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Holy Memorial in favor of the repose of the blessed Metropolitan of Thessaly, Mr. Ezekieltranslated

July 25, 2026 · 1 min read

At the Holy Metropolitan Chapel of the Twelve Apostles Red Church of Karditsis, on Thursday July 23, 2026, on the holy memory of the holy and glorious prophet Ezekiel, the Orthros service and the Divine Liturgy were held. Before the Dissolution, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Thessaliotidos and Phanariofersalon, Mr. Timotheus, held a holy memorial service for the repose of the soul of the blessed Fr. Metropolitan of Thessaliotis and Phanariofersalon Mr. Ezekiel - because on this day the blessed High Priest took his nomenclature.

The blessed Metropolitan Fr. Mr. Ezekiel of Thessaly and Phanariofersalon was born in Kalamata on October 4, 1874 and was born Panagiotis F. Stroumbos. After his high school studies he took over the management of his father's commercial enterprises and for commercial reasons he visited Russia, Romania and Turkey.

But Panagiotis Stroumpos, a lively and restless spirit, in addition to trade, was involved in letters and journalism, publishing responses and articles in the Athenian newspapers "Palligenesia", "Kairoi", "Anatoli" etc.

He is also enrolled in the School of Theology and Law of...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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كارلا نصار

I was curious about his life before monasticism. The man was a merchant and his father's business manager, and he traveled to Russia, Romania, and Turkey, and then he left all of this and entered the College of Theology. I mean, what changed his course so forcefully?

Елена Зайцева

It’s interesting that he traded and traveled around Russia even before the revolution. Apparently, something turned upside down in my soul, since then I gave up everything and went into theology. It’s a pity that the article ends, I would like to know what exactly turned him so strongly.

Αντώνης Κωνσταντίνου

Panagiotis Stroumpos had already seen the world from a young age – Kalamata, Russia, Romania, Turkey – and at the same time he was writing for the newspapers. That he left the trade and went to the Theological School shows that something deep moved him. Too bad the text is cut, I'd like to know what exactly changed him so much.

Katarzyna Zielińska

Interestingly, Panajotis Strumpos first managed his father's business and traveled around Russia, Romania and Turkey on business matters, and at the same time wrote correspondence to Athenian newspapers. Apparently something touched him deeply, because he left it all and went to study theology. It's a pity that the article ends because I would love to read what exactly shocked him so much.

Karolina Nowak

I agree, it's interesting how someone from commerce and journalism suddenly leaves everything for theology. This happened in the lives of many saints - one meeting or a book was enough. It's a pity that the text ends, maybe someone from the parish in Karditsa knows what it was.

Mateusz Nowak

I agree, Karolina, there was also one merchant in Hajnówka who left his business after the war and became a deacon - one conversation with the bishop was enough for him. I wonder what this Mr. Giotis had, maybe it was actually a book or a meeting in Russia. Someone from Karditsa definitely knows, it's worth asking.

Aleksandra Kaczmarek

I agree, Karolina, this turn from Russian trade to theology sounds like a classic story from the lives of saints. In Lublin, one older parishioner told us that his grandfather abandoned the shop after reading the Gospel on the way to Constantinople. I wonder if it was a specific book or maybe a meeting with a monk - it would be worth having someone from Karditsa finish this text.

Adam Nowak

Yes, this merchant from Hajnówka is a similar story, sometimes one word from the bishop is enough. This trip to Russia probably triggered something in this Panagiotis, because while trading there, he could meet monks or see what life was like there in Orthodox churches. And you, Mateusz, where did you hear about this deacon from Hajnówka, from one of the elders?

Ewa Kaczmarek

Yes, this trip to Russia could have been that moment, because in trade you meet different people, and there you probably saw how deep faith is in everyday life. I wonder if anyone in Kalamata still remembers the Stroumbos family. And this deacon from Hajnówka, Mateusz, how many years after this conversation with the bishop was he ordained?

Michał Kaczmarek

Yes, this trip to Russia certainly gave him a lot to think about, especially how one sees Orthodoxy in everyday life. As for the Stroumbos family in Kalamata, it's actually an interesting case, maybe someone from the parish there knows some old stories. And Mateusz from Hajnówka was ordained probably four years after that conversation with the bishop, I remember that he talked about it at the last meeting in the church.

Paweł Nowak

Yes, this trip to Russia definitely left a mark, especially since he traded and met ordinary people in Orthodox churches. As for the Stroumbos family in Kalamata, it would be worth asking someone there. And Mateusz from Hajnówka? I think he waited longer than four years, I remember him mentioning about five.

Magdalena Zielińska

Yes, this visit to Russia must have shaped him, especially since he visited the church as an ordinary merchant. As for Mateusz from Hajnówka, you are right, I remember that he talked about waiting five years, not four. Have any of you been to Kalamata and asked about the Stroumbos family there?

Yes, this visit to Russia certainly left a mark, because there Orthodoxy can be seen not only in Orthodox churches, but also in everyday life. As for the Stroumbos family from Kalamata, it is worth asking older parishioners, maybe someone has some letters or memories. And Mateusz from Hajnówka - I remember he talked about those four years of waiting when we were having coffee together after the service.