Born: January 1, 1927
Died: March 7, 2009

The Very Reverend Protopresbyter Constantine Savvas Palassis 1/1/1927 ~ 3/7/2009 Fr. Constantine Savvas Palassis fell asleep in the Lord on March 7, 2009. He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Jan. 1, 1927 to immigrant parents from the Greek islands of Rhodes and Kastelorizo. He was married to Panagiota Fotopoulos (from Ellinitsa, Tripolis, Greece) on Feb. 17, 1952. He was a beloved Priest of The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese for over 40 years. He faithfully served the Lord and his people in: Grand Island, NE; Great Falls, MT; Vancouver B.C.; San Jose, San Bernardino, Oakland, and Santa Barbara, CA; Pocatello, ID; Detroit, MI; Lexington, KY; Jackson, MS; Mason City, Iowa; and Price, UT. He retired in Sandy Utah and helped in The Greek Orthodox Churches of Ogden and Salt Lake City. He was known for bringing people of various ethnic backgrounds together. He was a man of learning, husband, father, professor and theologian. His congregations were inspired by his incredible knowledge of Greek, English, History and Theology. He loved to read and had an extensive library of both religious and non-religious books. He was very faithful to church tradition but at the same time ahead of his time as he used English when mostly Greek was used in the church. His goal was to make religion accessible to all and have them understand it. He was a teacher both in and out of the church. He fervently believed and taught everyone to love each other and respect one another no matter what their religion or creed. He inspired many to convert to Orthodoxy. His sermons were didactic and love was always the underlying theme. He loved education and educated many in the Greek language. He was instrumental in helping immigrants learn English and become U.S. citizens. He was a translator for social security. He visited the poor and destitute in the hospitals, care centers and prisons. Wherever he was needed he was always there for both his parishioners and others who sought his help. He was also a champion of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul, Turkey (formerly Constantinople) and the plight of the island of Cyprus. He wrote newspaper articles that were historically based and served to educate everyone on the inequities of civil rights in Istanbul and Cyprus. He had a strong drive and dedication to knowledge and his religion that was unparalleled. In his later years, he was confined to a wheel chair and was in a care center for six years. His spirit however and mind were always strong. They served him well as he had many moments where he was at death's door but to everyone's amazement he recovered time and time again. He was surrounded by his loving family who ministered to him all those years, his daughter and only child Maria Katherine, his son-in-law Chris Venizelos and his daughter's most faithful friend Sean Bowers. His spiritual needs were taken care of by all the clergy of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church. He graduated from Hellenic College, 1950 with a B.A. in Theology. He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Ezekiel of Nazianzos on April 7, 1952, in Steubenville, Ohio. Then Bishop Ezekiel ordained him a Priest on April 13, 1952 in Worcester, Mass He designated a Father Confessor on March 15, 1953,in Seattle, Washington, by Athenagoras Kokkinakis. He attended Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho from 1963-65, and received a M.A. in Literature and a B.A. in History. From the University of California, Santa Barbara, he received an M.A. in Ancient Greek Christian and Byzantine History, 1968-1970. The title of Protopresbyter was bestowed upon him in Lexington, Kentucky by Bishop Demetrios of Olympus at the direction of the Ecumenical Patriarch, Demetrios  in 1975. Taught Western Civilization at CEU, Price Utah. He was a member of the Price Ministerial Association and General Governing Board of the Nursing Homes of Utah and Chaplain of Castledale Hospital was responsible for the recognition of the Eastern Orthodox Church as the fourth major faith by Idaho in 1963. Recognized in Who's Who of Religion while serving in Lexington, KY. He inspired his younger brother (Fr. Neketas) to become a priest. He is survived by his daughter Maria Katherine and his son-in-law Chris Venizelos; brother, The Reverend Father Neketas S. Palassis and wife Helen. You have inspired us with your courage, tenacity, intellect and faith. Thank you for teaching us the value of our Greek heritage and our Orthodox religion. Thank your for teaching us to fight for what we believe, not with violence and hatred but with love for all. "Good and faithful servant you have served me well." MAY YOUR MEMORY BE ETERNAL. YOU WILL BE MISSED. Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 279 South 300 West, Salt Lake, UT. Pre-sanctified Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. March 12, 2009.