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Orthodox Observer - June 5, 1997

Fr. George Passias New Chancellor

NEW YORK.― Archbishop Spyridon on May 23 announced the appointment of the Rev. Protopresbyter George Passias as the new chancellor of the Archdiocese, effective June 1.

Born in Chicago in 1947, the son of Gust and Helen Passias, he grew up in the parish of Annunciation Church where he served as an altar boy. The family moved to Morton Grove, Ill., where he graduated from high school.

Fr. Passias graduated from the University of Illinois in 1973 with a bachelor of science in structural mechanical engineering and in mathematics. He earned a master's degree in bio-mechanics in 1975.

While a student and doctoral candidate, Fr. George was active in his parish of St. John the Baptist in Des Plaines, Ill., where he taught in the Church School, was GOYA advisor, and served as a parish council member and executive board members.

He entered Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Mass., and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1979.

After ordination, he was assigned as assistant priest at St. Nicholas Church in Flushing, N.Y., and later was elevated as proistamenos (pastor) of the parish.

Fr. Passias served St. Nicholas parish for more than 18 years. At St. Nicholas, he instituted the 9th grade class and high school religious education classes and developed a religious education program from William Spyropoulos Greek American Day School.

During Fr. Passias' tenure, the church's membership doubled, growing to more than 2,300 families, making the largest single church in the Archdiocese.

Two additional parcels of land were purchased under his leadership, which will eventually help the parish realize its goal of a community center.

As a member of the Queens District Attorney's Second Chance Program, Fr. Passias worked with the DA in helping and redirecting many youth from a potential life of crime.

And various outreach programs such as Al-Anon and Gamblers Anonymous have found a place to meet because Fr. George secured help from the St. Nicholas community.

In his role as chancellor, Fr. George will be concerned with the clergy and their ongoing assignments, as well as the benefits provided to them by the Church. He will also work with Holy Cross School of Theology to formulate policies for the education of the clergy and continuing education programs for the priests.

Father and Presbytera Mary have four children: Eleni, Peter, Costa and Katherine.

[ Orthodox Observer - Vol. 62, No. 1130 - June 5, 1997 - p. 2 ]