Archmandrite Ioakeim Sotiropoulos

Τhe photograph “The crucifixion of Christ – Good Friday”

Archmandrite Ioakeim Sotiropoulos (his worldly name Anastasios) was born in Patra in the county of Achaia in November of 1982.He is a graduate of a Technical Vocational School (T.E.S) in the field of engineering, specializing in “Machinery and automotive systems”, he is also a graduate of a Technical Vocational Seminary (T.E.E) in the same field and specialization. Finally he is a graduate of the Institute of Vocational Training in the field of “Ecclesiastical and Cultural Training”.

He has worked as a sound engineer at a radio station of Patra. He renounced his worldly life at the age of 19 and joined the Holy Monastery of the Saints Seraphim of Sarof and Augustine Hipponos at Trikorfo Fokidos. At the age of 20 he was tonsured a monk and received the name Ioakeim, in honor of the father of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In January 2007 he received the great angelical schema, and in February 2007 at the age of 25 was ordained a deacon. In December of that year he was ordained a senior priest and received the honorary title of Archimandrite.

At the holy monastery in which he lives, except from the daily liturgies that he conducts, he is involved in operational tasks such as office work and the care of the gardens. He has also been assigned the ministry of photography and video capture duties.