Politics
George Stephanopoulos’ Mysterious Absence Is Finally Explained
George Stephanopoulos has returned to the “Good Morning America” set, resuming his role after taking a week to mourn the passing of his father, Reverend Robert George Stephanopoulos, who died on June 19 at the age of 89. The news of his father’s death was first shared by Stephanopoulos’ wife, Ali Wentworth on social media.
“Reverend Robert George Stephanopoulos, PhD, Dean Emeritus Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity passed away on June 19th,” Wentworth wrote. “He was my father-in-law and I loved him dearly. He married us. He laughed with us. He debated our daughters. He praised my Thanksgiving turkey. He loved ice cream. He was everyone’s council. He married or baptized almost every Greek on the eastern seaboard. He was held in the highest regard. He will be missed by so many. Sagapo Father Bob.”
His passing came just a year after the death of his wife, Presvytera Nikki Stephanopoulos, with whom he shared a profound partnership in both life and ministry.
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Affectionately known as Father Bob, Rev. Stephanopoulos was celebrated for his dedication, loyalty, and the deep love he held for each community he served. His journey in the clergy took him from the role of Dean at Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Cleveland Heights from 1974 to 1982, to twenty-five years of leadership at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City according to his obituary.
Born in Neohorion, Elias, Greece, in 1934, Father Robert followed in his father George’s footsteps into the priesthood. He met his future wife, Nikki, at a Greek Orthodox Youth of America (GOYA) conference in 1954, while he was a seminarian at the Holy Cross School of Theology. They married in June 1958 and commenced their ministry together at Saint Demetrios Church in Fall River, Massachusetts. Their union brought forth four children—Anastasia (Mother Agapia), George, Marguarite, and Andrew—prior to their move in 1966 to the Church of Our Savior in Rye, New York.
After earning his PhD from Boston University, he became an influential theologian and ecumenist, analyzing ecumenical relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and serving as its chief ecumenical officer from 1970 to 1975. He also held several senior roles at the National Council of Churches. His influence lives on through his children, his daughter-in-law Alexandra Wentworth, and his grandchildren Elliott and Harper Stephanopoulos.
His son, George Stephanopoulos, rose to prominence during the 1992 U.S. presidential campaign as the communications director for Bill Clinton. Following Clinton’s victory, he served as the White House Communications Director and subsequently as a senior advisor to the President. His experiences during this period were chronicled in his memoir “All Too Human,” which became a bestseller. After leaving the White House, Stephanopoulos transitioned to journalism. He joined ABC News in 1997, initially as a political analyst. He went on to host ABC’s “This Week” and co-anchor “Good Morning America,” where his interviews and coverage of major political events solidified his reputation as a key media figure. His role at ABC has made him a voice in politics, known for his interviews with major political figures.
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