[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 142]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING METROPOLITAN ANTHONY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 4, 2005

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, 
Metropolitan Anthony, who recently passed away.
  Metropolitan Anthony ascended to great heights from very modest 
beginnings. He was born on the Greek island of Crete, one of six 
children struggling to grow up under the brutal Nazi occupation of the 
island. He became the first member of his family to leave his village, 
ultimately graduating in 1960 from the prestigious Halki Theological 
School of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. He came to the 
United States after his ordination to the priesthood to serve the 
Church in this country.
  Metropolitan Anthony was elected Bishop of San Francisco in 1979. He 
served as Bishop and later Metropolitan of the Diocese of San 
Francisco, which covers seven western states, for more than 25 years. 
He was responsible for a significant expansion of ministries and 
programs during his tenure. He oversaw the founding of more than 25 new 
parishes and missions, as well as the establishment of three 
monasteries. He also developed the annual Metropolis Folk Dance 
Festival, the largest exhibition of authentic Greek folk dance, 
costume, and music in the world. In addition, he established a multi-
million dollar endowment fund to provide scholarships for seminarians 
and theological students to attend holy school.
  Mr. Speaker, Metropolitan Anthony inspired many because he was a 
great leader and devout man of faith. He challenged the faithful not 
only to dream great dreams but to make them a reality. I hope our 
colleagues will join me in expressing our heartfelt condolences to his 
family, his followers, and to future generations who will be enriched 
by his legacy.

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