Rev. Dr. Arthur E. Athans

Rev. Dr. Arthur E. Athans (Athanasios Emmanuel Athanasiou) of Dover, NH fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, December 22, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Kimi on the island of Evia, Greece on December 9, 1930, the son of Rev. Dr. Emmanuel and Presbytera Anna (Karalis) Athans. He attended Panteion University in Athens, and the University of Toronto, and graduated from Holy Cross Theological Seminary in Brookline with a BA in 1956 and a BD in 1957. In 1962 he received a Master in Systematic Theology degree from Boston University, and a PhD in1992 from Somerset University in England.
Father Athans was ordained a deacon on August 15, 1955 in Somerville, MA and to the priesthood on October 9, 1955 in New London, CT by Bishop Athenagoras.
In 1955 he was assigned to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dover, NH. Within a year, the church was destroyed by fire and by the Fall of 1957, under his guidance, the new church was completed. Father Athans was also instrumental in building a Hellenic Center in 1966, buying picnic grounds and enlarging the church cemetery grounds for the Dover community.
Father Athans had been married to Presbytera Keta (Xanthos) of Brooklyn, NY for almost 70 years. They have two daughters, Geriann, married to Dr. John Athans, and Barbara, married to Les Hoogeveen, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He had been awarded the titles of Sakellarios by Bishop Athenagoras in 1957, Hieromnemon by his Eminence Archbishop Iacovos in 1965, Economou by his Eminence Archbishop Iacovos in 1974, and Protopresbyter by Patriarch Demetrios in 1980. During his tenure in Dover, Father Athans served on many committees including the Citizens Advisory Council, Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse in NH, the New England Clergy Brotherhood, St. Andrew, where he served as Treasurer and Vice President, the Dover Industrial Development Authority, where he served as Treasurer, and the Wentworth Douglas Hospital Pharmaceutical Investigatory Committee. In 2015, he received the Spiritual Care Award from Wentworth-Douglas Hospital, and the Ministry Award from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston.
He served as chaplain at the University of New Hampshire for 25 years and taught for 15 years in the department of Classics at UNH.
Father Athans retired in 1995 after 40 years of service to the Annunciation in Dover NH and subsequently served the neighboring community of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in Somersworth, NH for 15 years.
Along with his parents, Father Athans is predeceased by his siblings John and Zaharoula.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Keta Athans; children, Geriann Athans, and husband, Dr. John Athans, of Dover, NH and Barbara Athans-Hoogeveen and husband, Les Hoogeveen, of Dover, NH; siblings, Sotiris, and Nicholas, both of Greece, sister-in-law Stella, of Seattle, WA; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Family and Friends are called to visit on Friday, December 27, 2024, from 5 PM – 8 PM at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 93 Locust St, Dover, NH 03820. The Trisagion will be prayed at 6 PM on Friday. Divine Liturgy will be on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 9 AM, followed by a visitation from 10 – 11 AM, followed by a Funeral Service at 11 AM. All Services will be officiated at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dover.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Dover or the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of Somersworth. Envelopes will be available at the church. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.taskerfuneralservice.com.