Son of a rabbi ordained deacon in Greece

Ordination of Monk Theoklitos. Photo: UOJ in Greece

On May 3, 2026, Monk Theoklitos – an Israeli by origin and the son of a rabbi – was ordained to the diaconate in Greece during a solemn Divine Liturgy in Kalambaka, near Meteora. This was reported by UOJ in Greece.

The ordination took place on Sunday, the feast of the Venerable Fathers of Meteora. The service was led by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras, concelebrated by Bishop Methodios of Knossos and Metropolitan Theoklitos of Stagoi and Meteora. It was Metropolitan Theoklitos who performed the ordination of Monk Theoklitos, a monk of the Varlaam Monastery of Meteora. In his homily, the Metropolitan of Patras spoke about the selfless love of ascetics for God – a love that cannot be understood without living spiritual experience.

Metropolitan Theoklitos of Stagoi and Meteora also recounted the life story of the new cleric. Monk Theoklitos is an Israeli and the son of a rabbi, who himself was the father of nine children. In his search for truth, he came to believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, after which he received Orthodox baptism despite difficulties and persecution. He eventually found his spiritual home in the monasteries of the Meteora complex. The Church of Greece accepted him into its clergy.

The service concluded with hundreds of those present proclaiming “Axios!” (“He is worthy!”).

As previously reported by the UOJ, a Greek monk had warned about internet speculation surrounding church services on Mount Athos. The Meteora monasteries are among the most famous Orthodox monastic complexes in Greece and are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Varlaam Monastery was founded in the 14th century and is one of the six active monasteries of the complex.

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