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Saint
Barbara Greek Orthodox Church |
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HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN ANTHONY
Metropolitan Anthony was born March 2, 1935 in a village on the island of Crete, called Avgeniki. After his basic elementary education, Metropolitan Anthony entered the Ecclesiastical School of Aghia Trias in Chania, Crete. After graduation, he was accepted into the internationally renown Theological School of Halki of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1956, receiving his degree in Orthodox Theology (equivalent to a Master of Sacred Theology degree) in 1960. He was ordained a Deacon on July 27, 1958 while still a student at Halki, and a Priest on September 29, 1960 in Crete. The Mother Church then sent him to the United States to pursue both postgraduate studies and to serve the Church. He served several parishes including Holy Trinity in Ansonia, Connecticut (1961-1964), the Assumption Church in Chicago Heights, Illinois (1964-1969), and the Assumption Church in Madison, Wisconsin (1969-1973). While serving the community in Madison, he was given the title of Archmandrite on September 11, 1971. In 1974, he was appointed Dean of the St. George Cathedral in Montreal, Canada, where he remained until his elevation to the rank of Bishop. On April 13, 1978 he was elevated as Titular Bishop of Amissos by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He was consecrated at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York City in ancient rites on May 21, 1978 by Archbishop Iakovos, and Bishops Silas of Amphipolis, Philotheos of Meloa, Sotirios of Constantia, and Anthimos of Christoupolis. He was given the responsibility of the Eighth Archdiocesan District in Denver, Colorado. While serving the Church as a priest in several communities he took graduate courses in Theology at Yale University Divinity School. He was awarded his Master's degree at the University of Chicago, majoring in Contemporary Church History and at the University of Wisconsin at Madison in Russian and Balkan History. He served as a member and Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Department of Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, was the Archdiocese Vicar for the Montreal Greek Orthodox Community, was a member of several inter-religious and interfaith communities, and was President of the Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood of Montreal. He was a member of the Canadian Council of Churches, the Archdiocesan Council of Presbyters, and served on 1976 Olympics Committee. n July 1979, His Eminence was enthroned as the first ruling Bishop of the newly established Greek Orthodox Diocese of San Francisco. His Eminence has exemplified a ministry of the broadest perspective. He has emphasized the need for intensive religious experiences through religious education for all ages, continuing professional education for the clergy, interfaith and ecumenical concerns, social service and philanthropy, cultural endeavors, and various activities for the youth. His Eminence has appointed commissions on youth, senior citizens, Greek Language, spiritual renewal, folk dancing, all of which are actively sponsoring programs in these vital areas. The annual Folk Dance Festival represents one of the most successful of these, growing from 16 dance groups to 100 competing in dance and authenticity of costume. He has established numerous parishes and sanctioned the development of mission parishes. He has encouraged expansion programs as well as new senior housing. He has established three new monasteries, which are growing beyond their walls. He founded St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, California as well as others in the Diocese. The Ranch facilities are used extensively on a year round basis for well-organized camping and retreat programs. The annual Kids n' Cancer program was established for children with terminal cancer, their parents, and all necessary medical staff. On November 24, 1997, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected His Grace Bishop Anthony of San Francisco as Metropolitan of the Dardenelles, Exarch of the entire Hellispont, and Presiding Hierarch of the San Francisco Diocese. Although His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony is the acting Bishop of the Metropolis of the Dardenelles (which is an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate), he continues to be the solo shepherd and administrator of the Diocese of San Francisco, as the Presiding Hierarch. The acceptance ceremony of his elevation to the rank of Metropolitan took place at the Patriarchal Church of St. George on December 20, 1997. His Eminence will continue to serve this Diocese of San Francisco for many years to come.
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