Dimitrios Gagastathis

Saint Demetrios Gagastathis was a Greek priest from Trikala, born in 1902 and fell asleep in 1975, father of nine children, canonized by the Orthodox Church in 2025. He is commemorated on 29 January, the day of his repose.

He was born on 1 August 1902 at Vania (now Platanos) in Trikala, and from youth he was close to the Church. Because of financial hardships he was forced to work as a shepherd before he could finish primary school. In 1921 he enlisted in the Gendarmerie, with which he took part in the Asia Minor campaign. On returning to Greece he transferred to the Army, finishing his service in 1924. Returning to his birthplace, he finished primary school and then attended the clergy school of Tripoli, since he wished to become a clergyman. A few years after his marriage he was ordained priest by Metropolitan Polycarp of Trikki and Stagoi. Then he was parish priest of Platanos until 1973, when he retired because of health problems. As a priest he was distinguished by virtue, philanthropy, humility and devotion to the Orthodox faith. In his personal life, he was married from 1928 to Elisabeth Koutsimpiri, with whom he had nine daughters. He fell asleep on 29 January 1975, of cancer.

In July 2025 the Ecumenical Patriarchate, esteeming the life and virtues of Father Demetrios Gagastathis, proceeded to his official canonization.