HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 215 Offered January 20, 2006 Celebrating the life of the Very Reverend Father Charles Goumenis. ---------- Patron-- Joannou ----------

WHEREAS, the Very Reverend Father Charles Goumenis, beloved priest of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, died on September 15, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Father Charles graduated from Pomfret Holy Cross Seminary and was ordained into the holy priesthood in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, in 1944; and

WHEREAS, a Greek Orthodox priest for 61 years, Father Charles served congregations in Oklahoma, New Jersey, and South Carolina before coming to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Granby Street in 1964, where he served until his retirement in 1986; and 

WHEREAS, Father Charles received the Ofikion title of Protopresbyter in 1964 from Archbishop Zakovos, the highest award a married priest can attain; and

WHEREAS, Father Charles helped a great many people in need; he felt passionately that mere words were not always enough and provided his parishioners with comfort, love, and a warm embrace in times of great joy, as well as sorrow; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure, Father Charles was instrumental in acquiring 10 additional classrooms for the education wing, the founding of a senior citizens club, the creation of a center for youth, and the organization of trips to the Holy Land; and

WHEREAS, Father Charles was an intelligent and intuitive spiritual leader, who had an exceptional singing voice, as well as the special gift of instantly putting people, young and old, at ease; and

WHEREAS, Father Charles will be missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends and the parishioners of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a compassionate and respected spiritual leader, the Very Reverend Father Charles Goumenis; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Very Reverend Father Charles Goumenis as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.