his eminence


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A Reflection on the Life of

His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony 1935 – 2004

By Rev. Father John Bakas, Dean Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Los Angeles, California Metropolitan Anthony was born Anthony Gergiannakis on March 2, 1935, in Avgeniki, a village on the island of Crete. After his basic elementary education, Metropolitan Anthony entered the Ecclesiastical School of Aghia Trias in Chania, Crete. After graduation, he was accepted into the internationally renowned Theological School of Halki of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1956, receiving his degree in Orthodox Theology in 1960. He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on July 27, 1958, while still a student at Halki, and then ordained to the Holy Priesthood on September 28, 1960, in Crete. The Mother Church then sent him to the United States to pursue both postgraduate studies and to serve the Church. He served several Parishes including Holy Trinity in Ansonia, Connecticut (1961 – 1964), the Assumption Church in Chicago Heights, Illinois (1964 – 1969), and the Assumption Church in Madison, Wisconsin (1969 – 1973). While serving the community in Madison, he was given the title of Archimandrite on September 11, 1971. In 1974, he was appointed Dean of the Saint George Cathedral in Montreal, Canada, where he remained until his elevation to the rank of Bishop. On April 13, 1978, he was elevated as Titular Bishop of Amissos by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He was consecrated at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City on May 21, 1978. He was given the responsibility of the Eighth Archdiocesan District with its See in Denver, Colorado. In July 1979, His Eminence was enthroned as the first bishop of the newly established Greek Orthodox Diocese of San Francisco. His Eminence exemplified a ministry of the broadest

perspective. He emphasized the need for ongoing spiritual development through religious education programs for all ages, continuing professional education for the clergy, interfaith and ecumenical cooperation, social service and philanthropy, cultural endeavors, and various activities for the youth. His Eminence appointed commissions on youth, senior citizens, Greek Language, spiritual renewal, folk dancing, all of which are actively sponsoring programs in these vital areas. The annual Folk Dance Festival represents one of the most successful of these, growing from 16 dance groups to over 100 competing in dance and choral music. He established three new monasteries. He founded Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, California, with the facilities being used extensively throughout the year for well-organized camping and retreat programs including the annual Kids ‘n’ Cancer program which was established for children with terminal cancer and their families. While others cautiously reached what they could for fear they would fail, he taught us to “reach what we could not”. He reached what seemed to be impossible. He reached out beyond the abstract words, ideas, and theological propositions, beyond our own ethnic and religious lines and brought programs of healing for the children sick suffering with cancer, the disease that eventually claimed his own life. He encouraged, cajoled, inspired and challenged clergy and laity alike. He was a creative and dynamic spiritual leader. His spirit was filled with vibrant spontaneity in constant motion. There was no outward superficial manifestation of piety. In the proper context and situation he was as comfortable swinging a golf club as he was swinging a censer. He was as comfortable in a sport shirt as in a rasso. He was more comfortable sleeping on a couch watching television than being in the most luxurious five-star hotel suite. His heart melted at the sound of the Cretan Lyra, yet his soul exalted by the mystic chants of Byzantine music. His was a ministry of faith and love incarnated into godly good works. He believed the holiest moment of the Divine Liturgy was the moment when God’s people, strengthened by the Word and Holy Sacrament, go out of the church door into the world to transform and heal in His name. He would say, “We don’t go to church, we are the church, living and dynamic.” To fully appreciate Metropolitan Anthony is to realize that Crete was his nesting ground, his emotional and spiritual incubator. It was his mother by another name, at whose breast he was nourished by the deep traditions of saints and martyrs and great souls. Nikos Kazantzakis, the great man of Greek literature, was his literary hero. His works were deeply ingrained in Metropolitan Anthony. From his book Report to Greco, Kazantzakis could have been thinking of one such as Metropolitan Anthony when he wrote, “A Cretan once said to me: ‘When you appear before the heavenly gates and they fail to open, do not take hold of the knocker to knock. Unhitch the musket from your shoulder and fire.’” The young Kazantzakis replied, “Do you actually believe God will be frightened into opening the gates?” “No lad,” the man replied. “He won’t be frightened. But he’ll open them because he’ll realize you are returning from battle.” Anthony Gergiannakis, God’s precious child and our Metropolitan of blessed memory, has returned from battle to his heavenly rewards. As Saint Paul says, “He has fought the good fight, he has finished the race, and he has kept the faith.” The battle for him was over on Christmas Day 2004. The doors of Heaven opened wide for him. He is once again a citizen of paradise.