METROPOLITAN METHODIOS AND BOSTON CATHEDRAL FETE FR. GEORGE DASKALAKIS ON HIS RETIREMENT

Metropolitan Methodios, New England clergy, parishioners of the Annunciation Cathedral of Boston, family and friends gathered at a farewell dinner to mark the retirement of Fr. George Daskalakis who along with Presbytera Evangelia served the Cathedral for six years.  Fr. George’ retirement from active ministry concludes 37 years of dedicated service to God and the Church.  The dinner was organized by the Annunciation Cathedral.  Dr. Marica Arvanites, the President of the Cathedral Parish Council chaired the committee and emceed the event in the Cathedral Center in Brookline, MA.

Metropolitan Methodios and Fr. George began their studies at the Seminary in 1964 and were roommates.  They remained good friends no matter where the call for service to the Church took them.  His Eminence called Fr. George “a rare man of God who embraced the Faithful entrusted to his care from the day he was ordained.  A man of love and discretion, a visionary Priest who has mentored many young clergy during his pastorate.  I am thankful to Almighty God for the sterling ministry offered to the Cathedral by Fr. George Daskalakis,” said Metropolitan Methodios.   He recalled that when he first met Fr. George in September 1964, “it was evident that he was born to be a Priest.  He was a model student at the Seminary.  His life has been a manifestation of faith and dedication to Orthodoxy in America.”

Metropolitan Methodios also thanked Presbytera Evangelia and her service to the Church “Presbytera Evangelia has been a faithful wife, a dedicated mother and adoring grandmother.  She is highly respected among the Presbyteres in the Metropolis of Boston and the entire Archdiocese” said His Eminence.

Fr. George Daskalakis was born in Sternes, Crete.  He grew up in humble surroundings and attended the Sternes village school near Chania till the sixth grade.  He became interested in becoming a Priest while serving as an acolyte in the village church.  In preparation for the Preisthood, he spent the next seven years attending the Ecclesiastical School of Crete located at the Monastery of Holy Trinity in Chania where he completed his studies in 1961.He was accepted to study at Hellenic College-Holy Cross in 1964.  During a visit to see an aunt in Ambridge, PA, he met Evangelia Giameos who had come from Patmos.  Six years later she became his Presbytera.   He was ordained a deacon on Janaury 16, 1972 and a Priest on January 23 of the same year by His Grace Bishop Gerasimos of blessed memory.  He has served the parishes of St. John the Theologian in Wheeling, WVA, Holy Trinity in Camp Hill, PA, Holy Trinity Cathedral in Charlotte, NC and the Annunciation Cathedral of Boston.  Father George and Presbytera Evangelia are the parents of Chrysoula, Nikki and George.  They are also blessed with four grandchildren.

In retirement, Fr. George and Presbytera Evangelia plan to spend more time visiting their children, grandchildren, and Fr. George's 92-year-old mother Chrysoula in Crete.  Father George also plans to continue his enjoyment of service to others when called upon. 

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FR. GEORGE DASKALAKIS, PRESBYTERA EVANGELIA, PHILOPTOCHOS PRESIDENT FRAN GIANNAKOPOULOS, DR. MARICA ARVANITES