The Metropolitan
From monastic life on Mount Olympus and theological education to missionary service in Tanzania, Agathonikos Nikolaidis brings experience in teaching, Church administration and pastoral care to Arusha and Central Tanzania.
Agathonikos Nikolaidis was born in 1964 in Giannitsa, in the Pella region of Greece. He graduated from the Pedagogical Academy of Florina and the Theological Faculty of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. These studies joined preparation in education with formal theological learning, two strands that appear throughout his later service in preaching, the formation of clergy and the pastoral life of the Church.
In 1986 he became a monk of the Holy Monastery of Saint Dionysios of Olympus. His association with that brotherhood precedes both his ordination and his African missionary assignments. He was ordained deacon in 2001 and priest in 2003, and served as a preacher in the Metropolises of Florina and Kitrous. The Patriarchate's biography also records that he speaks English and Swahili.
Sources: Patriarchate of Alexandria: Diocese of Arusha and Central Tanzania, biography of Agathonikos
His episcopal ministry followed earlier experience in Africa. Between 2004 and 2011 he served in African mission fields with the blessing of Patriarch Theodoros II. He also served as Chancellor, or protosynkellos, of the Metropolis of Irinoupolis in Tanzania. When ordaining him bishop, the Patriarch expressly recalled his earlier missionary work in Tanzania, linking the new appointment to service already undertaken there.
In December 2013 he moved to Alexandria at the Patriarch's invitation. His responsibilities included the deanship of the Saint Athanasios Patriarchal Academy, service as codicographer and direction of the Patriarch's private office. A contemporary report from June 2015 records him addressing the Patriarch as Dean of the Academy. His work in the Patriarchate therefore included both educational and administrative responsibilities before his election to Arusha.
Sources: Hierarchical elections at the Patriarchate of Alexandria, 17 November 2016 · The ordination of Bishop Agathonikos of Arusha and Central Tanzania, 11 December 2016 · Patriarchate of Alexandria: Diocese of Arusha and Central Tanzania, biography of Agathonikos · Patriarchal anniversary celebration: Agathonikos as Dean of Saint Athanasios Academy, 14 June 2015
On 17 November 2016 the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria considered the newly established Diocese of Arusha and Central Tanzania and elected Archimandrite Agathonikos as its bishop. This created a new episcopal responsibility within the existing life of the Orthodox Church in Tanzania.
His episcopal ordination took place on 11 December 2016 at the Patriarchal Church of Saint Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria, with Patriarch Theodoros II presiding. In his address, the Patriarch connected the new bishop's calling with teaching the faith, care for those in need and particular concern for children. These were pastoral responsibilities entrusted to him as he prepared to take up the new Diocese.
Sources: Hierarchical elections at the Patriarchate of Alexandria, 17 November 2016 · The ordination of Bishop Agathonikos of Arusha and Central Tanzania, 11 December 2016
Agathonikos was enthroned on 30 April 2017 at the Church of Saint Demetrios of the Greek community in Iringa. Metropolitan Dimitrios of Irinoupolis, who had been caring for the Diocese as locum tenens, presided at the Divine Liturgy and conveyed the Patriarch's greeting. The previous day had included baptisms at the Kindamali mission centre.
In the address published with the enthronement report, the new bishop described his coming to live among the faithful and serve them. He presented episcopal responsibility in terms of the Cross, personal accountability and concern for each person.
Sources: Enthronement of the Bishop of Arusha and Central Tanzania, report published 14 May 2017
His service has also extended beyond his own Diocese. In January 2020 the Patriarchate reported his visit to the re-established Diocese of Bukoba as its locum tenens, or temporary ecclesiastical administrator. Acting on the Patriarch's instructions, he met the local priests and conveyed a message centred on reconciliation, peace and unity. This is a documented example of his responsibility within the wider Church of Tanzania, alongside his continuing care of Arusha and Central Tanzania.
Sources: Message of peace and unity in the re-established Diocese of Bukoba, 23 January 2020
The mission centre at Kindamali, in the Iringa region, provides an important setting for this pastoral work. Its episcopal residence brings together the reception of priests, catechists and faithful with the organisation of diocesan life. The centre also provides spaces for clergy gatherings, study and liturgical learning. These activities depend on the service of Tanzanian clergy, monastics and fellow workers.
