Previous Hierarchs of the Metropolis

(Formerly the 6th Archdiocesan District and Diocese of Pittsburgh.)

1977-1979: Bishop Anthimos of Christoupolis (Later of Olympos)

His Grace Bishop Anthimos was born as George Draconakis in Kasteli, Crete on November 19, 1934 to Nikolaos and Kalliope, and was drawn to the church from a young age and followed the calling of the Lord. He was a graduate of the Patriarchal Theological School of Halki where he received his Master of Divinity degree.

He was ordained to the Diaconate in 1954, and to the Holy Priesthood in1956. He was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite in 1959. He served parishes in Belgium where he studied at the Catholic University of Louvain. From 1960 - 1969 he was assigned to the Archdiocese of Germany in several capacities and served parishes in Berlin and Nuremberg before being appointed as the Archdiocese Vicar.

In July 1969 he arrived in the United States and was appointed as the parish priest of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Clinton, Massachusetts. During this time he continued his education at the Harvard Divinity School. In July 1971 he was appointed Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York City, where he served until his election as Bishop in 1977. From the time of his election as Bishop of Christoupolis through 1979 he administered the Diocese of Pittsburgh as it was being formed (during the changes in the Charter in 1977-78). He was enthroned as Bishop of the Diocese of Boston in April 1979 and served there until he was enthroned as the first bishop of the Diocese of Denver in 1983.  Following his retirement from active ministry in 1987, he was elected the Bishop of Olympos.

Bishop Anthimos was a close friend of Metropolitan Anthony of San Francisco of blessed memory, both having been born and raised in Crete. His Grace was a frequent visitor to the Metropolis of San Francisco. He loved attending the annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival; was a great supporter of Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center and the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring in Dunlap, California; and was a beloved friend and spiritual father for many faithful through the country.

Bishop Anthimos passed into the Lord's care on May 29, 2015 at the age of 80, and was buried in his hometown on the island of Crete.

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