Father John Of Astoria

[enicko]

Name: Fr. John Antonopoulos
Age: 70
Years in America: 44

Once a budding and carefree student in Greece, Father John Antonopoulos is now a stable figure in his Astoria, Queens neighborhood.

Leaving the Homeland
As a young man in his 20s, Father John had already finished some schooling in Greece – but he was set on coming to America to obtain a business degree. He came to New York and attended the New York School for Business, graduating in just four years. But Antonopoulos was very homesick for the first few years. He had a hard time getting over the loss of family and friends, but he “slowly got away from the sickness” and became a pillar in his Astoria community. John also became Father John in the process and became ordained in the Orthodox Greek church and has “adapted fully to the United States.”

In Queens
Father John has been a resident priest and teacher at the St. Demetrios School in Astoria for nearly 48 years. “They love me and I love them,” he said. “Even if I am retired now, I still service them.” He still helps out around the school and with celebrations from the school and St. Demetrios Cathedral. Father John is also writing a book about the St. Demetrios community in Astoria. The book is not due out for at least a year.

Being surrounded by other Greek immigrant and Greek heritage community members definitely helps Father John remember where he came from, but he does have an active role in keeping his Greek culture alive as well.

He brings his family and many other families together to celebrate St. Demetrios Day on Oct. 26 for a big celebration. “We cannot fit them all in the churches,” he said. “There are so many of them.” Father John also celebrates with others in his community Oct. 28, the day Greece declared war in World War II, and many religious holidays.

Father John does still have Greece in his heart, though. He even bought a house recently in Naupaktos, Greece, which he visits every year. “You can jump from the balcony to the beach,” he said. But Father John is not jumping ship any time soon, he will remain in Astoria with his beloved community for many years to come.


To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[MarinaEllas]

I remember Father John he was a priest at St.Demetrios in Astoria. Good post enicko by the way where in Astoria do you live?

[DespoThessalo]

I love Astoria in Boston their is cafeterias like Athens cafe. I have to always make my own frape with maxwell house lol.