==Life==
George Philip Iakovou was born on [[February 2]], 1961 in Galataria, Paphos. George knew that he wanted to serve God at an early age. At so, at the age of twelve years , he was accepted as a [[novice]], with the name Seraphim, at the [[Monasteryof Kykkos (Cyprus)|Monastery of Kykkos]] of Kykkos on the island of Cyprus(hence the surname Kykkotis). The young Seraphim was a very good student, first attending the Pan-Cypriot High School and then the Lyceum of Kykkos from which he graduated with honors in 1982, with honors.
On [[September 8]], 1983, Seraphim was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[Deacon|hierodeacon]] by His Eminence Archbishop Chrysostomos, of Nea Justiniana (1977–2006). He was then transferred from the [[Church of Cyprus]] to the [[Church of Greece]] under Archbishop[[Seraphim (Tikas) of Athens|Seraphim of Athens]] of Cyprus. He continued (1974–2004) in order to continue his education with studies at the Theological Faculty School of the National Kapodistrias University of Athens , from which he graduated in 1987. During the period he attended the theological faculty, Fr. Deacon Hierodeacon Seraphim also served with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Seraphim of in Athens as a [[deacon]] in the [[archdiocese]]. Upon return to Kykkos in Cyprus, Fr. Deacon Seraphim served as he was chosen treasurer of the monastery.
From 1988 to 19931991, he Hierodeacon Seraphim continued his education in Great Britain, studying English and patristics Patristics at the Universities of Oxford and Durham under the Professor of Orthodox Theology, His Grace Eminence [[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia|Kallistos (Ware)]], then Bishop of Dioclea (1982–2007), Professor of Orthodox Theology at Oxford. He continued his studies in patristics Patristics at [[Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, Massachusetts)|Holy Cross Seminary ]] in Brookline, Massachusetts, graduating with a Master’s degree in Patristics. While pursuing his education Fr. Deacon Seraphim was ordained a [[priest]] on [[August 15]], 1991, and was raised to the dignity of [[archimandrite]]. In 1993, Arch. Seraphim became a member of the department of post-graduate studies at Athens University, specializing in Theology. During this period Arch. Seraphim served as a priest in the Archdioceses of Thyateira and Great Britain and Athens.
On While pursuing his education Hierodeacon Seraphim was ordained to the Holy [[Priest]]hood on [[August 15]], 1991, and was raised to the dignity of [[September 28Archimandrite]]on the same day. In 1993, 1997Archimandrite Seraphim became a member of the Department of Post-Graduate Studies at the University of Athens, specializing in Theology. During this period he served as priest in the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain|Archdiocese of Thyateira]], and then in the Archdiocese of Athens. Following the steps of other pupils of Bishop Kallistos such as Archimandrite [[consecration Makarios (Tillyrides) of a bishopNairobi|consecratedMakarios Tillyrides]] , current [[Archdiocese of Nairobi|Archbishop of Kenya Nairobi]], Archimandrite Seraphim decided to join the East African Mission. He was received by His Beatitude Archbishop [[Petros VII(Papapetrou) of Alexandria|Petros I (Papapetrou) of Accra]] (1990–1994), later Patriarch of Alexandria (1997–2004), Pope who served from 1991 to 1994 as Vicar of East Africa for the vacant [[Archdiocese of Nairobi|Archdiocese of Irinoupolis]]. At that time, both Archimandrite Makarios and Archimandrite [[Jonah (Lwanga) of Kampala|Jonah Lwanga]] were elevated to episcopacy, Makarios as titular Bishop of Riruta in Kenya and Jonah as titular [[Archdiocese of Mwanza|Bishop of Bukoba]] in Tanzania. Archimandrite Seraphim helped both bishops on their missionary activities. Together, the three joined the [[Syndesmos|Syndesmos