A report published in January 2026 describes a priests' assembly following worship at Kindamali. Agathonikos addressed the clergy, and the gathering considered pastoral, liturgical and administrative questions arising in the villages they serve. The same report credits Sister Alexia with preparing the new-year directives and identifies the translation committee's place in the practical work of the Church.
Sources: Missionary Center of Iringa, Kindamali · First feast of Venerable Chrysostomos the Missionary in Tanzania, published 7 January 2026
Swahili publishing is another part of the mission carried out during his ministry. The mission partner reports the translation and publication of liturgical and spiritual books, including a revised and expanded edition of the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. This work makes the Church's worship and teaching available in the language of the communities it serves; it is the work of a translation and publishing team.
In September 2026 Agathonikos represented the Patriarchate of Alexandria at the International Orthodox Youth Meeting in Bucharest. He was accompanied by Archimandrite Maximos and two young Tanzanian men studying Orthodox theology in Iași. Their participation connects the local Church's present life with the theological formation of people preparing for future service.
Sources: Publications in Swahili · Metropolitan Agathonikos represented Alexandria at the International Orthodox Youth Meeting in Bucharest, 15 September 2026
Reports from 2026 also document direct visits connected with community needs. At Kitisi he blessed a new borehole at Saint Stylianos church, funded by the Brotherhood of Orthodox Foreign Mission in Thessaloniki. A teacher then invited him to see the village's primary school, where he appealed for help with its damaged roof and missing facilities. By October, the mission partner reported donor-supported renovation nearing completion.
A July report describes his visit to Iringa Correctional Centre, where he offered food and hygiene supplies and distributed Orthodox books in Swahili. It also records his announcement of an intended ministry to explore assistance for people facing financial obstacles to release.
Sources: New borehole at Kitisi: blessing by Metropolitan Agathonikos, 11 August 2026 · Appeal for renovation of Kitisi Primary School, 20 August 2026 · Renovation of Kitisi Primary School nears completion, 20 October 2026 · Pastoral visit of Metropolitan Agathonikos to Iringa Correctional Centre, 20 July 2026
Agathonikos's ministry is also associated with the development of the Arusha mission centre and its cathedral dedicated to the Theotokos. The Patriarch's 2022 visit placed this work within a broader vision for worship, education and mission in the city. A 2026 construction appeal identifies the Metropolitan's oversight while acknowledging the continuing contribution of benefactors and supporters. The cathedral is described as under construction.
Recent Patriarchate reporting identifies him as Metropolitan of Arusha. Across the documented record, the recurring features of his ministry are missionary experience, educational and administrative service, the gathering and formation of clergy, and pastoral care carried into the lives of communities. The work is shared by the Church he serves: its priests, monastics, faithful, volunteers and partners.
Sources: Patriarchal Divine Liturgy in Arusha, 29 May 2022 · Construction of the Holy Cathedral Church of Panagia in Arusha · Twenty-two years of Patriarch Theodoros II: anniversary report, 10 October 2026 · First feast of Venerable Chrysostomos the Missionary in Tanzania, published 7 January 2026
Sources: Patriarchate of Alexandria: Diocese of Arusha and Central Tanzania, biography of Agathonikos
Sources: Patriarchate of Alexandria: Diocese of Arusha and Central Tanzania, biography of Agathonikos
Sources: Patriarchate of Alexandria: Diocese of Arusha and Central Tanzania, biography of Agathonikos
Sources: Patriarchate of Alexandria: Diocese of Arusha and Central Tanzania, biography of Agathonikos
Sources: Hierarchical elections at the Patriarchate of Alexandria, 17 November 2016
Sources: Patriarchate of Alexandria: Diocese of Arusha and Central Tanzania, biography of Agathonikos · Patriarchal anniversary celebration: Agathonikos as Dean of Saint Athanasios Academy, 14 June 2015
Sources: Hierarchical elections at the Patriarchate of Alexandria, 17 November 2016
Sources: The ordination of Bishop Agathonikos of Arusha and Central Tanzania, 11 December 2016
Sources: Enthronement of the Bishop of Arusha and Central Tanzania, report published 14 May 2017
Sources: Missionary Shelter of Saint Dionysios of Olympus: who we are
Sources: Message of peace and unity in the re-established Diocese of Bukoba, 23 January 2020
Sources: Twenty-two years of Patriarch Theodoros II: anniversary report, 10 October 2026
