[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 96 (Wednesday, July 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1377-E1378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF FATHER JOHN PROTOPAPAS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 1997

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Father John Protopapas on 
his retirement from Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Cleveland, 
OH, after 30 years of service, guidance, and friendship.
  John Protopapas was born in the village of Pano-Zodnia, Cyprus in 
1927. His grandfather was the Protopresbyter of his village, and his 
father was the psalti. Following family tradition, John Protopapas was 
destined to serve the church. In 1949, an uncle sponsored him to enter 
the United States. He enrolled in the Greek Orthodox Theological 
Seminary in Brookline, MA. After graduating in 1952, he attended 
Andover Newton Theological School earning the degrees of bachelor of 
divinity and master of sacred theology, majoring in pastoral clinical 
psychology.
  In June 1955, he married Catherine Lianides and was ordained. The 
couple spent 10 years in Bangor, ME, at St. George Church. During this 
time, their three children, Christopher James, Paula Joanne, and Mira 
Lynn, were born. After brief assignments to the Holy Dormition Church 
in Oakmont-Verona, PA, and Kimisis Tis Theotokou in Alliquippa, PA, 
Father Protopapas was assigned to Cleveland's Annunciation Greek 
Orthodox Church on July 15, 1967. The community has enjoyed his 
selfless leadership in spirituality, education, and culture ever since.
  Father Protopapas is a prominent humanitarian. As a result of his 
sponsorship, several patients from Greece have traveled to local 
hospitals to receive open-heart surgery. He was appointed honorary 
mayor of Cleveland in 1989 for his important work in the progress of 
the city. Among the many other honors he has received throughout his 
life, Father Protopapas currently holds the positions of member of the 
Diocesan Council, chairman of

[[Page E1378]]

 the Diocesan Greek Education Committee, and chairman and secretary of 
the Diocesan Ecclesiastical Court in Ohio.
  When he is not working to enhance the spiritual, cultural, and civic 
life of the community, Father Protopapas is an avid gardener. His 
plants and flowers, as well as his parishioners and the community as a 
whole, have certainly flourished under his care. My fellow colleagues, 
please join me recognizing the lifetime achievements of Father John 
Protopapas as his friends and family celebrate his prestigious career 
on July 26, 1997.

                          ____________________