Alexandros Lykourgos - Archbishop of Syros during the years 1866-1875
Alexander Lykourgos was born in Chora of Samos in 1827. In Samos, he received his elementary education and continued his middle and higher education in Athens. His father, Georgios Logothetis, was a national hero and a member of the Philiki Etaireia. Due to his great wisdom, he was named Lykourgos, a name which his son retained.
He studied Theology and Philosophy at the University of Athens and pursued postgraduate studies in Germany and France. In 1860, at the age of 33, he was appointed as an extraordinary professor at the Theological School of the University of Athens. In 1862, he was ordained a deacon and priest by the Patriarch of Jerusalem and compatriot, Cyril II.
In 1864, he was elected as a regular professor at the University of Athens, and two years later, in 1866, he was ordained Archbishop of Syros, Tinos, and Mykonos. He became widely known nationally and internationally for his teaching in Athens and for his archbishopric in Syros. In late 1869, he traveled to England for the inauguration of the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas in Liverpool. He was warmly welcomed and honored, even received by the Queen of England, engaging in significant theological discussions concerning the differences and means of unification between the Churches.
He played a leading role in the resolution of the Bulgarian schism. He was distinguished for his education, eloquence, virtue, gentleness, meekness, selflessness, and strict character. He is considered one of the most distinguished figures of his contemporary ecclesiastical era.
He passed away at the age of 49 on October 17, 1875.
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