In Greece, the son of a rabbi who converted to Orthodoxy was ordained a deacon

on May 3, 2026, a significant event took place in the Greek town of Kalambaka, located near the famous Meteora monastery complex: Monk Theoklitos was ordained a deacon. The new cleric is of Israeli origin and is the son of a rabbi. As reported by the SPJ in Greece, the ordination was performed during a solemn Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Venerable Fathers of Meteora.

The service was led by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras, who was accompanied by Bishop Methodios of Knossos and Metropolitan Theoklitos of Stagon and Meteora. It was the latter who ordained the monk of the monastery Varlaam. In his address Metropolitan Chrysostomos emphasized the importance of selfless love for God, which is gained through living spiritual experience. The completion of the sacrament was accompanied by the traditional cries of “Axios!” (“Worthy!”) from the hundreds of faithful present at the service.

The life story of the newly ordained Deacon Theoklit testifies to his deep spiritual search. As the son of a rabbi and one of nine children in his family, he came to believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah. Despite possible persecution and social difficulties, he accepted Orthodox baptism and eventually found refuge in the monasteries of Meteora. The Monastery of Barlaam, where he has a novitiate, was founded in the fourteenth century and is part of a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site.