Seraphim of Athens was ordained a deacon by the then Metropolitan Bishop of Corinth and by Archbishop Damaskinos of Athens, and served at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Neo Iraklio.

During the Axis occupation of Greece during World War II, he joined the ranks of EDES under general Napoleon Zervas.

[1] He served as secretary of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, and in 1949, was elected Metropolitan Bishop of Arta and in 1958 was transferred to Ioannina.

As prelate of the Church of Greece, he visited the Patriarchates of Constantinople, Antioch, Moscow, Sofia and Belgrade.

During his 24 years as church leader he swore in six Presidents of Greece and numerous Prime Ministers.