His Eminence Metropolitan Philotheos of Meloa
September 1, 1924 – May 10, 2017
It is with great sadness yet with hope in the Resurrection that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco announces the passing of His Eminence Metropolitan Philotheos of Meloa, a distinguished hierarch in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, who fell asleep in the Lord on May 10, 2017 following a brief illness.
“Metropolitan Philotheos was a dedicated servant of the church for 67 year. He was obedient to the Lord and faithful to Christ throughout his ministry,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “I will always be grateful for the guidance he offered me as a young deacon, and his exceptional skills and knowledge as a Liturgist were a gift and blessing to all those who knew him.”
Metropolitan Philotheos was 92 years old at the time of his passing, and though he had officially retired in 1997, he continued to serve the Church as recently as just a few months prior to his illness and death.
His noteworthy ministry included serving as Deacon at the parish of Saint Artemios in Athens as well as at the Cathedral in Athens. Concurrent with this he also officiated at worship services in the Chapel of the Royal Palace. At the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos, of blessed memory, he came to the United States in 1960 to serve as Deacon to the Archbishop, a position he held for one year until his ordination to the Holy Priesthood. He was then assigned to serve the Annunciation Church in Scranton, PA, following which he was assigned to Saint Eleftherios Church in Manhattan where his responsibilities also included teaching at the parish’s parochial school.
He was ordained a Bishop in 1971 and served as an Auxiliary Bishop to the Archbishop until his retirement in 1997. The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elevated him on July 9, 2015 to the rank of Metropolitan of Meloa and Exarch of Isavria.
Services will be held at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, with Archbishop Demetrios presiding on Monday, May 15, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Faithful are also invited to pray at Orthros at 8:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 9:15 a.m. immediately preceding the funeral.
May his memory be eternal!