It is with profound sadness that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco announces the passing of His Grace Bishop Anthimos of Olympos. His Grace was residing in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts at the time of his death.

“Upon learning of the passing of His Grace Bishop Anthimos, I could not help but reflect on our many years of friendship and collaboration, and especially on the day of my ordination to the Holy Diaconate at which His Grace Bishop Anthimos was the presiding Hierarch. He was a man of deep faith who was dedicated to our Hellenic culture, and loved his homeland of Crete,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “He was a devoted servant of the Lord for 61 years, and always remained focused on bringing the word of the Lord to everyone he served. It is my fervent prayer that His Grace Bishop Anthimos is now resting eternally in the loving embrace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
 
Born as Georges Draconakis in Castelli, Crete on November 19, 1934 to Nicholas and Kalliope, he was drawn to the church from a young age and followed the calling of the Lord. He was a graduate of the Patriarchal Theological School of Halki where he received his Master of Divinity degree.
 
He was ordained to the Diaconate in 1954, and to the Holy Priesthood in 1956. He was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite in 1959. He served parishes in Belgium where he studied at the Catholic University of Louvain. From 1960 – 1969 he was assigned to the Archdiocese of Germany in several capacities and served parishes in Berlin and Nuremberg before being appointed as the Archdiocese Vicar.
 
In July 1969 he arrived in the United States as was appointed as the parish priest of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Clinton, Massachusetts. During this time he continued his education at the Harvard Divinity School. In July 1971 he was appointed Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York City, where he served until his election as Bishop in 1977. From the time of his election through 1979 he served as Bishop of the Pittsburgh Diocese. His Grace Bishop Anthimos was enthroned as Bishop of the Diocese of Boston in April 1979 and served there until he was enthroned as the first bishop of the Diocese of Denver in 1983.
 
Bishop Anthimos was a close friend of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of San Francisco, of blessed memory, both having been born and raised in Crete. His Grace was a frequent visitor to the Metropolis of San Francisco. He loved attending the annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival; was a great supporter of Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center and the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring in Dunlap, California;, and was a beloved friend and spiritual father for many faithful through the country.
 
His Grace Bishop Anthimos is survived by his brother, Rev. Father Konstantinos Draconakis, who had served as a priest in Germany for many years, and is now retired and resides in Crete.
 
May His Memory Be Eternal!