By George Papageorgiou, Medical Surgeon
I gladly accepted the invitation to pay tribute to Metropolitan John Zizioulas of Pergamon, who passed away on February 2, 2023, at the age of 92. He was a formidable personality and a renowned theologian with international recognition. According to some, he might have been the greatest modern theologian in all of Christianity. I concur with this sentiment, though I cannot substantiate it academically as I am not a theologian. Therefore, I won’t delve into his theological and academic contributions, which more qualified and specialized individuals will assess, either positively or negatively. Instead, I aim to share “my few words” about the man himself, reflecting on what I’ve learned from him since our first meeting in 1983, a connection that enriched me spiritually. Over the last decade, in particular, I had the honor of supporting him closely as a doctor during his health struggles, an experience that is profoundly revealing, as illness and suffering often unveil a person’s true character.
Since 1983, along with my fraternal friend Father Stamatis Skliris, our wives Sophia and Marina, and eventually our children and other esteemed participants, including clergymen, theologians, doctors, and more, we frequently engaged in extensive and exhilarating meetings with the then-professor and, from 1986, Metropolitan of Pergamon. These gatherings, brimming with discussions, agreements, and disagreements, were a genuine delight and often lasted several hours. The metropolitan was usually the pivot of our conversations, initiating theological or philosophical discussions that, with his catalytic contributions, led to conclusions or temporary impasses. His extraordinary intellectual acuity, which remained sharp until his life's end, along with his free, bold, and penetrating thoughts, and his profound philosophical and theological knowledge, invariably influenced our dialogues. So, this is what I learned from being with this remarkable man and from providing medical care during his challenging times.
First and foremost, I learned the value of freedom from Metropolitan John. He was a man of immense liberty, unencumbered by the anchors of established thought, accepted principles, and authoritative figures. While he certainly had his own well-researched and painstakingly developed views, he approached all topics with objectivity, depth, and an openness to different perspectives. He welcomed, analyzed, and either adopted or refuted the reservations and disagreements of his interlocutors with logical reasoning. His courage to explore every subject, free from taboos and dogmas, was admirable. In theological matters, he held the views of the fathers, particularly Saint Maximus the Confessor, whom he deeply revered, in high regard. Like Maximus, his thoughts were original and inventive, adding fresh insights to discussions rather than merely echoing established ideas.
Another prominent trait of his was decency and civilized behavior. Despite his stature as a teacher and his numerous esteemed roles—Metropolitan of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, an almost exclusive international representative, a member of the Academy of Athens, a professor at various universities, and a globally recognized author with many dissertations written on his work—he maintained a humble demeanor. He listened to and respectfully engaged with all opinions, regardless of their simplicity. (In his last two years, perhaps due to age, he became somewhat more absolute in his views, but he always remained within the bounds of decency.) While he had his flaws in daily life, none were so significant as to hinder his ability to socialize.
John Zizioulas was undeniably a strong character, a person of substantial presence and influence. His decisions were the result of clear, thoughtful deliberation, and once made, he adhered to them with firmness and consistency. A man of his word, he never made a promise that he didn’t keep meticulously.
A concept he particularly emphasized was freedom. He frequently underscored the freedom of both God and man as the highest gift, despite its potential to lead to erroneous and painful decisions. For him, freedom was what made us accountable for our actions, and the personal risk involved lent value to our choices. This is why he was critical of the trend of the “elders” (outside of monasticism), where individuals surrender their freedom and personality to others, whether charismatic or not.
Metropolitan John was a man of deep understanding and forgiveness, never harboring grudges. His love wasn’t expressed through mere sentiments or words, but rather through tangible actions. SHARE In his daily life, he was characteristically reserved—noble and simple, yet maintaining a certain distance. He conveyed his favor with good humor, as is often the case with intelligent individuals. Practically, he was always ready to offer help, be it academic, social, or spiritual, to those in need or to anyone who sought his assistance. He bore no ill will towards those who unjustly slandered him out of envy or those who insulted or embittered him, responding instead with support where it was necessary.
Metropolitan John devoted considerable effort to the preparation of the Pan-Orthodox Synod of 2016. He worked tirelessly for many years to address challenges and made significant strides, but the unyielding attitudes of the leadership of the Russian Church and the narrow-mindedness of the “ultra-Orthodox” factions undermined, and perhaps irrevocably hindered, an opportunity for unity and progress within the Orthodox Churches.
Another area where John Zizioulas made a notable impact was in environmental concerns. He was an early advocate for recognizing and addressing environmental pollution, influencing the “green” policies of the Patriarchate with his innovative perspectives.
In his later years, he was engrossed in writing a book on Eschatology, his favorite subject. Despite the challenges of age and illness, he approached this project with incredible passion and youthfulness. He often shared that he was constantly thinking about this topic, even getting out of bed at night to jot down new ideas. Although he couldn’t complete the book, he left behind a substantial portion, which, hopefully, will be published.
John Zizioulas was a man of courage and freedom. He boldly stated his beliefs, fully aware of the potential backlash from intransigent fanatics. He stood by his convictions, despite knowing that he might face malicious accusations and insults. For instance, during the negotiations for the Church of Estonia, he traveled repeatedly to Estonia and Russia, undeterred by the rumored risks at the time. Additionally, when former Yugoslavia and later Serbia were either under embargo or under NATO bombardment, amidst considerable insecurity and danger, he fearlessly traveled there to attend the episcopal ordination of his close friends and esteemed colleagues, Blessed Athanasius Jevtic and Ignatius Midic.
In what I consider to be of utmost importance, Metropolitan John Zizioulas demonstrated unparalleled courage and dignity during his long battle with health issues. His deep faith in God’s will and the transformative power of prayer, particularly within the context of the Eucharistic Liturgy, was a constant source of strength. Simultaneously, he actively sought and embraced the assistance of medical science, engaging in treatment discussions with logical reasoning. Throughout his illness, he never showed signs of despair or complaint, even during the final months when his physical strength waned, movement became challenging, and he required assistance. His acceptance of medical and nursing care was always dignified, never pleading or fearful.
As a medical professional who has witnessed many individuals in their final days, I have developed objective criteria for comparison. Metropolitan John earned my respect as a patient. He acknowledged the malevolence of death, viewing it as humanity’s greatest defeat, but faced it with remarkable bravery.
He was fortunate to have Andreas Goulas, a spiritual son of his, by his side. Andreas supported him like a son would, being present in moments when others could not be. Metropolitan John passed away peacefully, without pain or indignity.
Farewell, Master! May your journey to the realms you believed in, that inspired you, and which you approached with love and respect, be a blessed one!
Translated from Greek by Maxim Vasiljevic
