The Holy Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini and Platamon today announced the passing away of the late former Metropolitan of Kitros, Blessed Hierarch Agathonikos (Fatouros).
The Blessed Metropolitan Agathonikos, after a long illness, passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on Monday morning, June 10, 2024, under the care of the Metropolitan Mansion in Katerini.
At 5:00 p.m. of the same day, the body of the late Metropolitan of Kitros, the Blessed Hierarch Agathonikos, was transferred to the Holy Cathedral of the Divine Ascension in Katerini, where it was placed for public veneration.
The body of the deceased Hierarch was received at the Propylaea of the Holy Cathedral by Metropolitan George of Kitros, Katerini, and Platamon, in the presence of Elder Metropolitan Theophylaktos of Caesarea and Bishop Ignatios of Salonon. It will remain in the Holy Cathedral until Wednesday noon. After the Resurrectional Funeral Service, it will be taken to the Cemetery of Saint Lazarus in Katerini for burial, according to the expressed wishes of the Blessed Hierarch.
The Holy Cathedral will remain open around the clock, and daily Divine Liturgies and other sacred services will be held. Priests will read the Holy Gospel according to the liturgical tradition of the Church on a rotating schedule.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 12, at 11:00 a.m. Orthros (Matins) and a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
During the funeral service, the bells of the Holy Churches, monasteries and ecclesiastical institutions will ring in mourning.
The burial will take place in the cemetery of St. Lazarus in Katerini, according to the wishes of the deceased Hierarch.