Alexander (Gianniris)

Metropolitan Alexander[1] (secular name Georgios Gianniris; 15 May 1960 – 30 June 2023) was an Eastern Orthodox Bishop and Primate of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Nigeria, who held the rank of Metropolitan of Nigeria, Niger, Benin, and Togo, from 2004 till his death in 2023. He was appointed Metropolitan of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Nigeria on 27 October 2004, at Alexandria, Egypt.

His Eminence

Alexander
Archbishop of Nigeria, Metropolitan of Nigeria, Niger, Benin, and Togo
ArchdioceseOrthodox Archdiocese of Nigeria
SuccessorGeorge (Vladimirou) (acting)
Other post(s)Archbishop of Nigeria, Vicar and Exarch of the lands of Guinea Gulf
Orders
Ordination1988 (Holy Diaconate), (Holy Priesthood)
Consecration24 November 1997, 27 October 2004 (elevation to Archbishop and Metropolitan)
RankMetropolitan
Personal details
Born
Georgios Gianniris

(1960-05-15)15 May 1960
Athens, Greece
Died30 June 2023(2023-06-30) (aged 63)
Athens, Greece
NationalityGreek
DenominationEastern Orthodox
ResidenceLagos, Nigeria
Alma mater

Early life and career

George Gianniris was born in Athens on 15 May 1960.[2] He studied Agriculture at the University of Athens in Greece and studied Theology at the University of Thessaloniki in Greece. George also attended the liturgies of the Church of Greece with minor orders.[3]

1988–1997: Tenure as Priest

On 1 October 1988, George was ordained deacon by His Beatitude Seraphim of Athens with the name of Alexandros (English: Alexander). On 2 October 1988, he was ordained a Priest with the dignity of Archimandrite. Between the tenures of Patriarch Pathenios III and Patriarch Petros VII of Alexandria, Alexander was transferred to the Patriarchate of Alexandria, serving as the Superior at the Patriarchal Church of the Holy Unmercenaries in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg in South Africa under Archbishop Paul (Lyngris) as secretary of the Archdiocese. Archimandrite Alexander was later appointed Director of the Private Patriarchal Office in April 1997.[2][3]

Alexander issued the bilingual magazine, Orthodox Approach, and was responsible for the radio programs of the Archdiocese.[4]

1997–2023: Tenure as Bishop, Archbishop, and Metropolitan

On 23 September 1997, Archimandrite Alexander was elected Bishop[5] of the newly-formed Diocese of Nigeria under the Archdiocese of Cameroon and its hierarch, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, Theodore Horeftakis now Patriarch of Alexandria. His consecration took place on 24 November 1997. His Grace was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan Archbishop on 27 October 2004, by the decision of the Holy Synod and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria, who was crowned on 24 October 2004.[2][3]

Other activities

Metropolitan Alexander, was a member of the South African Institute of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, and the Holy Synod.[6]

Personal life

On 7 January 2021, the Archbishop tested positive for the coronavirus diseases, just a few moments before boarding an airplane from Lagos to Athens.[7] On 26 March 2021, while speaking with Orthodox Times; He advised Nigerians not to hesitate to get vaccinated.[8]

Death and burial
Archbishop Alexander in a coffin

In his final days, the Archbishop was seriously sick, and hospitalised in Greece, where he died on 30 June 2023. He was 63.[2] His funeral was held on 1 July 2023 at the Monastery of St. Porphyrios in Milesi Attica, Athens, Greece. On 2 July 2023, the Vicar General, Fr. James Nwaba, announced a memorial service in respect of the passing of the Archbishop to be held at the Cathedral in Lagos, Nigeria.[3]

References
  1. "New Protopresbyter appointed by Metropolitan of Nigeria". Orthodox Times (en). Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  2. "Metropolitan Alexandros of Nigeria fell asleep in the Lord". Orthodox Times (en). Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  3. Salau, Gbenga (2 July 2023). "Orthodox Archdiocese of Nigeria mourns Archbishop Alexander". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  4. "HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF NIGERIA". Πατριαρχείο Αλεξανδρείας. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  5. Loveday, Okafor (14 May 2017). "The new orthodox cathedral in Nigeria". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  6. "Metropolitan Alexander (Gianniris) about Rada's petition to Patriarch Bartholomew: politics should stay out of the Church (VIDEO)". СПЖ. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  7. Tzimas, Stavros (7 January 2021). "'Unacceptable' to conceal Covid risk, says Metropolitan Alexandros of Nigeria". Kathimerini. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  8. "Metropolitan of Nigeria: Do not hesitate, get vaccinated". Orthodox Times (en). Retrieved 2 July 2023.
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