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His Eminence the Most Reverend [[Archbishop]] '''Dmitri (Royster) of Dallas and the South''' (1923-2011) was the ruling [[bishop]] of the [[OCA]]'s [[Diocese of the South (OCA)|Diocese of the South]] (1978-2009). His [[consecration He was one of a bishop|consecration the first American converts to Orthodoxy to the episcopate]] be made an Orthodox Bishop. He is regarded lovingly remembered by many as "[[Apostle]] to the first of a convert in AmericaSouth."

Abp. Dmitri was born '''Robert Royster''' on [[November 2]], 1923. As a teenager he lived in Teague, Texas (outside of Dallas), and was faithful to his conservative Baptist upbringing. But he, along with his sister, felt that there must be more to the Christian faith than his [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denomination was offering. After a period of inquiry and study, the two young teens were received, together, as Orthodox Christians, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas in 1941. It was at this point that Robert adopted the name ''Dmitri'' (after St. [[Dmitri of Rostov]]). Dmitri was drafted into the US Army in March, 1943, where he served as a Japanese interpreter at the rank of Second Lieutenant. After his military service, he began, though never completed , his education and served doctoral studies at Tulane University before working as an instructor of Spanish at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, later becoming a professor of Spanish at SMU. Dmitri also taught at Tulane University in New Orleans for a brief period. During these early years as an Orthodox Christian, Dmitri was active as a layman in [[missionary]] work among an ethically Mexican-Americans in Texas(Spanish Language) parish under the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Ecumenical Patriarch) where he worked on translating many liturgical texts to Spanish.

In April of 1954, he was [[ordination|ordained]] to the [[priest]]hood within the [[as a subdeacon in Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America|Metropolia]]. After his ordination(Ecumenical Patriarchate), Fr. Dmitri founded helped to establish an English Language parish, named for St. Seraphim Church of Sarov in Dallas, TX. He continued his missionary activities among the Mexican-Americans. In 1965On November 2, 1954, he was contacted by Bishop [[Jose (Cortes y Olmos) of Mexico Cityordination|Jose (Cortes y Olmos)ordained]] of to the Mexican National Church who with his flock had become interested in becoming Orthodox. Dmitri presented their situation diaconate and then to the [[Holy Synod]] priesthood on November 6 by Bishop Bogdan of the Metropolia. After many visits and exchanges, Bp. Dmitri presented his report recommending acceptance of the Mexican group into the Ukrainian Orthodox Church(Ecumenical Patriarchate). After consideration, in February 1972, While his focus was on the Holy Synodnew, now of the Orthodox Church in AmericaEnglish-language community, accepted he continued his work among the Mexican group with formation of an exarchate -American Orthodox in Mexico, with Bp. Dmitri as exarchDallas.

During 1966In 1965, Fr. Dmitri attended he was contacted by Bishop [[St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary Jose (Crestwood, New YorkCortes y Olmos)of Mexico City|St. Vladimir's SeminaryJose (Cortes y Olmos)]] of the Mexican National Church who with his flock had become interested in New York while concurrently teaching Spanish at Fordham Universitybecoming Orthodox. In 1969, [[Archimandrite]] Dmitri was elected presented their situation to the [[episcopateHoly Synod]]of the Metropolia. Then on [[June 22]]After many visits and exchanges, he was [[Consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] Bishop of Berkeley as [[auxiliary bishop|auxiliary]] to Abp. [[John (Shahovskoy) of San Francisco]]. The consecration of Bp. Dmitri is regarded by some historians as the first consecration presented his report recommending acceptance of a [[convert]] to the episcopate in America (though [[Ignatius (Nichols) of Washington|Ignatius (Nichols)]] was consecrated in 1932 but subsequently left Mexican group into the Orthodox Church). In 1970After consideration, in February 1972, the Holy Synod, Bp. Dmitri was assigned as Bishop now of Washingtonthe Orthodox Church in America, auxiliary to Metropolitan [[Ireney (Bekish) accepted the Mexican group with formation of New York|Ireney]]. On [[October 19]], 1971an exarchate in Mexico, with Bp. Dmitri was elected Bishop of Hartford and New England while continuing as the exarch of Mexico.

With the formation of the During 1966, Fr. Dmitri attended [[DioceseSt. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)|St. Vladimir's Seminary]] of Dallas and the Southin New York while concurrently teaching Spanish at Fordham University. In 1969, Bp. [[Archimandrite]] Dmitri was elected its first ruling bishop in to the 1970s and [[episcopate]]. Then on [[June 22]], he was charged with the development [[Consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] Bishop of the diocese, which at the time consisted Berkeley as [[auxiliary bishop|auxiliary]] to Abp. [[John (Shahovskoy) of a few churches in Florida and Texas and several missionsSan Francisco]]. In the 1980s1970, Bp. Dmitri was elevated assigned as Bishop of Washington, auxiliary to the rank Metropolitan [[Ireney (Bekish) of archbishopNew York|Ireney]]. Under his leadership the Diocese of the South has grown to approximately 60 On [[parishOctober 19]]es , 1971, Bp. Dmitri was elected Bishop of Hartford and missions (New England while continuing as of 2005), and is one of the most vibrant dioceses exarch of the OCAMexico.

With the formation of the [[Diocese]] of Dallas and the South, Bp. Dmitri was elected its first ruling bishop in the 1978, and was charged with the development of the diocese, which at the time consisted of a few churches primarily in Florida and Texas. In the 1980s, Bp. Dmitri was elevated to the rank of archbishop. Abp. Dmitri authored several books. His theological writings include ''Orthodox Christian Teaching: An Introduction to the Orthodox Faith''; ''The Doctrine of Christ''; ''The Parables of Christ''; ''The Miracles of Christ''; ''The Kingdom of God: The Sermon on the Mount''; and ''The Epistle to the Hebrews, A Commentary'', which was published in 2003. His Eminence is currently writing a commentary on the [[Gospel of Mark|Gospel According to St. Mark]]. He was also the editor of ''The Dawn'', the diocesan monthly newsletter.

He reposed in the Lord on [[August 28]], 2011. On [[March 5]], 2016, the body of Abp. Dmitri was disinterred from Restland Cemetery. The state of his body surprised those who examined it, and many have said it is incorrupt, one of the marks of a saint. He was revested and reinterred in a memorial chapel adjoining St. Seraphim Cathedral, in a special burial chamber.

after=—[[Alexander (Golitzin) of Dallas, the South and the Bulgarian Diocese|Alexander (Golitzin)]]}}

*[httphttps://modx.oca.org/news/1796 archived/his-eminence-archbishop-dmitri-announces-request-to-be-granted-retirement His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri announces retirement] - (OCA website)*[httphttps://orthodoxresearchinstitutewww.orgresearchgate.net/resourcespublication/hierarchs/oca/current.htm#dmitri_arch Listing372782266_From_District_to_Diocese_An_Examination_of_the_Founding_and_Missionary_Methods_of_the_OCA_Diocese_of_the_South From District to Diocese: An Examination of the Founding and Missionary Methods of the OCA Diocese of the South] Masters Thesis at the Orthodox Research InstituteResearchGate*[http://www.stseraphim.org/clergydmitri.html His Eminence, Archbishop Vladyka Dmitri, Rector] at the website of St. Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral (OCA), Dallas, TX