Dr. Stephanopoulos Honored At St. John's University
BY CATHERINE TSOUNIS

Photo Catherine Tsounis (L. to r): Presvitera Nikki Stephanopoulos, the Rev. Dr. Robert Stephanopoulos, holding an award for outstanding teaching, Yvonne Cassimatis, who presented the award, and Dr. John G. Siolas of the St. John's University Modern Greek Language and Literature Program.

The Rev. Dr. Robert G. Stephanopoulos, Ph.D was honored for his outstanding teaching at St. John's University in Jamaica. The award ceremony took place at the second annual Evening of Greek Culture and Cuisine on Friday evening, October 13 in Marillac Terrace of Marillac Hall. The award was sponsored by the Modern Greek Language and Literature Program of the Languages and Literatures Department. Rev. Dr. Stephanopoulos has dedicated over 17 years to teaching the unique Eastern Orthodoxy theology course. He has shaped the lives of generations of students. His wife, Presvitera Nikki, has supported his ministry through the years.

The Rev. Robert George Stephanopoulos, Ph.D, a priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for 47 years, has been Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity since 1982.Prior to that time he served as pastor of St. Demetrios Church, Fall River, Massachusetts; the Church of Our Saviour, Rye New York and as Dean of Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral, Cleveland, Ohio. A renowned ecumenist, theologian, lecturer and pastor, he is Adjunct Professor of Eastern Christian Thought at St. John's University.

A graduate of Holy Cross School of Theology, Brookline, Massachusetts, he studied one year at the University of Athens School of Theology and received a Ph.D in Ecumenics, Missions and World Religions at Boston University. Long active in interreligious outreach and dialogue, he has served as Ecumenical Officer of the Archdiocese, was the first Orthodox and youngest person ever elected recording secretary of the National Council of Churches. Author of Guidelines for Orthodox Christians in Ecumenical Relations, he is a Founding Member of Orthodox Dialogues with Catholics, Anglicans, Evangelicals and Jews. A frequent participant in international conferences, Father Robert was a member of the Church Leaders Peace Pilgrimage to the Middle East (December 1991); the seventh Assembly of the World Council of Church in Canberra, Australia (1991); and was a member of the National Council of Churches delegation to the USSR in 1974.

In addition to Guidelines, Father Robert has authored The Greek (Eastern) Orthodox Church (1990), Patriarch Dimitrios in the USA (1991), and IAKOVOS: The Making of an Archbishop (1996).

Father Robert is married to Nikki Stephanopoulos, director of news and information/public relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. They have four children and two granddaughters: Mother Agapia, a nun at the Convent of the Presentation of the Theotokos New South Wales, Australia; George, husband of Alexandra and father of Elliot Anastasia and Harper Andrea, is chief Washington correspondent for ABC News and host of

"This Week", Sunday mornings on ABC TV; Marguarite is assistant vice president for conferences and events for Deutsche Bank in New York City and Andrew is a psychologist and director of client care for Moonview Sanctuary, Santa Monica, California.