Spring Hill, Florida, June 25, 2020
The Reverend Fr. Stanley Harakas, a noted priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and author, reposed in the Lord on June 23 at the age of 88.
Fr. Stanley’s is one of the most well-known names in American Orthodoxy. He is perhaps especially known for his several works on Orthodox ethics, including Toward Transfigured Life: The “Theoria” of Eastern Orthodox Ethic, Living the Faith: The “Praxis” of Eastern Orthodox Ethics, and Health and Medicine in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition.
See Fr. Stanley’s “Death, Dying, and Euthanasia,” from his book For the Health of Body and Soul: An Eastern Orthodox Introduction to Bioethics.
He served at various parishes along the east coast and in various capacities, including dean, at GOARCH’s Hellenic College and Holy Cross Seminary and at various other academic institutions.
Orthros and Divine Liturgy will be served at 8:00 AM on July 1 at Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church in Spring Hill, Florida, followed by the funeral for Fr. Stanley, to be served by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta and local clergy, reports the Metropolis of Atlanta.
May his memory be eternal!
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The Metropolis provides a fuller biography for the newly-departed Fr. Stanley:
Born Stylianos Harakas on January 13, 1932, to Sam (Spyridon) Harakas and Katherine (Moraites) Harakas in Pittsburgh, PA, Fr. Stanley received his undergraduate and theology degrees from Holy Cross, and his Doctor of Theology degree from Boston University in 1965 (which would honor him as a “Distinguished Alumnus” twenty-one years later).
In 1966, Fr. Stanley began to teach at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where he continued to have a life-long association with both Brookline campuses: as the first endowed chair of “Archbishop lakovos Professor of Orthodox Theology,” as Dean of Hellenic College (1969-1975), and as Dean of Holy Cross for ten years (from 1970-1980). In the year 2000, Fr. Stanley received an Honorary Doctorate from our beloved school, which he saw through its accreditation, among many other milestones.
Additional Visiting Professorships included St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary (New York), Boston University School of Theology, Boston College Department of Theology, among many others. Memberships in professional societies were also numerous, including service President of the Orthodox Theological Society.
Fr. Stanley served as pastor of parishes in Lancaster, PA, Peabody, MA, Lexington, MA and Newburyport, MA. After retiring to what was then the Diocese of Atlanta in 1995, Fr. Stanley was called out of retirement to serve the then mission parish of Christ the Savior in Spring Hill, FL. As he had throughout his pastoral ministry, during his service to the parishioners of Christ the Savior, Fr. Stanley oversaw the expansion of a new sanctuary and parish hall.
Fr. Stanley was predeceased by his beloved Presbytera, Emily, his son, Spyridon, and his daughter Katherine Mary. Survivors include his sons, Demetrious and George; his daughter, Angelica; and seven grandchildren.
