On Sunday, 21 June, at the Holy Hesychasterion of the Transfiguration of the Savior (of Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia) in Milesi, Attica, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was officiated by the Metropolitans Gregory of Cameroon, Nikephoros of Gortyna and Megalopolis, Nikodimos of Nigeria, and the Bishop Nikodimos of Skopelos. At its conclusion, a three-year memorial service was chanted for the repose of the soul of the blessed Metropolitan of Nigeria, the late Alexander (Gianniris), a hierarch of the Most Ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa.
The ministry of the divine word was undertaken by Metropolitan Nikephoros of Gortyna, who offered an in-depth exposition, carefully and accessibly analyzing the theological messages and teachings of the day’s Gospel reading.
Before the dismissal, with evident emotion, Metropolitan Nikodimos of Nigeria spoke about the personality and great missionary work of his ever-memorable predecessor, who devoted his entire life to fulfilling the command of our Lord: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy and the memorial service, Metropolitan Nikodimos of Nigeria chanted a Trisagion at the crypt located beneath the cemetery Church of the Resurrection of the Lord, where the relics of the blessed hierarch have been laid to rest. Subsequently, through the care of the Holy Hesychasterion, a light refreshment was offered to all those present.
The blessed Metropolitan Alexander, in the final years of his life, had developed a particularly close spiritual bond with the Holy Hesychasterion and held deep feelings of love and reverence for Saint Porphyrios. It is noted that in the Katholikon of the Holy Monastery, he celebrated the last Divine Liturgy of his earthly life and was buried in the same sacred vestments in which he had served there. With the agreement of the Holy Synod, as well as the paternal permission and blessing of Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, his holy body will, until the day of the common Resurrection, rest at the Hesychasterion.
Of the ever-memorable hierarch Alexander, who served faithfully, sacrificially, and honorably in the work of evangelizing the nations and, for twenty-five years, the local Church in Nigeria as its spiritual father and shepherd, may his memory be eternal.
