After a long and serious illness, Bishop Elias of Tartu of the Autonomous Church of Estonia fell asleep in the Lord on the afternoon of December 17, 2024.
Bishop Elias was born on May 11, 1977 in Tartu. He graduated from the city’s Theological School in 2003. He completed post-graduate studies at the Universities of Perugia, St. Petersburg, Voronezh, and Riga. On July 28, 2006, he was ordained a deacon, on April 15, 2007, a priest, and on October 9, 2008, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite by Metropolitan Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia. He served successively at the parishes of St. Alexius in Karksi-Nuia, the Ascension of the Lord in Arussaare, and the Dormition of the Theotokos in Tuhalaane. On June 12, 2008, he was elected bishop and on January 10, 2009, he was consecrated by Metropolitan Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia.
The funeral service for the deceased Bishop Elias of Tartu will be held on Friday, December 20, in the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Tartu.
Until the election of a new Bishop of Tartu, Metropolitan Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia will assume the role of locum tenens.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
