Former Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Anthimos, Entered Eternal Rest

OCP News Service – 14/03/2025

Athens- Greece: Metropolitan Anthimos, the former spiritual leader of Thessaloniki, entered eternal rest on March 13, 2025, at the age of 91.

Born Dionysios Roussas in Salmoni, Ilia, in October 1934, Anthimos dedicated his life to the Greek Orthodox Church. He completed his secondary education in 1952 and went on to earn a degree in Philosophy from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in 1957.

His academic pursuits continued as he served as an unpaid assistant in Byzantine Philology and taught in Greek schools while studying at the university’s Theological School. He was ordained a Deacon in 1964 and a Presbyter in 1965, subsequently leading the Church of St. Basil in Athens.

In 1974, Anthimos was elected Metropolitan of Alexandroupolis, and in 2003, he was transferred to the prestigious Metropolis of Thessaloniki following the death of Metropolitan Panteleimon II. He served in Thessaloniki until August 2023, when he resigned due to declining health.

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The Church of Greece has announced that his funeral service will be held on March 15, 2025, at Thessaloniki’s Agia Sofia Church. His legacy of service and dedication to the Orthodox faith will be remembered by the community he served.

Source:

OCP News Service