Stephanopoulos to Retire From Greek Orthodox Church

Daniel Burke
07-16-08

(RNS) Nikki Stephanopoulos, a longtime spokeswoman for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and mother of Washington political insider George Stephanopoulos, will retire Aug. 1.

Stephanopoulos began in 1983 as an editor for the archdiocese's Orthodox Observer and soon rose to become the director of news and public relations for the 1.5 million-member church.

The Minnesota native also coordinated media for the U.S. visits of ecumenical patriarchs Dimitrios in 1991 and Bartholomew in 1997. Stephanopoulos is a member of the governing board of the National Council of Churches.

Her husband, the Rev. Robert Stephanopoulos, recently retired after 25 years as dean of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City.

Archbishop Demetrios of America said Nikki Stephanopoulos "has offered in an insightful and amiable way her service in the various tasks of the church which needed her contribution."

The archbishop added that "Nikki has our wholehearted thanks and our warm prayers for abundant blessing from God."

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