MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Protopresbyter Theodore C. Filandrinos fell asleep in the Lord at the age 91 on January 11. Born March 30, 1928, he is survived by his son, Dean (Brooke); daughter, Andrea (P.C.) and son, Panos (Davin). He was a wonderful pappou to his five grandchildren: Theo (Nellie), Zoe, Aubrie, Owen, and Andelyn. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Presbytera Ione, his parents Gus and Demetra, and six siblings. He was ordained a priest in 1963 and guided six parishes throughout his 51 years of devoted service. His kindness, intellect, and his rich, tender singing voice inspired generations of parishioners. His last position was Visitation Priest at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church where he ministered to those in nursing homes and hospitals. Visitation with a Trisagion service was held on January 24 and the funeral was on January 25 at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church of Minneapolis, MN.

Fr. Theodore Filandrinos of blessed memory was the eleventh and last child of Gus Filandrinos from Hora, Trifillias, Greece, and Demetra Bakogiannis from Vamvakou, Laconia, Greece.

After high school, he attended Holy Cross School of Theology, the last class to enter at Pomfret, Connecticut, and then to Brookline (1947-1950). He was drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1950 and served as an interpreter with the Greek Expeditionary Forces in Korea. After completing his military service, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, earning a BA degree in Sociology. After various employment experiences he was called to Saint Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis and assumed the duties of Lay Assistant, Youth Director, Greek School teacher, and chanter. It was there that he met his beloved Presbytera Lone Nickolatos. They were married in September of 1962. A year later, he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Bishop Meletios of Blessed Memory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on September 22, 1963, and to the Holy Priesthood in Chicago, Illinois, on September 29, 1963, by Archbishop lakovos of Blessed Memory. His first parish was Assumption in Chicago as an assistant (1963-1967) and then went to Saint George in Chicago as Proistamenos (1968-1970). He then assumed the pastorship of Saint John the Theologian parish in Jacksonville, Florida (1970-1972), moving to All Saints parish in Peoria, Illinois, where he remained until he retired in 1997. He and Presbytera moved to Minneapolis and for two years, 1998-1999, served as interim priest in Duluth, Minnesota, until a permanent priest was assigned. Presbytera and he drove 340 miles round trip every weekend for those two years.

Following the two years in Duluth, he accepted a position as Visitation Priest at Saint Mary’s in Minneapolis, visiting and ministering to parishioners in nursing homes and hospitals. He also continued to assist with Holy Communion and distribute the antidoron. He co-officiated at many funerals, an occasional wedding and baptism, and heard confessions at St. Mary’s.