22 Oct 2018. in 23.25 died the Abbot of the monastery Dochiar the Holy mount Athos, Archimandrite Gregory (Sumis), at the age of 76 years, according to the portal “Russian Athos.” Recent years, the old man humbly endured the pangs of severe incurable diseases. The funeral will be held on October 23.
Archimandrite Gregory (Sumis) was born on Paros and was a close relative of the famous Athonite elder Joseph Hesychast.
The elder Gregory 65 years of his life spent in the monastery, monastic path began under the leadership of two well-known ascetics of piety of the elders Philotheus (Zervakos) and Amphilochius (Makris) Putmessage. January 1, 1967, he received from the elder Amphilochius of vows and pursued asceticism in a skete under his leadership . After the death of the elder in 1970, Gregory had to leave with several other monks in the monastery, located in Central Greece, then in Karpenisi, the Prussian monastery of the mother of God.
Some time later he and several brothers were invited to the monastery on mount Athos Dohar. Almost immediately after the arrival of father Gregory was elected Abbot. The monastery, which had already began to collapse under his leadership revived, gathered brethren.
Geronda Gregory was strict and friendly at the same time. Despite serious health problems, he almost every day was rising into the mountains, to a height of one kilometer, where he controlled a course of works on restoration of ancient ruined temples. Having a great reputation, the old man wore shabby clothes and was very simple. Being the Archimandrite, was himself, as a monk, said that he prefers it that way. Speaking for myself, the old man asked me to pray about the “robber Gregory”. Archimandrite Gregory, the author of the book “People of the Church whom I knew” that contains much wisdom.