Rev. John Estephan
GRAND RAPIDS — If the city’s oldest Orthodox church had a heart and soul, then for nearly half a century it could be found in the warm embrace of the Rev. John Estephan.
The pastor of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church from 1962 to 2002, he remained active in his religious community long after his retirement. He presided over more than 1,000 baptisms, scores of marriages and marked the deaths of many friends in this tight-knit community based at 334 LaGrave Ave. SE.
On Sunday, he passed away at his family’s home. He was 92.
The man with the thick Lebanese accent was known for his charisma and his ability to make people feel at home.
The Rev. Estephan would celebrate Christmas with his family on Thanksgiving, clearing the way for them to usher in friends and congregation members for the Christmas feast at their home.
“Father John … would always have a huge spread of homemade Mediterranean appetizers, meats, dishes and sweets for us,” said Michael Ritz, who assisted the Rev. Estephan at the church for 25 years. “We visited with him on Christmas many times. He always welcomed you in his home.”
St. George celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008. Salwa Crosby of Wyoming, one of the Rev. Estephan’s five children, said her father helped the church keep up with the times throughout the years.
“At one time, women were not allowed to play any part of the service,” Crosby said. “He was instrumental in involving women in the church in any way he could. He did some breakthrough things at the time. He allowed women to read the epistle and women to be ushers.
“He never turned away anyone who wanted to be a member. He never looked at a person with prejudice. And back in the day, there was a lot of it.”
Edward Ellis Jr. of Grand Rapids said his father was instrumental in bringing the Rev. Estephan to St. George, even though the priest could barely speak English at the time. Mr. Ellis recalled his father interviewing the Rev. Estephan at the Ellis’ home on Robinson Road about 50 years ago.
“Father John was working (at the Lebanese embassy in Mexico City) when Dad brought him in for an interview,” Ellis said. “His credentials in working with the embassy struck a bell. My father recognized his leadership skills and was interested in bringing him to the church.
“He has been my friend ever since he came to Grand Rapids from Mexico in the 1960s. He remained our priest for over 40 years. He remained our friend and confidante until his death.”
The Rev. Estephan is survived by his wife, Soad Estephan, five children, 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Visitation is from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. today at St. George. Services are 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.
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