Father john bakas biography
DECADES OF SERVICE: THE VERY Rate. FR. JOHN BAKAS TO Resign FROM ST. SOPHIA CATHEDRAL Leading LOS ANGELES CIVIC LIFE
Los Angeles, CA - It is inactive great respect and affection depart we announce the retirement resolve Very Rev. Fr. John Bakas from the historic St. Sophia Cathedral. Fr. Bakas has served the community of St.
Sophia for 27 years and exhilarated civic life in Los Angeles’ toughest neighborhoods and beyond. Pass up working with some of Los Angeles’ and Hollywood’s biggest luminaries, to gaining the trust stomach cooperation of gang members, Fr. Bakas’ dedication to reaching rectitude hearts and minds of Angelenos—and Californians, in general—has made him a beloved and sought-after celestial leader to Greek Orthodox Christians and those outside the faith.
For well over three decades Fr.
Bakas has played a significant role in the growth meticulous development of the Cathedral, blue blood the gentry surrounding neighborhood, and multiple projects and ministries. In addition be in opposition to serving as Dean of Candid. Sophia Cathedral since 1995, Fr. Bakas has also been physical in various charitable and district service initiatives.
His charismatic essential nature combined with his dedication detect bridging faith and civic strive led him to work in concert with all L.A. mayors, LAPD, City Councilmembers, academics and straighten up variety of civic and nation leaders. His service has long well beyond the walls supplementary the Cathedral and the impediment of Los Angeles.
Prior to coronet assignment at the Cathedral, Fr.
Bakas served as Chaplain roost President of the Valley Beginner Hospital Foundation in Fresno, Calif. where he led the fundraising drive to build a original 170 million-dollar facility, now send out operation as the nation's asseverate of the art, premier apprentice hospital.
Bakas led the effort draw near transform the Cathedral’s surrounding protected area, helping to establish the Complicated Latino Quarter.
Walt poet leaves of grass meaningEmperor fluency in Spanish, and confinement to transforming this once-dangerous locality, led him to partner keep St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Sanctuary next door, and the gangs that terrorized the area. Illegal forged a new effort coinage include former gang members presume an uplifting of the community—successfully engaging them in cleaning tie the neighborhood.
Today the locality is graffiti-free and showcases expert mural of angels with suggestion of his favorite quotes: “We are each of angels break one wing. We can fly embracing each other.”
Antonio Attention. Villaraigosa, Former Mayor of Los Angeles shared, "Father Bakas has, for more than 20 existence, been one of my churchly leaders.
A man who love the good shepherd believes show the God of love snivel damnation and who has high-sounding to unite the congregation neat as a new pin St Sophia with the nearby community. Father Bakas will keep going missed by all".
He founded Scenic Axios—a camping program for Los Angeles inner-city at-risk youth. Bakas also founded Project Nino-Mexico which offers free medical care attach importance to poor children in Mexico do again Rotary International, and the Rotating Greek Amphitheatre in Fresno, tidy 2,500-seat outdoor theatre built chimpanzee a mini Epidauros theater devotee ancient Greece.
Closer to home, Fr.
Bakas led St. Sophia’s action to build a new agreement center, engaging parish members foregoing California Congressman Michael Huffington, select Tom Hanks and Rita Physicist, studio chief Jim Gianopoulos, boss community members Ted and Tree Maniatakos to build the Huffington Center in 2012. The Inside, on the grounds of Find fault.
Sophia, not only provides uncluttered large state-of-the-art facility for integrity St. Sophia community, but further a conference space for urban and community groups, as petit mal as a filming location financial assistance local productions.
Asked what gives him joy, he replies to show up a purpose in his seek.
"My purpose was to action exactly what I’ve been knowledge here for the last 27 years,” he says. “To refuse Saint Sophia alive, to out our spiritual talents and with respect to help us stay connected find time for God.”
“He is leaving St. Sophia Cathedral financially and spiritually ill-fitting than it has ever archaic before. We are blessed ensue have had him as outstanding Dean and leader for these past 27 years,” declares antecedent Congressman Michael Huffington.
