On the night of Saturday, February 14th 2026, the former Metropolitan of Ganos and Chora, Amphilochios, reposed in the Lord at the age of 88.
The news was made known in a post by Archimandrite Nektarios Pokkias, who, with emotion, announced the repose of the respected Hierarch, writing:
“Our sweet Elder, Metropolitan formerly of Ganos and Chora, lord Amphilochios, a few minutes ago journeyed into eternity. Eternal be his memory. May we have his blessing… Now he is near his Elder, the Venerable Amphilochios Makris.”
BIOGRAPHY
Metropolitan Amphilochios, formerly of Ganos and Chora (in the world Adamantios Tsoukos), was born in 1938 in Lardos of Rhodes.
He attended the Patmian Ecclesiastical School and in 1959 enrolled in the Theological School of Halki. On December 8, 1962, he was tonsured a monk at the Holy Trinity Church of the Theological School of Halki, and the following day he was ordained Deacon by the then Rector, Metropolitan Maximos of Stavroupolis. He was ordained Presbyter by the same Metropolitan on July 14, 1963. That same year, he also received his degree in Theology, submitting a thesis on “The Dogmatic Teaching of the Quran.” He remained at the Theological School of Halki for an additional year by the order of the then Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras.
From 1964 to 1968, he was in Patmos, serving under Elder Amphilochios Makris at the Sacred Monastery of the Annunciation. In 1969, he was appointed Professor at the Patmian Ecclesiastical School, and was a parish priest in holy monasteries and a preacher in Patmos and the surrounding island.
In 1972 he went to Africa, where he worked as a missionary in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zaire. In 1974, he was granted the rank of Archimandrite by Patriarch Nicholas of Alexandria at the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Lubumbashi, Zaire.
In 1978, he returned to the Patmian School, where he taught until 1989. At that time, Metropolitan Apostolos of Rhodes called him to Rhodes, where he was appointed preacher of the Sacred Metropolis of Rhodes. On May 22, 1990, he was enthroned as Abbot of the Sacred Monastery of Tharri.
On June 15, 2005, he was unanimously elected by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Bishop of Erythrae, as assistant to His Eminence Metropolitan Kyrillos of Rhodes. Thus on July 9, 2005, he was ordained titular Bishop of Erythrae, and Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolis of Rhodes.
On October 13, 2005, he was elected Metropolitan of New Zealand.
On May 30, 2018, he was elected Metropolitan of Ganos and Chora by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. On October 3, 2022, he resigned.
Until his final years he remained an active spiritual father and beloved hierarch, with a presence on the islands of the Aegean and especially on Agathonisi.
The Elder had suffered a serious stroke on November 29, 2025, while on the remote island of Agathonisi. Despite the particularly adverse weather conditions prevailing in the area, an EKAB Super Puma helicopter managed to reach the island and immediately transport him to the General Hospital of Samos. The attending physicians deemed it necessary to admit him to the Intensive Care Unit, where he was hospitalized during the critical first 24 hours.
In the final period of his life he was hospitalized at the Hospital of Rhodes, waging his own struggle with dignity and faith.
He fell asleep in the Lord in Rhodes on February 14, 2026.
His loss leaves a profound mark of spiritual offering and pastoral ministry.
The news was made known in a post by Archimandrite Nektarios Pokkias, who, with emotion, announced the repose of the respected Hierarch, writing:
“Our sweet Elder, Metropolitan formerly of Ganos and Chora, lord Amphilochios, a few minutes ago journeyed into eternity. Eternal be his memory. May we have his blessing… Now he is near his Elder, the Venerable Amphilochios Makris.”
BIOGRAPHY
Metropolitan Amphilochios, formerly of Ganos and Chora (in the world Adamantios Tsoukos), was born in 1938 in Lardos of Rhodes.
He attended the Patmian Ecclesiastical School and in 1959 enrolled in the Theological School of Halki. On December 8, 1962, he was tonsured a monk at the Holy Trinity Church of the Theological School of Halki, and the following day he was ordained Deacon by the then Rector, Metropolitan Maximos of Stavroupolis. He was ordained Presbyter by the same Metropolitan on July 14, 1963. That same year, he also received his degree in Theology, submitting a thesis on “The Dogmatic Teaching of the Quran.” He remained at the Theological School of Halki for an additional year by the order of the then Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras.
From 1964 to 1968, he was in Patmos, serving under Elder Amphilochios Makris at the Sacred Monastery of the Annunciation. In 1969, he was appointed Professor at the Patmian Ecclesiastical School, and was a parish priest in holy monasteries and a preacher in Patmos and the surrounding island.
In 1972 he went to Africa, where he worked as a missionary in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zaire. In 1974, he was granted the rank of Archimandrite by Patriarch Nicholas of Alexandria at the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Lubumbashi, Zaire.
In 1978, he returned to the Patmian School, where he taught until 1989. At that time, Metropolitan Apostolos of Rhodes called him to Rhodes, where he was appointed preacher of the Sacred Metropolis of Rhodes. On May 22, 1990, he was enthroned as Abbot of the Sacred Monastery of Tharri.
On June 15, 2005, he was unanimously elected by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Bishop of Erythrae, as assistant to His Eminence Metropolitan Kyrillos of Rhodes. Thus on July 9, 2005, he was ordained titular Bishop of Erythrae, and Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolis of Rhodes.
On October 13, 2005, he was elected Metropolitan of New Zealand.
On May 30, 2018, he was elected Metropolitan of Ganos and Chora by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. On October 3, 2022, he resigned.
Until his final years he remained an active spiritual father and beloved hierarch, with a presence on the islands of the Aegean and especially on Agathonisi.
The Elder had suffered a serious stroke on November 29, 2025, while on the remote island of Agathonisi. Despite the particularly adverse weather conditions prevailing in the area, an EKAB Super Puma helicopter managed to reach the island and immediately transport him to the General Hospital of Samos. The attending physicians deemed it necessary to admit him to the Intensive Care Unit, where he was hospitalized during the critical first 24 hours.
In the final period of his life he was hospitalized at the Hospital of Rhodes, waging his own struggle with dignity and faith.
He fell asleep in the Lord in Rhodes on February 14, 2026.
His loss leaves a profound mark of spiritual offering and pastoral ministry.
THE ILLUMINATOR OF OCEANIA
The blessed one was a humble worker and simple pillar of Orthodoxy in Africa.
With the blessing of his elder, Saint Amphilochios Makris of Patmos, he zealously followed Saint Chrysostomos Papasarandopoulos to Kenya in the year 1968, and afterward ministered for many years in the Congo, mainly in the region of the city of Kolwezi and in villages of the jungle.
In 2005 he was ordained bishop in the Sacred Metropolis of New Zealand and the Islands of Oceania.
As an experienced spiritual cultivator, he planted the first seed of the Orthodox faith in three new countries: Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.
He ordained the first three indigenous clergy of Fiji in Thessaloniki, while in 2019 he was honored with the Brotherhood’s highest honorary distinction, receiving the title “Missionary to the Nations” for his labors of more than half a century in the field of External Mission.
He has rightly been called the Illuminator of Oceania.
We pray that his work may find imitators, and that he himself, from the land of the living, may intercede to the Lord of the harvest for the continual and unhindered fruitfulness of what he sowed.
The blessed one was a humble worker and simple pillar of Orthodoxy in Africa.
With the blessing of his elder, Saint Amphilochios Makris of Patmos, he zealously followed Saint Chrysostomos Papasarandopoulos to Kenya in the year 1968, and afterward ministered for many years in the Congo, mainly in the region of the city of Kolwezi and in villages of the jungle.
In 2005 he was ordained bishop in the Sacred Metropolis of New Zealand and the Islands of Oceania.
As an experienced spiritual cultivator, he planted the first seed of the Orthodox faith in three new countries: Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.
He ordained the first three indigenous clergy of Fiji in Thessaloniki, while in 2019 he was honored with the Brotherhood’s highest honorary distinction, receiving the title “Missionary to the Nations” for his labors of more than half a century in the field of External Mission.
He has rightly been called the Illuminator of Oceania.
We pray that his work may find imitators, and that he himself, from the land of the living, may intercede to the Lord of the harvest for the continual and unhindered fruitfulness of what he sowed.
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SPIRITUAL FATHER OF AGATHONISI
His presence on the remote island of Agathonisi was decisive. He became closely connected with the local community and developed intense spiritual and pastoral activity. He showed particular concern for the construction of the Sacred Monastery of Saint Agatha in Megalo Chorio of Agathonisi, a project of special importance for the island, which he personally supervised at every stage of its implementation.
The undertaking progressed with the support of the Mayor Evangelos Kottoros and the assistance of the residents, becoming a reference point for the spiritual life of the region.
The two photographs are the architectural plans of the Monastery of Saint Agatha under construction in Agathonisi.
The photograph of the Elder is at the location where the monastery is being built.
The news of his repose caused emotion throughout the Dodecanese and especially among the inhabitants of the remote island, who regarded him as their spiritual father.
His presence on the remote island of Agathonisi was decisive. He became closely connected with the local community and developed intense spiritual and pastoral activity. He showed particular concern for the construction of the Sacred Monastery of Saint Agatha in Megalo Chorio of Agathonisi, a project of special importance for the island, which he personally supervised at every stage of its implementation.
The undertaking progressed with the support of the Mayor Evangelos Kottoros and the assistance of the residents, becoming a reference point for the spiritual life of the region.
The two photographs are the architectural plans of the Monastery of Saint Agatha under construction in Agathonisi.
The photograph of the Elder is at the location where the monastery is being built.
The news of his repose caused emotion throughout the Dodecanese and especially among the inhabitants of the remote island, who regarded him as their spiritual father.
FROM THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE
An announcement regarding the repose of the blessed Metropolitan was issued by the Ecumenical Patriarchate:
“The Mother Church, with deepest sorrow, announces the departure to the Lord of the ever-memorable Metropolitan, formerly of Ganos and Chora, lord Amphilochios, yesterday, Saturday, February 14, 2025, at the General Hospital of Rhodes ‘Andreas Papandreou,’ at approximately 11:52 p.m.
Details concerning the funeral service and the burial of the blessed Hierarch will be announced,” it states.
An announcement regarding the repose of the blessed Metropolitan was issued by the Ecumenical Patriarchate:
“The Mother Church, with deepest sorrow, announces the departure to the Lord of the ever-memorable Metropolitan, formerly of Ganos and Chora, lord Amphilochios, yesterday, Saturday, February 14, 2025, at the General Hospital of Rhodes ‘Andreas Papandreou,’ at approximately 11:52 p.m.
Details concerning the funeral service and the burial of the blessed Hierarch will be announced,” it states.
FROM THE PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA
Upon the news of the falling asleep in the Lord of the blessed former Metropolitan of Ganos and Chora, Amphilochios, His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodoros II of Alexandria, before the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on February 15th — at which he presided in the Sacred Patriarchal Monastery of Saint Savvas in Alexandria — served a Trisagion for the repose of the soul of the ever-memorable great Hierarch and missionary.
Moved with emotion, His Beatitude addressed the congregation with the following words:
“With the deepest emotion and filial gratitude I recall today to my memory the ever-memorable Elder Amphilochios, the precious benefactor and pillar of the Mission of the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria.
I first met him about forty-five years ago in Chania, beside the blessed Mrs. Maria Koufaki, at the great pilgrimage shrine of Saint Nektarios. With that simplicity which concealed within it a flame of mission, he told me: ‘Come, Father Theodoror, to Africa; come help the Mission.’ And from that moment his sacred figure was indelibly engraved upon my heart.
We owe so very much to the blessed Elder Amphilochios. For years he served with self-sacrifice in the Congo, in Lubumbashi and Kolwezi, traversing all Africa.
The blessed former Metropolitan of Ganos and Chora, Kyr Amphilochios, had a meek and gentle heart, a heart full of mercy.
He was the spiritual father, support, and guide of two distinguished Hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Metropolitan Demetrios of Eireneoupolis and Metropolitan Savvas of Noubia. He was also the spiritual guide of Metropolitan Germanos of Tamiatheos and substantially strengthened Bishop Sylvester of Tzinja.
How many souls found rest under his stole! How many children of Africa tasted his love!
Today, as he journeys toward the heavens, on behalf of the Patriarchate of Alexandria we express our boundless gratitude. Personally, I must offer a testimony: on my journeys to Cameroon, when I did not even have the fare for the return, the venerable Elder—with discernment and silent love—supported me. The refinement of his heart was for me a lesson of life.”
And His Beatitude, concluding and turning his gaze emotionally toward heaven, said:
“Venerable Elder Amphilochios, go in peace. Thousands of souls whom you comforted under your stole await you; the children of the African Mission await you, beside Amphilochios Makris and Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos. Eternal be your memory. Our gratitude will always accompany you.”
PERSONAL TESTIMONY
I had the blessing of meeting Elder Amphilochios when he visited Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1995. It was a time when I was serving as ecclesiarch of the chapel. For some reason that I cannot recall, I was a few minutes late to Vespers, and when I walked in I saw him serving before the Holy Altar alone. Immediately I felt I was in the presence of a true holy man of God, more so than I had ever sensed before while a student, and I had no idea who he was. My immediate thought was I needed to go back to the sanctuary and receive his blessing and offer my assistance, which I did. Upon inquiry I finally learned that he was an Abbot in Rhodes and had been a disciple of Elder Amphilochios of Patmos. This helped confirm for me that what I was sensing from him was real, and as long as he was on campus I tried to be around him and offer my assistance in any way I could. I was also able to get a photograph with him.
Upon the news of the falling asleep in the Lord of the blessed former Metropolitan of Ganos and Chora, Amphilochios, His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodoros II of Alexandria, before the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on February 15th — at which he presided in the Sacred Patriarchal Monastery of Saint Savvas in Alexandria — served a Trisagion for the repose of the soul of the ever-memorable great Hierarch and missionary.
Moved with emotion, His Beatitude addressed the congregation with the following words:
“With the deepest emotion and filial gratitude I recall today to my memory the ever-memorable Elder Amphilochios, the precious benefactor and pillar of the Mission of the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria.
I first met him about forty-five years ago in Chania, beside the blessed Mrs. Maria Koufaki, at the great pilgrimage shrine of Saint Nektarios. With that simplicity which concealed within it a flame of mission, he told me: ‘Come, Father Theodoror, to Africa; come help the Mission.’ And from that moment his sacred figure was indelibly engraved upon my heart.
We owe so very much to the blessed Elder Amphilochios. For years he served with self-sacrifice in the Congo, in Lubumbashi and Kolwezi, traversing all Africa.
The blessed former Metropolitan of Ganos and Chora, Kyr Amphilochios, had a meek and gentle heart, a heart full of mercy.
He was the spiritual father, support, and guide of two distinguished Hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Metropolitan Demetrios of Eireneoupolis and Metropolitan Savvas of Noubia. He was also the spiritual guide of Metropolitan Germanos of Tamiatheos and substantially strengthened Bishop Sylvester of Tzinja.
How many souls found rest under his stole! How many children of Africa tasted his love!
Today, as he journeys toward the heavens, on behalf of the Patriarchate of Alexandria we express our boundless gratitude. Personally, I must offer a testimony: on my journeys to Cameroon, when I did not even have the fare for the return, the venerable Elder—with discernment and silent love—supported me. The refinement of his heart was for me a lesson of life.”
And His Beatitude, concluding and turning his gaze emotionally toward heaven, said:
“Venerable Elder Amphilochios, go in peace. Thousands of souls whom you comforted under your stole await you; the children of the African Mission await you, beside Amphilochios Makris and Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos. Eternal be your memory. Our gratitude will always accompany you.”
PERSONAL TESTIMONY
I had the blessing of meeting Elder Amphilochios when he visited Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1995. It was a time when I was serving as ecclesiarch of the chapel. For some reason that I cannot recall, I was a few minutes late to Vespers, and when I walked in I saw him serving before the Holy Altar alone. Immediately I felt I was in the presence of a true holy man of God, more so than I had ever sensed before while a student, and I had no idea who he was. My immediate thought was I needed to go back to the sanctuary and receive his blessing and offer my assistance, which I did. Upon inquiry I finally learned that he was an Abbot in Rhodes and had been a disciple of Elder Amphilochios of Patmos. This helped confirm for me that what I was sensing from him was real, and as long as he was on campus I tried to be around him and offer my assistance in any way I could. I was also able to get a photograph with him.
