The Most Reverend Archimandrite Chrysostomos Karampelas: A Lifetime of Service Honored in Athens

The Most Reverend Archimandrite Chrysostomos Karampelas is set to receive profound recognition for his lifelong dedication, as he will be knighted by the Royal Maharlika at the Philantourism and Heptapolis event in Athens, Greece, on July 28, 2025, at the iconic Zappeion Megaron. This significant event is co-hosted by HRH Queen Mariam Leonor Torres Mastura, Founder of We Care for Humanity (WCH), and Mr. Paul Pissanos, the visionary founder of the Heptapolis International Green City project.

Beyond the knighting, Archimandrite Chrysostomos will be presented with "The Good Samaritan Award for Lifelong Service" from We Care for Humanity. This award, part of the WCH Humanitarian Awards, recognizes impactful humanitarians globally and locally, underscoring his extensive contributions to humanitarian work.

Born in Athens in 1958, with origins in Ancient Olympia, Archimandrite Chrysostomos Karampelas has pursued an exceptional academic and pastoral journey. He is a distinguished graduate of the National University of Athens, holding degrees in English and American Literature and Social Theology and Religious Studies. His academic pursuits culminated in a Master of Arts in "Communicative Theology" with excellence in 2023. He also holds a Doctor of Honor (with Merit) from LOGOS University (Florida U.S.A), awarded in 2022.

Before dedicating himself to the church, Archimandrite Chrysostomos served a full military term as a Reserve Officer of the Greek Army from 1982 to 1985. He then worked as an English teacher and was appointed by the Greek Ministry of Education until 1998, when he voluntarily resigned to become a cleric.

In 1997, he became a monk and was subsequently ordained deacon and presbyter. He currently serves as the prior of St. John's church at the "Hadjikiriakio Orphanage" in Piraeus, which houses orphans of various nationalities. Throughout his pastoral career, Father Chrysostomos has been renowned for assisting people in need, providing essentials like food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and job assistance to individuals from diverse countries in Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia.

His commitment to service has earned him numerous accolades, including the Golden Medal by the Albert Schweitzer International Charity Foundation in 2019, and multiple awards from H.I.R.H. Prince Sandor and Princess Margarete von Habsburg-Lothringen of the Imperial House of Habsburg. In 2022, he also received an award from the Royal House of Bourbons, in Spain.

This upcoming knighting and award at the Philantourism and Heptapolis event, graced by eminent personalities including H.E. Ivo Josipović (former President of Croatia), HIRH Prince Sandor Habsburg Lothringen,  Datu Abdalla Sharief, and HRH Constantine Butamanya Mwogezi, further solidifies Archimandrite Chrysostomos Karampelas's legacy of profound humanitarian impact and lifelong dedication to global service.