Synaxarion of our Venerable and God-Bearing Father Demetrios Gagastathis

Synaxarion

By Haralambos Bousias

On the 29th of the same month [January], the commemoration of our Venerable and God-bearing Father Demetrios, surnamed Gagastathis, the newly-manifested radiant good Levite of Platanos in Trikala.

Verses

The simple and gentle presbyter Demetrios,
Christ has deemed worthy to rejoice with the angels.

The sanctified liturgist of the Most High, our father Demetrios, surnamed Gagastathis, a zealous emulator of the angels, has newly shone forth as a many-radiant star of holiness in Platanos of Trikala (1902–1975).

Coming from a married state and, beyond wife and children — having been deemed worthy to become the guardian of nine daughters — loving the Lord, he served Him in venerably in the priesthood, a poor former shepherd of irrational sheep. Becoming an inexhaustible vessel of myrrh of divine graces, as he liturgized he filled the church with an ineffable fragrance.

Address of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Signing of the Synodal Act of Canonization of Saint Demetrios Gagastathis

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Service of the Ceremony of the Signing of the Patriarchal and Synodal Act of Canonization of the new Saint in the calendar of the Orthodox Church, Father Demetrios Gagastathis, which took place on the afternoon of Saturday, August 30, 2025, in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in the Phanar. At that time he addressed the following words to the people present, among whom was Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Trikki, who also addressed the congregation, and a number of faithful with him from Trikala, who had originally proposed his canonization.

Address of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Signing of the Synodal Act of Canonization

We heartily welcome all of you, the most honorable and beloved brother Hierarchs, the most revered clergy and monastics, and all the Christ-loving children of the Church, to this sacred and devout synaxis in the Phanar.

The Synodal Act of Canonization for Saint Demetrios Gagastathis is Signed

Today, Saturday, August 30, 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Trikki, Gardiki and Pyli, accompanied by Priests, the President of Urban Development of the Municipality of Trikala, as well as a multitude of pilgrims from Trikala, paid a visit to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

His Eminence, with emotion and gratitude, thanked His All-Holiness for the great blessing of the official canonization of Saint Demetrios Gagastathis, expressing the thanks of the faithful people of Trikala (see his words below).

He also particularly thanked the members of the Patriarchal Holy Synod, who were present during this sacred meeting.

Who Was Saint Demetrios Gagastathis? Recollections of a Spiritual Child of His

By Stylianos Kementzetzidis

He was born at the beginning of our century, specifically in 1902 in the village of Platanos, where later, for 42 consecutive years, the good shepherd of the reasonable sheep lived.

He reposed in 1975, on January 29th, in peace.

He is a saintly figure, although he lived as a married man in the world.

He was endowed with many gifts, with great diligence, purity of conscience, unwavering faith, deep humility and with fullness of love for God and neighbor.

Platanos is a small town, a large village, 15 kilometers to the right of the city of Trikala, in Thessaly.

Father Demetrios performed miraculous signs from the first years of his life.

And what he received from God he cultivated with diligence, he increased it and always humbly and for the glory of God alone.

Saint Demetrios Gagastathis Resource Page

St. Demetrios Gagastathis of Platanos (Feast Day - January 29)

Papa-Demetrios Gagastathis: Brief Life and Teachings 

 

Who Was Saint Demetrios Gagastathis? Recollections of a Spiritual Child of His 

 

Remembering the Venerable Priest Father Demetrios Gagastathis 50 Years After His Repose 

 

Papa-Demetrios Gagastathis and His Relationship With the Archangels 

 

Papa-Demetrios Gagastathis and the Old Calendarists 

 

Papa-Demetrios Gagastathis Unanimously Proposed for Sainthood by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece 

 

Papa-Demetrios Gagastathis Has Been Canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate 

 

The Synodal Act of Canonization for Saint Demetrios Gagastathis is Signed

 

Address of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Signing of the Synodal Act of Canonization of Saint Demetrios Gagastathis 
 

Papa-Demetrios Gagastathis Has Been Canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Joyfully, the bells are ringing today at the Sacred Metropolis of Trikki, Gardiki and Pyli with the news coming from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who accepted today, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the relevant dossier and inscribed Protopresbyter Demetrios Gagastathis in the Hagiologion of the Orthodox Church. 

It should be noted that the Permanent Sacred Synod of the Church of Greece, during its session on March 11, 2025, unanimously accepted the proposal for the classification of the late Protopresbyter Demetrios Gagastathis (+ January 29, 1975) into the Hagiologion of the Church, and submitted a relevant request to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Papa-Demetrios Gagastathis Unanimously Proposed for Sainthood by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece

The Sacred Metropolis of Trikki, Gardiki and Pyli announced with deep emotion that the Permanent Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, during its session on March 11, 2025, unanimously accepted the proposal for the classification of the late Protopresbyter Demetrios Gagastathis in the Hagiological Registery of the Church, and submitted a relevant request to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The official synodal document states:

 

A submitted request of His Eminence Metropolitan of Trikki, Gardiki and Pyli, Mr. Chrysostomos.

It was decided to inscribe in the Hagiological Registery of the Church the priest Demetrios Gagastathis, a man universally acknowledged by the fullness of Christians for his holiness and Orthodox life.

January 29, the day of his repose, was designated as his day of commemoration.

Papa-Demetri, as the people affectionately called him, was a priest of prayer, humility and unceasing ministry.

The fame of his holiness remains alive, and a multitude of believers continue to resort to his prayers.

The Sacred Metropolis of Trikki, Gardiki and Pyli, with prayer and reverence, awaits the decision of the Mother Church, through His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch, for the official inscription of the blessed priest among the Saints.

With deep emotion,

+ Chrysostomos of Trikki, Gardiki and Pyli

 

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

 

Remembering the Venerable Priest Father Demetrios Gagastathis 50 Years After His Repose

By Dr. Haralambos M. Bousias,
Great Hymnographer of the Alexandrian Church

This year marks fifty years since the repose of the good Levite of our Church, Father Demetrios Gagastathis, priest of the village of Platanos, once known as Vania, in Trikala.

Although simple and inconspicuous, Father Demetrios is well known to the Orthodox faithful for the holiness of his life, for his miraculous signs and especially for the boldness he had towards the Archangel Michael.

He had felt his presence and benevolence many times.

He was his guardian, protector and savior.

He was especially revered by the Venerable Philotheos Zervakos and the most venerable Hagiorite monks who came from Holy Meteora, fathers of virtue who found in praxis the attainment of theoria.