Andonios (Paropoulos) of Phasiane

His Grace Bishop Andonios (Paropoulos) of Phasiane, also Anthony (Paropoulos) of Phasiane is an auxiliary bishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He has been the Chancellor of the archdiocese since October 1, 2009.

Life

Allen Paropoulos was born on January 15, 1953 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Steven and Despina Poulos (Paropoulos or Parides). He was baptized Andonios. His grandparents were immigrants from Pontus in Turkey. He attended Stevens Academy, a private college-preparatory high school, before enrolling in St. Peter’s College. He graduated from St. Peter’s College with a Bachelors degree in Accounting. During these years Allen was also active in the life of St. Demetrios Church, including serving as treasurer on the Parish Council. 

In 1976, Allen entered Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, graduating in 1979 with a Master of Divinity degree with Distinction. In January 1980, he was invited to work at Hellenic College/Holy Cross where he served for a few years in the Office of Student Life working in various capacities. In August 1983, he accepted the position of Associate Director of St. Basil’s Academy and then later in the Fall he accepted the Directorship of the National LOGOS Office at the headquarters of the archdiocese in New York City. 

Allen was ordained a deacon on August 18, 1985, by Archbishop Iakovos with his baptismal name Andonios at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City and served as deacon to the Archbishop. On December 3, 1989, Abp. Iakovos ordained Dn. Andonios to the Holy Priesthood at the Church of Our Savior in Rye, New York. After his ordination, Fr. Andonios continued to serve the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America in the Offices of the Archbishop and the Chancellery as Assistant Chancellor and Personnel Director of Archdiocese. On February 24, 1991, Fr. Andonios was raised to the dignity of archimandrite. 

During 1991-1992, Archim. Andonios took a sabbatical leave in Greece. After his return to the Archdiocese he was assigned, in 1993, to the parish of Zoodohos Peghe — "Virgin Mary of Zoodohos Peghe” (The Life-Giving Fountain of The Virgin Mary)[[1]] in the Bronx area of New York City. In 1995, Fr. Andonios returned to the Archdiocese headquarters to assist at the time of the retirement of Abp. Iakovos. At that time he was also assigned as coordinator for the 1996 Clergy-Laity Congress that was held in New York City. In July 1996, Fr. Andonios was appointed Director of St. Michael’s Home in Yonkers, New York.

In June 2001, Fr. Andonios was appointed Director of the Archdiocesan Department of Philanthropy which was responsible for coordinating the philanthropic activities of the archdiocese. In addition to other tasks, he led the Archdiocese department in relief efforts for victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, destruction due to Hurricane Katrina, and the wildfires in Greece. Fr. Andonios also served as the advisor to the National Board of the Ladies Philoptochos Society and to the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos Board. He participated with an IOCC aid delegation to Ethiopia and other IOCC philanthropic endeavors on the African continent.

On December 11, 2001, Fr. Andonios was elected by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as an auxiliary bishop to Abp. Demetrios of the Archdiocese of America, with the title of Bishop of Phasiane, an ancient diocese in Pontus. His formal Announcement of Election (Mega Minima) was read on February 22, 2002 at the Archdiocese Chapel of St. Paul in New York City. His consecration to the episcopate took place on February 23, 2002 at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City.

In 2009, Abp. Demetrios appointed Bishop Andonios of Phasiane to be the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which was effective October 1, 2009.

Sources

• Anthony of Phasiane
• Bishop Andonios of Phasiane Assistant of the Archdiocese of America

External link

• Archbishop Demetrios Appoints Bishop Andonios of Phasiane New Chancellor of the Archdiocese