Metropolitan Sotirios of Pisidia fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 93.
In an announcement, the Society of Mediterranean Culture expressed its deep sorrow for the passing away of the late Metropolitan of Pisidia, as it announced that the funeral service and the burial will be held at the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior Gapyeong in South Korea.
A few words about the Metropolitan of Pisidia
He had shown a special interest in the Mission in the Far East and devoted his soul and body to it, preaching the Divine Word in difficult environments since the 1970s.
The Patriarchal Foundation of the Far East Orthodox Mission was his own inspiration and had the initiative of its creation in 1989, by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. He supported the Patriarchal Foundation multiple times. The apartment he owned in Athens – Zografou, was assigned to the Foundation where now its offices are located. He supported the Foundation morally and materially and urged many to do the same.
He had excellent theological training and vision. All this, together with willpower and much work, established the Church in Korea.
He loved all the peoples of the region and the young people in particular. Many have benefited with discretion. Although busy, until recently, he always replied to all the applicants for His support and the help of the Church. He was a prolific writer, his books have been translated into other languages (English, Korean, Turkish) for the benefit of believers. Weekly he wrote and sent sermons by email to many recipients around the world.
Blessed Sotirios, a great missionary with multiple gifts, was considered to be one of the most important hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne. Until the appearance of the coronavirus, he shared his time between Korea, Antalya in Turkey and Greece.
He lived in the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Korea, Gapyeong, where he will be buried. For those who met Him and worked with Him, it was a special honor and blessing.
