Metropolitan '''Alexios (Panagiotopoulos)''' is a [[bishop]] of the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]] serving in the United Stateswithin the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]]. He is primate of the Metropolis of Atlanta, which covers the southeastern portion of the United States.

Deacon Anthimos Panagiotopoulos was born returned to Patras upon his ordination to the [[priest]]hood on [[December 25August 27]], 1972. He became a member of the Gerokomion [[Monastery]]of the Virgin Mary, 1943 while serving the church of St. Sophia in Patras. Shortly after receiving his degree from the University of Athens, Greecehe applied to the Doctor of Ministry program at Boston University's School of Theology. His parents were Spyridon He was accepted and Angeliki Panagiotopoulos. In 1963moved to Boston, Anthimos was where he served as [[tonsuredproistamenos]] as a of the church of the [[monkDormition]] of Vatopedion Monastery. He graduated from the Anthonias Ecclesiastical Academy Theotokos in 1964Burlington, Vermont. Upon Fr. Anthimos received his ordination doctoral degree in 1977 and returned to the [[diaconate]] in late 1965Patras, where he served as was appointed [[archdeaconHegumen]] of the Metropolis of PatrasGerokomion Monastery. He was shortly summoned back to America, however, but later moved to Athens to enroll in the School of Theology become [[Dean]] of the University Cathedral of Athens (from which he received a degree Ss. Constantine and Helen in 1973Brooklyn, New York.) While enrolled at the universityThe following year, he served concurrently was transferred to Astoria to serve as deacon to dean of the Athenian churches combined communities of St. Panteleimon Demetrios and StSs. SpyridonCatherine and George.

Deacon Anthimos returned to Patras upon his ordination to the priesthood on On [[August 27April 7]], 1972. He became a member of the Gerokomion Monastery of the Virgin Mary1987, while serving the church [[Holy Synod]] of St. Sophia in Patras. Shortly after receiving his degree from the University of Athens, he applied to the Doctor of Ministry program at Boston University's School of TheologyEcumenical Patriarchate elected Fr. He was accepted and moved to Boston, where he served Anthimos as [[proistamenostitular bishop]] of the church of the Troas. At his consecration on [[DormitionMay 17]] of the Theotokos in Burlington, Vermont. Fr. Anthimos received his doctoral degree in 1977 and returned to Patrasthat year, where he was appointed as [[Hegumenchorepiscopos]] (village bishop) of the Gerokomion MonasteryAstoria. He was shortly summoned back (Although this is a former office in Orthodox canon law, in this case the term seems to America, however, have been more intended to become [[Dean]] describe the scope of his responsibilities with respect to the Cathedral Astoria community.) In 1989, his duties were expanded to include oversight of SS. Constantine parishes throughout Queens, Long Island, southern Connecticut, and Helen in Brooklyn, upstate New York. The following year, he He was transferred to Astoria to serve also named as dean director of the [[Hellenic Cultural Center]], an institution of the combined communities Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of St. Demetrios and SS. Catherine and GeorgeAmerica based in Astoria.

On [[April 7]], 1987, the [[Holy Synod]] of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected Fr. Anthimos as [[titular bishop]] of Troas. At his consecration on [[May 17]] of that year, he was appointed as [[choroepiscopos]] (village bishop) of Astoria. (Although this is a former office in Orthodox canon law, in this case the term seems to have been more intended to describe the scope of his responsibilities with respect to the Astoria community.) In 1989, his duties were expanded to include oversight of parishes throughout Queens, Long Island, southern Connecticut, and upstate New York. He was also named as director of the [[Hellenic Cultural Center]], an institution of the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]] based in Astoria. On [[January 1]], 1997, Bishop Alexios was designated as Archepiscopal Vicar for the Diocese of Atlanta, following the death of Bishop [[Philip (Koutoufas) of Atlanta|Bishop Philip]]. In 1999, Bishop Alexios was elected as the new bishop of the Diocese. At the end of 2002, the Diocese of Atlanta was upgradedelevated, along with the other dioceses of the American churchArchdiocese, to the status of Metropolis, and Bishop Bp. Alexios was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan. ==Source== * [http://atlanta.goarch.org/biography.htm Biography of Metropolitan Alexios on the website of the Metropolis of Atlanta]* "Bishop Alexios Enthroned in Atlanta Diocese," ''The Orthodox Observer'', June 1999, page 2 [http://www.goarch.org/en/news/observer/pdf/1999/99-JUNE.pdf PDF copy]

title=Bishop/Metropolitan of Atlanta|