In Memoriam: Fr. William S. Chiganos, 1932-1995, pastor of Holy Apostles Church and founder of the AMNOS (All Men Need Our Savior) ministry. He was born Nov. 10, 1932, in Oak Park, Ill., and attended public schools in Chicago. The son of immigrants from Kalamata, Greece, young Bill Chiganos went to Austin High School and Assumption Greek Orthodox Church at 601 S. Central in Chicago. His father, Sam, owned Chicago’s Washington Restaurant, and his mother, Sophia, was a homemaker. He enrolled at Holy Cross School of Theology for six years and graduated with a B.A. in Theology in 1955. He also studied New Testament for two years at Chicago Lutheran Seminary in Maywood, Ill., and earned a B.A. at Elmhurst College and an M.A. at De Paul University. He married Ethel Anestos in June 1955, was ordained in Chicago as a deacon Aug. 22, 1955 and as a priest Dec. 27, 1955 by Bishop Ezekiel of Nazianzos. He was assigned to St. George Church in Pittsfield, Mass., from January to July 15, 1959, then was sent to Westchester, Ill., where he organized Holy Apostles. Fr. Chiganos was one of the longest-serving priests in the Archdiocese.He helped expand a Greek youth camp that has operated for 30 years in Williams Bay, Wis., leading to lifelong friendships and marriages. The AMNOS ministry included production of the Daily Bible Reading Guide for Orthodox Christians. At one point nearly 90,000 copies were sent a nationally. It also included a “Celebration of Books” every year starting on the second Sunday of Lent, which involved hosting internationally known speakers and scholars along with the viewing of thousands of Orthodox books. Nearly 150 copies of his sermons as a tape ministry were sent to people across the nation, including college students.
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