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2012 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 290
Commending the Reverend Dr. Constantine Rogakos.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 3, 2012
Agreed to by the Senate, February 9, 2012

 

WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. Constantine Rogakos, the associate pastor of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Norfolk, will be honored for his many contributions to the Greek Orthodox Church as he celebrates the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood and the occasion of his retirement; and

WHEREAS, a native of the port city of Gythion in Greece, Father Rogakos received a divinity degree from the School of Theology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and, after serving in the Greek armed forces, came to the United States and studied at Columbia University; and

WHEREAS, on November 12, 1961, Father Rogakos was ordained a deacon in Philadelphia, and, two weeks later, was ordained a priest at the Assumption of the Theotokos Church in Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, while appointed pastor of the St. George Church in Port Arthur, Texas, Father Rogakos received a presidential commission and joined the United States Army Reserve; he was transferred to active duty in 1968; and

WHEREAS, the only Greek Orthodox chaplain in the United States Army under the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Father Rogakos served his country and faith with great distinction on United States soil, in Germany, and in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Father Rogakos earned the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Medal, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation, Army Forces Reserve Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (Third Oak Leaf Cluster), and Meritorious Service Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster); and

WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished military career, Father Rogakos provided hope, comfort, and spiritual nourishment to soldiers while striving to advance the recognition of the Greek Orthodox faith in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, due to Father Rogakos’ ongoing efforts, the Greek Orthodox faith is now recognized as a separate entity and the fourth major faith in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Father Rogakos, a protopresbyter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, came to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Norfolk in 1990; and

WHEREAS, for more than two decades, Father Rogakos has faithfully ministered to the members of the parish, helping build a spiritual center where individuals from all walks of life may join together in worship and fellowship; and

WHEREAS, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral will honor Father Rogakos’ 50 years of faithful service with a testimonial dinner on February 25, 2012, in Norfolk; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Reverend Dr. Constantine Rogakos on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood and his retirement; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Dr. Constantine Rogakos as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration and respect for his devoted service to his faith and the country.