HIS EMINENCE
METROPOLITAN GENNADIOS
OF ITALY AND MALTA

BIOGRAPHY :

His Eminence Metropolitan Gennadios of Italy and Malta - in the world Tsampikos Zervos - was born in Kremastì on the island of Rhodes on July 8, 1937.
He got his main education in the Elementary School of the village. In succession he has frequented studies in the Ecclesiastical School of Patmos and in the Theological School of Chalki (Istanbul). In 1961 he graduated in orthodox theology.

On April 16, 1960 he has been ordained deacon and he has chosen the name 'Gennadios'. On April 28, 1963 he has been ordained priest. The late Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Austria and Exarch of Italy, has named him Chancellor on February 12, 1967.

On April 14 of the same year he has gotten the title of Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne from the Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras.
He has bend his pastoral service from 1961 to 1996 in the historic church of Saints Peter and Paul of the Greek Orthodox Brotherhood of Naples. There he has visited all the universities of the country to celebrate, preach and consolidate spiritually and morally the orthodox youth.

He has continued his studies at the University of Naples frequenting courses of Sociology and of Psychology. In succession he has become Doctor in Theology at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Southern Italy. His degree thesis — “The contribution of the Ecumenical Patriarcate for the Unity of the Christians” — has been published. This work is a legitimate scientific reference for each scholar that wants to deepen this theological theme.

On November 26, 1970 he has been elect Bishop of Krateia, with seat in Naples. This is a historic date because it mark the first presence of an orthodox bishop resident on the Italian land. From many centuries it was not possible.

In the along period of his pastoral service in Italy he has distinguished itself in the spiritual and social presence. For this he has had the medal of Commander of the Italian Republic. This appreciation has been given for the first time to an orthodox prelate.

As representative of the Ecumenical Patriarcate and of the Metropolises of Austria and of Italy he has participated to many conferences, scientific meetings and officials manifestations. As bishop he has taught patristic Theology in the Theological University Institute of “San Nicola di Bari” for ten years. As representative of the Ecumenical Patriarcate he has accompanied the sacred relics of the Saint Martyr Dimitrios from Italy to Thessaloniki. On that occasion the Bishop Gennadios has gotten the Golden Cross of Saint Dimitrios.
The City of Rhodes has given him the Golden Medal of the city for his notable appointment in the follow the students of Rhodes, of the Dodecanese and the Greek students of other origins in Italy.
Today these students became scholars and men and woman of science. As they dignify Greece and the other countries that get the them qualified competence.

On August 26, 1996 Bishop Gennadios has been elect Metropolitan of Italy. He was enthroned on the seat of the Metropolis of Italy on October 27 of the same year.

After this event the City of Rhodes have decided to give at Metropolitan Gennadios his taller honor. The Metropolitan Gennadios participates to lectures, he writes articles and he speaks Greek, Latin, Italian and Spanish.

Address:
Chiesa San Giorgio dei Greci Castello 3412
30122 Venezia
Italy
Tel. +39.41/52.39.569 e +39.41/52.25.446 
Fax : +39.41/52.27.016

E-mail: arcigrec@tin.it

Nameday: November 17

Date of ordination: January 17, 1971