Former Rabbi’s Son Ordained Orthodox Deacon
A former rabbi’s son was ordained deacon during Meteora’s feastday celebrations in Greece.
KALAMBAKA, GREECE — A Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated May 3 for the feast of the Holy Meteorite Fathers, drawing large crowds of faithful from Kalambaka and the wider Trikala region to honor the saints of Meteora.
The services were led by Metr. Chrysostomos of Patras, joined by Bp. Methodios of Knossos and Metr. Theoklitos of Stagi and Meteora. During his homily, Metr. Chrysostomos spoke about the saints’ selfless love for God and described the feast itself as a living witness to the spiritual calling of the Church Fathers.
The celebration’s high point came with the ordination of Monk Theoklitos of the Holy Monastery of Varlaam to the diaconate. Metr. Theoklitos revealed that the new deacon was born into a Jewish rabbinical family in Israel before embracing Orthodox Christianity after a spiritual search for truth.
The service concluded with cries of “Axios” from hundreds of worshippers who welcomed the newly ordained deacon into his ministry.
Previously, the UOJ reported that St. Tikhon’s celebrated the ordination of fifteen new clergy.
