Robert George Stephanopoulos, PhD, Dean Emeritus Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, fell asleep in the Lord yesterday, June 19, 2024. Fr. Robert served with distinction from 1982-2007 as Dean of the Cathedral. Fr. Bob, as he was affectionately called, was a respected, dedicated, loyal and well-loved clergyman, who loved each community he served. He retired in 2007 and relocated in 2017 to Ohio where he remained until his passing. Just last year, Presvytera. Nikki Stephanopoulos, his beloved Presvytera, fell asleep in the Lord. Fr. and Pres. were known and admired across the county and truly made an impact on each and every community they served.
A renowned ecumenist, theologian, lecturer and pastor, Fr. Robert developed innovative social outreach programs in the greater Cathedral community. Foremost among them the Cathedral Fellowship, a program that has involved hundreds of young professionals in the church and community. Also, through his initiative, the Cathedral became a founding member of the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter, which continues today. His Thursday evening Bible Study for adults from their 20’s to 70’s was known for its interaction and spirited discussion. In May 2024, Fr. and Pres. were honored by Holy Trinity Cathedral for their outstanding service and their devotion to the Church and community.
Fr. Stephanopoulos was born in Neohorian, Elias, Greece in November 1934. He met Pres. Nikki, when he was a seminarian, in 1954 at a GOYA Conference in Minneapolis, and they were married in June 1958 at SS. Anagyroi Church in Rochester, MN. He was ordained a Deacon at SS. Constantine & Helen Church in Cambridge, MA in October 1959 and a Priest at Taxiarchae church in Watertown, MA in November 1959. Before his assignment to the Archdiocesan Cathedral, Fr. served at Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral, Cleveland, OH (1966-1974-1982), Church of Our Savior, Rye, NY (1966-1974) and Saint Demetrios, Fall River, MA (1959-1966).
From 1990 to 1992, he served as Chairman of the Membership Constituent Committee for the National Council of Churches USA (NCCUSA). Between 1970 and 1975, he was the Archdiocese Director of Ecumenical Affairs for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA). During the same period, from 1970 to 1974, he held the position of General Secretary for the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). Additionally, he served as Recording Secretary for the NCCUSA from 1972 to 1974 and acted as the Orthodox Consultant to Faith and Order for the NCCUSA in those years. From 1970 to 1974, he was also President of the Holy Cross Alumni at Hellenic College/Holy Cross (HC/HC). He was a founding member of the Orthodox Consultations with Catholics, Anglicans, Evangelicals, and Jews, and he participated in the Church Leaders Middle East Peace Pilgrimage in December 1991. He attended the 7th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Canberra, Australia, and was part of the NCCUSA Delegation to the USSR in August 1974.
His publications include “IAKOVOS: The Making of an Archbishop,” “Patriarch Dimitrios in the USA,” “The Greek (Eastern) Orthodox Church – Greek Orthodox Archdiocese,” “Guidelines for Orthodox Christians in Ecumenical Relations (SCOBA),” and “A Study in Recent Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Relations, 1902-1968.”
Photo courtesy of the Greek Orthodox Retired Clergy Association
