Father Elias Velonis

Father Elias was born on May 20, 1948 in Philadelphia, PA to Thomas and Evandra Velonis and joined his sister Elaine. While attending Hellenic College and Holy Cross Seminary he met his wife, Mary Stylianopoulos. They married on May 28, 1972 (50 years of marriage!).

After spending time on his postgraduate studies at the University of Thessaloniki in Greece, Father Elias was ordained a Deacon on September 6, 1975 and a Priest on September 13, 1975 at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral is Philadelphia.

His first parish assignment was Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Baltimore. After four wonderful years along with celebrating the births of his daughter Margo and son Thomas, he was assigned to St. Luke in East Longmeadow, MA in 1979.

At St. Luke, Father guided the parish through its ground breaking ceremony, the building of the Church, and then the Church Consecration in 1988. Father served St. Luke for 22 years.

In retirement, Father spent time at Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline, MA as a mentor to a future generation of Greek Orthodox priests and their families. In 2011, Father and Presvytera moved to San Diego, CA to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Father enjoyed dancing, listening to music (loudly) and he loved spending time with his immediate and extended family. He enjoyed dessert and would sneak chocolate to his grandkids. No matter who you were, what you believed in, or where you were from, he would accept and love you with open arms. His laugh was bigger than life, his smile so bright, and the twinkle in his eyes was a delight.

Father Elias is survived by his wife Mary, his daughter Margo and her husband Samesh, his son Thomas and his wife Jean, his grandchildren Clayton, Sonia, Reena and Fiona, and those who fondly called him Uncle Elias.

Axios, Father Elias. May your memory be eternal.