Metropolitan Meletios [Kalamaras] of Nikopolis and Preveza, Greece falls asleep in the Lord
CHICAGO, IL [MW Diocese Communications] — According to a release posted on the web site of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, His Eminence, Metropolitan Meletios [Kalamaras] of Nikopolis and Preveza, Greece, 79, fell asleep in the Lord on June 21, 2012. Of late, he had faced several major health issues.
Stephen R. Lloyd-Moffet’s book recounting Metropolitan Meletios’ transformative ministry in the Metropolis of Mesenia — Beauty for Ashes: The Spiritual Transformation of a Modern Greek Community — was the focus of His Grace, Bishop Matthias’ presentations at the Diocese of the Midwest’s clergy convocation in May 2012. At the conclusion of the convocation, Bishop Matthias presented each priest and deacon with a copy of the inspiring book. [See related story here.]
Beauty for Ashes, published by SVS Press and available here, recounts the political history and religious character of the region of Nikopolis, from the time of the Apostle Paul in AD 63 to the arrival of Bishop Meletios in 1980. ?With great sensitivity, the book deals with the issue of sexual misconduct within the Church, the restoration of the local Church to spiritual health, and the renewed trust between Church leaders and the laity. The book recounts how Bishop Meletios, along with the local monastic community, applied his ancient faith in a modern context to bring about social and religious change.
Metropolitan Meletios was also well known for his preaching in the Holy Metropolis of Messenia and, in a broader ecclesial context, his service as secretary to the Holy Synod on matters of Interchurch Affairs. He himself authored several books and received an award from the Theological Academy of Athens for his book The Fifth Ecumenical Council.
His Beatitude, Archbishp Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece, will preside at Metropolitan Meletios’ funeral in Preveza on Saturday, June 23.
May Metropolitan Meletios’ memory be eternal!
