Ignatius (Georgakopoulos) of Demetrias

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Metropolitan Ignatius of Demetrias
His Eminence Ignatius (Georgakopoulos) of Demetrias is the metropolitan of Demetrias in Greece.

Life

Metropolitan Ignatius was born in 1956 in Gortyneia of Arkadia. In 1971, at the age of 15, he began publication of the youthful magazine "Young Fighters." In 1974 he achieved first place in the examinations of the Superior Ecclesiastical School of Rizareios. In the same year he became a novice, and on July 17, 1975 he became a monk. Also during that year, he was accepted into the School of Theology at the University of Athens, where he completed his studies. In 1976 he was ordained to the diaconate, and in 1978 he became archdeacon of the Holy Diocese of Piraeus. In the same year he took on the management of the youth office of the Holy Diocese, the publication of the magazine for young people "Hopeful Youth," and of the diocesan newspaper, "Church of Piraeus." He was vice-president of the World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth "Syndesmos" for ten years.

In 1983 he was ordained to the priesthood, and in 1984 he became canon of Piraeus. In 1988 he took charge of the management of the radio station "Church of Piraeus 91.2 FM." In 1992 he started a TV broadcast (the "Arhontariki") in the ET-1 channel (every Sunday morning).

His Eminence is a member of the National Transplant Council and has taken part in national and international medical conventions. He has visited all the Orthodox churches of the world and has been honored by many of them. He is a founding member and member of the Administrative Council of the Scientists' Association of Piraeus.

Since the election of the new archbishop of Athens and all Greece, His Beatitude Christodoulos, His Eminence Ignatius has taken on the post of press officer for His Beatitude.

He was elected metropolitan of Demetrias and Almuros in 1998.

Source