At the heart of the news is the Metropolitan Ptolemaidos Panteleimon, following the decision of the Patriarchate of Alexandria put him on indefinitelyUntil the case was fully investigated, for which a case was formed against him in Athens.
This development comes to shadow an ecclesiastical course that for more than a decade has been associated with the Orthodox mission in Africa and the taking over of top administrative duties at the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
The incident in Petralona and the reaction of the Patriarchate
According to the information known, the metropolitanwas arrested on 11 June 2026 in Petralona and was formed against him for insulting sexual dignity.
The event immediately took on large proportions due to its ecclesiastical capacity and position in the administration of the Patriarchate.
Four days later, on 15/6, Patriarch Theodore II announced the indefinite holiday Its until the case is fully investigated.
As noted by church observers, this decision is a clear message that the Patriarchate wishes to preserve the authority of the institution and prevent any shadow on the Church's mission in Africa, irrespective of the final outcome of the case.
The rise in church hierarchy
In November 2012, at the suggestion of Patriarch Alexandria Theodorus II, he was elected he votes first Bishop Brazaville and Gabon. A few days later he was ordained to Alexandria and in 2013 was enthroned in Pued-Noir, Congo.
During his term in Central Africa he developed intense missionary activity. He completed and inaugurated temples, went on to erect new church buildings, carried out thousands of baptisms, ordained clergy and contributed to the creation of educational and social structures, such as schools and orphanages. At the same time, he contributed to the establishment of a radio station and achieved institutional recognition of the Orthodox Church in Gabon as one of the country's officially recognized churches.
His action was also recognized by Congolese authorities. In 2020 the country's president, Denis Sasu Ngueso, awarded him Supreme state honorary distinction of the Knight Officer.
In 2022 he was transferred to the seat of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, elected Metropolitan of Admiralty and taking over the duties of the Archbishop of the Holy Synod, one of the most important administrative offices of the Patriarchate. It is worth noting that the Chief Secretary is essentially the senior administrative coordinator of the Patriarchate, with direct participation in the operation of the Synod, the management of ecclesiastical affairs and communication between the metropolises of the African continent.
That same year he was honored by Patriarch Theodore II with the decoration of Senior Brigadier Sabba of the Most Holy Post, on the occasion of the completion of ten years of high priestly ministry.
His ascending course continued in 2024, when he was elected Metropolitan Ptolemaides Upper Egypt, while maintaining the position of Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod.
The oldest 'shadows'
However, his church route was not useless.
Already from 2013 There had been reports in Congo, linking him to a case, which caused intense discussions in the local community. Criminal prosecution followed on charges involving Forgery and Public insinuationThe case was brought to justice in Congo, which resulted in his acquittal. Later, in 2020, Greek court ruled that the claims in question constituted slanderous defamation against him.
Despite these judicial developments, these incidents remained a reference point for its critics; which at times brought the matter back to the public debate.
The new incident and the decision of the Patriarchate
The new crisis broke out on 11 June 2026, when the Metropolitan was arrested in the Petralon area in Athens. According to the information that has been made known, at his expense a case was formed for an insult to sexual dignity.
As a direct reaction, Patriarch Theodore II decided on 15 June 2026 to put the Metropolitan Panteleimon on an indefinite holiday until the case was fully resolved. The decision is interpreted as an attempt to protect the authority of the Patriarchate and to ensure its institutional credibility, in view of the judicial investigation.
The case of Metropolitan Panteleimon shows strong opposition between his recognized missionary and administrative action in Africa and repeated cases that at times affected his public image.
From the establishment of church and social structures in Congo and Gabon until its emergence to one of the most prominent officials of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, its course was characterized by rapid growth. Today, however, this career is under the heavy shadow of the latest developments regarding his alleged actions, with the ecclesiastical and judicial investigation expected to judge the next moves of both him and Patriarchate of Alexandria.
The impact on the Patriarchate of Alexandria
Apart from the personal issue of the metropolitan himself, the case also raises institutional questions. The removal of a person managing critical administrative files creates a gap in the functioning of the patriarchal secretariat and may require a redistribution of responsibilities to the upper administrative level, as church circles note.
At the same time, the case comes at a time when the Patriarchate of Alexandria faces significant challenges on the African continent, from the development of the missions to the geo-ecclesiastic confrontations that have arisen in recent years.