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Panda Axios, Forever Worthy - Father James Stathakios Honored Panda Axios – Forever Worthy, Father James Stathakios Entering St. Constantine and Helen Cultural Center for the Retirement Celebration for Rev. Father James Stathakios was indeed filled with nostalgia. Honoring a friend of 33 years for his devotion to the faith, and his parish appeared easy enough to do, assemble a dedicated committee, decorate a hall, sell 650 tickets, gather those who care and “viola” you have a retirement celebration. However, is anyone really prepared to face the endless memories, filled with joys and sorrows that such a celebration invokes? As countless baptisms, weddings, and funerals, are recounted, you are left to think about the Easter’s, the Christmas’, the dances, running through the halls, confident that you were safe and in a place you knew like your own home. Your own perfect memories, a glimpse of a cherished aunt, Katherine Kakaras, whose funeral he officiated, sharing a eulogy, which recaptured her moments of love and kindness. Her devotion to her faith and community, of the glass of orange juice she brought him following each liturgy or the bingo games hosted to build a church where a field once stood. Or perhaps a memory of a baptism, where he welcomed a grandfather and grandmother from Greece, as treasured guests, or encouraged their newly arrived homesick son to form a church soccer team. A person who when in his presence you have no doubts that the world is right, a true fisher of men, not only a priest but also a man of kindness. A priest, but more importantly, a man you can trust, whose promise to a young groom, took him 4 1/2 hours away from his own family and home on the eve of his own retirement, a priest who, for the sake of two young people, honored his promise, despite his own concerns, to unite them in the Orthodox faith in Harbor Springs. For you see he had baptized this groom 25 years prior and his bride earlier that year, and he could not forsake his young charges, even at the expense of denying time with his own family. So you see the evening was indeed a tribute, to a man as wise as an owl, as strong as an ox, with the tenacity of a bull dog, the courage of a lion, the tact of a politician, the faithfulness of prophet, in short, “the superman” described by his beloved brother-in-law and first friend at Brookline seminary, Father John Alexandrou. Father Alexandrou describes a life long friendship, which ultimately, brought Father James to meet his beautiful wife of forty-three years, Presvitera Stella, the sister of Father Alexandrou. When Father Stathakios rose to address his congregation for the last time as their priest, he said that the words of acknowledgement reminded him of a comical story, where a grieving widow, after listening to an accolade filled eulogy, asked her son to check the casket to see if they had the right person. Humble to a fault, he thanked all of those who had gathered to honor him. He thanked president, Fred Pascaris, who delivered his tearful address with obvious respect and gratitude, a Jr. Goya advisor and young president who thanked him for his guidance, and a young alter boy who admired him for his devotion to the faith, and to all young people. He thanked the community for their generous presentation of a trip to Greece for himself and presvitera. He recalled arriving in Brookline, New York in 1961, alone, far from his island home of Patmos, far from those he loved, to a strange land and a new vocation. “I came with a small suitcase and now I am surrounded by my family, two sons, Dr. Tom Stathakios, and wife, Aphrodite, and their 2 children, Demitrios and Angelina (named for his mother), and Dr. Demitri Stathakios and his wife, Angie, and 3 children, John, Stamatia, and Nickos.” He was very pleased to announce that the youngest, Angelina, was celebrating her second birthday along with him that same evening. Having recently spent an afternoon with Father James, it is apparent that he has planned his retirement around his grandchildren’s schedules, with some of his happiest moments to be spent standing at the corner with them waiting for their school bus. Father James is a man for all seasons, and retirement is only a stepping-stone in a life dedicated to those he loves. It has been a privilege to be a recipient of his warmth, kindness, and generosity; we remain forever in his debt. Father concluded, “When people part, a small piece remains with each of them. Fill your minds with these things that are good and that deserve praise: Things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and honorable. Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4: 8-10) Malista! Father James Stathakios Announces Retirement from Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church Westland My beloved parishioners, There comes a time in a person's life when difficult decisions have to be made. On June 29, 1969 with prayers in my heart and bended knees at the altar I was ordained to the holy priesthood; and I made a solemn pledge to dedicate my whole life to God and serve His Holy Church. It's hard to believe that I have been serving our Holy Archdiocese faithfully since that day, and our beloved parish for the last thirty three years! As Saint John writes in 16:12: "I have much more to tell you, but now it would be too much for you to bear." It will be sufficient, however, to say that I am officially retiring on September 30, 2007. I considered it an honor and a privilege to have served the dynamic Community of Saints Constantine and Helen. Our Odyssey from Detroit to Westland has been most challenging and rewarding. I am very proud of all we have accomplished together in the past, and I strongly believe that a bright future lies ahead for our beloved parish. Your faith, dedication, hard work and love for "Saints Constantine and Helen" have made my priesthood as colorful and beautiful as the rainbow… My family and I have enough blessed memories to last us another life time. However, it goes without saying that I am going to miss each and every one of you more than you can imagine. My fervent prayer
is that almighty God will bless you with good health, long life, peace,
and love and that "the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love
of God the Father, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit," will follow
you all the days of your lives. As I am writing this last message as your priest, many thoughts are running through my mind. Where should I begin, and where should I end? What should I say and what should I not say? It is very difficult to put into a few words all that we have shared together during my ministry at Saints Constantine and Helen… All things, indeed, must come to an end…and there comes a time in a person's life to make some difficult decisions. It's hard to believe that thirty eight years have passed since my ordination to the Holy Priesthood, and NOW is the time, as you already know, that I am officially retiring on September 14, 2007. It is said that when people part, a part of each person is left with the other. In leaving Saints Constantine and Helen I take with me a part of each person that I have known here. Each part is a living testimony in my heart of the things we have shared together during the past thirty - three years. They have been challenging years, wonderful, growing and learning years. The experiences we have shared have involved all of the possible human emotions, of joy and sorrow, of hopes fulfilled and frustrations endured, of births and of deaths, of comedy and tragedy, of human strengths and of human weaknesses. We have influenced each other and have been influenced by each other. This is the way that all human relationships exist and develop, and the ultimate goal is that out of our shared experiences we all may have realized a fuller maturity, a greater sensitivity to the needs of the world, and ever higher hopes and expectations from life. I consider it an
honor and a privilege to have served the dynamic Community of Saints Constantine
and Helen. Our Odyssey from Detroit to Westland has been most challenging
and rewarding. I am very proud of all we have accomplished together in
the past, and I strongly believe that a bright future lies ahead for our
beloved parish. Your faith, dedication, hard work and love for "Saints
Constantine and Helen" have made my priesthood as colorful and beautiful
as the rainbow. Presbytera, our family
and I have enough blessed memories to last us another life time. We are
going to miss each and every one of you more than you can imagine. You
will always be in our prayers and we ask you to pray for us. Father James Stathakios'
Retirement Celebration will be held on Tickets are $75.00
for adults For tickets and
reservations call Malista! |
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