Metropolitan of the Patriarchate of Alexandria Detained in Athens

The arrest of Metropolitan Panteleimon of Naukratis, the archsecretary of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, in the Petralona district of Athens has caused a stir in church circles. According to Vima Orthodoxias, the arrest followed reports from citizens regarding indecent behavior in a public place. The Patriarchate of Alexandria, according to the publication, stated that it would provide the hierarch with the necessary legal assistance.

According to the publication, the metropolitan was detained on Thursday afternoon by officers of the DIAS police unit and taken to the competent authorities to undergo the established procedures. The publication emphasizes that the case has already become a topic of discussion in Orthodox circles in Greece, Cyprus, and Africa, as it involves a clergyman who held significant administrative positions in the Patriarchate of Alexandria.

Metropolitan Panteleimon, born Panteleimon Arafimos, was born on the island of Tinos in 1974. He graduated from the Faculty of Theology at the University of Athens and also studied at the French Institute of Athens. He was ordained a deacon in 2000 and a presbyter in 2001. He initially served in the Metropolis of Syros and Tinos, and in 2006 he was appointed to work within the structures of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.

Over the years, he served as director of the Patriarch’s private office and later became chief secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria. In 2012, he was elected the first Bishop of Brazzaville and Gabon, and in 2017, he was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan of Brazzaville and Gabon. His ministry in Africa was associated with the development of Orthodox communities, support for educational institutions, and humanitarian initiatives.

In 2022, he was elected Metropolitan of Naukratis, while continuing to serve as Archsecretary of the Holy Synod. According to the source, in 2024 he was also appointed to the Metropolis of Ptolemais in Upper Egypt, retaining a prominent role in the administrative system of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and throughout Africa.

The Vima Orthodoxias report states that a number of church sources have expressed deep concern over the incident and urged against jumping to conclusions until all required procedures have been completed. It is separately noted that, according to the publication, there is currently no official statement from a church or medical authority confirming specific claims regarding the hierarch’s health.

The Patriarchate of Alexandria, as reported by the publication citing a statement made on the ANT1 program “Apocalypse,” has announced that, in connection with “personal legal matters” involving the Metropolitan of Naukratis and the Archsecretary of the Holy Synod, he will be provided with the necessary legal support. It is expected that further steps may be taken by the competent ecclesiastical authorities of the Patriarchate.

Metropolitan Dorotheos of Syros also commented on the situation. He recalled that Panteleimon had previously served in the Metropolis of Syros and was described as a hardworking and respected cleric who, in his words, gave no cause for complaint. The official outcome of the legal proceedings in the case has not yet been announced.