At the age of 59, after an acute myocardial infarction, His Eminence Metropolitan Pavel of Drama passed away this morning.
Metropolitan Pavel, whose parents come from the long-suffering Pontus, studied at the Lamia Theological School. After graduation, he was admitted to the theological school of the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki. In 1988, after graduating from a bachelor’s degree, he continued his postgraduate studies, receiving a postgraduate diploma in 1995. Since 2002 he has been a doctor of the same university.
In 1983 he was ordained a deacon, and in 1988 a presbyter under the blessed Metropolitan Pavel of Vera. He was the pastor of the Holy Temple of St. Anthony, the patron saint of Veria, and then in 1991 was elected rector of the Holy Monastery of Panagia Sumela and vice president of the board of directors of the foundation of the same name.
Metropolitan Pavel took part in church missions in Greece and abroad, wrote articles for newspapers and magazines, gave lectures and speeches. Five days after the death of Metropolitan Dionysius of Drama, on October 5, 2005, he was elected Metropolitan of Drama by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece. Ordained bishop on the 9th of the same month. In 2016, he opened the new Church of St. Chrysostomos of Smyrna in Drama.
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