The Elder Metropolitan Dionysios of Leontopolis fell asleep in the Lord on this the 3oth day of August 2012.
The late Elder Metropolitan Dionysios of Leontopolis, born in the world as Ioannis Hatzivasiliou, was born in Alexandria in 1929. He held a degree from the Theological Academy of Halki (1951-1955) as well as post graduate studies in Paris and Geneva (1955-1961). He was ordained Deacon in the Holy Patriarchal Church of St Savvas in Alexandria on 26th March 1950 by Bishop Athanasios of Mareotis and Presbyter at the Holy Church of the Holy Trinity in Halki on 28th November 1954 by Metropolitan Iakovos of Iconium.
During the period 1959-1968 he served as Chief Secretary of the Patriarchate. In 1968 he was elected Bishop of Heliopolis and was appointed Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo.
In 1974 he was elected Metropolitan of Memphis, in 1988 he was transferred to the Holy Metropolis of Nubian and in 1977 to the Metropolis of Leontopolis. On 27th October 2004 he received in Synod by His Beatitude Theodoros II of Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria the title of Elder Metropolitan and undertook the direction of “Pantainos”, the official bulletin of the Patriarchate of Alexandria up until his passing.
He also served as Patriarchal Vicar General from 2004-2010. In 2010 he was renamed as honourary Patriarchal Vicar General.
On hearing of the passing of one of the last Greek Hierarchs of Egypt His Beatitude expressed his deep sorrow and served memorial prayers for the repose of his blessed soul at the Holy Chapel of Ss Theodori, within the Patriarchal Palace.
The funeral service of Elder Metropolitan Dionysios of Leontopolis will take place in Athens on Saturday 1st September 2012 at 10h00 at the Holy Church of St Athanasios Kypseli, Dependency of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
