Late Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki Lies in State at Hagia Sophia
Metropolitan Anthimos passed away Thursday at the age of 91.
Metropolitan Anthimos (Roussas) of Thessaloniki was laid in state Thursday evening at the Church of the Holy Wisdom of God (Hagia Sophia) in Thessaloniki. A prominent figure in Greek politics, he organized large protests in defense of faith and tradition. He was strongly opposed to Thessaloniki’s gay pride parades, urging the faithful to attend vigils and protect their children from “unholy and unnatural festivals.”
A large crowd of faithful, including many Greek hierarchs, gathered to pay their respects to their beloved spiritual father. Speaking outside the church, Met. Philotheus of Thessaloniki expressed the profound sorrow of those present and delivered a moving homily before the late hierarch’s relics.
The funeral service, led by Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, will take place on Saturday, March 15, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Holy Wisdom in Thessaloniki.
