Ecclesiastical Region of Havana & the Caribbean Islands

Born on October 2, 1968, in Cúcuta, Colombia, into a humble family, Bishop Athenagoras—originally named Saúl Alfonso Pérez Galvis—embarked on a profound spiritual journey marked by divine calling and unwavering devotion. From his early education in prestigious institutions to an initial pursuit of a military career, he discerned God’s invitation to missionary life at age 15, leading him to the Seminary of San José de Cúcuta. After exploring various paths, including work in aviation and encounters with the Orthodox faith that dispelled misconceptions, he embraced the Eastern Church as the true path.

In 1998, he was sent to Greece for studies in language and Orthodox theology at the Ecclesiastical Lyceum of Kilkis. Baptized as Pablos in 1999 by Metropolitan Agathangelos at the Monastery of Saint Dionysius on Mount Olympus, he later joined the Monastery of Saint David in Euboea under Elder Kyrillos. Tonsured as Monk Athenagoras in 2000, he pursued theological studies in Thessaloniki and was ordained deacon that year, advancing to archdeacon in 2002 and presbyter in 2006.

Elected Bishop of Myrinis by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2020, he was consecrated on October 25 at the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia in Mexico. Serving missions in El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and the Cayman Islands from 2021 to 2024, he was appointed in April 2024 by Metropolitan Iakovos as overseer of the Archdiocesan Region of the Caribbean Islands and Belize. His ministry exemplifies selfless obedience, missionary zeal, and fidelity to the Orthodox tradition.