Fr. Nicholas Retselas - Greek Orthodox Retired Clergy Association
Died: May 22, 2008
Rev. Nicholas Retselas, priest of the Holy Cross parish in Whitestone, New York died at the age 71, in his home after a brief illness. Bishop Andonios of Fasiane, representing Archbishop Demetrios of America, who was on an official visit to the Patriarchate of Moscow officiated at the Funeral assisted by fifteen priests. Hundreds of faithful from Whitestone and other parishes which he served accompanied Fr. Retselas to his place of rest.
The late Fr. Nicholas Retselas was born in Agelohori of Thessalonica; he studied Theology at the University of Thessalonica and he was ordained a priest. He served in various parishes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America including St. Demetrios of Merick New York where he build a new church and community center. Three years ago he was appointed to the Holy Cross parish of Whitestone where he began fulfilling the big dream of the parish the construction of a new Orthqdox Byzantine style church. ,
Fr. Retselas was known for his kindness of his personality, his love and forgiveness for everyone, and his devotion to the Church.
The newly appointed priest to the Holy Cross Parish in Whitestone Archimandrite Dionysios Anagnostopoulos told the National Herald that "I knew Fr. Nicholas since I was a young altar boy at the St. Demetrios parish in Merick. He was an exceptional priest, a very humble man, always smiling, and always trying to bring people to the way of God" and he added "I never heard any bad word to come out from his mouth." Fr. Dionuysios al so said "his departure leaves OUI parish with a huge void."
Parish council president Dr. Photios Plakogiannis said "the late Pr Nicholas came to our parish three years ago at a time that there was turmoil in the parish and he man aged to bring peace and reconciliation to everyone." He also said that "he was a peaceful man, kind, (holy man if you wish who has taught us to love one another."
Dr. Plakogiannis also said "we are all in deep sorrow, people are crying, you cannot imagine how much we loved him, he was a rare person," and he added "1 saw him a day before he died and he told me, Mr. president we do not want flowers for my funeral, but instead all the monies to be donated towards the building of the new church." Dr. Plakogiannis also said that "Fr. Nicholas new that he was dying but he did no complain. He told me to tell to all the members of the parish to continue to love and respect one another and all together to work to complete our church. Before he became ill he was telling to be able to finish the new church to celebrate his first Liturgy and then he would retire."
The parish of Holy Cross is comprised by 450 families.
Mr. Photis Retselas the son of the late Fr. Nicholas speaking to the National Herald about his father he said "he was a holy man; he did not have any wickedness in his heart for anyone. He put his family and his flock first all the time" and he added, "I am ecstatic seeing how many people he had touched with his ministry." His last advises were "to take care our mother, to be always good to each other. I spoke to him shortly before he expired and he said to me do not cry, be good and take good care of your mother and your family."