Rev. Father Antonios Papathanasiou
February 23, 1975 – March 29, 2022

Beloved in the Lord,

It is with sadness yet with hope in the Resurrection that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco announces the passing of Rev. Father Antonios Papathanasiou, who reposed in the Lord on March 29, 2022. His untimely passing leaves us all shocked and saddened, yet we know that he is now embraced in the loving arms of Jesus Christ, and is reunited with his father and mentor, Father Athanasios Papathanasiou, who passed away in 2014.

Father Antoni was well-known and loved within the Metropolis of San Francisco where he assisted with special projects, visited many parishes, offered his skills as a chanter, and enjoyed fellowship with our clergy and faithful. A hallmark of his character was his friendly and approachable style, and his extensive knowledge always brought forth engaging conversation.

I knew Father Antoni for many years, and it was a joy to have him in our Metropolis, and to witness his growth both spiritually and professionally. He was part of our Metropolis family. I had the blessing to preside at his ordination to the Holy Priesthood almost four years ago, and seeing his face radiate love for the Lord as he realized his true calling to serve the Church. I will always cherish his friendship and the zeal he had for the faith, and the beautiful family legacy of the priesthood he so faithfully offered.

Our hearts go out to his beloved mother, Presvytera Chryssi, and his sister, Dora, who are deeply grieving his passing. He touched the lives of so many people, and especially those at Hellenic College Holy Cross students during his tenure as Dean of Students. He was committed to supporting their spiritual growth and he was very successful in his efforts because he led by example, and his genuineness was recognized and appreciated.

The Metropolis of San Francisco clergy will offer a Trisagion for the repose of the soul of Father Antonios on Friday, April 1, 2022 during our regular zoom meeting, We ask that all our faithful remember the Lord’s servant, Father Antonios, in their prayers for his peaceful repose and for the comfort of the Holy Spirit upon all those who mourn his passing.

May his memory be eternal!

With Love in Christ,
+ G E R A S I M O S
Metropolitan of San Francisco


Memory Eternal: Fr. Antonios Papathanasiou

Originally published by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

The untimely passing of Fr. Antonios Papathanasiou is being mourned worldwide by everyone whose lives he touched in his 47 years. Fr. Antonios fell asleep in the Lord in Athens on March 29, 2022, following heart complications.

Although he was descended from a long line of priests stretching back to 1750 and his father, Fr. Athanasios of blessed memory, was his beloved role model, Fr. Antonios’ path to the priesthood was a long yet enriching one. He majored in Human Development at Hellenic College while also serving as assistant to the director of the Office of Student Life, co-editor of the weekly newsletter, and Greek tutor, as well as singing in both the Byzantine and Western choirs and working with developmentally disabled children in Boston. After receiving his bachelor’s degree with honors in 1998, he earned a master’s degree in international relations and politics at CCNY, ranking first in his class. He then began doctoral studies in the same field, worked for the Permanent Mission of Greece to the United Nations, fulfilled his mandatory military service in the Greek Navy, and worked in Athens as an international relations/political analyst at a think tank and the Greek Parliament.

Then, in 2008, Fr. Antonios went to Mount Athos for the first of many visits. After running for Parliament and a good deal of soul-searching, he moved to Mount Athos, then to Constantinople, where he served as a novice monk at the Halki Theological School under the guidance of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, who was then Metropolitan of Bursa. Ultimately, he returned to Brookline—after almost twenty years—and the Master of Divinity program at Holy Cross, from which he graduated in 2017. He was appointed Dean of Students in August of that year and was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in May 2018 at Holy Cross Chapel with his beloved mother and sister proudly present.

After a very fruitful period at HCHC, Fr. Antonios returned to Greece in August 2020 to explore other opportunities. Shortly thereafter, His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain called him to London to serve at the Archdiocese. Persistent health issues caused Fr. Antonios to seek additional medical care in Athens, where he passed away.

May the memory of this remarkable and devoted servant of the Lord be eternal.