1. Overview
Sotirios Trambas (Σωτήριος ΤράμπαςGreek, Modern; 17 July 1929 - 10 June 2022) was a prominent Greek Orthodox prelate who played a pivotal role in the establishment and growth of the Orthodox Church in Korea and across Asia. He served as the first Metropolitan of the Korean Orthodox Church from 2004 to 2008. His extensive missionary and ecclesiastical efforts included founding numerous churches and parishes, establishing the first Orthodox theological school in Korea, and overseeing significant institutional development throughout the region. For more information on his life and work, see his [https://www.orthodoxkorea.org/metropolitan-sotirios/ official biography] on the Korean Orthodox Church website.
2. Biography
Sotirios Trambas's life journey began in Greece, leading him through various ecclesiastical roles before his dedicated missionary work in Asia.
2.1. Early Life and Education
Sotirios Trambas was born on 17 July 1929, in Arta, Greece. He completed his secondary education at Arta High School. In 1951, he graduated from the Theological School of the University of Athens. Following his graduation, he fulfilled his military service for two and a half years at the Military Department of Religion, during which he also served as a lecturer and taught Christian doctrine to middle and high school students in Northern Greece.
2.2. Early Religious Career in Greece
On 26 June 1956, Sotirios was tonsured as a monk at the Holy Monastery of Leimonos on Lesbos Island in Mytilene, Greece. Just three days later, he was ordained as a deacon. He served as a preacher at the Metropolis of Methymnis. On 12 June 1960, he was ordained as a priest and was subsequently elevated to the rank of Archimandrite in the same year. From 1965 to 1968, he served as a military chaplain in the Greek Army. In 1968, he took on the dual role of Chancellor (senior Archimandrite) of the Archdiocese of Athens and chief priest of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens (Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral). Concurrently, he also served as the chief priest of the Dormition of the Theotokos Church in Papagou, Attica. During his tenure as Chancellor from 1969 to 1974, he was instrumental in establishing and organizing the Center for Family Support and other public welfare institutions under the Archdiocese of Athens.
3. Missionary and Ecclesiastical Work
Sotirios Trambas dedicated a significant portion of his life to expanding and organizing the Orthodox Church, particularly in Korea and other Asian regions.
3.1. Mission in Korea
In November 1975, Sotirios Trambas volunteered to serve the Orthodox Church in Korea, which was then under the jurisdiction of the Metropolis of New Zealand. With the permission of the Holy Synod of Constantinople, he relocated to Seoul and was appointed chief priest of the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Ahyun-dong, Seoul. He embarked on an active pastoral and missionary campaign that led to the expansion of the Korean Orthodox Church beyond Seoul. Under his leadership, Orthodox churches were established in major cities such as Busan, Incheon, and Jeonju. He also oversaw the construction of a temporary chapel in Ilsan. In 1982, he founded the St. Nicholas Theological School, the first Orthodox seminary in Korea, focusing on the training of Orthodox clergy for Korea and other Asian countries. He also translated various Greek church texts into Korean.
3.2. Asian Mission and Institutional Development
Beyond Korea, Sotirios Trambas engaged in broader missionary activities throughout Asia. In 1986, he was appointed chairman of the Orthodox Eastern Mission. He founded a monastery in Korea, the Transfiguration of the Savior Monastery in Gapyeong County, which became a significant spiritual center. In 1996, he established a foundation dedicated to missionary work, further enhancing the church's infrastructure and outreach. His efforts extended to the Philippines, where he performed the foundation blessing ceremony for the Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral in the Philippines on 24 October 1995.
3.3. Episcopal and Metropolitanate Service
In 1991, Sotirios Trambas was elected an auxiliary bishop of the Metropolis of New Zealand and Exarch of Korea, receiving the title of Bishop of Zelon. In 1993, he was consecrated as Bishop of Zelon, serving as an assistant to Metropolitan Dionysios. In 1995, he was consecrated as the Patriarchal Exarch in Korea. On 20 April 2004, the Holy Synod of Constantinople resolved to elevate the Korean Orthodox Church from a diocese to a Metropolis. Sotirios Trambas was elected as the first Metropolitan of the newly established Orthodox Metropolis of Korea, and he was enthroned on 20 June 2004. In 2005, he briefly served as the acting Metropolitan of New Zealand for two months, bridging the period between the departure of the second Metropolitan, Joseph, and the enthronement of the third, Amphilochios. In October 2006, he visited the Holy Trinity Church in Pyongyang, which had been consecrated in August of the same year, and delivered a lecture there.
In 2008, due to health reasons and old age, he voluntarily resigned from his position as Metropolitan of Korea. The Holy Synod of Constantinople accepted his resignation and elected him as the Metropolitan of Pisidia (Turkey), a titular position, meaning he was not actually assigned to the region.
4. Writings and Publications
Sotirios Trambas authored several books that reflect his theological insights and missionary experiences. His key publications include:
- [http://www.kyobobook.co.kr/product/detailViewKor.laf?ejkGb=KOR&mallGb=KOR&barcode=9788992941211&orderClick=LAW&Kc= 위대한 선교사 성 사도 바울로Widaehan Seonsa Seong Sado BauroKorean (The Great Missionary Saint Apostle Paul)], published on 20 September 2011.
- [http://www.kyobobook.co.kr/product/detailViewKor.laf?ejkGb=KOR&mallGb=KOR&barcode=9788992941297&orderClick=LAG&Kc= 영적 아버지에게서 듣다Yeongjeok Abeojiegeseo DeutdaKorean (Listening from a Spiritual Father)], published on 6 August 2013. This book is a catechism compiled primarily from articles he contributed to the church newspaper "Orthodox Weekly" between 2006 and 2012.
5. Recognition and Honors
In recognition of his significant contributions to the community and the growth of the Orthodox Church in Korea, Sotirios Trambas was granted honorary citizenship of Seoul in 2000.
6. Death
Sotirios Trambas spent his final years at the Transfiguration of the Savior Monastery in Gapyeong County, Korea. He passed away on 10 June 2022, in Seoul, at the age of 93.
7. Legacy and Impact
Sotirios Trambas's legacy is profoundly marked by his tireless dedication to the Orthodox Church in Korea and Asia. He is widely credited with transforming the Korean Orthodox Church from a small presence primarily in Seoul into a nationwide religious community with established churches and parishes across the country. His foresight in founding the St. Nicholas Theological School was crucial for developing local clergy and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the church in Korea and other Asian nations. The establishment of the Transfiguration of the Savior Monastery further solidified the spiritual infrastructure of Orthodox Christianity in the region. His efforts in translating Greek liturgical texts into Korean also played a vital role in making Orthodox worship more accessible to local believers. Through his extensive missionary activities, institutional development, and leadership as the first Metropolitan, Sotirios Trambas laid a strong foundation for the continued growth and presence of the Orthodox Church throughout Asia.