With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share the news of the repose of the Rev. Protopresbyter Angelo Artemas (M.Div. ‘88), of Woodland Park, NJ. Fr Angelo fell asleep in the Lord on April 20, 2023, after a short but powerful fight with cancer (glioblastoma). Fr Angelo is survived by his loving and dedicated wife Patricia and their adored daughters Katie (New York), Maria (New York), and Eleni and son-in-law Brandon Putre (Denver).
Fr Angelo was born in Great Falls, Montana, on a Sunday morning to Fr John and Presbytera Nikie Artemas. As a son of a priest, he grew up serving the church and learning about the Orthodox faith. In 1985, he met his wife, Patricia Guethlein, after attending two Young Adult League conferences in Detroit and Seattle. They were married in August 1986 in Cincinnati, OH. They went on to grow their family with three beautiful girls - Katie, Maria, and Eleni.
Fr Angelo attended Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He went on to attend St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, New York,
where he earned both his Master of Divinity and completed coursework toward his Doctor of Ministry. While he was working toward his doctorate, he became a certified trainer through the National Institute of Youth Ministry in Irvine, California.
On April 12, 1987, Fr Angelo was ordained a deacon at Annunciation Church in Buffalo, NY, and then ordained a priest on August 17, 1988, at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toledo, OH. Both ordinations were celebrated by Bishop Timothy of Detroit. On November 1, 2020, he was elevated to the rank of Protopresbyter by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St John the Theologian in Tenafly, NJ.
Fr Angelo will always be revered for his strong moral ethics and convictions. In every decision he made, he stayed firm in his Orthodox Christian belief to always serve his faith and his family with truth and love. Behind every decision was both a humble and humorous spirit, always being the first to find light and levity during difficult times.
His extensive knowledge of music, movies, sports, and pop culture aided his impactful ministry with the youth and everyone with whom he engaged. Fr Angelo served as the National Youth Director for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) from October 1991 – July 1997. His involvement spanned groups from St Michael’s Home in Yonkers, NY, the Greek American Motorcycle Association (GAMA) in Chicago, IL, the Character Counts Committee in Glenview, IL, and guest lecturing at multiple universities.
Many also remember Fr Angelo as an author for his column in the GOA’s national newspaper the Orthodox Observer, where he eloquently analyzed various modern-day topics with a spiritual lens. He also compiled and edited the newspaper’s youth supplement.
Fr Angelo was blessed to serve a number of communities. Most recently he was Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St John the Theologian in Tenafly, NJ since January 2019. Fr Angelo had previously served at St George Church in Clifton, NJ (December 2016 – January 2019), Holy Trinity Cathedral in Charlotte, NC (June 2015 – June 2016), Annunciation Church in Milwaukee, WI (June 2012 – June 2015), Saints Peter and Paul Church in Glenview, IL (June 2001- May 2012), St George in Downey, CA (August 1997- June 2001), the Archdiocese Youth Office (September 1991- July 1997), and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toledo, OH (July 1988 – September 1991).
Fr Angelo was predeceased by his mother Presbytera Nikie Artemas, brother Peter and his in-laws Stan and Sophia Guethlein. In addition to his Presbytera Patricia and children, Father leaves behind his siblings Elaine (Chris Tikka), Lucy (Mike Banks), sister-in-law Stephanie McElroy, and his nieces and nephews Nikie and John Tikka, Alexandra Artemas, and Kira and Sophia McElroy.
A viewing will take place from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at The Metropolitan Cathedral of St John the Theologian in Tenafly, NJ. The Trisagion Service at 6 p.m. will be presided by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros. A second viewing will be held at 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, Glenview, IL. The Divine Liturgy will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, IL, presided over by Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, or the charity of your choice. Donations may also be made in Fr Angelo’s memory to Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey of the OCA or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
May Father Angelo’s memory be eternal! Christ is Risen!
Article adapted from barrettleberfuneralhome.com.
