Abp. Demetrios to be honored by Church of Cyprus for 50 years of episcopacy

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will travel to Cyprus tomorrow, where he will be honored for his 50 years of episcopal ministry.

The primate of the Greek Church in America was personally invited by His Eminence Archbishop Chrysostomos, the primate of the Church of Cyprus. He will arrive at Larnaca Airport tomorrow evening, accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Savvas of Pittsburgh, Deacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos, and the President of the Federation of Cypriot Organizations of America. Kyriakos Papastylianos.

A joint hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Sunday, February 11 at the Church of Agia Sophia in Strovolos, after which, the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus will confer upon Abp. Demetrios the Gold Medal of the Apostle Barnabas, which is the highest honorable distinction of the Church of Cyprus, in honor of his 50 years of episcopal ministry, and for his overall ecclesiastical labor and academic offerings. A reception in honor of Abp. Demetrios will be held Sunday evening as well.

Archbishop Demetrios was born in Thessaloniki on February 1, 1928. He was ordained to the diaconate in 1960 and to the priesthood in 1964. He was consecrated as bishop on September 17, 1967, elevated to metropolitan on August 20, 1991, and enthroned as Archbishop of America on September 18, 1999.

During his stay, Abp. Demetrios will also meet with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, the Greek ambassador to Cyprus Elias Fotopoulos, and Greek Cypriots. He will also offer a lecture at the School of Theology of the Church of Cyprus on modern contemporary theological challenges and prospects.

His Eminence will depart from Cyprus on the morning of February 14.

For His Eminence’s full biography, see the site of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Source: Church of Cyprus, Orthochristian.com