Friday, November 16, 2007
Emmanuel J. Gratsias, 65, a Washington-born Greek Orthodox priest, died Oct. 16 of cancer at his home in Glen Cove, N.Y.
Father Gratsias grew up in Washington and was a graduate of Wilson High School. In his teens, he held local and national leadership
positions with the Sons of Pericles, a Greek youth group.
He attended George Washington University before beginning his theological studies at the Hellenic College of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox
School of Theology in Brookline, Mass., from which he graduated. He received a master's degree in theology from the same institution in
1970.
After additional graduate training in Switzerland and Greece, Father Gratsias was ordained in 1972. He spent three years as assistant
pastor at a church in Brooklyn, N.Y., before becoming the founding pastor of the Church of the Holy Resurrection in Glen Cove in 1976.
In 2005, the parish's new Byzantine-style church, educational center and fellowship center were dedicated in nearby Brookville, N.Y.
Father Gratsias was his archdiocese's representative to the National Council of Churches of Christ and was active in many other interfaith
and ecumenical groups. He served on the ecumenical commission of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of
America, was on the board of Church World Service and was a member of the North American Orthodox Roman Catholic Theological
Consultation.
He also organized an annual prayer service at the United Nations for representatives of Orthodox faiths.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Alexandra Gratsias, and two sons, John Gratsias and Alexander Gratsias, all of Glen Cove; and a
sister, Zoe Gratsias of Washington.
-- Matt Schudel