Metropolitan Ignatios of Berat fell asleep in the Lord
His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatios of Berat, Vlorë, and Kaninë fell asleep in the Lord on Saturday, 20 July 2024, in Athens, after a prolonged illness.
The reception of the holy body of the late hierarch was held on Saturday at 20:30 at the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Assumption of Theotokos in Thebes, where he served for many years as parish priest. Following the reception, a Trisagion (Memorial Service), the reading of the Holy Gospel, and the Vigil took place at 22:00.
On Sunday morning, 21 July 2024, Matins and the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM, presided over by His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece.
After the funeral service, the body of the late Metropolitan Ignatios will be transported to Berat, the seat of his Holy Metropolis.
The final funeral rites will be held at the Metropolitan Church of St. Demetrios in Berat on Tuesday, 23 July 2024.
“The Church in Boeotia and its Bishop pray that the Lord of life and death will grant eternal rest to the soul of the late Hierarch and our compatriot, placing him among the righteous and in the land of the living. May He also provide consolation and support from on high to His spiritual children, the bereaved congregation, the Holy Clergy, and the Christ-loving people of His God-given Province. May we all receive His blessing,” stated the Holy Metropolis of Thebes, Levadeia, and Avlida.
The Church of Albania has also mourned the passing of the esteemed bishop, holding a Trisagion service in the chapel of the Holy Archdiocese of Albania to honour the repose of his soul.
