BOSTON – The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in its recent meeting in Geneva presided by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew declared unanimously a new saint of the Church, Metropolitan of Edessa, Pella, and Almopia Kallinikos.

The new saint, whose secular name was Dimitrios Poulos, was born in the village of Sitaralona in Agrinio on January 26, 1919 to pious parents.

He graduated from Thermos High School with excellence and was admitted to the Theological School of the University of Athens. In 1946, at the age of 27, he enlisted in the Special Forces of the Greek Army known as LOC and served with distinction and patriotism, as well as true religious zeal until April 1949. He returned to the Metropolis of Aetolia, and was appointed as Secretary and also as a layman preacher throughout the province.

He became a monk on November 23, 1957 in the Holy Monastery of Myrtia assuming his Monastic name Kallinikos. The next day he was ordained the Diaconate at the Church of St. Spyridon of Messolonghi by Metropolitan Constantinos of Didymoteicho.

On December 1, 1957, he was ordained to the holy priesthood. After 25 years of service at the Metropolis of Aetolia, he was elected Metropolitan of Edessa and Pella on June 24, 1967, and the next day he was ordained to the Episcopacy at St. Church of St. Dionysios in Athens.

Despite his virtuous life and integrity, he was subjected to unjust and defamatory attacks, mainly by enemies of the Church and the Nation. He treated them with exemplary meekness and love. He reposed on August 7, 1984, after a seven-month illness.

Reports of the expulsion of demons through his prayer and his miraculous interventions with the sick after his death testifies to his glorification by God. His feast day will be celebrated on August 8.