Members who have Fallen Asleep

Fr. George Venetos

Born: January 16, 1933
Died: April 15, 2003

Father George James Venetos son of James George Venetos and Despina Cardiges Venetos was born on January 16, 1933 in New Brunswick, New Jersey and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended public schools and was graduated from Baltimore City College in June, 1951. In September of that year, he entered Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary and later graduated with honors in 1957 with a B.A. In Theology and a Bachelors in Divinity.

After his ordination as Deacon in 1957, Father Venetos was appointed Pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Portland, Maine. In true Ecumenical fashion, he encouraged Russian, Albanian and Syrian Orthodox to join the parish.  He was fittingly named President of the Portland Area Ecumenical Church Alliance.  He served as Vice President of the Clergy Council of Portland Churches and Temples and was named Chairman of a Memorial Service honoring Martin Luther King. Then Governor Kenneth Curtis appointed him to serve as a member of the Religious Council of the State of Maine.

When the wave of riots swept the nation’s cities and college campuses from 1964-1970, Father Venetos served on the Special Religious Commission in the State of Maine.  The Commission’s purpose was to build a community strategy among all faiths and to harness the positive energy of a few for the benefit of many.

In 1967 the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of North and South America, Iakavos, appointed Father Venetos Vicar of Northern New England, a territory that included Nova Scotia, where he represented the Orthodox Church in community matters.  In the late ‘60s he wrote a religious column for the Portland Press herald and became an active member of the International Rotary Club.

In December of 1971, Father Venetos was appointed Dean of St George Cathedral in Manchester, New Hampshire where he served for over two years.  He also served on the following committees: the Interfaith Council of Manchester, NH; the Interfaith Council for the State of New Hampshire; the New Hampshire Council of Christians and Jews; and the Religious Council for the State of New Hampshire.

In 1975, Father Venetos relocated to Los Angeles as Dean of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Father Venetos was active in Interfaith and Ecumenical dialogue.  He served on the following committees: the Interfaith Council of So California; the National Council of Christians and Jews, LA Chapter; and the Commission of Ecumenical Dialogue of Christians.

From 1977 until his passing in 2003, he was an Instructor of “The Orthodox Tradition” at Loyola Marymount University (LMU).   He touched the lives of young men and women, by exposing them to the richness of the Orthodox faith, and bringing the Orthodox tradition to life.

In 1977-1984, Father Venetos became a member of the Archdiocesan Council, and from 1975-1987 he was an active member of the Diocesan Council.  He served as V.A. Chaplain, Westwood Facility, and as College Chaplain for UCLA, USC and LMU.

During his entire ministry, Father Venetos embraced involvement in his community’s educational institutions.  He became a well known lecturer at Bates College, Lewiston, Maine; Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine; and the University of New Hampshire Dover, NH. In Los Angeles, he lectured at USC, UCLA and CSUN.

He is survived by his wife, Presbytera Antonette, three children: Debora, Paul and James, and five grandchildren: Jennifer, Pamela, Beatrice, Alexander and Eleni Antonia.

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