His Grace Dhimitri passes away – A life in service to God and the Church

With deep sorrow, it has been announced that His Grace, the Metropolitan of Gjirokastër, Bishop Dhimitri, has passed away. He died on the evening of June 28, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. at the General University Hospital of Ioannina, after a serious illness. The cause of his passing was a respiratory infection complicated by endocarditis, which led to multiple organ failure.

Bishop Dhimitri was born in September 1940 in Serres, Greece. He graduated from the Faculty of Theology at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki and later dedicated himself to monastic life at the Monastery of Saint Catherine in Mount Sinai, where he became a monk in 1974.

In 1991, he joined the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania and became one of the closest collaborators of Archbishop Anastasios. From 1994, he served as the Protosyngellos of the Metropolis of Gjirokastër, and on November 11, 2006, he was elected Metropolitan of this diocese. He was consecrated as bishop on November 16 and enthroned on November 26, 2006, at the Holy Church of the Archangels in Gjirokastër.

For 19 consecutive years, Metropolitan Dhimitri led with great dedication and tireless spirit the revival of church life in the South of Albania. He was known for his active involvement in building and rebuilding churches, strengthening faith through biblical teachings, helping the poor, and supporting youth through educational and spiritual programs.

He was a man of broad culture, profound theological knowledge, and unconditional love for the faithful.

He also served as Vice President of the educational foundation "Spirit of Love," where he made a significant contribution to the development of Orthodox education in the country.

The Trisagion service was held at the chapel of the Archbishopric in Tirana. The funeral ceremony will take place on July 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the "Resurrection of Christ" Cathedral in Gjirokastër, where the faithful will have the opportunity to accompany His Grace to his final resting place.

May his memory be eternal!

“KORÇA BOOM”