In Memoriam: Archpriest Stavros Rousos
In Memoriam: Archpriest Stavros Rousos

The Very Rev. Archpriest Stavros Rousos, age 68, reposed in the Lord on (Monday) January 3, 2022. He was in retirement, while attached to St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Endicott, NY, where his son-in-law, Priest Matthew Smith is Rector. 

Father Stavros, named at birth Stevens H. Rousos, was born in Miami, FL, on August 19, 1953, to Stevens James and Patricia Ann (née Young) Rousos. While an infant, young Stevens was baptized at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Miami and received the name Stavros as his Christian name. He spent his teenage years in Paterson, NJ, graduating second in his class from John F. Kennedy High School in 1971. Upon graduation, Stevens received a Congressional Appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. Cadet Rousos spent a year at the USAFA and received the Commandant’s Medal for military excellence. However, his strongest desire was to attend an Orthodox seminary and become an Orthodox priest. After receiving his Honorable Discharge from the Air Force in June 1972, Stevens began attending St. Tikhon Orthodox Theological Seminary, South Canaan, PA, in September 1972. During his five-year seminary program, he was tonsured as a Reader with his baptismal name of Stavros on the Feast of the Protection, October 14, 1975. He was also active in student life and served as secretary in the OISM (Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement) organization. 

 

The late Archbishop Kyprian of Philadelphia and Eastern PA ordained Reader Stavros to the Holy Diaconate on November 19, 1977, at Holy Ascension Church in Frackville, PA. On January 29, 1978, on the Feast of the Veneration of the Precious Chains of St. Peter, the Archbishop ordained Deacon Stavros to the Holy Priesthood in All Saints Russian Orthodox Church, Olyphant, PA.

Father Stavros was sent to his first parish in Feb. 1978: the Orthodox Church of St. Herman of Alaska in Shillington, PA. Shortly thereafter, Father Stavros was reassigned to St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Stratford, CT where he would remain for nearly twenty years.

During the 1990s, Archpriest Stavros wrote and printed two books: “An Altar Server’s Manual” and “A bilingual Divine Liturgy” booklet. Both books were widely welcomed and the project was deemed successful.

From 2003 to 2006 Father Stavros served the St. Euphrosynia Belarusian Greek Orthodox Church, South River, New Jersey. 

 

All services will take place in St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Endicott, NY with Priest Matthew Smith, Rector, officiating concelebrating with guest clergy. The Rite of the Burial of a Priest will take place on Tuesday, January 11 followed the next morning with the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Matthew and guest clergy. Interment will follow in Saint Michael Orthodox Cemetery in Jermyn, PA.

An obituary for Fr. Stavros can be found HERE.

By courtesy of Matushka Kyra Smith (Rousos)

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