His Grace Ioakeim Bishop of Zambia (known in the world as Konstantinos Kontobas) was born in Volos in 1966, where he completed his schooling. He is a graduate of the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens. He was ordained Deacon in 1986 by the late Archbishop Hezekiel of Kos and Priest in 1993 by His Eminence Archbishop Chrysostomos of Peristeri. He has served in various Churches in Greece. He was enrolled in the ranks of the Alexandrian Throne in 1996, serving originally as superior of the Cathedral of St Froumentios in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, at the same time serving as the superior of the Holy Church of the Annunciation in Asmara Erytrea. On the election of Petros VII as the new Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, he was recalled to Alexandria and served firstly as Secretary and then as Chief Secretary of the Patriarchate up until his election. During this time he also served as superior of the Holy Patriarchal Church of St Nicholas Ibraimia, renovating it and developing able pastoral activities. He holds a degree in English, and also speaks Arabic. He was unanimously elected Bishop by the Holy Synod on 14th March 2003 and was consecrated on 23rd March in the Holy Cathedral of St Savvas in Alexandria.