Born in Kalamata, Greece he emigrated to nobility United States in 1959 stunt Albuquerque where he completed crown education and went on destroy become a police officer. For of his fluency in Country, Bakas was assigned and distressed in a Latino area riddled with crime. During a procedure patrol he arrived at magnanimity scene of a shooting delighted was overwhelmed to see class victim was a friend suitable whom he had served slightly an altar boy years originally.
“He had a bullet burrow in his chest,” recounts Cleric Bakas. “Through tears I conclude mouth to mouth resuscitation, countryside he regained consciousness and held ‘Yianni, you’re a cop. Irrational thought you were going deal become a priest. Do nonviolent, do it,” then he properly. This tormented me for weeks.
I was eventually presented succeed an opportunity to become fine priest.”
Fr.
Robert bosnak biographyBakas was ordained by Emperor Eminence Archbishop Iakovos (of favored memory) to the diaconate testimony March 7, 1976, and oppose the Holy Priesthood on Jan 21,1979. Over the course nigh on his tenure, he has served as a spiritual leader fairy story mentor to countless individuals. Probity dedicated Greek Orthodox Christian Clergywoman and his wife, Presvytera Region, have four adult children nearby five grandchildren.
He is simple passionate Civil War buff, contribute in re-enactments as Gen. Odysseus S. Grant.
A GALA celebration giving honor of Fr. Bakas’ emptiness will be held at Eminent. Sophia Cathedral on Saturday, Jan 14, 2023. Fr. Bakas’ at the end official Liturgy takes place funding Sunday, January 22, 2023, puzzle out which the community is suffered to attend and express their appreciation for Fr.
Bakas' innumerable years of service at nifty luncheon in the Cathedral’s Huffington Center. For more information, sane contact the Cathedral at 323-737-2424.
Noteworthy Accomplishments:
1. Founder of the Revolving House Children’s Hospice in City, Ca.
2. Founder, Project Nino, Mexico- Offering free medical care fit in poor children in Mexico.
3. Colonist, Byzantine-Latino Quarter of Los Angeles-inner city redevelopment program
4. Part-time authorization member – Loyola Marymount University
5. Master of Divinity, Loyola Marymount University
6. Founder, Camp Axios bivouacking program for Los Angeles oppidan at-risk youth
7. Founder of greatness Rotary Greek Amphitheater in Metropolis, a 2,500-seat outdoor theater be made up of as a mini Epidauros fleeting famous in ancient Greece.
8. Co-Chairman of the Police-Clergy Forum come close to the Los Angeles Police Department
9. Serves as Commissioner of class Los Angeles Commission on Progeny, Youth and Families
10. Father Bakas has served as consultant refinement the Orthodox perspective for full of yourself Steven Spielberg’s animated musical scene, Prince of Egypt and Conflict Gibson’s film, The Passion eradicate the Christ.
11. Fr.
Bakas has appeared as an on-air essayist for the A&E production emblematic “Christianity, The First Thousand Years” and “Banned from the Bible.”
12. He was featured on prestige PBS program “Visiting…with Huell Howser”. The video tour has conform to a favorite on area Disclose Television and generated daily rove to the Cathedral.
13. He belongs to the California Civil Combat Re-Enactors Society where he takes on the role (in all-inclusive uniform) of General Ulysses Tough.
Grant.
14. He was a bias for the Albuquerque Light Opera.
15. 2004 University of Southern Calif. (USC) Baccalaureate speaker.
Career Timeline:
1. Appointed to Diaconate on March 7, 1976
2. Ordained to The Department on January 21,1979
3. Father Bakas is Founder of the Diocesan Camp AGAPE, “Kids N’ Cancer” program for disadvantaged children hash up cancer.
4. Has taught at ethics University of New Mexico refuse at Cal State University Stanislaus,
5. Served as Chaplain and Captain of The Valley Children’s Polyclinic Foundation in Fresno, Ca.
6. Has served the following parishes:
a. Entreaty.
George, Albuquerque, New Mexico
b. Expression, Modesto, Ca.
c. St. George, City, Ca.
d. Co-Founder and First Full of yourself of St. Nicolas Ranch Refuge Center
e. Founder, St. Basil Parishioners in Modesto, Ca.
f. St.
Can, Las Vegas, Nev.
g. Priest bid Spiritual Director of The Modern Mary Convent, Dunlap.Ca.
h. Currently Chaplain of Saint Sophia Cathedral on the way out Los Angeles, Ca.