Archimandrite Savvas Anastasiou | August 5/18, 2026 | Toronto
Your Eminence,
Holy Fathers, Beloved Brethren in
Christ,
In a eulogy lasting about ten
minutes, how can we summarize an entire life—and indeed the life of a great
figure such as the late Fr. Panagiotes—a priest whose work left a lasting
legacy, and whose name will be written in golden letters in the history of our
Church?
With the grace of God and through
your prayers, we will try.
Confession of
Faith and Sacrifice
Of all the good and beneficial
things in the life of Fr. Panagiotes, we would like to highlight three points,
the first of which is his confession of faith, as well as the sacrifice and
self-denial he demonstrated on its account.
As is widely known, Fr.
Panagiotes Carras was born and raised in Boston. He lost his father at a young
age, and the priest of his parish—who later became Archbishop Iakovos of
America—took young Panagiotes under his protection. Archbishop Iakovos sent him
for theological studies to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in
Boston, and subsequently for postgraduate studies to the School of Theology at
the University of Thessalonica, from which he ultimately received his Doctorate
in Theology. Both in Boston and in Thessalonica, his fellow students called him
"Iakovos' favorite." In 1966, he was ordained a priest by him. During
his priesthood in Boston, he was assigned to serve as an interpreter for Queen
Anne-Marie during the Royal Couple's visit to America. In this capacity, Fr.
Panagiotes and his Presbytera accompanied them to splendid receptions and
galas, surrounded by royalty, dignitaries, and politicians.
A year later, he was sent here to
Toronto to open the newly established Church of St. Demetrios in Thorncliffe
Park, to serve as its first presiding priest. Such was the trust they placed in
Fr. Panagiotes.
Yet the great figures of this
world, the positions, and the applause did not bring him spiritual rest. For
even as all these things were taking place, he discerned within himself the
non-Orthodox mindset prevailing in the so-called "official Church,"
and sought a way out. In those days, he had heard about a new Saint in Aegina,
Saint. Nektarios. He and a group of parishioners from St. Demetrios prayed
fervently to the Saint to help them.
During those days, Fr.
Panagiotes, together with his spiritual children, visited the Russian Holy
Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York, bringing with them a large icon of
Saint Nektarios. There, the ever-memorable Archbishop Averky received them with
great brotherly love. In fact, he even participated in the procession during
the vigil with this icon.
From that moment, he understood
what he needed to do. He departed from innovation and submitted to the
jurisdiction of the Russian Church Abroad under the Holy Metropolitan Philaret
the New Confessor.
This "favorite of
Iakovos," who only shortly before had rubbed elbows with kings and
dignitaries, left behind his comfort and security—without knowing what tomorrow
held. Armed with unwavering faith in God and the support of his spiritual
children, he stepped forward into the next chapter of his life.
And God blessed him immediately.
As they had no church building in which to celebrate the Divine Services,
through God's providence, the Russian Church had a vacant holy temple—Holy
Trinity on Richmond Street—because its parishioners had moved to another
building on Henry Street. The Russians granted this church to Fr. Panagiotes
and his parishioners. And they dedicated this temple in honor of their great
protector, Saint Nektarios.
His Great Love for
Study, Teaching, and Learning
The second hallmark of his life
was his great love for study, teaching, and learning. Here, for nearly six
decades, he instructed the faithful through Catechetical Schools, Sunday
sermons, and evening lectures throughout the year. Even a few days before his
repose, he asked me if we had prepared the evening lecture schedule for the
coming autumn. That was who he was; he loved the teachings of the Holy Fathers
so deeply that the ministry of the Word was a source of life for him. His
lifelong desire was to convey this knowledge to others, so that we too might
benefit from such God-inspired teachings.
His Fatherly Love
And the final point of Fr.
Panagiotes' life that we wish to dwell upon is his tender and fatherly love for
us. We saved this dimension of his character for last, because we believe it to
be the most important. This is what left the deepest and most unshakable
impressions on the lives of all of us who had the blessing to live alongside
him.
He lived the commandments of
Christ, above all the commandment of love for one's neighbor. He did not judge
us for our faults, but loved us just as we were. By his example, he gave us
strength to overcome our weaknesses so that we might become better Christians.
Indeed, we became better human beings because we shared in his life—and for
that, we owe him an eternal debt of gratitude.
We firmly believe that, on
account of his fatherly love, the All-Good God will crown him, as he now enjoys
the fruits of his labors.
Father Panagiotes,
From the depths of our hearts, we
wish to offer you a sincere and heartfelt "Thank you." And if you
find boldness before the throne of God, please offer up prayers and
supplications on behalf of us, your beloved children.
May your memory be eternal!
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