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His Eminence [[Metropolitan]] '''Maximos (Aghiorgoussis)''' is was the former Metropolitan of Pittsburgh in the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]]. He was elected to this [[see]] in March 1979, and enthroned as the first bishop of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh on April 27, 1979, serving until August of 2011.
His elevation to the ecclesiastical rank of Metropolitan of Ainou by the Holy and Sacred [[Synod]] of the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]] of Constantinople was announced on [[November 24]], 1997, by His All Holiness [[Bartholomew I (Archontonis) of Constantinople|Bartholomew]], Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, "to reward his lengthy and dedicated service, without taking him away from the pastorship of the Holy Diocese of Pittsburgh."
Due to health reasons, he tendered his resignation as Metropolitan of Pittsburgh in August of 2011, and it was accepted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.[http://www.goarch.org/news/maximosresignation-09022011]
On [[November 2]], 2020, Maximos fell asleep in the Lord. His funeral and burial place is at St. Gregory Palamas Monastery in Perrysville, Ohio.[https://www.pittsburgh.goarch.org/metropolitan-maximos]
==Life==
His Eminence was born on the island of Chios on [[March 5]], 1935, to Father and [[Presvytera]] Evangelos Aghiorgoussis. He studied at the Patriarchal [[Theological School of Halki]] where he received his degree in Orthodox Theology in 1957. He was [[ordain]]ed a [[deacon]] in Halki on [[April 28]], 1957, and ordained a [[priest]] on his native island on [[July 26]], 1959. He pursued graduate studies at the University of Louvain, Belgium, where he received a Doctorate in Theology and Baccalaureate in Philosophy in 1964.
In 1966 he arrived in the United States and was appointed Professor of Systematic Theology at the [[Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, Massachusetts)|Holy Cross School of Theology]] in Massachusetts where he remained until May 1979. During his tenure at the school, he also served as Vice President of [[Hellenic College (Brookline, Massachusetts)|Hellenic College]] and Academic Dean of the Holy Cross School of Theology, as well as Chairman of the Faculty Senate. From September 1979 to June 1985, His Eminence served as Professor of Systematic Theology at [[Christ the Saviour Seminary (Johnstown, Pennsylvania)|Christ the Saviour Theological Seminary]] in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He is now visiting professor of Theology at that institution. As of September 1991, the Metropolitan is also a trustee of [[St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)|St. Vladimir's Theological Seminary]] in Crestwood, New York.
On [[April 11]], 1978, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected him [[Bishop]] of Diokleia. Archbishop [[Iakovos (Coucouzis) of America|Iakovos]] [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] him to the Episcopacy on [[Pentecost]] Sunday, [[June 18]], 1978, at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City.
Upon the repose of Bishop [[Kallistos (Samaras) of Zelon|Kallistos of Zelon]] (+1991), Metropolitan Maximos accepted the responsibility of spiritual father and advisor of Orthodox People Together (OPT).{{ref|2}} He also served as advisor to the organizing committee of the Pan-Orthodox Conference on Mission and Evangelism.
During 1991-1992 he was visiting professor [[St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)|St. Vladimir's Theological Seminary]] in Crestwood, New York.
The Metropolitan put special emphasis on youth ministry, religious education, [[monasticism]], and spiritual life and renewal. The Diocese sponsored the first Orthodox Christian Mission to Indonesia. The [[St. Gregory Palamas Monastery (Hayesville, Ohio)|St. Gregory Palamas Monastery]], a men's [[monastery]], was founded in 1981. Two monasteries for women were also established: The Holy Nativity of the Theotokos Convent, with the St. Elias Retreat Center, in 1989; and The Holy Protection of the Theotokos Convent in 1994.
Metropolitan Maximos is fluent in French and Italian, in addition to Greek and English, and has authored publications in each language.
On August 3, 2011, His Eminence submitted his resignation as Metropolitan of Pittsburgh to Archbishop Demetrios, due to health reasons. His resignation was approved by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate by August 30, and Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit was named Locum Tenens of the Pittsburgh Metropolis. The election He was succeeded as Metropolitan of Pittsburgh by His Eminence's replacement is currently underwayMetropolitan [[Savas (Zembillas) of Pittsburgh]] who was elected to the office of Metropolitan of Pittsburgh on [[November 2]], 2011, by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, and was enthroned [[December 8]], 2011.
==Ecumenism==
title=Metropolitan of Pittsburgh|
years=1979-2011|
after=—[[Savas (Zembillas) of Pittsburgh]]}}
{{succession|
before=?|
title=Metropolitan of Ainou|
years=1997-present2020|
after=—}}
{{end box}}
