It is with a profound sadness yet hope in the Resurrection that the repose of Metropolitan Kallistos of Dioclea was announced today, August 24, 2022. His Eminence, 88 years of age, was called by the Lord to Himself at 1:00 AM at his residence in Oxford, Great Britain. Yesterday, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at his sickbed by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Budapest and Hungary.
A monk, scholar, teacher and Hierarch, His Eminence combined a depth of intellect, pastoral sensitivity, and living spirituality into a bold witness to the Apostolic Tradition and to the witness of the Orthodox Church in the post-modern world. He was ever mindful, however, that the Church was not at home here but was bound for the Kingdom of God. A convert from Anglicanism to Orthodoxy, his book The Orthodox Church was known world wide to be a lucid compendium of the living Truth of our faith and was an inspiration for others to follow the path he took.
He was, first and foremost, a person of deep prayer and it was this which was embodied in his theology and pastoral compassion. His visit to us here at St. George a number of years ago drew a large gathering of people, both Orthodox and other Christians, to hear his message. We were blessed to have this “light of faith” in our midst.
Let us fervently pray for His Eminence, that Christ the High Priest may welcome him to the Heavenly Altar for the Mystical Supper of praise and adoration. May the humble Hierarch, +Kallistos, rest in peace and rise in glory and may his beloved memory be eternal!