Without doubt, the life and times of the late His Eminence Archbishop Alexander (George Gianniris), is a testimony of God’s faithfulness. He was a great man of God, whose ministry impacted several ministries and generations.
Based on testimonies from friends and followers, Archbishop Alexander did not only impact lives; he was also described as an embodiment of selflessness and humility.
Born in Athens, Greece on May 15, 1960, he was the first Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Nigeria, with the sea at A. G. Leventis Compound Iddo, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.
He studied in the University of Athens (Faculty of Agriculture) and in the University of Thessalonica (Faculty of Theology, Department of
Pastoral and Social Theology).
On October 1, 1988, he was ordained Deacon and Presbyter on October 2, 1988 for the Archdiocese of Johannesburg and Pretoria where he served as parish priest and secretary to the Archdiocese, until he was appointed as Director of the Patriarch’s Office in Alexandria.
The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate elected him Bishop for the newly established Diocese of Nigeria on September 23, 1997. His episcopal ordination took place in Alexandria, Egypt in November 24, 1997.
On October 27, 2004 and with the decision of the Holy Synod, the Diocese was elevated to Archdiocese and His Eminence became the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Nigeria, Niger, Benin and Togo, Vicar and Exarch of the lands of Guinea Gulf.
He was the president of the Synodical Committee on Liturgical Affairs and member of the Synodical Committees on Ecclesiastical Education/Catechism and on Mission.
He passed away on June 30, 2023 in Athens, Greece at the age of 63 and was buried on July 1, at the Monastery of St. Porfirios in Milesi
Attica, Athens, Greece.
The Vicar General of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Nigeria, Fr. JamesNwaba, had, in a statement, disclosed that a memorial service would beorganised in Nigeria at a later date to be announced.
He said: “We offer sympathies and prayers to his family, to the priests, religious friends and the faithful whose lives he touched throughout his 35 years of priestly and Episcopal ministry. His Eminence will be remembered for his generosity, patience and remarkable reliance on providence. Few people ever forgot an encounter with him and his infectious, ever-present smile.”
Nwaba prayed that the good Lord will have mercy on his servant and grant him peace and eternal beatitude in His bosom.
