Ieronymos I of Athens facts for kids

Ieronymos I (also known as Jerome I) was an important Greek religious leader. He was born on May 1, 1905, and passed away on November 15, 1988. He was a monk and a theologian, which means he studied religion deeply.

From 1967 to 1973, Ieronymos I served as the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece. This made him the main leader of the Orthodox Church of Greece. He held this position during a time when Greece was governed by a military group.

Early Life and Education

Ieronymos I was born as Ieronymos Kotsonis in a small village called Ysternia. This village is on the island of Tinos in Greece. His family was not wealthy. Sadly, his father died before he was born.

His mother had to move to Athens to work as a cook. This helped her support the family. Ieronymos lived with relatives until he was two years old. Then, he also moved to Athens.

Studying for a Religious Path

Ieronymos went to the Rizareios Ecclesiastical School. This school trains people for church service. He then continued his studies at the University of Athens. There, he focused on theology, which is the study of religious faith.

After finishing his studies in Greece, he traveled to other countries. He studied more in Germany, visiting cities like Munich, Berlin, and Bonn. He also studied in Britain.

Becoming a Church Leader

Ieronymos I became a monk and started his journey in the church. On January 4, 1939, he became a deacon. A deacon is a church official who helps the priests.

He quickly moved up in the church ranks. By June 23, 1940, he became a presbyter and an archimandrite. A presbyter is a priest, and an archimandrite is a high-ranking monk or priest. He was appointed as the second secretary of the Holy Synod. The Holy Synod is a council of bishops that governs the Church.

Challenges During Wartime

During the Axis Occupation of Greece, Ieronymos faced difficulties. He was removed from his role as secretary to the Holy Synod. This happened because of the government that was working with the occupying forces.

During this time, he worked as a chaplain at the Evangelismos Hospital. A chaplain is a religious leader who provides spiritual care. After the occupation ended, he tried to become a lecturer at the Theological Faculty. However, he later decided not to pursue it.

In 1949, he became the head priest of the Royal Palace. Later, in 1959, he was chosen as a professor. He taught Canon Law at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Canon Law is the set of rules and laws of the Church.

Archbishop of Athens

Ieronymos I was chosen as the Archbishop of Athens on May 14, 1967. This happened after the previous Archbishop, Chrysostomos II, stepped down. His resignation followed a military takeover in Greece on April 21, 1967.

Ieronymos I was known for his strong traditional views. Many people saw him as the choice of the military leaders. He continued to serve as Archbishop until he resigned on December 15, 1973.

After his resignation, he went back to his hometown. He passed away on November 15, 1988.