With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Rev. Dr. Thomas (Athanasios) Parthenakis of Erie, PA, who fell asleep in the Lord on Thursday, October 3, 2019 following a battle with cancer.
Father Thomas was a professor of American history at Gannon University in Erie for 36 years before retiring in 2007 to become a priest. He graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in 2010. On January 2, 2011, at 69 years of age, he was ordained to the priesthood at St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church, Ithaca, NY by the hand of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, bishop of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit. Father Thomas was assigned to St. Catherine’s, where he served until his retirement as pastor in June of 2017. He and his wife, Presbytera Cathy, then moved back to Erie to be near family. Father Thomas would often serve at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, New Castle, PA when the parish’s pastor was away.
The Funeral service for Fr. Thomas will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 4376 West Lake Road, Erie, PA. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fr. Thomas' name to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 4376 West Lake Road, Erie, PA 16505 or the A.N.N.A. Shelter, 1555 East 10th Street, Erie, PA 16511.
May the memory of Fr. Thomas be eternal!
