Background
He was born in Artesiano, a borough of Karditsa in Greece, in 1913.
He was born in Artesiano, a borough of Karditsa in Greece, in 1913.
Archbishop Seraphim of Athens enrolled in the Theological School of the University of Athens in 1936 and graduated in 1940.
During his second year (1938), he became a monk in the Pendeli Monastery. He was ordained a deacon by the then Metropolitan Bishop of Corinth and by Archbishop Damaskinos of Athens, and served at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Neo Iraklio. In 1942 he was ordained a priest and an archimandrite, also by Archbishop Damaskinos and served as parish priest at the Church of Street Luke in Patisia.
During the Axis occupation of Greece during World World War II, he joined the ranks of EDES under general Napoleon Zervas.
Archbishop Seraphim of Athens was elected Archbishop of Athens and All Greece on January 13, 1974, succeeding Archbishop Ieronymos I.
During his 24 years as church leader he swore in six Presidents of Greece and numerous Prime Ministers. He died in Athens on April 10, 1998.
National Republican Greek League.
