 Father Philemon Karamanos was born to Nicholas and Zaharoula Karamanos in the village of Pyrgos, Kalamata, Greece on March 27, 1937. He came to the United States in 1956 and attended Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline from 1958-1964 graduating Cum Laude. Furthering his studies Father Philemon graduated from Syracuse University, New York, 1967 and later attended the University of Detroit receiving a M.A. in New Testament in 1972. His Grace Bishop Germanos of Synadon ordained Father Philemon to the diaconate at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Detroit, and two weeks later on October 24, 1965, ordained him to the Priesthood and then assigned the new priest to Saint Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church in Watertown, New York. Father and Presvytera Karamanos with their young family arrived at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Lincoln Park, Michigan in July, 1968. Saint George relocated to Southgate in 1977. Following the Divine Liturgy celebrating the Thiranixia (Opening of the Church Doors) of the new church, His Excellency Bishop Timotheos of the Detroit Diocese conferred upon Father, the Office of Confessor and later bestowed Fr. Philemon with the office of Protopresbyter.
Father Karamanos, through the guiding hands of God, has been largely responsible for the construction of the Saint George Parish. At the center of the parish is a magnificent byzantine church. Also included are a two story Education Building, the Grecian Center banquet facility and the Deaconess Tower Senior Citizens complex. In June 2003 the parish dedicated the beautifully landscaped park to Father, naming it the Reverend Philemon Karamanos Park. Father Karamanos and Presvytera Eleni, have been blessed with three children and seven grandchildren - their daughter Dr. Zaharoula (son-in-law Dr. Lambrou Viennas) and children Kosta and Philemon; daughter Alexandra (son-in-law Leonidas Argyris) and children Elias, Eleni, and Alexandros; and son Nicholas (daughter-in-law Evelyn) and children Eleni and George. By the grace of God, Father Philemon has baptized, married, buried, guided, taught, counseled, and comforted four generations of parishioners of Saint George. |