HR0676 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0676 LRB096 15058 KXB 30052 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor Reverend Father Panagiotis K. Malamis, who has lovingly served the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Demetrios parish for 35 years; he will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood; and

WHEREAS, Father Panagiotis Malamis was born in 1935 to Konstantinos and Demetra Malamis and grew up in Sigouni, Kalavryta; later, he was introduced to Presvytera Theodora, who hailed from nearby Tourlada, Kalavryta; he proposed marriage, and soon after she went to Montreal, Canada; and

WHEREAS, She invited him to join her in 1962 and they married; with great love and pride, he and Presvytera would welcome nine children into the world: three daughters and six sons; and

WHEREAS, In 1966, he enrolled in the Holy Cross Theological School, and the family moved to Boston; in Connecticut in May 1968, he was ordained a deacon by His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Olymbou, who also ordained him into the Holy Priesthood in May 1969; by July of 1969, he was assigned to his first parish, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago; after two years, he was transferred to Saint Demetrios Church in Chicago for a three-year assignment; and

WHEREAS, In September of 1974, Father Panagiotis would join the parish where he would spend the remainder of his life, Saint Demetrios in Elmhurst; in the early days there was no church or school, the services and afternoon school classes were held in a former junior high school building; as Proistamenos, Father Panagiotis actively led the parish in its efforts to construct a school and community center in 1976, and a church in 1978; and

WHEREAS, When he celebrated his 25th year in the priesthood, the late Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America granted Father Panagiotis the title, "Protopresbyter," the highest rank and distinction that a married priest may attain; Father became the first priest in the area to celebrate the 40-day liturgies during the Christmas fast; Father Panagiotis embraced the Epiphany tradition of blessing the parishioners' homes each year, even as the parish grew; today, the church also includes the parochial day school, Pythagoras Children’s Academy, with classes from pre-school through the first grade, the Pythagoras Greek Afternoon School, and two chapels were erected, the Holy Anargyroi Chapel and the Saint John Chapel; and

WHEREAS, Father Panagiotis retired in 2006; among his proudest achievements is seeing his son, Father Sotirios, follow in his footsteps; he currently serves as Assistant Priest at Holy Trinity Church in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, On November 1, 2009 a celebration will be held honoring Father Panagiotis Malamis for his years of service; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Father Panagiotis Malamis and wish him continued good health and happiness; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Father Panagiotis Malamis as a symbol of our respect and esteem.