Funeral service of Former Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki

His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece presided over the funeral service for the late former Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki, at the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia in Thessaloniki on Saturday, 15 March 2025. Many Metropolitans, clergy, and faithful from across Greece were in attendance.

Representing the Ecumenical Patriarch at the funeral service of the late Hierarch was His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Vryoula.

The burial of the departed Hierarch took place at the cenotaph of the late Metropolitan Gennadios of Thessaloniki, located in the courtyard of the Metropolitan Church of Saint Gregory Palamas.

“For Anthimos, many words are needed to describe his life and example. We all owe him a great deal and are deeply grateful. May God grant rest to his soul,” said Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece upon his arrival.

For his part, His Eminence Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki emphasised, among other things: “I believe we all recognise that he was a great personality, a man who constantly bore witness to the Kingdom of the Church. May God rest his soul.”

The representative of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Vryoula, referred to the work of the former Metropolitan of Thessaloniki both in the Church of Thessaloniki and in Thrace. He noted that “Metropolitan Anthimos has fallen asleep in the Lord and is now writing the conclusion of a life book—the final chapter of the story of a great personality and a life rich in works.”

On behalf of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, the First Secretary, Archimandrite Damaskinos Petrakos, in his eulogy, highlighted that the entire course of Metropolitan Anthimos was inspired “by his love for the faith and the Church.” He emphasised that the late Metropolitan possessed two fundamental characteristics “that accompany him on his journey beyond earthly life: theory and practice, faith and works.” “His words were substantial and didactic, while his interventions were always crucial,” he noted, adding that although his relics would remain on earth, his works would live on in the hearts of the people.

His Eminence Metropolitan Theophylact of Kaisareia conveyed the condolences of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, stating that “wherever Anthimos passed, he left his own seal that will remain indelible.”

His Eminence Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, who remained by the side of the late hierarch’s body throughout and delivered his eulogy from there, bid farewell to his predecessor, saying, “What won me over was his kindness—kindness in manners, in character, kindness in soul.” He emphasised that the late Anthimos “struggled to be virtuous” and “inspired others on the path of virtue.”

“A long journey that began in the sacred soil of Ilia, continued to the border region of Alexandroupolis, and ended in Thessaloniki has come to an end,” remarked Deputy Minister of Interior for Macedonia and Thrace, Konstantinos Gioulekas, in his eulogy.

“Today, Macedonia and Thrace mourn the loss of their venerable hierarch,” Gioulekas continued, referring to the late Metropolitan as a “fiery Greek and patriot,” who “stood as a vigilant guardian of religious values and national ideals in Alexandroupolis” and “raised his voice with unwavering strength whenever our country faced serious national issues.” “Rest, Father, and have a good journey into eternity,” Gioulekas concluded with emotion, conveying the condolences of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The Regional Governor of Central Macedonia, Athina Aidona, stated that “the late Metropolitan was a prestigious personality, whose love and struggles for Thessaloniki and Macedonia cannot be questioned by anyone. He served the Church and his ideals with remarkable vigor and passion, passing on his deep faith to many generations, especially to the youth. His work was God-pleasing, and the source of his strength was his unwavering faith in the ideals of Orthodoxy and his profound patriotism.”

“His tenure in the Metropolis of Thessaloniki coincided with great challenges, significant difficulties, and critical moments for the city and the wider region. A fiery patriot and fighter, he never remained silent; on the contrary, he stood up for what he considered just, always holding the helm of the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki and our Church,” Aidona continued.

She further emphasized that in his ecclesiastical duties, he was a prudent and humble servant of the Lord , who kept the Church of Thessaloniki united and actively engaged with the daily life of the city. “His words were profound, leaving a deep imprint on the souls of the faithful who attended his sermons,” she concluded.

“He was undoubtedly an authentic personality who walked with confidence and absolute respect on religious issues, shepherding with unwavering adherence to the principles of the Orthodox faith,” said the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Stelios Angeloudis.

He added that “his presence was intense, profound, and creative. Regardless of whether one agreed or disagreed with him, everyone recognized his militancy, determination, and assertiveness,” emphasizing that “he firmly believed that the Church has and should have a voice, an opinion, a role, and a say.

Angeloudis further stated that “Orthodoxy, the Nation, and his Flock were the three great passions of his life. Uncompromising on matters of Faith and Fatherland, the Shepherd of the Church of Thessaloniki loved Greece without limits, remaining steadfastly committed to highlighting the historical truth about the land of Macedonia.”

He concluded by acknowledging: “It is true that the blessed Anthimos often found himself at the centre of controversy due to his stance. However, his interventions carried not only theological significance but also a profound social impact. We bid him farewell with love, appreciation, and respect.”

The Protosyncellus of the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki, Archimandrite Iakovos Athanasiou, highlighted the charitable work of the late Anthimos and emphasised that “he faced opposition and criticism for his positions, perceptions, and initiatives, but these came from anti-Christian and anti-national voices.”

He further added that “at no point did his actions jeopardise the unity of the ecclesiastical body,” while noting that “one cannot strictly categorise him as a progressive hierarch, but neither could he be labeled as purely conservative. He carried the perceptions and attitudes of his time, along with some insecurities and concerns.”

Archimandrite Iakovos Athanasiou described him as “an honest bishop, a good shepherd, a sincere social worker in the vineyard of the Lord, and an excellent priest.”

His nephew, Themistoklis Mamakos, a lawyer from Athens, visibly emotional, bid him farewell in tears, saying that “the majestic Thessaloniki mourns its shepherd, as do Alexandroupolis and Ilia.” He poignantly added, “We mourn for you, who have been deprived of earthly air, now inhaling the oxygen of eternity, while the heavens rejoice in welcoming you.”

Photographs: EUROKINISSI

Source: orthodoxtimes.com