On Saturday, Mar. 28, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America ordained the V. Rev. Archimandrite Dionysios Anagnostopoulos Bishop of Zenopolis. Axios!
The elevation took place at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Palos Hills, Illinois, in the presence of His Grace Bishop Dionysios’s family, hierarchs, clergy, and faithful. Among the hierarchs in attendance were Their Eminences Metropolitans Nathanael of Chicago, Theoktistos of Fokida (Bishop Dionysios’s uncle), Savas of Pittsburgh, Apostolos of New Jersey, and Constantine of Denver; Their Graces Bishops Nektarios of Diokleia, Athenagoras of Nazianzos, and Anthony of Synada; as well as dozens of clergy. Following the ordination, a luncheon was held in honor of Bishop Dionysios.
Bishop Dionysios was born in Sparta, Greece, and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1986. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Northeastern University and worked in the information technology field before discerning a call to the Holy Priesthood. In preparation for ordination, he undertook theological studies at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, earning a Master of Theological Studies and a Master of Theology, graduating with highest distinction. He also pursued doctoral studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Ordained to the Holy Diaconate and Priesthood in 2003, he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite in 2006. Throughout his priesthood, he faithfully served parishes in Astoria, Whitestone, and Yonkers, New York. At the invitation of Metropolitan Nathanael, he relocated to Chicago in 2021 to pastor St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Elmhurst, Illinois.
In 2022, he began assisting in the Office of the Chancellor and was appointed Vicar General the following year. Following the falling asleep of Bishop Timothy, he was officially appointed Chancellor in January 2026. Bishop Dionysios will now serve as Auxiliary Bishop to His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, while continuing in his role as Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Chicago.
During his visit to Chicago, Archbishop Elpidophoros also visited Koraes Elementary School, under the auspices of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, and celebrated the Service of the Akathist Hymn at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Westchester, Illinois.
