Memorial for Metropolitan Chrysostom of Rodostolon at Protaton

A memorial service for Metropolitan Chrysostom of Rodostolon was held on October 16, 2026, at the Protaton, the cathedral church of the Dormition in Karyes. Metropolitan Chrysostom of Symi presided at the invitation of the Holy Epistasia of Mount Athos. Concelebrants included the Protos of Mount Athos, Elder Georgios of Vatopedi, and abbots Prodromos of Great Lavra, Nathanael of Iviron, and Methodios of Hilandar, along with numerous hieromonks and representatives of all Athonite monasteries and several sketes.

The civil governor of Mount Athos, Alkiviadis Stefanis, a graduate of the Athoniada, also attended. Metropolitan Chrysostom spent 75 years on Mount Athos as a monk of Great Lavra. He was ordained bishop in 1978 by decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate so that the Holy Mountain would have a hierarch to ordain hieromonks in Athonite brotherhoods.

He ordained many Hilandar monks, including the late Archimandrite Paisios, first abbot after the renewal of the cenobitic life at Hilandar, and Elder Stefan, currently the senior Hilandar monk by years of monastic life. Abbot Methodios was ordained deacon and elevated to archimandrite by him. Metropolitan Chrysostom served as professor and director of the Athoniada monastic academy and left numerous theological works; he was also noted for his gift of chanting.

From his pension as a professor he restored several old churches and assisted in building new ones. He wore episcopal insignia only during services and otherwise dressed very simply, in typical Athonite style. Athonites testify that those who did not know him could not guess he was a hierarch.

In his modest cell were found only a multitude of books; all other items such as fine vestments, miters, and enkolpia he gave to other hierarchs. He reposed in his monastic cell after the Divine Liturgy on October 1, 2025, at age 92, and was buried the next day at the Great Lavra cemetery. Photo: romfea.gr