ecumenical patriarchate the epistle
TRANSCRIPT
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of AmericaUnder the Auspices of His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros
Ecumenical Patriarchate
THE EPISTLEGreek Orthodox
Retired Clergy Association
SEPTEMBER, 2019
Two Timbers Crown the Globe
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RCA Board of Trustees
President:Father Eugene Pappas
2732 East 19th St. / Brooklyn, NY 11235 / (718) 646-2032 (home)
Vice-President: Father Steven Vlahos
424 Old Orchard Road / Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 / (856) [email protected]
Treasurer:Father Dennis Strouzas
10 Briarcliff Lane / Glen Cove, NY 11542 / (516) 384-4148
Assistant Treasurer:Father Vasilios Bassakyros
Secretary: Father John Maheras
24 Shady LaneScituate, MA
(781) [email protected]
Board MembersFather Theoharis Theoharis
4652 Foxfire Trail / Portage, MI 49024-8140 / (269) 743-7186
Very Rev. Fr. Ernest Blougouras1650 Birdie Dr. / Naples, FL 34120
(239) [email protected]
Pomfret Representative Father George Poulos
1527 Bedford Street / Stamford, CT 06905 / (203) 992-5675 [email protected]
Presvytera LiasonVacancy, Seeking a volunteer
Presvytera. Is it you? Please call us.
Editor:Father Samaras(845) 731-9333
This issue is dedicated to
our Scholarship Fund Donors,James Pedas and
Ted Pedasand the Dr. Nicholas & Nancy
Vidalakis Family
Presidential Papers
Very Reverend Father Eugene Pappas
TWO TIMBERS CROWN THE GLOBE
As the sacred “INDICTUS” heralds the forthcoming FEAST of Holy Cross (September 14), who among us alumni of our hallowed Seminary does not reflect on days of “olde”? Days seemingly (if not apparently) good! The two timbers which evidenced the Cross of the Savior graced the pinnacle of the “holy hill.” For decades, young men were nurtured and cultivated into the holy priesthood under the sheltering shadow of the cross. The formation of levitical priestly conscience of sacrifice and service was forged in flesh and spirit. Hail, Holy Cross, most venerable symbol of personal and communal commitment to the Lord Christ. This sturdy emblem afforded us a foundation of hope, refuge, direction, and fortification to pursue our vocation which is ever before us. Of import and keen discernment are the reports—none too few— of the precipitous condition of our Alma Mater (our soul-mother). This essential source is who we are in vocation, and it pains us, by thought and word, to imagine that our unique institution, the only Greek Orthodox seat of higher learning in the Western Hemisphere, is in jeopardy on so many fronts. As the dilemma unfolds, escorted with dismay, we ask ourselves the obvious HOW and WHY? What can we do beyond prayer to salvage the remnant of what we revere and cherish as in the days of “olde”? A wellspring of nostalgic tears swells the heart, pondering what next in this sad saga. A light on the horizon beckons to our new and inspired shepherd and pastor, Archbishop Elpidophoros, to guide and unite our sacred resolve. We are determined, as neverbefore to preserve and enrich the legacy of the SEMINARY. With outreach from the pulpit, the pew, the bulletin, the philanthropic and fraternal societies that permeate our AMERICAN CHURCH, to rise to the challenge. HOLY CROSS SEMINARY is the spiritual lifeline for this and future generations of Christian Orthodox on these shores. Have WE who expended decades of professional expertise, spiritual outreach, sacrifice and laborous toil, built on shifting sand? I pray and hope NOT! Our “mighty fortress” is our SCHOOL. It has been, is now, and ever shall be.
In Christ Jesus,
V. Rev. Eugene N. Pappas,Archimandrite, R.C.A. President
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METROPOLITAN PANTELEIMON OF TYROLOI AND SERENTION FALLS ASLEEP
On August 7th, 2019, the venerable Metropolitan of Tyroloi and Serention, the most honorable Exarch of Thrace, Panteleimon (Rodopoulos), aged 90, fell asleep peacefully at the Holy Monastery of Vlatades, where he had been a longtime abbot, with his successor and spiritual son, Bishop Nikephoros of Amorion, at his side. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America stated, “With profound sadness at the falling asleep in the Lord of Metropolitan Panteleimon of Tyroloi and Serention, I celebrated the Trisagion for the repose of the soul of the departed Hierarch, to whom I owe much, because as my teacher in the university he taught me not only Canon Law, but also he was by his example the model of ecclesiastical ethos for all of us younger clergy. As the Archdiocese of America, we are
especially grateful to the late teacher for having served, devotedly and effectively, our Holy Cross Theological School in Boston. Eternal and unforgettable be his memory.” His Eminence Panteleimon (Rodopoulos), Metropolitan of Tyroloi and Serention, the most honorable Exarch of Thrace, was born in 1929 in Athens. He was ordained a deacon in 1952, a priest in 1954, and attended postgraduate theological studies at the universities of London and Oxford (1954-1957) and Frankfurt, Germany (1957-1958), where he submitted a dissertation at the University of Oxford (“The Serapion School of Philosophy”) and received the B. Litt Master’s Degree. He was appointed chancellor of the Metropolis of Thessalonica and dean of its cathedral church of Holy Wisdom. In 1958, he was appointed professor at the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens and, in 1960, he became a fellow of the Theological School of the University of Thessaloniki. While continuing to serve as a lecturer at the University of Thessaloniki, Father Panteleimon was appointed Dean of Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology in Boston (1963-1966). In 1968, he was elected Professor of Theology at the University of Thessaloniki, in Canon Law and Pastoral Theology. He was a member of the Senate of the University of Thessaloniki (1976-1977) and Dean of the Theological School (1977-1978). He was elected at the University of Thessaloniki to serve as Vice Dean and Dean (1981-1983). In addition to his duties as professor at the University of Thessaloniki, he took over as Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology of Balamand, first in Lebanon (1972-1975) and then in Thessaloniki (1975-1979), during the time when the school was relocated to Thessaloniki due to war in Lebanon. He organized the school there and obtained recognition from a top university school, as well as from the Lebanese Ministry of Education and from the Orthodox Theological Schools of Greece. In 1974 he was elected Metropolitan of Tyanon, and later (1977) as Metropolitan of Tyroloi and Serention. He was a member of many international religious committees and organizations, and participated in many synods, ecumenical and academic meetings, and conferences. In 1982, he was elected President of the International Academic Association of Eastern Churches and, since 1991, he was Honorary President of the Society. He was the Orthodox Co-President of the Joint Committee for Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the World Council of Churches and chairman of the Organizing Committee that planned theological symposia in Thessaloniki each year under the auspices of the Dimitria events, under the general theme of “Christian Thessaloniki.” He served as abbot of the Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of Vlatades in Thessaloniki (1984-2012), chairman of the Board of Directors in the Cloister of the Patriarchikon Idryma Paterikon Meleton (1985-1989) and its vice-chairman (1989-2012). He was an honorary member of the Board of Directors of the Vienna Pro-Oriente Foundation, author of books and articles on Canon Law, liturgy, pastoral theology, ecumenical relations and more. He was honored with ecclesiastical, academic, and state awards. He was a Distinguished Doctor of Theology at Holy Cross of Boston and the Theological School of the University of Sibiu, Romania. He was invited to teach courses at the Theological Seminary of Minsk in Belarus and the Theological School of the Free University in that city. He also taught a course at the Theological School of the University of Presov in Slovakia.
Older clergy will remember him from
Holy Cross Days.Seminarians who did
graduate studies in Thessaloniki
will remember him as the academic
Vice-President, where his last name, Rodopoulos,
was affectionately translated as
“Son of Rodan”
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2018-2019Roll
ofDistinguishedMembership
Our RCA Calendar goes from September 1st to August 31st,
following the Ecclesiastical Church Year.
Thus, we have just concluded our 2018-2019 Year.
We acknowledge our members and express gratitude to their helping us to help them, to serve our RCA family.
Please Take Note
By receiving the yearly twelve issues of the Epistle, this indicates that you are a registered member of our Retired Clergy Association. However, some have lapsed in their stewardship LAST YEAR. We have a mailing list of 530 families—but not all are registered stewards. Please help us to do the right thing and continue our good work. WE NEED your support and encouragement. Help us to help you. Every membership becomes a subscription.
Healthy Body and Mind
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Brain scans key to Alzheimer’s detection, treatment
Brain scans can improve diagnosis and management of Alzheimer’s disease, HealthDay reports, citing a new study of more than 11,000 Medicare beneficiaries with “mild thinking impairment or dementia.” The study was published in JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. R e s e a r c h e r s assessed the use of PET scans to identify Alzheimer ’s - re la ted amyloid plaques in the brain, according to HealthDay. Use of those scans changed the diagnosis of the cause of mental impairment in more than one-third of the study’s participants, as well as which medicines were prescribed, how the disease/condition was managed, and the sort of counseling provided. “These results present highly credible, large-scale evidence that amyloid PET imaging can be a powerful tool to improve the accuracy of Alzheimer’s diagnosis and lead to better medical management, especially in difficult-to-diagnose cases,” said Maria Carrillo, the study’s co-author. The findings are considered important because while there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, “early diagnosis means that patients can receive treatment to manage symptoms and be directed to clinical trials for new drugs,” she added. Early diagnosis also allows families to make plans and adjustments in at-home safety, caregiving, and legal and financial matters.
CAUSES Primary headaches are caused by overactive pain-sensitive structures in the head and neck nerves, muscles and blood vessels. The release of certain chemicals in the brain can also trigger them. This is particularly true of migraines, for which triggers can include chocolate, caffeine, aspartame (a sweetener found in diet sodas, chewing gum, breakfast cereal and other foodstuffs), alcohol and cheese.
Changing sleep patterns can be another culprit, as waking and going to sleep at different times can have a dramatic effect on the hypothalamus—the area of the brain responsible for balancing hormones—and thus trigger a headache. This is why people often complain of “weekend headaches,” which strike because they have changed from their regular working-day sleep routine and either gone to bed or gotten up later, or both.
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT H e a d a c h e avoidance is all about consistency. So try to keep to regular meal times, foods and sleep patterns. Avoid any headache triggers you know of, as well as stress and anxiety. When you do get a headache, it can usually be treated by over-the-
counter medications such as acetaminophen or aspirin, which can be combined with anti-nausea medication if you also feel sick. For more serious headaches, you may need to combine medication with lying in a darkened room until the pain has passed. There is also an herbal remedy made from a plant called feverfew, which several studies suggest may be beneficial in easing headache symptoms. Most headaches are benign and will soon wear off. But sometimes they can indicate a more serious health condition. Consider seeing a medical professional if you experience any of the following:v Weakness, altered speech and confusion.v Headache onset is abrupt, sudden and new.v Headaches in midlife, over the age of 50.v Difference in terms of headache length or severity.v Headaches occurring when you cough or bend over.
Fellowship Has No Retirement!All Retired Clergy are Invited to Participate
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Dear Father Eugene and Father Samaras, Just a note to tell you how much Presbytera Vaso and I are enjoying “The Epistle.” We like the format and the variety of articles and the humor that lightens it up. Thank you for bringing the Epistle to new heights. Presvytera Vaso and I will be celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary on September 16th with our two daughters, son-in-law, and and two grandsons who live near by. On Sunday, September 29th, we will celebrate with our parishioners following the Divine Liturgy. I’m still as active as I can be with the Ascension Cathedral. Please keep Presvytera Vaso in your prayers; she is still struggling with some health issues. God give you His strength and patience. Your brother in Christ, Father Tom Paris.
A Focus on Finances
How does your financial well-being stack up?
In late 2016, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau established what it called the financial well-being survey and scale. The idea is that “well-being” goes beyond financial literacy (what you know you should be doing) to what you actually are doing. This concept caught my attention recently when I was doing some related research. The approach is a bit of a surprise. Since the survey attempts to assess where you stand with your finances, you might expect it to be filled with questions about retirement plan numbers, credit card balances and the like. Instead, it consists of 10 core statements that the survey taker agrees with on a sliding scale from “completely” to “not at all.” I thought it might be instructive to dig into a few of the survey’s statements:v I could handle a major unexpected expense. I see where they are going here: the emergency fund. Very regularly we see stats showing how Americans are ill-prepared for even a bite-size emergency. In April, I saw a Federal Reserve study that indicated 58 percent of Americans didn’t even have 5500 set aside to respond to the unexpected.v I am securing my financial future. This statement screams “save and invest.” Lotto tickets and rich relatives are not going to be the engines that drive most of our financial futures. However, systematically saving and investing may get the job done.v I have money left over at the end of the month. This one is all about budgeting. When I’m on the road talking with service members and their families, I like to turn the table on the audience and, instead of focusing on budgeting, focus on the “why” behind budgeting. It’s not about the budget; it’s about accomplishing what you want to accomplish. If you focus on the projected and expected outcomes, budgeting can turn from a grind into a liberating experience.
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v l am concerned that the money I have or will save won’t last. This is an interesting question. At first, I think about individuals on the brink of retirement who are concerned their nest eggs aren’t big enough. That’s an understandable concern. Vanguard provides 401(k) accounts for more than 4 million Americans, and a recent release pegged the median 401(k) balance of their plan participants 65 and older at less than 560,000. That indicates a potential issue for most folks. No matter where you are on the spectrum of life, it’s not too late to start adding to your personal nest egg.
v My finances control my life. Control is a strong word, but no matter how you feel about money, it does influence every aspect of your life. Think about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Whether you’re at the bottom and looking at food, clothing or shelter, or at the top and considering lofty charitable and self-actualization goals, money is either a roadblock or a facilitator. If you’re feeling money stress, my best advice is: don’t go it alone. Whether
you seek out the assistance of an attorney, a credit counselor or a financial planner, they can help you map out plan to get to a better place. Take the whole survey online at cfpb.gov/consumer-tools/financial-well-being. It doesn’t provide nearly enough information to develop a comprehensive financial plan; however, there’s plenty of info to alert you whether you need to shift to a healthier financial lifestyle.
I had my credit card stolen the other day but I didn’t bother to report it because the thief spends less than my wife. I’m currently boycotting any company that sells items I can’t afford. That awkward moment when you leave a store without buying anything and all you can think is “Act natural, you’re innocent.”
Money Can be Funny
Minutes for the Retired Clergy Association
Board Meeting
June 11th, 2019: Coney Island, New York
Members present:Father Vasilios Bassakyros Father Eugene PappasFather Samaras Father Dennis StrouzasFather Steven Vlahos
Opening Prayer and Welcome Remarks Our meeting was called to order, with an opening prayer by Father Vlahos.
Agenda Item: Minutes Due to the minutes being from July 3rd, 2018, only time-relevant portions were emphasized, concerning subjects that needed to still be followed up on. The Minutes were unanimously approved. The points for ongoing follow-up are as follows:1. Can we get anyone in your parishes who would
like to receive the news of the RCA and support our work? This is an attribute of an associate member.
Suggestion: send letter to all, tell them the costs involved with producing the Epistle. Mention we can’t continue at this rate, without their coming forward and contributing/subscribing to membership. This letter may be mailed personally, not included in the Epistle.
We don’t have any contact person in each respective Metropolis. We tried this before, but it didn’t work at that time. It is again suggested that we seek a RCA representative (one retired clergyman or presvytera) from each respective Metropolis, appointed by the local hierarch, and that liason be non-voting.
2. Scholarship suggestion: an incentive to be considered for a scholarship could be that the student’s father or grandfather is/was an RCA member. This stipulation can be added to the scholarship form, moving forward. This was made into a Motion, moved, and accepted unanimously.
3. The need to create a new, updated RCA directory.
4. Provide the Epistle for every active priest and Philoptochos chapter (an extra 600 mailings per month) and, secondarily, for us to find sponsorship/underwriters to allow us to cover these annual expenses.
5. Have Father Samaras submit all electronic
copies of the Epistle (that he has produced) to the Archdiocesan IT Department to feature on the goarch website. Talk to Jamil Samara, at the IT department.
6. A suggestion was made to ask Father Coniaris to write an article toward retirement attitudes that we can feature in our Epistle.
7. A suggestion was made that we all reach out to all retired priests in our personal areas, as well as reaching out to all widowed Presvyteres. Father Samaras made the suggestion, toward this goal, that our Archdiocese feature in our annual Archdiocesan Yearbook the phone numbers and emails for all retired clergy and presvyteres. Thus, the information may be updated annually basis and provide a contact resource for all to reach out. A related, backup suggestion was also made to ask each metropolis to take more interest in their retired clergy, to maintain a current list of retired clergy in their areas.
Agenda Item: Membership Update
As of now, the RCA membership mailing is currently at approximately 530 members (a figure that fluctuates due to ongoing enrollments). Still, for the sake of sharing and inspiration, we generously mail out to approximately 530 families. Our Membership time-period ends in August. We reiterated our need to include an appeal for membership, as previously mentioned. Our Epistle needs to feature a box saying an update for current membership and soon-to-expire membership: reminders.
Agenda Item: Treasurer’s Report Father Vasilios Bassakyros shared a detailed report. Father discussed setting up an interest-bearing account. We can get 2.7%. We need a minimum of $100,000 to set up such an account. A motion was made for Father to investigate such an account, and to report back by July 1st, 2019. All approved.
Agenda Item: Christmas Card Appeal Report Father Vlahos is commended for his work. $8,462 was the amount brought in from the Christmas
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Card appeal. A suggestion was made to omit the listing of the hierarchs who have not contributed. Father Strouzas will again be the benefactor/producer of the Christmas Card and Father Vlahos will again be the coordinator chairman.
Agenda Item: Trust Fund Update Father Soteropoulos overnighted on June 10th to Father Strouzas the Wellner Papamarkou Trust Fund Update. As of April 30th, 2019, the total projected interest accrued will be $18,849.89—to be exclusively used for RCA Scholarships.
Agenda Item: Scholarship Committee Report Four people have now submitted scholarship applications. Suggestions were made to make uniform the policies on how long the scholarships are for, and their respective amounts, if variable. Father Eugene will review the completion of the applications. Father Bassakyros and Father Strouzos will review the applications.
Epistle Consideration Gratitude expressed to our printer and editor. A topic of discussion ensued, for the need to create a new, updated RCA directory. Anna Vrettos, of the Benefits Department, will provide a list. Suggestion: as previously mentioned, approach the new Archbishop to include the phone numbers and email addresses in every Yearbook. This motion was made last year and is reinforced now. Unanimously passed. REITERATED MOTION: Provide the Epistle for every active priest and Philoptochos chapter (an extra 600 mailings per month) and, secondarily, for us to find sponsorship/underwriters to allow us to cover these annual expenses. The motion was unanimously carried.
Agenda Item: RCA Recognition At the Enthronement, there shall be four priests at the Throne, representing the Clergy: Father Mark Leondis, President of the APC; Father Eugene Pappas, President of the RCA; Father John Lardas, President of DAD Syndesmos; and Father John Vlachos, Dean of Archdiocesan Cathedral. Father Eugene received directions from Father Karloutos that he will be seated at the dais and offer the preamble to the Benediction. This is to our benefit to recognize our RCA organization. Father Eugene will also serve at the Holy Altar for Archbishop Elpidophoros’ first American Liturgy, Sunday, June 23rd, 2019.
Agenda Item: Clergy/Laity APC50th Anniversary
The 2020 National Clergy-Laity Congress will be in Cleveland, Ohio (home of the rock and roll Hall of Fame), June 28th through July 3rd, 2020. Our RCA will then dovetail with the APC 50th Anniversary. We voted on giving the APC $1,000 for the printing by the New Rome Press of a commentary on the Jesus Prayer, to be distributed to all the active and retired clergy. 2,000 copies will be printed at the cost of $5,000. This motion was made and approved.
Agenda Item: 2019-2020 Membership Drive With the August issue, we will include an application for membership. On the reverse side, we will include a listing of all members.
Agenda Item: Old and New Business Motion for the president and board to organize some activity to bring our retirees together at the Cleveland Congress, such as a river cruise. Motion made to approach the Leadership 100 to once again underwrite a grant to the RCA for the Clergy-Laity Congress. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made for the Epistle Editor to be considered a voting member of the Board of the RCA. Motion passed unanimously. A suggestion was made to give some sort of appropriate gift to the new Archbishop, after his enthronement and before Christmas. This issue is pending.
Agenda Item: Closing At this point, the five-hour meeting was concluded with a prayer offered. We thank Demetri Kokotas and the staff of TOM’S of Coney Island for hosting our breakfast and lunch meeting.
Faithfully submitted, Father Samaras (temporary Secretary for this meeting)
And now, for a split-second, a subliminal message:
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A Break in Your Day
Hereafter John and Maria were sitting side by side on the pew listening to the pastor go on and on with his sermon. Maria looked over and noticed that John’s eyes were closed. She elbowed
him in the ribs. “Wake up, John! What are you doing going to sleep during the sermon?” “I was not asleep; I was considering the great hereafter,” whispered John. “He’s not talking about heaven,” said Maria. “I know he’s not.” said John. “I was thinking about the coffee and donuts we’ll have here after.”
Sermons After a very long and boring sermon the parishioners filed up to get antidoron but said nothing to the priest. Toward the end of the line was a thoughtful person who always commented on the sermons. “Father, today your sermon reminded me of the peace and love of God!” “Wow!” gushed the pastor. “Tell me why.” “Well—it reminded me of the Peace of God because it passed all understanding, and the Love of God because it endured forever!”
J I don’t drink alcohol. I drink distilled spirits. so, I’m not an alcoholic, I’m spiritual.
Here are some great plays on words, excuse me, lexophiles
Lexophile is a word used to describe those that have a love for words, such as “you can tune a piano, but you can’t tuna fish,” or “to write with a broken pencil is pointless.” A competition to see who can come up with the best lexophiles is held every year in an undisclosed location. This year’s winning submission is posted at the very end. When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.
A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months. When the smog lifts in Los Angeles U.C.L.A. The batteries were given out free of charge. A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail. A will is a dead giveaway. With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress. A boiled egg is hard to beat. When you’ve seen one shopping center you’ve seen a mall. Police were summoned to a day-care center where a three-year-old was resisting a rest. Did you hear about the fellow whose entire left side was cut off? He’s all right now. A bicycle can’t stand alone; it’s just two tired. When a clock is hungry, it goes back four seconds. The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine is now fully recovered. He had a photographic memory which was never developed. When she saw her first strands of grey hair, she thought she’d dye. Acupuncture is a jab well done. That’s the point of it. And the cream of the twisted crop: Those who get too big for their pants will be totally exposed in the end.
Notes from Phyllis Diller Whatever you may look like, marry a man your own age. As your beauty fades, so will his eyesight. Housework can’t kill you, but why take a chance? Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the sidewalk before it stops snowing. The reason women don’t play football is because 11 of them would never wear the same outfit in public. Best way to get rid of kitchen odors: Eat out. A bachelor is a guy who never made the same mistake once. I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford. Then I want to move in with them. Most children threaten at times to run away from home. This is the only thing that keeps some parents going. Any time three New Yorkers get into a cab without an argument, a bank has just been robbed.
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Children of ClergyCompiled/Submitted by Loukia Lopresti
The Children of Father George H. Kerames and Presvytera Bessie
(Vasiliki Alexis) Kerames
“Having grown up in the parish house, it was always a place for the church groups to hold meetings and was where my father’s office was. Our home was open to everyone. Being next to the church, I attended church often and served as an altar boy and got an inside look at the Liturgy,” states Harry Kerames. “The best part about being a PK then AND now is the instant connection you have upon meeting another PK. They just get it. I have great memories of attending clergy conferences with my parents and meeting other PKs and quickly becoming friends. It even happens now as an adult, most recently in meeting the new priest at my church, who’s also a PK!” adds Athena Della Penna. Harry and Athena are the son and daughter of Father George H. Kerames, of blessed memory, and Presvytera Bessie (Vasiliki Alexis) Kerames, of Orange, CT. They have a brother, Dennis. Father Kerames attended Pomfret for one year and then Holy Cross in Brookline for the remainder of his theological studies, graduating in 1948. Married in 1950, he served Saint Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church in Orange, CT for his entire ministry, also worked at Yale Divinity School, and served at the local Veteran’s Administration hospital. He became ill after 33 years of ministry and continued to help officiate Sunday Liturgies as Pastor Emeritus. Presvytera Bessie was a member of the Philoptochos Society and the church choir for many years. During his time at Saint Barbara’s, Father Kerames was instrumental in acquiring a beautiful property to move the church from New Haven to Orange, CT so that the parish could prosper and continue to grow.
“I remember one day driving around with my dad when he showed me the property that was selected for the new church—a beautiful seven-acre property on Racebrook Road in Orange, CT,” Harry’s heart reminisces. Athena states, “Being a PK also meant that there was a lot of entertaining parishioners at our home. Whether it was big parties a couple of times a year or one couple coming over for coffee, it didn’t matter. It was just the same thing to my yiayia who cooked and baked for days so that everyone was happy.” Father Kerames’ s mother, Athena, lived with the family while Harry, Dennis, and Athena were growing up, and while Presvytera Kerames worked at the Yale New Haven Hospital. Harry has fond memories of taking Yiayia on a trip to Yosemite National Park. He remembers, “Being a PK, I was known by the parish and many others in the community. I was looked upon as responsible and sympathetic to my peers. I remember picking up a pizza at Pepe’s in New Haven and the cashier knew me. Or taking Connecticut Limousine, and the driver knew my father. You were constantly on stage in a good way. As a young boy I was introduced to shipping, as one of my father’s friends was running a shipping company and it left an impression on me.” Wanting to be close to his heritage and do work in Greece, for the last 20 years Harry spends time in Athens and has had leadership roles in public companies and Board of Directors positions. Before that, he lived in San Francisco, where he and Celia, whom he met at the University of Connecticut, were married by Father Contos and Father Kerames. They also lived in Lake Forest, IL. They now reside in Westport, CT and have three grown children: Kathryn, Jaclyn and Kristopher, who live in Washington, DC, Manhattan, and Newport Beach, CA. After moving to California 33 years ago, Athena worked in real estate, property management, and marketing—and then stayed home to raise her daughter. Athena, her husband, Ori, and Lia Grace, 20, live in San Jose, CA and are members of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Dennis and his wife, Karen, live in CT and FL and have two married children, Danny and Stefanie.
Happy SEPTEMBER Priest BirthdaysFather George Bratiotis (23rd) Father George Economou (12th)Father Nicanor Kutelas (11th) Father Thomas Paris (16th) Father Kallinikos Petsas (11th)Father George Poulos (30th) Father James Rousakis (2nd)Father Steven Sarigianis (6th) Father Alexander Sgouros (13th)Father Constantine Shiepis (17th) Father Alexander Veronis (7th)
Happy SEPTEMBER Presvytera BirthdaysKedrann Dotson (9th) Julia Papadoulias (23rd)Claire Zinis (6th)
Memorial TributeFather Nicholas Nichols June 3rd, 2019Presvytera Christine Heath June 4th, 2019Presvytera Evelyn Kiramarios June 12th, 2019Presvytera Anastasia (Ann) Zikas Murtos July 16th, 2019Father John Androutsopoulos July 17th, 2019Metropolitan Panteleimon Rodopoulos August 7th, 2019Father Mircea-Michael Dobre August 9th, 2019
For your birthday listings, please communicate your names and dates to our column chair, Father Theoharis. Please see page 2 for his contact information.
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POSTMASTERDATED MATERIALSeptember 1st, 2019