THE ASSIGNMENT AND PASTORATE OF REVEREND FATHER GEORGE SAVAS, 1987-1993
Father George Savas was assigned to Saint Andrew in 1987 and assumed his duties in August, 1987.
In the October 1987 parish Bulletin he wrote a letter introducing himself:
"I was born and raised in Chicago and I attended the St. Nicholas parish in Oak Lawn. In 1981 I received a Bachelor of Arts from Hellenic College. Also in 1981 I was married to Helen Gavrilis from Charlotte, NC. In 1984 I graduated from Holy Cross with a Master of Divinity. After graduation I spent 3 months in Greece with the Ionian Village. After I returned to the United States I undertook the position as assistant at the Annunciation Cathedral in Atlanta."
Saint Andrew was his first parish assignment. During his term at Saint Andrew, Father George revived the Vespers and August 15 Dormition Divine Services at Holy Dormition Chapel in New Carlisle; the Consecration of the Church on Ironwood took place in 1990; the Holy Friday Retreat was started; church tours during the Greek festival were started; the Iconostasis was built; the Bookstore was opened; the Dance Troupe was formed and the Hellenic Cultural Society was formed.
After leaving Saint Andrew he served parishes in Florida and the Diakonia Retreat Center in Atlanta. He returned to layman status in 2014 and currently serves as executive director of the Bethany Center in Florida.
THE PASTORATE OF REVEREND FATHER CHRIST KONTOS, 1994-2000
Father Christ Kontos assumed the pastorate of Saint Andrew in 1994 Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox parish was Father Christ's first assignment.
Father Kontos graduated from Hellenic College Holy Cross in 1991. He married the former Michele Alatzas. Father Christ was assigned as an assistant priest at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Milwaukee, WI from 1991-1994.
During his tenure at Saint Andrew, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Navy Pier in Chicago with members of our parish attending; Deacon Stefanos Alexopoulos assigned to St. Andrew; mortgage paid off and mortgage burning celebration, and JOY and GOYA remain active.
Upon leaving Saint Andrew, Father Christ served St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Asbury Park, NJ and is currently serving St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, PA with Presbytera Michele and their three children.