His Eminence '''Methodios(Tournas), Metropolitan of Boston''', is the spiritual leader of the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|Greek Orthodox]] [[Metropolis of Boston ]], which includes all of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island , and Vermont and , as well as the Connecticut towns of Danielson, Enfield, New London , and Norwich. The Metropolis, whose offices are located in Brookline, MassachusettsMA, consists of 63 parishes [[parish]]es, which minister to the needs of approximately 200,000 Greek Orthodox faithful.

==Early life and education==[[Metropolitan ]] Methodios (''né'' George Tournas) was enthroned as the Bishop of Boston born on April 8[[November 19]], 1946, 1984in New York City, following his election to that post by the Holy Synod third child of the late Stavroula and Vasilios Tournas. He graduated from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral Parochial School in New York City and the McBurney School in Manhattan. He received the Bachelor of Arts degree from [[Ecumenical PatriarchateHellenic College (Brookline, Massachusetts)|Hellenic College]] in PhanarBrookline, ConstantinopleMA, Turkey. In July 1989 Bishop Methodios also assumed in 1968, and the Presidency Bachelor of Hellenic College and Divinity Degree from [[Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, Massachusetts)|Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology]] in Brookline, Massachusetts. He held that position till 19951971. In 1997 1972 he earned the Holy Synod Master of Sacred Theology from Boston University and in 1975 the Ecumenical Patriarchate elevated Bishop University of Thessaloniki, Greece, awarded him Theological Accreditation upon completion of further studies there. Boston University awarded Metropolitan Methodios to the office Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree in May 1985. In June 1995 the American International College in Springfield, MA, awarded MetropolitanMethodios the Honorary Degree of Humane Letters. His alma mater, Hellenic College-Holy Cross, awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree on [[May 19]], 2001.

A Hierarch ==Hierarchical service==Metr. Methodios was [[enthronement|enthroned]] as the [[Bishop]] of visionBoston on [[April 8]], Metropolitan Methodios inspired 1984, following his election to that post by the faithful [[Holy Synod]] of the Metropolis of Boston to support him [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]] in [[Phanar]], Constantinople, Turkey. In July 1989 Bishop Methodios also assumed the construction Presidency of a magnificent Center located at 162 Goddard Avenue Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline. Groundbreaking for this edifice took place on September 14, 1985MA. It was completed a year later, on September 14, 1986He held that position until 1995. From this Center, In 1997 the focal point Holy Synod of the Metropolis in New England, many programs emanate which serve and enlighten Ecumenical Patriarchate elevated Bishop Methodios to the faithful and share Orthodoxy office of Metropolitan with the publictitle Metropolitan of Aneon[http://www.havelshouseofhistory.com/Autographs%20of%20Religious%20Leaders%20MER-at-largeMH.htm].

A [[hierarch]] of vision, Metr. Methodios inspired the faithful of the Metropolis of Boston to support him in the construction of a magnificent center located at 162 Goddard Avenue in Brookline. Groundbreaking for this edifice took place on [[September 14]], 1985. It was completed a year later, on September 14, 1986. From this center, the focal point of the Metropolis in New England, many programs emanate which serve and enlighten the faithful and share Orthodoxy with the public-at-large. These programs include the Marriage Preparation Seminars, instituted by Metropolitan Methodios in 1987, for all couples who are getting married in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston. It is a most successful program which is being adapted nationally.

In 1986 Metropolitan Methodios established the Philoxenia House which offers hospitality to patients and those who accompany them who come to Boston for medical reasons and cannot afford to stay in hotels. Guests to the Philoxenia House have come from Greece, Cyprus, South America, South Africa, Egypt, Russia, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria , and from throughout the United States. Metropolitan Metr. Methodios is assisted by the Philoptochos Women women and the faithful throughout the Metropolis in this ministry.

In the summer of 1998, through Metropolitan Methodios' tireless efforts and his ability to translate his vision and enthuse the faithful, the Diocese of Boston acquired Camp Merrimack in Contoocook, NH, a large, picturesque piece of property which will serve as a Camp and Retreat Center offering enriching programs for all.

Metropolitan ==Ecumenism and outreach==Metr. Methodios (in served as a member of the National Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultations Board. As a member of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an organization devoted to the world George Tournas) was born on November 19cause of worldwide religious freedom for all denominations, 1946 Methodios traveled to Hungary in New York City1981, and in the third child fall of 1982 he was a member of a three-man religious delegation that visited the late Stavroula and Vasilios TournasSoviet Union. He graduated from A second visit to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral Parochial School Soviet Union was made in New York City and the McBurney School in ManhattanSeptember of 1984. Metr. He received Methodios is a member of the Bachelor Holy Synod of Arts degree from Hellenic College in Brookline, MA in 1968 and the Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Holy Cross [[Greek Orthodox School Archdiocese of Theology in 1971. In 1972 he earned America]], served on the Master Executive Board of Sacred Theology from Boston University and in 1975 the University [[National Council of Thessaloniki, Greece, awarded him Theological Accreditation upon completion Churches]] and is a member of further studies there. Boston University awarded Metropolitan Methodios the Honorary Doctor Massachusetts Commission on Christian Unity and the New England Consultation of Divinity Degree Church Leaders. He is listed in May 1985. In June 1995 the American International College ''Who's Who in SpringfieldReligion'', MA, awarded Metropolitan Methodios is a member of the Honorary Degree Commission of Humane Letters. His Alma Mater, Hellenic College-Holy Cross, awarded him an Honorary Doctor the [[Standing Conference of Divinity Degree the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas]] and serves on May 19, 2001various other religious boards and organizations.

