Lesvos: Repose in the Lord of Fr Efstratios Dissos of the Holy Monastery of Taxiarchis, Mantamados
Protopresbyter Efstratios Dissos, known in the local community of Lesvos as Papa-Stratis, the clergyman whose name became inseparably linked with the Holy Monastery of Pammegistoi Taxiarches in Mantamados, fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 88.
His body will lie in state for public veneration on Wednesday, 1 July, from 7:30 a.m., at the Holy Pilgrimage Church of the Archangels in Mantamados.
The Funeral Service will be celebrated at 12:00 noon, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Methymna, with the participation of His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Mytilene and numerous clergy.
The interment will take place at the Mantamados Cemetery.
With deep sorrow, the local community of Lesvos, and especially the people of Mantamados, bid farewell to Protopresbyter Efstratios Dissos, a priest who dedicated his entire life to the Church and to the service of his fellow human beings.
His family, the parish of the Holy Pilgrimage Shrine of the Archangels in Mantamados, and the Holy Metropolis of Methymna announced his repose in the Lord, expressing their profound grief over the loss of a man who served his sacred ministry with faith, humility, and love. The blessed Protopresbyter served at the Holy Altar continuously for sixty years, becoming a point of reference for the local Church and a spiritual support for countless faithful. Through his integrity, modesty, and selfless offering, he left an indelible mark upon the hearts of all who had the blessing of knowing him.
The Family’s Wish
In lieu of wreaths, the family of the deceased requests that those wishing to honour his memory make donations towards the construction of the Ecclesiastical Nursing Home of Mantamados and the meal programme of the Stegi Agapis (“House of Love”), thus continuing the work of love and service that he himself faithfully carried out throughout his life.
The memory of Protopresbyter Efstratios Dissos will remain alive in the hearts of his family, his parishioners, and all those who benefited from his presence and ministry. May his memory be eternal.
Sixty Years in the Service of the Church
The late Fr Efstratios Dissos was born in Methymna, Lesvos, on 8 November 1938. His parents were Panagiotis Dissos and Eleni Mandamadiotou. From a young age, he was raised within the life of the Church, as his father was ordained to the priesthood when he himself was only five years old.
He first attended primary school in Vafeios and subsequently in Sykamia, where he completed his elementary education. He then attended the First Gymnasium of Mytilene for two years before enrolling at the Ecclesiastical School of Lamia, from which he graduated in 1961.
Following his military service, in 1966 he married Fotini Karamitrou from Vatousa. In the same year, he was ordained to the Diaconate and subsequently to the Priesthood, assuming responsibility for the parish of Pelopi, Lesvos. There he began his pastoral and creative ministry, organising the parish, repairing the Church of the Archangels, and constructing chapels.
In June 1970, he was transferred to Mantamados, to the Church of the Archangels. From that moment, a long journey of service began. As President of the Parish Council, he spearheaded numerous renovation, infrastructure, and development projects for the Shrine.
In 1972, he opened and concreted the road connecting Mantamados with the Church of the Archangels. In 1973, he established a boarding house for academically gifted secondary school students from poor farming families in the region, enabling dozens of children to continue their studies.
In 1978, he undertook significant works to restore the river adjacent to the Shrine, widened a bridge associated with numerous accidents, and created a large parking area for pilgrims and visitors.
At the same time, he documented the traditions of Mantamados, drawing upon the testimonies of older residents. He authored five books and nine commemorative calendars and albums dedicated to the region, its history, and the Shrine.
A particularly significant chapter of his life was his social ministry. He established the Stegi Agapis (“House of Love”), where elderly and needy residents received free daily meals. His care for those in need was constant, quiet, and genuine.
In 1978, he received the ecclesiastical office of Protopresbyter from the late Metropolitan Iakovos of Methymna. During the visits of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Kalloni and Mantamados, he was honoured with the Cross of the Great Church of Christ in recognition of his spiritual and social ministry.
He is survived by his three children: Eleni, Panagiotis, and Michael-Anthimos.
Sources: orthodoxianewsagency.gr, lesvonews.net
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