February 4, 2013
Chattanooga, TN: Holy Protection Mission Celebrates the 35th Anniversary of Archpriest Stavros Rousos’ Ordination to the Priesthood

 

January 16/29 marks the Feast of the Veneration of the Precious and Honorable Chains of the Holy Apostle Peter. On January 29, 1978, Archpriest Stavros Rousos was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence Kyprian, Archbishop of Philadelphia & Eastern Pennsylvania (OCA). Fr. Stavros was the choir director and deacon of the Church of All Saints in Olyphant, PA, where the ordination took place. Hearing his confession 35 years ago and signing his ordination papers was the Archpriest John Sorochka, now dean of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA.

 

In his 35 years of service to our Lord, Fr. Stavros has served the following parishes: St. Herman of Alaska in Shillington, PA; St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT (for 20 years); Assumption Greek Church in Danbury, CT; St. Euphrosynia Belarusian Greek Church in South River, NJ, St. Demetrios Greek Church in Bristol, CT; Three Hierarch’s Greek Chapel in Storrs, CT, and Holy Protection & St. Nektarios Mission Church in Chattanooga, TN.

 

To honor their rector’s milestone, the faithful of the Protection of the Mother of God & St. Nektarios of Aegina Mission Church held a modest banquet for him at a local restaurant in Chattanooga. His son-in-law, Priest Matthew Smith (assistant rector at Holy Protection Mission Church) asked God’s blessings on Fr. Stavros, later intoning the Polychronion. At the conclusion of the meal, Reader John Henson rose to speak about the rector’s life in the Church, noting his several achievements as a priest, most notably receiving the miter from His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop George of Mayfield, last spring. Further laudatory words of congratulation were offered by Reader Kyprian Lawrence, Matushka Kyra Smith (Fr. Stavros’ daughter), and Billy (Vasily) Sculley (the first adult convert in the parish). Finally, little Xenia Smith (five-year-old granddaughter of Father Stavros) tugged at his ryassa and said, "May I say something, too, Papou (‘Grandfather’ in Greek – ed.)?" She succinctly said, "Congratulations, Papou! I love you!" That brought many tears and smiles to those who heard the young child speak. Parishioners then presented Fr. Stavros with a cake and a plaque honoring his 35th anniversary.

Fr. Stavros spoke last, expounding briefly about his life in the church, and noting how important it was to have had the support of his loving wife, Matushka Deborah (née Yurchak). Matushka has always been a pillar of strength for Fr. Stavros in his ministry to the Church. In recognition of her 35 years as a matushka, Fr. Stavros later presented his wife with a black onyx ring.

 

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