Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Rodostol reposes on Mount Athos
The hierarch lived on the Holy Mountain for 75 years and led the Athonite Church Academy for more than two decades.
On October 1, 2025, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Rodostol, regarded as one of the most respected and learned hierarchs of our time, reposed on Mount Athos. According to the Hilandar Monastery’s Facebook page, the funeral was held on October 2.
Metropolitan Chrysostomos had lived on Mount Athos for 75 years – since 1950 – residing in the Cell of All Saints, which is under the jurisdiction of the Great Lavra. In 1978, by decision of the Ecumenical Patriarch, he was ordained a bishop to perform sacraments for the monastic brotherhoods.
Despite his episcopal rank, Metropolitan Chrysostomos lived a simple, ascetic life: he wore episcopal vestments and regalia only during services, and in everyday life was indistinguishable from ordinary monks. His cell was filled only with books, and he gave away all the miters and vestments gifted to him to other hierarchs.
As a professor and longtime director of the Athonite Church Academy Athonias, he left a rich spiritual and scholarly legacy. Using his own means, the Metropolitan restored ancient churches and helped build new ones.
The hierarch’s burial took place on October 2 in the cemetery of the Great Lavra. The funeral service was attended by three archbishops, abbots of Athonite monasteries, numerous monks and clergy, as well as current students of Athonias, who prayerfully bade farewell to their mentor.
At the conclusion of the memorial service, the clergy emphasized that Metropolitan Chrysostomos had been a true saint of Athos throughout his life. He was humble and never sought praise, even as the only archbishop residing permanently on the Holy Mountain.
The Athonite brotherhood especially noted his humility, erudition, and sanctity of life, calling him a genuine ascetic of Athos.
He passed away in his monastic cell at the age of 92, shortly after the Divine Liturgy.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that abbots and monks from 40 monasteries of Greece and Mount Athos had expressed their support for the UOC.
