"The Monk" Father Ephraim George

The Monk, Father Ephraim George Thompson, age 95, departed this life peacefully on Tuesday, January 27, at 12:40 PM. Born Henry Edward Howard on 10-6-1919, he was tonsured Monk Ephraim George in 1999 of the St. Herman House of Hospitality (formerly a Monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church) by Metropolitan Constantine of Blessed Memory. Fr. Ephraim arrived at St. Herman’s in the early 1980’s using the name Ernest Thompson and seeking shelter in the Ohio City based feeding ministry and house of hospitality for homeless men. Having left home fleeing an abusive stepfather at an early age, Fr. Ephraim found a home, a family, and a place of service at what is now the St. Herman House – FOCUS Cleveland. Known at St. Herman’s, in Ohio City, and throughout the Greater Cleveland community as "Father Happy," he never disappointed those who greeted him. Whenever asked, "How are you Father Ephraim?" he would always reply, "Happy in the Lord." And indeed he was, is, and will always be in the age to come. Fr. Ephraim taught all who knew him that happiness is attained through simplicity, self-denial, and service to others. Little is known about his family, suffice it to say, he is survived by those who continue his legacy of selflessness and good will to those who continue to serve Cleveland’s homeless and needy poor.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking that memorial gifts be sent to:

St. Herman's FOCUS Cleveland

PO Box 932612

Cleveland, OH 44193

Services for Fr. Ephraim George will be held at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 5913 State Road, Cleveland, OH 44134 [PH (440) 886-3252].

Visitation: Friday, Jan. 30th, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Parastas (Memorial Prayers) will be celebrated at 7:30 PM during the Visitation. The body will lie in state at St. Vladimir through the night and those faithful who are able will be encouraged to keep vigil by reading the Psalms.

The Funeral Service: Saturday, January 31st, at 9:30 AM, followed by interment at St. Theodosius Russian Cemetery, 8200 Biddulph Road, Cleveland, OH 44144