Rev. Dn. Orestes J. Varonis
Dn. Orestes was born on the Aegean island of Chios, Greece, where he was introduced to Byzantine Chanting in early childhood at the neighborhood church St. Marina. Growing up, he chanted at several of the island’s Orthodox Churches, learning from cantors schooled in the Byzantine chanting tradition of Constantinople.
Following his high school studies, he came to the U.S. to pursue a BA degree with majors in Physics and Mathematics. He then earned an MA degree in Mathematics, an MS degree in Physics, and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. In 1980, Dn. Orestes married Evangeline (Litsa) Marlos in Philadelphia and together with God’s Grace they have raised two children, Yianni and Maria.
Dn. Orestes served as Cantor at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Kalamazoo MI for 4 years, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Ann Arbor MI for 10 years, and at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Massillon OH for over 27 years. After serving at St. George for three years as a sub-deacon, on January 31, 2004, with God’s Grace and the guidance of Rev. Father Constantine Shiepis, he was ordained by His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Ainou as a permanent Deacon and assigned to serve this parish.
In late 2013, Dn. Orestes retired from the Timken Company after working for 27 years at the Timken Technology Center in North Canton OH, most recently as Manager of the Advanced Sensors and Controls Group. Dn. Orestes scientific field of specialization resides in Applied Electromagnetics with a focus on the design, development, and implementation of electromagnetic sensors and systems for materials characterization and non-destructive evaluation. He has over 30 years of experience in sensor technologies as applied to industrial product and process development, with several sensor patents issued to his credit.
Fr. Constantine Shiepis
Fr. Constantine Shiepies was born on the Island of Cyprus, September 17, 1931 of George and Eleni Shiepis. He married Bertha Christu Shiepis and they have five children and 13 grandchildren.
On May 6, 1958, Fr. Constantine ordained deacon at Koimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church In Aliquippa, PA and on May 18, 1958, Ordained priest at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Cleveland, Ohio. From May 1958 to January 1960 he served St. George Greek Orthodox Church in New Castle, PA. 1959 Awarded Certificate Archon Politis from New Castle, PA, Ahepa Chapter.
From 1960 – 2005 Fr. Constantine served the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Massillon, Ohio. During his ministry, he first remodeled the church in 1961 by opening a space from the sanctuary to the main hall of the church and adding two new windows in the balcony. A new belfry was erected and a new electric bell installed. The church was carpeted, new communion vessels and new office furniture and equipment were purchased. Enlargement of the narthex and new icons placed in the narthex, addition of new stained glass windows in choir loft and in the church.
On 1967 a new structure was built adjacent to the church with an office, six classrooms for Sunday School and Greek School use, a nursery, restrooms, and a furnace room.
In 1998 the new Cultural Center was dedication on May 3rd, with a seating capacity for 500 at the cost of one million dollars.
From 1999 until he retired in 2005, Fr. Constantine worked tirelessly on the adornment and renovation of the church with beautiful byzantine icons and a new iconostasis.
On November 11, 1979, Fr. Constantine received the title of Oikonomos granted by Archbishop Iakovos.
In 1981 Fr. Constantine was awarded Appreciation Plaque from St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church for 20 years of devoted service to their parishioners.
On May 1, 1982, Fr. Constantine was elevated to rank of Protopresbyter by His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Ainou.
January 27, 1985, an anniversary dinner was held to mark Fr. Shiepis’ 25 years of service as priest of St. George Church in Massillon, Ohio, where a Proclamation was issued by Mayor Delbert A. Demmer of Massillon, proclaiming a day to be set aside in Massillon as” Father Shiepis Day.”
In 2005 the Emeritus title was conferred before his retirement. Fr. Constantine continues to serve every Sunday and Holy Day and participate at all pan-Orthodox events in the Stark County.