On April 1, 2012, St. Vladimir's Seminary lost a dear alumnus, great friend, and tremendous supporter, when Deacon John Zarras fell asleep in the Lord. Deacon John, who served most recently as deacon at Christ the Savior Church, Southbury, Connecticut, was a 2006 graduate of our school, having earned his Master of Divinity degree over a several-year period as a late-vocations student. Whenever he visited our campus, his positive attitude and reassuring smile consistently uplifted the spirits of the seminary community.
Besides attending the seminary as a student, Dn. John served our community in several capacities: Board of Trustee member and Corporate Secretary of the Board; Chair of the Advancement Committee of the Board; President of the St. Vladimir’s Seminary Foundation; and committee member for the SVS 2010 Strategic Plan. Deacon John also served in numerous capacities for the Orthodox Church in America, including most recently as a member of the Metropolitan Council, representing the Diocese of New England, and as a member of the newly formed Strategic Planning Committee.
Visitation will be held at Christ the Savior Church, 1070 Roxbury Rd., Southbury, CT, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 5. The Panikhida will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at the church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 6, followed by internment at Saint John Cemetery, Monroe.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, or to the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation at www.bit.ly/cfcf-zarras.
The entire seminary community is in prayer for Deacon John upon his repose, and for his wife, Evangeline, and their family. Memory Eternal!
