Reverend Dr. Robert G. Stephanopoulos (STH ’70, GRS ’70)
This obituary was originally posted by Yurch Funeral Home and can be found here.
Rev. Dr. Robert G. Stephanopoulos, PHD, passed away at the age of 89 on June 19, 2024 after a lifetime of service to the Greek Orthodox Church. Just last year, his beloved wife, Presvytera Nikki fell asleep in the Lord. Father and Presvytera were known and admired across the country, making an impact in every community they served.
Father Bob, as he was affectionately called, was a respected, dedicated, loyal and well-loved clergyman, who loved each community he served. Clevelanders know him from his service as Dean of Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Cleveland Heights from 1974-1982, and he returned to this loving community after retiring from twenty-five years of service as Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City.
Father Robert was born in Neohorion, Elias Greece in November 1934 and followed his father George into the priesthood. He met Pres. Nikki at a GOYA conference in 1954, when he was a seminarian at the Holy Cross School of Theology. They were married in June 1958 and began their ministry at Saint Demetrios Church in Fall River MA, after a year of study in Athens. Their four children –Anastasia (Mother Agapia), George, Marguarite and Andrew were all born in Fall River, and in 1966 the young family moved to the Church of Our Savior in Rye, New York.
In addition to his pastoral work, Father Robert had a distinguished career as a theologian and ecumenist. After receiving his PHD from Boston University, he published a study analyzing the ecumenical relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and served as the chief ecumenical officer for the archdiocese from 1970- 75. He also held several senior positions at the National Council of Churches.
Over more than half a century in the ministry, Father Robert touched countless lives. He counseled young couples contemplating marriage, celebrated their weddings and baptisms, cried with them at the funerals of loved ones. His legacy lives through them, his surviving children Mother Agapia, George, Marguarite and Andrew – his daughter in law, Alexandra Wentworth, and his grandchildren Elliott and Harper Stephanopoulos.
Funeral services will be held at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Hts., OH on Wednesday, June 26 at 11:00 am. There will be a Divine Liturgy before the funeral at 9:00 am. A traditional Makaria luncheon will be offered at the Cathedral following the burial at Lake View Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at the Cathedral on Tuesday, June 25 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm with the Trisagion service at 7:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral Foundation.
Live streaming of the service will be available at https://www.youtube.com/stsconstantine
MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL.