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Submitted March 2005
Reverend Father Joakim D.
Valasiadis
Honored with the Prophet
Elias Award |
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Hempstead, NY -
The Reverend Father Joakim Valasiadis was honored
with the Prophet Elias Award by The Standing
Conference of Orthodox Bishops in the Americas and
The Orthodox Scouting Commission.
At the conclusion of the services on Scout Sunday,
the presentation of the Religious awards and Eagle
Scouts scholarships were given. Mr. Bill J.
Lembo then asked Mr. George N. Boulukos, E.O.S.C.
Chairman, Ms. Barbara Stevens, Girl Scouts and Ms.
Cali Papazicos, Girl Scouts to come forward for a
“Very Very Special Award”.
Ms. Papazicos addressed the congregation:
“The Prophet Elias Award is an award which seeks
to recognize outstanding service by adults in the
promotion of Eastern Orthodox Scouting. Prophet
Elias is traditionally is known to be the greatest
achievement prophet. He maintained his importance
of his worship of God and upheld the flame of
morals and social justice. It is in the image of
Prophet Elias that the recipient of this award
passes on the religious heritage and teachings to
other Eastern Orthodox Scouts. You have heard the
names of over thirty scouts who have earned
religious awards in 2004. Teaching these scouts
takes time, patience, energy, guidance,
perseverance and much dedication. This award
winner has guided and led the Boy Scouts and Girls
Scouts in religious training as our spiritual
father for over thirty years; three decades, and
four generations.
It is with great pride, love and thanks that we
recognize Father Joakim Valasiadis”
The Reverend Father Joakim D. Valasiadis was born
in Athens, Greece, and attended "Holy Cross"
School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts,
where he pursued a course in Theology and
Classical Greek. He furthered his education at
Columbia University, with Graduate Studies in
Public Education, with a major in Guidance and
Administration.
Ordained a deacon in Manchester, New Hampshire in
November 1954 and on December 12, 1954, was
ordained a priest at St. Spyridon in Worcester,
Massachusetts. He served as pastor at St.
Demetrios Church in Biddeford, Maine; St. Barbara
Church in New York City; St. Demetrios Church in
Newton, Massachusetts; St. Demetrios Church in
Freeport, New York. On October 17, 1971 The
Reverend Valasiadis was assigned to The Cathedral
of St. Paul's in Hempstead, NY where he served for
thirty-three years.
Bishop Athenagoras of Elaia bestowed upon The
Reverend Valasiadis the "Offikion of Sakellarious"
in 1959. His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos bestowed
upon The Reverend Valasiadis the "Offikion of
Economos" in March 1966, and May 1979, he was
elevated to Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical
Throne. In April, 1988, The Reverend Valasiadis
was elevated to "Ecclesiarch of the Archdiocese".
*****
On
Sunday January 9, 2005 The Cathedral of Saint
Paul’s in Hempstead, NY bid farewell to The
Reverend Joakim and Presbytera Bessie Valasiadis
after thirty-three years of dedicated service.
The afternoon was dedicated to the fiftieth
anniversary of the Reverend Valasiadis’ ordination
as a priest which took place on December 12, 1954
at Saint Spyridon’s Church in Worcester,
Massachusetts.
At
the luncheon James D. Comack spoke on behalf of
the Scouting Committee. He announced that they
have renamed the Troops Eagle Scout Scholarship to
“The Reverend Joakim D. Valasiadis Scholarship”.
In honor of Presbytera Bessie, the Girls Scouts
will now be eligible for the scholarships.
Axios!
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