934. He graduated from the School of Philosophy of Athens in 1957 and from the School of Theology of the same University in 1963.

He was ordained a deacon in 1964 by Metropolitan Gabriel of Thira and a priest in February 1965 by the same Metropolitan. He was editor of the weekly pamphlet “Voice of the Lord” from 1965 to 1972.

On 14 July 1974, he was ordained Metropolitan of Alexandroupolis at the Church of Saint Basil on Metsovo Street, Athens. The ordination was performed by Metropolitan Gabriel of Thira, assisted by Metropolitans Sotirios of Gytheio, Dionysios of Drama, and Agathonikos of Mesogaia.

On 26 April 2004, he was elected Metropolitan of Thessaloniki.

On 7 August 2023, he submitted his resignation, which was accepted by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece on 25 August 2023.

Source: orthodoxianewsagency.gr / Photograph: Raphael Georgiadis