Anthimos, the former Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, originally named Dionysios Roussas, has died at the age of 91. Born in October 1934 in Salmoni, Ilia, he completed his secondary education in 1952 before pursuing higher studies at the University of Athens. In 1957, he earned a degree from the School of Philosophy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
Following his graduation, he served as an unpaid assistant to the chair of Byzantine Philology and taught in Greek schools while simultaneously studying at the Theological School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. In 1964, he was ordained a Deacon by Metropolitan Gabriel of Thira, and in 1965, he became a Presbyter. That same year, he took charge of the Church of St. Basil on Metsovo Street in Athens, a position he held until July 1974, when he was elected to the Metropolis of Alexandroupolis.
In 2003, following the passing of Metropolitan Panteleimon II of Thessaloniki, Anthimos was appointed to the Metropolis of Thessaloniki. He served there until August 2023, when he stepped down and submitted his resignation to the Archbishop of Athens, citing health issues.