Reno priest’s final service brings a tireless career to a Close
6/12/2010
By:
Martha Bellisle • mbellisle@rgj.com
This time, he’s leaving for real.
After officially retiring in October, but returning to fill in until his replacement was secured, the charismatic and beloved Father George Bratiotis, pastor of St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church for almost 34 years, said his final goodbyes Sunday.
But he assured his parishioners that he’ll still be close by if needed.
“It’s time for the St. Anthony flock to get a new shepherd,” he told a full church during the Divine Liturgy. “I have been blessed with many wonderful years here. But the time has come for you to welcome your new priest.”
His departure made many sad.
“I just told him we’re going to miss him,” said Peter Djukanovich, whose son was married by Bratiotis. “There were a few tears coming out.”
Danica Jones, a member of the parish council, said she’s taking comfort in the fact that Bratiotis will remain in Reno.
“I’m not feeling insecure for that reason,” she said. “It will be awesome to have him here.”
Bratiotis, 67, first served at St. Anthony from 1971 to 1974, but moved on to churches in Pittsburgh and San Diego before returning to Reno in 1980. His two daughters went to Washoe County schools and to the University of Nevada, Reno before taking positions working with the public.
His family is well-known in the Reno community: His wife, Gloria, works as a homeless liaison for the Washoe County School District; his daughter Alexia is in public relations; and daughter Christiana has a doctoral degree in social work.
When he first arrived in Nevada, many friends asked if he had slot machines in the vestibule, Bratiotis recalled with a smile.
“What’s beautiful to realize is that despite all the gaming and tourism, genuine, true people live here and work here and have spiritual needs just like everybody else,” he said.
Today, his congregation numbers 150 families, “or 350 souls,” with various ethnic backgrounds, including Serbs, Russians, Albanians, Romanians, Ethiopians, a couple from Nazareth and another from Egypt, he said.
“We have wonderful ethnic diversity all bound together by being Greek Orthodox Christians,” he said.
His purpose here, he said, was to “bring people closer to God.”
“That’s my calling,” he said.
But after 42 years in the priesthood, he said it was time for a new leader.
“All priests realize that it’s important for them to step aside and let someone younger come in with fresh ideas,” he said.
Bratiotis plans to stand beside Father Stephen Karcher when he oversees the Divine Liturgy next Sunday. After that, the new pastor is on his own.
“It will be his Sunday with his new congregation,” Bratiotis said. “He doesn’t need the old guy looking over his shoulder.”
