Timothy III (Papoutsakis) of Crete

His Eminence the Most Reverend Archbishop Timothy III (Papoutsakis), also Timotheos, was the ruling hierarch of the Archdiocese of Crete under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from 1978 to 2006.

Life

Abp. Timothy was born Michael Papoutsakis, in 1915, in Gavalomouri, Chania in western Crete. After completing his basic education locally, Michael entered the University of Athens Theology School. After graduating, he served during two wars as a preacher in Northern Epirus and during the German occupation. After World War II ended he was made an archimandrite. In 1950, Fr. Timothy continued his education in France.

In 1956, he was elected and consecrated Bishop of Gortyna and Arcadia of the Metropolis of Crete. While serving Gortyna and Arcadia, Bp. Timothy was very active as a missionary and supporting charitable institutions. He founded the “Panagia Kaliviani” Foundation in Mires, Messara that was his greatest initiative having, in difficult times of significant social contrasts and problems, come to the aid of hundreds of orphan girls.

On March 10, 1978, Bp. Timothy was elected Archbishop of Crete by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. As archbishop, he expanded the educational facilities of the Archdiocese by establishing in 1973 the Higher Ecclesiastical School of Crete (of the University of Crete) in Heraklion. He also was the editor of the religious publication “Anagenissis”.

After suffering respiration problems for a number of years, Abp. Timothy died of heart failure on July 26, 2006.

Succession box: Timothy III (Papoutsakis) of Crete
Preceded by: Eugene (Psalidakis)	Bishop of Gortyna and Arcadia 1956-1978	Succeeded by: Cyril (Cipriotakis)
Preceded by: Eugene	Archbishop of Crete 1978-2006	Succeeded by: Irinios (Athanasiadis)

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Sources

• Archbishop Timotheos Passes Away
• The new Archbishop of Crete