Augoustinos Kantiotes Metropolitan of Florin, Press and Eordea Date of Birth: 20.04.1907 Country: Greece

Content:

1. Basil Kantiotis: An Esteemed Greek Metropolitan
2. Religious Career
3. Transition to the Priesthood
4. Wartime Trials and Humanitarian Efforts
5. Post-War Ministry and Controversies
6. Episcopal and Retirement Years

Basil Kantiotis: An Esteemed Greek Metropolitan

Early Life and Education

Basil Kantiotis was born into a modest family on the picturesque island of Paros. His mother, Sophia, was an educator, while his father, Nikolaos, was a merchant. Young Basil initially attended the local village school before continuing his studies at the prestigious gymnasium on the island of Syros. His intellectual pursuits culminated in his graduation with honors from the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens in 1929.

Religious Career

After graduating, Basil returned to help his mother, who had relocated to the nearby island of Ios and was teaching there. He spent the next few years as an educator in the Cyclades region. In 1934, he was appointed the private secretary to Metropolitan Hierotheos of Aetolia and Akarnania, also serving as the metropolitan's proto-syncellus until 1941.

Transition to the Priesthood

In 1935, Basil embraced monasticism and was ordained a deacon, taking the name Augustinos. The outbreak of World War II brought trials and adversity. He found himself as a prisoner of Italian forces in 1941 and later became a priest in Yannitsa after being appointed by Metropolitan Panteleimon of Edessa and Pella.

Wartime Trials and Humanitarian Efforts

During the German occupation of Greece, Augustinos sought refuge with Metropolitan Ioakim of Kozani and Servia in the mountains, where they established a soup kitchen to provide sustenance to those in need. He spent the years from 1943 to 1945 evading the Gestapo and providing succor to the suffering.

Post-War Ministry and Controversies

After the war, Augustinos served in the Grevena diocese from 1945 to 1947. In the following three years, he served as a priest and preacher with the Second Brigade of the Greek Army in Kozani. In 1951, he was appointed by Archbishop Spyridon Vlachos as the chief preacher of the Athens Metropolis.

In the 1950s, Augustinos stirred controversy with his article "The Election of the Archbishop," in which he advocated for a democratic process involving both clergy and laity in the selection of the Archbishop of Athens. His outspoken views also manifested in his opposition to the ecumenical movement and his criticism of the Miss Greece contest.

Episcopal and Retirement Years

On June 25, 1967, Augustinos was consecrated as the Bishop of Florina, Prespa, and Eordea. Despite facing threats of removal from his position by the ruling junta, he retained his post thanks to the intervention of Archbishop Ieronimos Kotsonis of Athens.

Augustinos retired on January 15, 2000, leaving behind a legacy of over 80 published books on spirituality. His writings addressed not only religious topics but also pressing social issues, reflecting his deep concern for the welfare of the Greek people.

Religious figure

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