Ierotheos Mitropolitis Naypaktou kai Agiou Vlasiou

Metropolitan Hierotheos S. Vlachos was born in Ioannina in 1945 and graduated from the Theological School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He was ordained a priest in 1971. He served as a preacher in the Metropolis of Edessa, Pella, and Almopia, and later at the Archdiocese of Athens, where he was also responsible for the Youth Department. He was elected Metropolitan of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios in 1995. He taught Greek for several semesters and lectured on Orthodox Ethics to students at the Theological School of Saint John of Damascus at the University of the Patriarchate of Antioch in northern Lebanon. Since his student years, he has had a particular interest in the Fathers of the Church, working for a time in the libraries of the monasteries of Mount Athos, cataloging manuscripts. He particularly delved into the teachings of Saint Gregory Palamas. His study of patristic texts, especially the Hesychast Fathers of the Philokalia, his years of study on Saint Gregory Palamas, his communication with the monks of Mount Athos, and his extensive pastoral experience have led him to the conviction that Orthodox Theology is a science that heals humanity and that the neptic Fathers can assist modern individuals who are troubled by many internal and external issues. With this spirit, he has written numerous books, the culmination of many years of pastoral experience, on "Orthodox Psychotherapy." Some of his books have been translated into various languages, including English, Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian, and Serbian. Through his work, he conveys the Orthodox spirit of the Philokalia to the troubled people of our time, which is why his work generates such significant interest.