On 4th March 2010, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa accepted the written resignation of His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatios of Central Africa.
His Beatitude expressed his grateful thanks to His Eminence for his many years of service in the missionary vine of Central Africa and accepted the elder Hierarch’s plea that he remain in the Congo, continuing his service at the Theological School “St Athanasios the Athonite”, which he established.
Also, His Grace Ierotheos of Elefsina, following his application to His Beatitude dated 25th February 2010, was reincorporated into the order of the retired hierarchs of the Patriarchate, of which he is a genuine spiritual stature, having received from it all the ranks of the priesthood.
On 10th march 2010, His Beatitude proceeded with the following administrative rearrangements:
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He named His Eminence the Elder Metropolitan Dionysios, who up until today was serving as General Patriarchal Vicar, as Honourary Patriarchal Vicar. His Eminence will continue his service as Director of the historic Patriarchal publication “Pantainos”
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He accepted the resignation dated 8th March 2010 of His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Petros of Aksum from his position as his Representative in Athens and Director of the Patriarchal Office in the Greek capital and on the same day appointed him as the new Patriarchal Vicar General of the Throne. The Elder Metropolitan of Aksum will continue to represent the Alexandrian Church at theological, inter-Christian and inter-Religious Dialogues as well as at particular ecclesiastical missions.
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He appointed His Eminence Metropolitan George of Zimbabwe as his new Representative in Athens and Director of the Patriarchal Office situated there.
His Eminence Metropolitan George of Zimbabwe was born in Limassol, Cyprus, in 1966. He studied Law at the Aristotelian University in Thessaloniki, Business Management at the Thames Valley University in London and Theology at the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens.
Between the years 1993 and 1997 he did voluntary work at the Orthodox Missionary Centres of Madagascar and India. In 1998 he was ordained Deacon and Priest – Archimandrite by His Eminence Nikita of Hong Kong and served under him as Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Hong Kong.
In November 1999 he was included among the Holy Clergy of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa. He served as Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria under the late Patriarch Petros VII, who also ordained him as Bishop of Nilopolis on 22nd February 2001.
By proposal of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, who also served in Zimbabwe, he was unanimously elected by the Holy Synod as Metropolitan of Zimbabwe on 27th October 2004 and was enthroned by His Beatitude on 19th December 2004 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Harare.
