{{cleanup}}His Eminence [[Metropolitan ]] '''Maximos (Aghiorgoussis) ''' serves the Metropolis of Pittsburgh in the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]]. He was elected to this [[see]] in March 1979, and enthroned on April 27, 1979, as the first Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Pittsburgh.

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 [[BartholomewI (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."

As the Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, His Eminence shepherds fifty-two parishes 52 [[parish]]es in the states of Pennsylvania (29), Ohio (17), and West Virginia (6six). The episcopal office is located at 5201 Ellsworth Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

==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 ordained [[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. Metropolitan Maximos has participated in various NCCC missions, including the fact-finding mission of a Blue Ribbon NCCC Panel to the Middle-East (February-March, 1980), a courtesy visit of an NCCC special delegation to the People's Republic of China (November 1981), a similar visit of an NCCC delegation to the USSR (October 1984), a World Council of Churches (WCC) mission to Lebanon at the time of the Israeli invasion (July 1982), and a peace conference in Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia (December 1984). The Metropolitan also joined the Patriarchal delegation to the Sixth General Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Vancouver, Canada (July-August, 1983), and served on the Nominating Committee of the same.

In June 1988Upon the repose of Bishop [[Kallistos (Samaras) of Zelon|Kallistos of Zelon]] (+1991), Metropolitan Maximos returned to accepted the USSR responsibility of spiritual father and Czechoslovakia for the celebration advisor of the Christian Millennium in the land of Kievan RusOrthodox People Together (OPT). {{ref|2}} In April-May, 1992, the Metropolitan took part in a WCC fact-finding mission He also served as advisor to Bielorussia and the Ukraine. The purpose organizing committee of the mission was to study the problem of Uniatism Pan-Orthodox Conference on Mission and to report his findings to the appropriate WCC Committee. In October 1992, Metropolitan Maximos represented the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the IV Conference of the Roman Catholic Latin American Bishops (CELAM) in Santo Domingo, the Dominican RepublicEvangelism.

The Metropolitan Maximos has been a very active participant of the Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvaniaput special emphasis on youth ministry, serving as a member of the Councilreligious education, the Executive Committee[[monasticism]], and the Theological Advisory Committeespiritual life and renewal. The Diocese of Pittsburgh has become a member (judicatory) of the Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia Councils of Churches, as well as of sponsored the first Orthodox Christian Associates of Southwest PennsylvaniaMission to Indonesia. The [[St. His Eminence took part in the 12th National Conference of Christians and Jews in Chicago Gregory Palamas Monastery (November 1990Hayesville, Ohio)|St. Gregory Palamas Monastery]], and served as a member of the organizing committee of the 13th National Conference of Christians and Jewsmen's [[monastery]], which was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania founded in November 19921981. Upon Two monasteries for women were also established: The Holy Nativity of the repose of Bishop Kallistos of Zelon (+1991)Theotokos Convent, Metropolitan Maximos accepted with the responsibility of spiritual father St. Elias Retreat Center, in 1989; and advisor of Orthodox People Together (OPT). He also served as advisor to the organizing committee The Holy Protection of the Pan-Orthodox Conference on Mission and EvangelismTheotokos Convent in 1994.

The Metropolitan has put special emphasis on Youth Ministry, Religious Education, Monasticism Maximos is fluent in French and Spiritual Life and Renewal. The Diocese sponsored the first Orthodox Christian Mission to Indonesia. The St. Gregory Palamas Monastery, a men's monasteryItalian, was founded in 1981. Two monasteries for women were also established: The Holy Nativity of the Theotokos Convent, with the St. Elias Retreat Centeraddition to Greek and English, in 1989; and The Holy Protection of the Theotokos Convent has authored publications in 1994each language.

==Ecumenism==Metropolitan Maximos is fluent has participated in French various National Council of Churches of Christ (NCCC) missions, including the fact-finding mission of a Blue Ribbon NCCC Panel to the Middle-East (February-March, 1980), a courtesy visit of an NCCC special delegation to the People's Republic of China (November 1981), a similar visit of an NCCC delegation to the USSR (October 1984), a [[World Council of Churches]] (WCC) mission to Lebanon at the time of the Israeli invasion (July 1982), and Italiana peace conference in Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia (December 1984). The Metropolitan also joined the Patriarchal delegation to the Sixth General Assembly of the WCC in addition Vancouver, Canada (July-August, 1983), and served on the Nominating Committee of the same.  In June 1988, Metr. Maximos returned to Greek the USSR and EnglishCzechoslovakia for the celebration of the Christian Millennium in the land of Kievan Rus. In April-May, 1992, the Metropolitan took part in a WCC fact-finding mission to Bielorussia and the Ukraine. The purpose of the mission was to study the problem of [[Unia]]tism and to report his findings to the appropriate WCC Committee. In October 1992, Metr. Maximos represented the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Fourth Conference of the [[Roman Catholic]] Latin American Bishops (CELAM) in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic.  Metr. Maximos has been an active participant of the Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania,{{ref|1}} serving as a member of the Council, the Executive Committee, and the Theological Advisory Committee. The Diocese of Pittsburgh has authored publications become a member (judicatory) of the Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia Councils of Churches, as well as of the Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania. His Eminence took part in the 12th National Conference of Christians and Jews in each languageChicago (November 1990), and served as a member of the organizing committee of the 13th National Conference of Christians and Jews, which was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in November 1992.  {{start box}}{{succession|before=?|title=Bishop of Diokleia|years=1978-1982|after=[[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia|Kallistos (Ware)]]}}{{succession|before=?|title=Metropolitan of Pittsburgh|years=1979-present|after=—}}{{succession|before=?|title=Metropolitan of Ainou|years=1997-present|after=—}}{{end box}} ==Reference==*{{note|1}} [http://www.casp.org/ Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania]*{{note|2}} [http://www.orthodoxpeopletogether.org/ Orthodox People Together] ==Source==*[http://pittsburgh.goarch.org/metropolitan/ His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh] (Official biography) ==External links==*[http://orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/resources/hierarchs/constantinople/goarch/current.htm#maximos_metr Listing] at the Orthodox Research Institute===Writings===*[http://www.orthodox.net/ecumenism/2000-09-18-maximos.html On the Vatican Declaration "Dominus Iesus"] 18 September 2000