Ezekiel (Stroumbos) of Thessaliotis

His Eminence Ezekiel (Stroumbos) of Thessaliotis and Fanariofersala was the Metropolitan of the Metropolis of Thessaliotis and Fanariofersala under the jurisdiction of the Church of Greece. The metropolis is located in the Thessaly region of Greece. Metr. Ezekiel was metropolitan from 1924 to 1951.

Life

Panayiotis F. Stroumbos was born on October 4, 1874 in the city of Kalamata in the southern part of the Peloponnese in southern Greece. After completing high school, Panayiotis joined his father's business as the Director of trade. As the director, he dealt not only in the trading business but also with correspondence and journalism with the Athenian press. He also traveled, visiting Russia, Romania, and Turkey.

He also pursued further education, enrolled in the Theological and Law Schools of the University of Athens, from which he graduated in 1905 with degrees from both faculties. After his graduation Panayiotis entered the Monastery of Oak in Kalamata, Messinia where he was tonsured a monk by Metropolitan Meletius and was given the named Ezekiel. Subsequently, the Mnk. Ezekiel was ordained a deacon and then a priest. Father Ezekiel was later raised to the dignity of archimandrite and assigned as the priest of the Church of Panagia Chrysospiliotissa Aeolus in Athens. Fr. Ezekiel was later assigned to a church in Trieste, Italy that served the local Greek community in Trieste.

When World War I began, Fr. Ezekiel volunteered and served as a chaplain among the soldiers in campaigns in Serbia and Asia Minor, during which he was wounded. For these wartime services, Fr. Ezekiel was awarded the War Cross for bravery Class B, the Medal of Military Merit Fourth Class, and the Silver Cross of Christ.

In October 1924, Fr. Ezekiel was elected to the episcopate by the Synod of Bishops. He was consecrated Bishop of Thessaliotis. Under the leadership of Bp. Ezekiel, the charitable fund of "St. Seraphim" was founded in Karditsa to assist the needy and included sponsoring soup kitchens for the poor. He also founded in Karditsa the Popular Library Association "Athena", renovated the old Karditsa hospital, the sanatorium, and established summer camps. As a popular shepherd, he wrote and published in magazines and newspapers, many studies and articles on subjects such as historical, theological, social, and legal issues, most of which were collected and published in four volumes, entitled "Works and Days."

In 1951, Metr. Ezekiel submitted his resignation as metropolitan, recommending as his successor Metr. Kyrillos I (Karmpaliotis), who had served him as the metropolitan Chancellor. Metr. Ezekiel reposed in September 1953.

Succession box: Ezekiel (Stroumbos) of Thessaliotis
Preceded by: ?	Metropolitan of Thessaliotis 1924 - 1951	Succeeded by: Kyrillos I (Karmpaliotis)

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Source

• The blessed Ezekiel In Greek