The former Greek Orthodox metropolitan bishop of Thessaloniki, Anthimos, has died. He was 91 years old, according to state broadcaster ERT.
Born Dionysis Rousas in the Peloponnesian village of Salmoni in 1934, Anthimos was ordained in 1964, a year after graduating from the Athens School of Theology, and became a bishop in 1974, originally for the diocese of Alexandroupoli in northern Greece.
He served as metropolitan bishop of Thessaloniki from 2004 until 2023, when he resigned from his post on health grounds. He was known for his outspoken and ultra-conservative views.
According to the Church of Greece, his funeral service will be held on Saturday at Thessaloniki’s Agia Sofia Church.