His Eminence Petros, Archbishop of Axum, known in the world as George Giakoumelos, was born in Zakynthos in 1932. He studied at the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens. He was ordained a Deacon in 1955 and a Priest in 1956. In 1965 he studied Sociology at the Sorbonne and Catechism–Pastoral Theology in Paris. He served as Archdeacon, Preacher and Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese of Elasson, as Superior of Holy Churches in England and France and as Great Chancellor of the Throne. In 1972 he was elected Archbishop of Axum. He was appointed to and served as Patriarchal Exarch in the Holy Archdiocese of Kenya and Irenoupolis in 1996 and 1997. He speaks French, English and Italian.