Metropolitan Athenagoras Aneste
In Loving Memory of His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras (Aneste)
Former Metropolitan of Mexico and Vize
September 17, 1941 – July 1, 2025
It is with deep sorrow and profound respect that we announce the falling asleep in the Lord of His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras (born George Aneste) of Vize, formerly Metropolitan of Mexico, at the age of 84. A devoted shepherd, scholar, and servant of the Orthodox Christian faith, Metropolitan Athenagoras passed away peacefully in his birthplace of Chicago, Illinois, where he had resided in retirement for the past year.
Born in Chicago on September 17, 1941, to Greek immigrant parents, Evangelos and Dimitra (Della) Anastasiadis, Metropolitan Athenagoras grew up immersed in faith and Hellenic tradition. He attended the Socrates Greek School and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, living with his family on Polk and Ashland across from St. Basil’s. He later traveled to Greece to study theology at the University of Athens, graduating in 1965. That same year, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Meletios and took the ecclesiastical name Athenagoras.
In 1967, he was transferred to Toronto, Canada, where he served under Bishop Timotheos and was ordained a priest at the Parish of St. George. He later ministered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and returned to Chicago in 1973 to serve as Chancellor of the Diocese and Archimandrite at Panagia’s Church.
Over the years, he held many important positions including Chancellor of the then Diocese of Chicago, Director of Youth for the Archdiocese of America, General Secretary of the Office of Bishops of SCOBA, Director of Inter-Orthodox Relations, and Supervisor of St. Basil Academy. During his time in Chicago, he also established the Young Adults League (YAL) in 1975.
On August 22, 1982, he was elected Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of America and given the title Bishop of Dorylaion. For the next 17 years, he faithfully served the Archdiocese of America based in New York.
In 1996, by decision of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, he was sent to Hong Kong to establish the new Metropolis of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. He delivered the charter to Patriarch Bartholomew later that year. On December 2, 1996, he was elected Metropolitan of Panama and was enthroned in Panama City in January 1997. In 2005, the Metropolis of Panama was renamed the Metropolis of Mexico, where His Eminence served for nearly three decades, overseeing the Orthodox faithful across Central America, including Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador and the Caribbean islands including Puerto Rico, Haiti, The Dominican Republic and Cuba.
Under his leadership, the Metropolis grew from a few thousand Greek families and three priests, to over 450,000 faithful, with 58 native-born clergy. His missionary and pastoral work continues to leave a lasting legacy in the region. This legacy included the establishment of the first Greek Orthodox Church under the authority of then Fidel Castro, in Cuba.
Metropolitan Athenagoras was transferred to the Diocese of Vize in Turkey in 2024, where he remained steadfast in his devotion. His health declined following the transition, and he reposed in the Lord shortly after. He will be remembered for his decades of service and his dedication to the Orthodox Church. He lived the remainder of his live painlessly, shamelessly and peacefully.
In a 2022 interview with the National Herald, Metropolitan Athenagoras reflected on his calling:
“Whatever I am, I owe to Hellenism in America and to the opportunity that America gave to the children of immigrants.”
Metropolitan Athenagoras grew up in a lively household with his siblings Fotini Ann, and Stratis. He was also a cherished figure in the lives of his numerous nieces and nephews upon whom he imparted wisdom, sharing his love for the orthodox faith and creating memories which would last a lifetime. He leaves behind a legacy of spiritual leadership, missionary zeal, and unwavering commitment to the Orthodox faith.
Visitation, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm with Trisiagnon service at 7:00 pm at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church 2350 W. Dempster St. Des Plaines, Illinois 60016 and Wednesday 8:00 am until Divine Liturgy 9:00 am to 10:30 am. Visitation, 10:30 am until Funeral service 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to the Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Center 220 N. 1st Street Wheeling, Illinois 60090, appreciated. Arrangements by NICHOLAS M. PISHOS FUNERAL DIRECTOR, LTD. (Hellenic Funeral Service), Info: 847-833-9522.
For info call Nick Pishos Funeral Directors 847-833-9522