It is with sadness that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco announces the passing of Rev. Father Theodore Phillips. Father Theodore resided in San Diego where he reposed in peacefully in the early morning hours on August 23, 2016.
“I extend my sincere sympathy on the passing of our beloved Father Theodore. He was a priest that demonstrated the highest of values during his ministry, and was also striving to set a good example of Christian love to all those around him,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “It was just five months ago that Father Theodore grieved the passing of his devoted Presvytera Mary, and now they are reunited in the Lord’s heavenly kingdom, reaping the reward of eternal life.”
Father Theodore was the first parish priest at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cardiff, CA where he faithfully served from 1978 – 2006. Prior to that, he served at Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in San Diego, California from 1965 – 1978. He began his ministry in December 1953 at Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church in Stockton, California, where he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood.
Father Theodore will be remembered for his warm smile, melodious voice, his care and compassion, and the genuine way in which he touched the lives of his parishioners during his over 50 years of distinguished service as a priest.
He was especially committed to the development of youth programs, which led to his involvement as a founder of what has become the largest youth ministry program in our Archdiocese – the Folk Dance and Choral Festival. During those early years, Father Theodore was a champion of this program and it brought him great joy to see it flourish so abundantly for the past 40 years.
Father Theodore was born in Gary, Indiana on June 23, 1929, where he lived until he was three years old. His family then moved to Greece where he remained until he was 15. Following the completion of high school in Sacramento, California, he enrolled in Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, where he received his Master of Divinity degree. Father Theodore would later continue his education by earning a Master of Arts in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from National University.
In addition to his numerous responsibilities as a parish priest, Father Theodore served the civic community as Chaplain for the State Hospital. He also served on numerous boards including the Guadalupe Home for Boys, St. John’s Home for Boys, and the Trinity School for Children. Father Theodore was also a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and the Doctor-Clergy Association at Sharp Hospital in San Diego.
Father Theodore was married to Presvytera Mary for 62 years until her passing on March 6, 2016. They were blessed with two children, Erys and Ted, and with one cherished grandson, Erik.
The Trisagion Service will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. at on Sunday, August 28. The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, August 29 at 10:00 a.m., with Divine Liturgy immediately preceding at 8:30 a.m. All services will be held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California. The Makaria will be held immediately following the funeral. At the request of the family, the interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donation be made to: Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church for the Father Theodore Phillips Scholarship Fund, 3459 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007.
May his memory be eternal!