Archimandrites Neophytos Egkleistriotis

PERSONAL INFORMATION

My name is Neophytos Engleistriotes, and I serve as a priest and monk (Archimandrite) at the Holy Monastery of Saint Neophytos in Paphos. My birth name is Evangelos Physas. I was born on April 6, 1961, in Larnaca, with ancestral roots in Karmi, Kyrenia, and Larnaca.

EDUCATION

I completed my secondary education at the Pancyprian Commercial Lyceum of Larnaca, graduating in 1979. After completing my military service as a reserve infantry officer in Crete and Cyprus, I pursued higher education.

Initially, I was admitted to Law School but soon abandoned it to follow my true calling in Theology. I then enrolled in the Theological School of the University of Thessaloniki, where I obtained my Theology Diploma in October 1985.

THEOLOGICAL AND LINQUISTIC STUDIES ABROAD

In May 1986, I attended the Inter-Christian Seminar at the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy, Geneva, representing the Theological School of Thessaloniki. That same year, with a scholarship from Archbishop Chrysostomos I, I studied French at the Universities of Geneva and Sorbonne.

In October 1987, I received a scholarship from the International Organization for Cultural Cooperation and enrolled in a joint Postgraduate Program at the Sorbonne University (Paris IV) and the Catholic University of Paris (Institut Catholique de Paris). I earned a Diploma of Advanced Studies (D.E.A.) from the Sorbonne and a Doctoral Qualification Certificate from the Catholic University of Paris in October 1988.

RESEARCH AND FURTHER STUDIES

Following my postgraduate studies, I conducted research on theological dialogues between the Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations and religions. During this period, I attended lectures by Professor Joseph Paramelle at the École Pratique des Hautes Études and Professor Gilbert Dagron at the Collège de France.

In 1990, with funding from the Catholic University of Paris, I carried out research in the Central Archives of the Anglican Church in London. This was followed by further research in 1991 at the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy and the Library of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, supported by a grant from the A.G. Leventis Foundation.

In 1992, I continued my studies in English in London, while researching inter-Christian dialogues at the Anglican Archbishopric of Canterbury (Lambeth Palace), once again with the support of Archbishop Chrysostomos I.

SERVICES TO THE CHURCH 

From February 15 to November 13, 1993, I worked at the Religious Enlightenment Office of the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus, residing at the Archbishop’s residence.

On December 1, 1993, I was accepted as a novice monk at the Holy Monastery of Saint Neophytos in Paphos. After 15 months of probation, I was fully integrated into the Monastic Brotherhood on January 24, 1995, and was ordained a deacon the same day by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Paphos under the directive of the Archbishop.

On September 28, 1997, I was ordained a priest, and on September 28, 2005, I was granted the title of Archimandrite by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Paphos.

COMMUNITY AND CHARITABLE WORK

From 1996 to 2020, I actively participated in the Swiss Foundation "Apostle Paul and Barnabas" based in Lucerne, Switzerland. This organization supported Schools and Centers for People with Special Needs in the Free Area of Famagusta, headquartered in Liopetri.

In 2001, I was elected Vice President of the Swiss Foundation, further contributing to its mission of assisting individuals with special needs.