Reverend Dr. George Economou

Born on September 12, 1938 in Corinth, Greece to Rev. Elia and Presbytera Maria (Nicolaou) Economou, he is first of four children. Most of his childhood was spent in Corinth. In 1950, the family moved to Wellington, New Zealand where Fr. Elias had taken an assignment. At the age of 15, Fr. George enrolled in the Patriarchal Theological School, Halki, Istanbul (Constantinople), in Turkey, to study for the priesthood. Two years later he returned to New Zealand, attended Wellington College and in his senior year entered the ROTC.

His quest for the priesthood, inspired by the spiritual direction of His Eminence Ezekiel, Archbishop of Australia and New Zealand, brought him to the US; in 1960 he entered Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, MA, with field education assignments completed at St. Catharine’s Church in Quincy.

While at St. Catherine’s, Fr. George met Elaine Hagiperos, daughter of the late Anastasio and Alice Hagiperos from Milton, MA. They were married on May 16, 1965, upon his graduation from Holy Cross Seminary.

Father George’s religious journey to our Parish is one of distinction: In Sept., 1965, he enrolled in the Masters in Religious Education program at the Boston University School of Theology and on Sept. 14, 1966, Fr. George was ordained to the Holy Deaconate by the late Archbishop of Australia, His Eminence Ezekiel. On October 8, Fr. George was ordained to the Holy Priesthood at St. Catherine’s Church by (the late) His Eminence Iakovos, Archbishop of North and South America. In November he was assigned to his first parish, St. Demetrios Church, Chicago, IL, and in Sept. to the Assumption Church in Manchester, NH. In August 1971, he was assigned to the Annunciation Cathedral, Chicago.

Fr. George worked as clinical therapist at a private Psychiatric facility in Brookline, MA in Aug 1972, and enrolled for graduate and post graduate work at Andover Newton Theological, graduating in 1979 with a Doctor of Ministry degree. During these years he served as Assistant priest at St. Vasilios church, Peabody, MA, at Annunciation Church, Newburyport, MA, assisting weekends at other Orthodox parishes. From Jan. to Sept. 1989, he served as chaplain and priest at the Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece where he worked with patients in crisis-intervention and in the Transplant and Cancer units.

Fr. George was assigned to St. Catherine’s in Quincy October 1980 to June 1991. He then embarked on a three-month sabbatical, and, with the blessing of His Eminence, developed the mission parish in Norwood, MA, established in Mary 1992. He was later assigned to St. Demetrios Church, Fall River, MA. From Dec 1993 to Dec. 1994 he served as Dean of the Cathedral of St. Sophia, Miami, FL.

The Orthodox Faith, and his education in the Faith, has always been an important part of Fr. George’s life. He holds a B.Th. in History; an MA in Byzantine Studies, Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology, and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) in Psychology and Pastoral Counseling, Andover Newton Theological School, Newton, MA.

From 1982 to 1993, and from 1995 to 1998, he served as Professor of Pastoral Theology at Holy Cross Theological School and Director-Supervisor for seminarians. He has also been instrumental in establishing Pastoral Formation guidelines for seminarians.

President of St. Andrew’s Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood of the Metropolis of Boston, as well as past member of its Board, Fr. George presently serves as Vice President of the RI Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood.

Fr. George and Presbytera Elaine have one daughter Anastasia Purcell and are proud grandparents to Ronald George Purcell.

The Reverend Dr. Economou joined our community in 1994, enriching our Parish life, sharing his wealth of spiritual and educational experience. His services are unparalleled in their beauty and spiritual uplifting.