Rev. Fr. Theo Anastas

November 11, 1936 – November 2, 2015

It is with deep sorrow that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco informs you of the passing of Rev. Father Theo Anastas  on Monday, November 2, 2015. Father Theo fell asleep in the Lord following several struggles with his health, and reposed peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

"Father Theo has earned his reward of eternal life after faithfully serving in the Lord’s vineyard for 54 years," stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. "He was a devoted priest who touched the lives of so many people during his inspirational ministry. Father Theo leaves a legacy of love with his family and all those to whom he ministered. It is my fervent prayer that the Lord grant rest to his soul, and give strength and peace to Presvytera Helen and their children, Maria and Chris."

Father Theo was born on November 11, 1936, in Orlando, Florida, to George and Maria Anastasakis. Father Theo came to realize his call to the priesthood as a teenager. He lived for three years on his family’s native island of Patmos, where he came under the spiritual guidance of the monk-priest Amphilochios of the monastery of Saint John the Theologian. He was struck with Amphilochios’ humility and saintliness. He studied at the Patmian Ecclesiastical School while living on the island, and finished his secondary education at Catholic High School in Montgomery, Alabama.

Following high school, Father Theo immediately entered the seminary program at Holy Cross which, at that time, offered a six-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology. He was deeply influenced by the love and guidance of his spiritual father, His Grace Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos, whom he met in 1957.

He married Helen Gekas on July 31, 1961. Shortly thereafter, he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on August 12, 1961, and to the Holy Priesthood on August 13, 1961. His first assignment was at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. In 1966, he had the opportunity to plant a new parish in North Royalton, Ohio. He began with 50 members at Saint Paul Greek Orthodox Church, and grew the parish to over 550 members, guiding his congregation in the building of a church facility and developing various lay ministries in his nineteen-year pastorate there. During that time, he also earned a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Counseling and Psychology from Case Western Reserve University and Ashland Seminary. He also found time to be involved in the Church on the diocese and archdiocese levels, having served as Pittsburgh Diocese Youth Director, and on the National Presbyters’ Council. He was involved in the Cleveland community as chaplain to the Veterans’ Administration Medical Center, as president of the North Royalton Ministerial Association and president of the Greater Cleveland Council of Orthodox Clergy.

Following 19 years at Saint Paul, Father Theo accepted a new assignment at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Clearwater, Florida where he served for seven years before coming to Phoenix, Arizona to be the Dean of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, a position he held from 1991 until his retirement in 2002. He often used the phrase “from the beginning to the end, from the alpha to the omega, love is the answer” to demonstrate the healing, unifying and power of Christian love.

Mourning his passing are loving wife Presvytera Helen, daughter Maria, and son Chris. He was predeceased by his son, George, his son-in-law Aaron Roblan, and his parents George and Maria.  Father Theo is also survived by his brothers Mark (Elaine) from Las Vegas, Nevada, and Luke (Jan) from Clearwater, Florida. He was also very close with Presvytera Helen’s family including her sister Terry (Chris) Kirkos from Chicago, IL; Pete (Joanne) Gekas from Rochester,  NY; and Vickie (Denis) Fachard from Lausanne, Switzerland. Father Theo is also fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, friends, and parishioners.

The funeral service and interment will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence, Arizona.

May his memory be eternal!