Orthodox Youth Movement]] because they believed in the catechism of children as one of the primary goals of the Church. In 1994, the Holy Synod under Patriarch [[Parthenios III (Koinidis) of Alexandria |Parthenios III]] (1987–1996) changed the name of the Archdiocese of Irinoupolis to Archdiocese of Kenya and elected Archbishop [[Irenaeus (Talambekos) of Pelusium|Irenaeus (Talambekos) of Carthage]] (1990–1994) as Archbishop of Kenya (1994–1997). He was the first archbishop since the vacancy during 1981 to 1994. Archbishop Petros, no longer vicar, also had his title and All Africa see renamed to [[Archdiocese of Cameroon]]. In 1997, Archbishop Petros was elected Patriarch of Alexandria following the repose of Patriarch Parthenios. Under his recommendation, the Holy Synod elevated Bishop Jonah to the [[Archdiocese of Kampala]], having jurisdiction over Uganda. Patriarch Petros also asked Bishop Makarios to leave the [[Orthodox Patriarchal Ecclesiastical School of Makarios III|Ecclesiastical School of Makarios III]] in Riruta, which he helped found, and head to Alexandria, where he was made Director of the Patriarchal Library. Archimandrite Seraphim was then chosen as Director of the seminary in Riruta. In the same year, the Holy Synod also promoted Archbishop Irenaeus to the [[Archdiocese of Pelusium]] in Egypt. Now that both Archimandrite Makarios and Archbishop Irenaeus were in Egypt, Archimandrite Seraphim acted as the Vicar of Kenya and Tanzania. Five days later, on [[September 28]], 1997, also under Archbishop Petros' recommendation, the Holy Synod elected Archimandrite Seraphim as Archbishop of Kenya, with jurisdiction also over Tanzania. He was enthroned on [[November 16]], 1997. AdditionallyHis suffragan Diocese of Bukoba in Tanzania, in which Jonah served as bishop before his promotion, also received a new hierarch, Bishop Porphyrios (Skikos) (1997–1999). In the following year, between 1997 Bishop Makarios was elected [[Archdiocese of Zimbabwe|Archbishop of Zimbabwe]] and 2001Exarch of Southern Africa. Today, Abpthe three hierarchs are the oldest living members of the Holy Synod in terms of episcopacy. After the repose of Archbishop [[John (Zachariou) of Johannesburg|Ioannis (Zachariou) of Johannesburg]] (1998–2000), the Holy Synod decided that Archbishop Seraphim served would succeed him as Director [[Archdiocese of Johannesburg|Archbishop of Johannesburg]], while Archbishop Makarios would become Archbishop of Kenya and Archimandrite [[Makarios III George (MouskosVladimirou) of CyprusGuinea|Makarios IIIGeorge Vladimirou]] of Cyprus Patriarchal , current [[SeminaryArchdiocese of Guinea|Archbishop of Guinea]] in Nairobi, would be the new Archbishop of Zimbabwe. On [[March 18February 22]], 2001, Abp. His Eminence Seraphim was enthroned consecrated Archbishop of Johannesburg and Pretoria. He was enthroned on [[March 18]], as the successor to the deceased Abp. Ioannis2001.
In October 2010, a rearrangement of diocesan responsibilities was made within the patriarchate of Alexandria to accommodated additional duties for Abp. Seraphim (Kykkotis) of Johannesburg and Pretoria as a patriarchal representative. As part of the rearrangement, Abp. Seraphim was transferred to the smaller Archdiocese of Zimbabwe. Abp. [[George (Vladimirou) of Accra|George (Vladimirou)]] of Zimbabwe was transferred to lead the Archdiocese of Accra, replacing Abp. [[Damaskinos (Papandreou) of Johannesburg and Pretoria|Damaskinos (Papandreou)]] who succeeded Abp. Seraphim as Archbishop of Johannesburg and Pretoria.
title=[[Archdiocese of Zimbabwe|Archbishop of Zimbabwe]]|
years=2010–Present|
after=——}}
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[[Category:Bishops of Zimbabwe]]
[[Category:20th-21st-century bishops]]
[[Category: University of Athens Theology School Graduates]][[Category:University of Oxford Faculty of Theology and Religion Graduates]]