Archbishop Dmitri Royster

Overview

Archbishop Dmitri (Royster) was born Robert R. Royster on November 2, 1923, in Teague, Texas, into a Baptist family. As a young man he discovered Orthodox Christianity and was received into the Church in 1941.

He was ordained a priest in 1954 and consecrated a bishop in 1969. In 1978 he became the first ruling bishop of the OCA Diocese of the South, which he led from Dallas; he was elevated to the dignity of archbishop in 1993 and retired in 2009.

A rare early American-born convert hierarch, he is remembered above all for planting and nurturing Orthodox mission parishes across the American South — work that earned him the affectionate title “Apostle to the South.” He reposed in Dallas on August 28, 2011.

Life in Brief

1. 1923

   Born in Texas

   Robert R. Royster is born on November 2, 1923, in Teague, Texas, into a Baptist family. source ↗

2. 1941

   Received into Orthodoxy

   As a young man he is received into the Orthodox Church. source ↗

3. 1954

   Ordained priest

   He is ordained to the holy priesthood. source ↗

4. 1969

   Consecrated bishop

   He is consecrated a bishop. source ↗

5. 1978

   First bishop of the Diocese of the South

   He becomes the first ruling bishop of the OCA Diocese of the South, based in Dallas. source ↗

6. 1993

   Elevated to archbishop

   He is elevated to the dignity of archbishop. source ↗

7. 2009

   Retirement

   Archbishop Dmitri retires after decades of missionary leadership in the South. source ↗

8. 2011

   Repose in the Lord

   He reposes in Dallas on August 28, 2011. source ↗

Works by Archbishop Dmitri

• Scriptural commentaries and liturgical translations — Published through OCA / St Vladimir's Seminary Press; individual titles should be verified before listing.

About Archbishop Dmitri

• OCA Diocese of the South — biographical profile — The diocese's account of his life and ministry.
• St Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral (Dallas) — memorial — Memorial materials at the cathedral where he served and is buried.

Historical Significance

Archbishop Dmitri was one of the most important missionary hierarchs for English-speaking Orthodoxy in the United States — an early American convert bishop whose decades of patient church-planting gave the Orthodox South much of its present shape.

Related Figures

• OCA Diocese of the South — The mission diocese he founded and led from Dallas.
• St Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral, Dallas — His cathedral and place of burial.
• Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) — A spiritual son who later became Metropolitan of the OCA.