The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia announced that on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Bishop Paul of Christianoupolis passed away peacefully in the Lord. Chaired by Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the Synod decided that the funeral service will be held at the Church of St. George in Adelaide on Monday, September 23, 2024, at 11 a.m. The burial will follow at Centennial Park Cemetery in Pasadena, Adelaide.
Paul of Christianoupolis
The late Bishop Paul (Apostolos Laios) was born in Arta on June 30, 1938. He studied theology at the esteemed Theological School of Halki, from which he graduated in 1962. Initially serving as the General Hierarchical Vicar of the Holy Metropolis of Demetrias until 1970, he then emigrated to Australia, where he joined the clergy of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia as the hierarchical head of the Holy Trinity Church in Richmond, Melbourne.
He was elected as Bishop of the once prominent Diocese of Christianoupolis, serving as an assistant bishop to Archbishop Stylianos of Australia. He was ordained on March 11, 1984, during the Sunday of Orthodoxy, at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Sydney. In 1994, he seceded from the canonical Church, leading to his defrocking by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
However, on June 12, 2019, the Holy and Sacred Synod announced that “having accepted the repentance and apology of the former Bishop of Christianoupolis, Paul, in Australia, lifted the defrocking, thereby restoring him to the episcopal rank with the advocacy of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.”
Since then, the late Bishop Paul resided in Adelaide, fully reconciled with the Holy Archdiocese of Australia. After several months of illness, he passed away on September 17, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and service to the Church.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
