With the death of Father Emmanuel J. Gratsias, pastor of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Resurrection, his parishioners, as well as the City of Glen Cove and surrounding communities, has lost a religious leader, community activist, political pundit, mentor, confidante and friend, embodied in a towering, smiling and always accessible physical presence.

Born and raised in Washington DC, Father Manny always possessed an active interest in politics and he attended George Washington University with the thought of entering some aspect of the political arena. However, he came to feel that there was something more... a better way to address social injustices and issues facing those less fortunate than himself, and so he left George Washington to enroll in the Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA. He was ordained a deacon in 1972; two weeks later, he was ordained a priest.

He made his way to Brooklyn, where he served as assistant priest at the Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church. Meanwhile, at the North Shore Hellenic Society, Greek Orthodox residents from Glen Cove, Bayville and neighboring communities were discussing the need to found an Orthodox Church in the vicinity. But if there were to be a church, they realized, there needed to be a priest. The group petitioned the archdiocese and was given the telephone number of one Father Emmanuel Gratsias. The Brooklyn priest was contacted, a meeting was arranged, and the result was a match made in heaven.

Father Manny moved his wife Alexandra to a home on Briarcliff Lane in Glen Cove, where they raised their two sons, John and Alexander.

And thus, the beginnings of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Resurrection were established. Father Manny worked to increase his flock by going through local telephone books and calling anyone with a Greek surname. No one who was contacted could resist the charisma that was evident even through the phone line.

The Church began with humble beginnings, borrowing space at the Carpenter Memorial Methodist Church in Glen Cove, where it was housed until 1981. Longtime Glen Covers may remember parishioners calling themselves the "souvlaki brigade" at street fairs, selling souvlaki and Greek pastries to increase the church's coffers. In 1981, the parish was able to purchase St. Hyacinth Roman Catholic Church at Cedar Swamp Road in Glen Cove, where it remained until May of 2005. Each year, the church grounds were turned into a Greek village for its annual festival, and the ubiquitous Father Manny could be found placing orders, approving deliveries, and, when the festival opened, playing host and welcoming all comers with a smile, a handshake, a pat on the back and a Greek word or two interspersed, be the guest Greek or kseni.

Father Manny laid the foundation for the Greek Orthodox faith in Glen Cove and surrounding areas. An absolute optimist, he continuously inspired his parishioners to look forward to the time they could worship in a church of true Byzantine tradition, under a dome. His commanding lead encouraged hope and left no room for uncertainty. The parish continued to grow as did the reality that "yes, we just might be able to build that church." And build it they did. In 1996, the parish bought property at the intersection of Northern Boulevard and Rte. 107. The groundbreaking was in May of 2003, and two years later, on May 15, 2005, the doors were opened beneath the Byzantine dome.

However, to encapsulate Father Manny's life within the parameters of the Greek Orthodox Church is to do a disservice to a man whose heart and mind were open to any and all persons he met, regardless of religion or ethnicity. One need not be Greek Orthodox to be welcome in his life, or his arms. He was a champion of the needy and an advocate for the poorest of the poor. His life was dedicated to the protection of the dignity of every human being. He greeted everyone with his charming smile, asked "How you doing, champ?" and gave a thumbs up.

Father Manny represented religion in its purest form, welcoming non-Orthodox spouses and working as an active member of the North Shore Clergy Association, encouraging dialogue among all faiths, treating each individual with respect and equality. One of his most important contributions to the needy of City of Glen Cove was his participation as a charter member of the North Shore Sheltering Program, for which he served as director for seven years. He took his beliefs to the street, adhering to the edict to "think globally and act locally." Courageous, bold and a man of convictions, he swept others up in his passion and dedication and with a mountain of a man at the forefront, mountains were moved wherever and whenever they needed to be.

County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi had a long established relationship with Father Manny and last year, the two men were honored for their work on the sheltering program. "I love Father Manny," said County Executive Suozzi. "He was a remarkable man who combined intelligence, ability and compassion. It's one thing to say 'love your neighbor,' but another thing to actually get it done. And he got it done." Calling the priest "a rare person," the county executive said he will miss Father Manny very much.

The Rev. Betsy Simpson, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Glen Cove and current president of the North Shore Sheltering Program said, "Father Manny was a very loving, generous, compassionate man with an incredible presence. When he walked into a room, it would just light up. I've been missing him terribly." She paused and added, with a smile in her voice, "...and oh, that laugh..."

Rabbi Dr. Janet Liss of the North Country Reform Temple called Father Manny "a towering figure in the community." She worked with the priest in the North Shore Clergy Association and said, "He was a respected leader that everyone looked up to." She recounted a time when the Greek Orthodox Church hosted an Interfaith Thanksgiving service. "I remember how proud Father Manny was to have us in his home and to expose everyone to his traditions. He was so welcoming to the interfaith community. And he didn't shy away from issues ... if he believed in something, he believed in it passionately." Rabbi Liss added that when Father entered a room, "You knew he was there. He was a booming presence."

Rev. Allen Ramirez of the Brookville Reform Church acknowledged Father Manny's devotion and dedication to those who were the weakest and most vulnerable in the community. "He did a lot of work which brought him no glory," said the reverend, "but gave him a great sense of dignity because he saw that work as a reflection of who we are as a community. He was a man who had a love of God and also of his fellow man," Rev. Ramirez said, "and truly loved his neighbor as himself." He added that the new church is a "monument to the faith of the Orthodox community, and at the same time, to the perseverance [of Father Manny]. It took a long time, but he was willing to do whatever it took to build a place of worship for his community."

More than anything, however, Father Manny was deeply devoted to, and immeasurably proud of, his family. Parishioners often expressed gratitude to Ms. Gratsias, John and Alexander for their willingness to share him so freely with each and every member of his church and community at all hours, on any day.

Father Emmanuel J. Gratsias died Oct. 16, 2007 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Keeping with his character, he spoke little of his illness, and for as long as he was able, he continued to minister to the needs of his community. For the past 31 years, Father Manny has been the only priest his parish has known, but while the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Resurrection has been devastated by the death of their beloved pastor, parishioners are absolutely dedicated to continuing the work Father Manny began and look forward to the continued growth of the parish.

Father Manny would expect nothing less.