In Memory of Rev. Dr. Asterios Gerostergios

Rev. Dr. Asterios Gerostergios (President of IBMGS) had two passions that he dedicated his life to: the Greek Orthodox Christian faith, and promoting the mission of the Institute for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies.

Father Asterios was born in the small village of Kalipefki, Greece on December 8, 1936. Despite his humble beginnings, he managed to graduate at the top of his class from the School of Theology at University of Athens in 1965. The following year, he taught high school in Athens, and then went on to study at the Theological and Philosophical School at Albert Ludwig University. In 1968, he moved to the United States to further his education. He was a student at Harvard University and in 1972, he received his Doctorate of Theology in Byzantine History and Theology from Boston University.

On June 25, 1972, he was ordained a priest at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Boston. St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Southbridge welcomed him as their new pastor where he served for five years until joining Sts. Constantine and Helen Cambridge in 1976. At Sts. Constantine and Helen, he brought life, energy, and strong fundraising efforts and became the cornerstone of the community for 42 years. He started the annual Grecian Festival, which was the largest fundraiser for the Church, and co-founded the Sts. Constantine and Helen Scholarship Program to support the youth in their education.

Rev. Gerostergios wrote his doctoral dissertation on Justinian the Great, which would later be published and offered through the Institute for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies in 1982, a book that quickly became a top seller. He later went on to author, publish, and translate dozens of religious and historical books that have been read in countries around the world, such as St. Photios the Great that was published in 1980.

Just like his dear friend Constantine Cavarnos P.H.D., Father Asterios took great pride in what the Institute for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies stood for, up until his passing on April 9, 2019. He will always live in our hearts and memories for all the wonderful things he has done throughout his lifetime and all those whose lives he has touched. May he rest in peace in God’s Grace and abundant love, and may his memory be eternal.