Metropolitan Metr. Methodios served as a member of the National Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultations Boardis [[ecumenism|ecumenical]] with an open mind and heart. As a member of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an Organization devoted "We must witness to the cause of worldwide religious freedom for all denominationswhat we believe, Metropolitan Methodios traveled to Hungary in 1981, and" he says, in the fall of 1982 he was a member of a three-man religious delegation "but that visited the Soviet Unionshould not separate us from those who disagree. A second visit to the Soviet Union was made in September of 1984. Metropolitan Methodios is a member of the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, served We should concentrate more on the Executive Board of the National Council of Churches those things that unite us and is a member of let the Massachusetts Commission on Christian Unity and the New England Consultation of Church Leaders. He is listed [[Holy Spirit]] guide us in Who is Who in Religion, is a member of the Commission of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas and serves on various other religious boards and organizationsissues that separate us. "

Metr. Methodios often quotes the [[parable]] of the Final Judgment recorded in [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 25. Calling it one of the most meaningful passages in the [[Holy Scripture]], Metropolitan Methodios is ecumenical reminds all that "in it our Lord and Savior [[Jesus Christ]] identified Himself with the hungry and thirsty, the stranger and the maimed, the sick and the prisoner ... to underscore a principle which many of us, caught up in the daily whirl of our own selfish routine, tend to forget or ignore. Specifically, that our dealings and treatment of one another are actually dealings with an open mind Christ Himself, and heartupon this reality our own judgment will be based. "We "This is a truth of the greatest magnitude upon which we must witness to what we believereflect most seriously," emphasizes Metropolitan Methodios. The bishop, who walks at the annual Walk for Hunger sponsored by Project Bread, Inc., is a frequent visitor to area soup kitchens where he says, "but that should not separate us from serves food to those who disagreeare in need. We should concentrate more on those things that unite us For his "unique contribution in the crusade against hunger and let homelessness," Metr. Methodios has been honored by the Holy Spirit guide us Quincy Community Action Organization, Inc., in issues that separate usQuincy, MA.He has also been awarded the " Good Neighbor" Award by the Jewish Brotherhood Congregation Mishkan Tefila in Chestnut Hill, MA.

Metropolitan Metr. Methodios often quotes the parable of the Final Judgment recorded in the 25th chapter of the Gospel according to St' message is a simple one. Matthew. Calling it one of the most meaningful passages in the Holy Scripture"Christ did not preach theology, Metropolitan Methodios " he reminds all that . "in it our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ identified Himself with His theology was written on the hungry and thirstycross, the stranger and the maimedin His own Blood, the sick a theology of love and the prisoner....forgiveness.to underscore a principle which many of us, caught up in At the daily whirl of our own selfish routineend, tend we will not be asked to forget or ignore. Specifically, that our dealings and treatment of one another are actually dealings with Christ Himself, and upon this reality our own judgment voice a holy formula but we will be based. "This is a truth of the greatest magnitude upon which judged on how we must reflect most seriously," emphasizes Metropolitan Methodios. The Bishop, who walks at the annual Walk for Hunger sponsored by Project Bread, Inc., is a frequent visitor to area soup kitchens where he serves food to those who are in need. For his "unique contribution in the crusade against hunger and homelessness," Metropolitan Methodios has been honored by the Quincy Community Action Organization Inc, in Quincy, MAtreated our neighbors. He has also been awarded the "Good Neighbor" Award by the Brotherhood Mishkan Tefila in Chestnut Hill.

{{start box}}{{succession|before=[[Anthimos (Drakonakis) of Christoupolis|Anthimos (Drakonakis)]]|title=Metropolitan Methodios' message is a simple oneof Boston ([[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|Greek]])|years=1984-present|after=—}}{{end box}} ==External Links==*[http://www.boston. "Christ did not preach theology," he remindsgoarch. "His theology was written on the cross, in His own Blood, a theology org/ Greek Orthodox Metropolis of love and forgivenessBoston]*[http://www. At the end, we will not be asked to voice a holy formula but we will be judged on how we treated our neighborsboston.goarch.org/home/bio."html Official biography of Metropolitan Methodios] [[Category:Bishops]][[Category:20th-21st-century bishops]][[Category:Bishops of Boston]][[Category:Holy Cross Seminary Graduates]]