Father Evagoras Constantinides

Constantinides, Fr. Evagoras Fr. Evagoras Constantinides was born in Lapithos, Cyprus, on August 1, 1918, the first of four children of Christopher and Irene (nee Tsangarides). In 1932 he entered Athens College graduating with honors in 1938. In 1938, he entered the Civil Engineering Department of Fenn College in Cleveland, Ohio. World War II forced him to interrupt his studies and in 1942 he entered the Canadian Army where he served as private and attended Officers School as a specialist in explosives, mines, booby traps and demolitions. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, transferred to the Infantry Corps, and then to the Intelligence Corps. He studied Japanese for a year and was attached to the United States Central Intelligence Group (later CIA) in Washington, DC (1946-1947) to translate Japanese documents and the Greek Constitution into English. In June 1947, he became associated with the St. Sophia Cathedral in Washington, D.C. After submitting written studies to the Holy Cross Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, he passed a comprehensive oral examination. He was ordained deacon than priest in January 1956, and was appointed to serve at the Community of St. Demetrios in Chicago, Illinois as assistant priest and later as proistamenos for 11 years. From January 1, 1967, to May 1, 1969, he served as Pastor of the Greek Orthodox Community of St. John the Baptist in Anaheim, California. He was appointed Pastor of the SS. Constantine and Helen Parish in Gary-Merrillville, Indiana, on September 1969. He led the effort of constructing the Hellenic Cultural center in Merrillville in 1971, and the SS. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in 1975. During his 26-year pastorate at SS. Constantine and Helen he trained 10 assistants and established several unique ministries. He was honored with the office of Protopresbyter by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos, of blessed memory, in 1972. He served as Treasurer of the National Presbyters Council from 1970-1974 and 1980-1982; and member of the Diocesan Council of the Chicago Diocese from 1979-1989. He helped to established and directed the Diocesan Fanari Camp at Williams Bay, Wisconsin, from 1970-1973. Fr. Evagoras did missionary work worldwide; in St. Petersburg, Russia, Kenya, Uganda and East Africa. Over the years, he led 20 pilgrimages to the Holy Land. He authored four Sunday School Books and translated six Orthodox Service Books: "The Priest's Service Book" (Mikron Efhologion), "280 Dismissal Hymns and Kontakia", "The Presanctified Liturgy", "The Great Compline", "10 Special and Occasional Services", "Holy Thursday Matins", and published through Narthex Press, "Orthodoxy 101: A Bird's Eye View" in 2006. Since his retirement in 1995, Fr. Evagoras continued traveling writing and serving until he was physically unable. The breadth of his work, including sermons, letters and books cover the full expanse of the Orthodox Faith. Fr. Evagoras was 94 years old at the time of death. He married the former Mary Demetris (deceased) of Vancouver, BC, Canada in 1946. Fr. Evagoras is survived by his four children: Father Christopher (Angie), Joanne, John (Sonia) and Andrew and his five grandchildren. The Trisagion will be at 7:00 pm Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. The Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am Thursday, April 18, 2013 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 13555 Hillcrest Road., Dallas, TX 75240. Burial will follow at Restland Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully ask donations be sent to Ionian Village Attn: Fr. Evagoras Memorial Fund, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075. Online condolences may be made at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com.