On the afternoon of December 17, 2024, Bishop Elias of Tartu of the Autonomous Church of Estonia peacefully passed away after a long and serious illness.
Bishop Elias, born on May 11, 1977 in Tartu, graduated from the city’s Theological School in 2003. He pursued post-graduate studies at various universities before being ordained as a deacon in 2006, a priest in 2007, and eventually elevated to the rank of archimandrite in 2008 by Metropolitan Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia. Throughout his ministry, he served at several parishes before being elected bishop in 2008 and consecrated in 2009.
The funeral service for Bishop Elias of Tartu will take place on Friday, December 20, at the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Tartu.
During the interim period until a new Bishop of Tartu is elected, Metropolitan Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia will serve as the locum tenens.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou