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Metropolitan Silas of Saranta Ekklêsies, formerly Metropolitan of New Jersey, one of the most dedicated and loved Hierarchs of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, died of a massive heart attack on Tuesday evening December 12, 2000, following hip surgery in hospital in New York. The funeral service was held at St. John the Theologian in Tenafly in New Jersey on December 16 and the internment took place at Holy Cross grounds according to his wish on December 18, 2000.
Metropolitan Silas was born Savas Koskinas on December 27 1919, in Corfu in the family of Gerasimos and Magdalene Koskinas. After graduating from High School in Corfu he studied Theology in the University of Athens and graduated in 1943. On June 22, 1944, Metropolitan Ezekiel of Thessaliôtês ordained him to the priesthood, having previously ordained him Deacon on August 15, 1941 in Athens. His first ministry as a priest was in the Greek army where he served as a chaplain and preacher in Epirus, and then in the Sacred Metropolis of Iôannina and in the sacred Church of the Divine Transfiguration in Athens.
On July 10, 1946, he came to the USA following an invitation of Archbishop Athenagoras (later Patriarch of Constantinople) and ministered as priest in charge at various parishes, St George's in Albuquerque, New Mexico (1946-1949), St. Sophia's in New London, Connecticut and at the missionary Stavropegiac Monastery of St. Paul in Byron Springs, California, (1949-1951), St. John the Baptist's in Boston, Massachusetts (1951-1957), and at St. Nicholas' Cathedral in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania). During his service at St. John the Baptist's in Boston he taught Theology at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline.
From 1951 to 1957 he taught New Testament at...