Great Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Aristides Panotis fell asleep in the Lord
Mr. Aristides Panotis, an esteemed Great Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a prominent theologian and ecclesiastical historian, has passed away, leaving behind a significant legacy and a wealth of scholarly work.
Born in Athens in 1931, Panotis studied theology at the University of Athens and pursued postgraduate studies in the History of Religions and Liturgical Arts of the Church in Paris. He served as a professor at the Marasleio Pedagogical Academy and held leadership roles in both middle and higher ecclesiastical education, including serving as a high school principal. Notably, he was the editor-in-chief of the “Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics” (1962-1968) and the editor of the pan-Orthodox magazine “Orthodoxos Parousia” (Orthodox Presence)(1965-1967).
From 1964 to 1972, Panotis was a close advisor to Patriarch Athenagoras, who in 1967 honored him with the Offikion of the Great Hieromnemon. His contributions were further recognised by Ecumenical Patriarch Demetrios and the current Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Panotis was deeply involved in the study of the relations between the Patriarchates of Old and New Rome and authored the historical volume “Peacemakers.” He also conducted significant research on the ancient Churches of the East, and Pope Paul VI awarded him the Order of “St. Gregory the Great” for the French edition of “Peacemakers.”
A regular member of Synodal Committees since 1976, Mr. Panotis was also one of the founders of the Radio Station of the Church of Greece. His association with the Ecumenical Patriarchate dated back to 1946, and he played a key role in the illustration of the new patriarchal house. Throughout his career, he received numerous decorations and was well-known both in Greece and internationally for his participation in conferences, his extensive studies and publications, and his engaging lectures and presence in modern media.
The following is an interview he gave in 2016 to Panagiotis Andriopoulos, on the occasion of the convocation of the Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church (In Greek):
