Newsletter - Greek Orthodox Retired Clergy Association

The Epistle Newsletter

The Epistle RCA Newsletter was created in 1988 by Father John Zanetos. At that time, it was the only way to communicate with the brethren. Years later, in 1992, when Father William Gaines was elected RCA President, Father Vieron volunteered to undertake the task of editing, printing and mailing the Epistle, which then evolved, becoming a vehicle bringing all the retirees together. After seventeen years of editorial service, Father Vieron “retired.” 

Presvytera Nikki Stephanopoulos assumed the editorship of the Epistle, collecting the material. The printing and mailing was handled by Father Soteropoulos. After three months, Presvytera stepped down.

At this point, the Board of Trustees asked Father Nicholas Soteropoulos to assume the Editorship of the Epistle until someone could be found. Two pieces of equipment were purchased: a color printer and a digital ink printer, which handled the printing needs of the RCA, their Epistle Newsletter as well as RCA pamphlets.

In 2013, Father Samaras was asked to lend his design and publishing expertise to edit the Epistle. For a year in 2016-2017, Father Soteropoulos asked to resume his work on the Newsletter. In 2017, an Editorial Committee was formed and, after reviewing the results of a recent questionnaire, decided that the following should be included:

  • News about retired clergy and Presvyteres.
  • Information to help clergy in retirement (especially in fields of health and finance).
  • Articles of interest to retired clergy submitted by members of RCA.
  • Humor in jokes, cartoons.
  • A column by Loukia LoPresti, “Remembering our youth” and commemorating priests and their families, highlighting priestly families, in turn.
  • Eulogies of those who died (limited to a half-page)
  • There would be no news from Archdiocese or Metropolises unless it dealt directly with the retired clergy and RCA.

At that time, Father Samaras was asked to return and resume his Editorship.

We welcome photos, articles, news from and about members. We like to include information on what our fellow clergy are doing in retirement.

Mailing the “Epistle” first class costs approximately $220.00. Sending it bulk mail cost approximately $72.00, a savings of $148.00. The only problem is that bulk mail takes approximately two weeks to be delivered. For this reason, we mail it by the 15th of the month, so
that you will receive it by the beginning of the month.