Simeon, Metropolitan of Nea Smyrna

The Metropolitan of Nea Smyrna Mr. Simeon (Koutsas) was born in 1945 in Lesvos. He studied theology in Athens. He served for two years as secretary of the First Metropolis of Attica and in 1973 he was ordained a Deacon, while in 1975 he was ordained an Elder-Archimandrite. In 1973 he was appointed regular preacher and served in the I. Metropolises of Attica (1973-74), Hydra, Spetses and Aegina (1974-79) and Nea Smyrna (1979-2002). The areas of ecclesiastical work in which he devoted himself most were preaching, catechism and the confession of young people. During the years 1981-84 he received an educational permit and a scholarship from the Holy Synod and went to Paris for postgraduate studies, which he continued in Strasbourg as a scholarship of the French Government. He specialized in Patrology and Byzantine Theology and in 1984 he was awarded a doctorate by the University of Strasbourg. During the period of time that he remained in France, he ministered to the pastoral needs of the I. Metropolis of France both in Paris and in Strasbourg. He has written many books and articles, while he has translated and edited various theological and liturgical books. He was elected Metropolitan of Nea Smyrni in October 2002.